Are sites like this the exact same formula as a paid fit in store?

https://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp

https://www.backcountry.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculator.jsp?LOC_ID=BFGL0003#measure

Or would you go with a paid fit?

Are there any places to get free fits?

Moved from General Cycling.

A competent paid fit involves you riding your bike and the fitter adjusting your position to correctly position your center of gravity and improve your comfort and remove wobbles and inefficiencies.

Online fit calculators are really just the most basic starting point.

Online calculators are to ballpark you into the correct frame size. The fit is then up to you or to a professional fitter. Your local bike shop (LBS) will give you a free fit with purchase of a bike. This is not the same as a pro fit, but might be fine. I'd start with that and see how it goes.

One thing to be a little careful of is that some LBS folks will want to sell you a bike that they have in stock, whether it fits you or not. Then there's the additional thing of wondering if the LBS employee fitting you to the bike has the slightest idea about what they're doing. If you have a friend who's an experienced rider, maybe they can go with you and help you evaluate the service you're getting. So it's not really the exact fit on the bike that I'd worry about so much as it is just getting the right frame for you. Online calculators can help with that by arming you with information before you go to the shop. It's normal for your exact fit on the bike to change as you get used to the bike and your fitness increases.

Or just being able to think about how the bike feels, no charts no special kits, just 30+ years on the Bike.

But A Touring rider , not needing ultimate efficiency for winning Bike Races..


In My LBS there is no Market for $4000+ bikes so no justification of expensive fit test gear to pay for with paid sessions ..

Instead the trainer stand comes out, the bike put on it and You have a conversation about how it feels , and try on different stems , etc.




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When you pay for a fit the fitter checks your flexibility, which is as important as body dimensions for correct fitting, especially if you have flexibility limitations. The fitter also watches you ride and can give you pointers on whether you need to change your posture.