Hello...I have been riding for almost a full year. Started out as a C rider (14-16mph avg) and have progressed into an A- rider (18-20mph avg). I use a small shop who happens to be a dealer for my bike, but his fitting techniques are very basic, which I am sure is fine for most riders. I know there is a lot more science to bike fitting these days. I have heard about the Trek Precision Fit, Retul fitting, etc...

Where I live has a very good combination of flat sections, short steep hills, long butt kicking climbs....so, pretty much all types of terrain.

So...2 questions:

1. Do these high-tech fittings offer any more benefit than the basic fitting?
2. If so, which is preferred?

The "science" of bike fit for road bikes really hasn't changed all that much over the years. Unless you have functional challenges, an "old-school" fitter with decent amount of skill can get you pretty close to optimal with a basic fit. The main reason people invest in a "pro" fit is to correct problems that are causing discomfort on the bike. The systems use video and motion capture to help the fitter get a better look at what's happening on the bike so he/she can evaluate the effect of smaller changes more quickly. Some people will swear by one system or another, but there's no magic in the "systems". It's really just about the fitter's skill in using the system (and knowing when to deviate to meet your individual needs). If you don't have any "problems" you want the fitter to correct, then you may find the return on investment to be a little disappointing.

from postings here
As Race Bikes escalate in price people feel more insecure about .. is this the right size and a good price ?

and the A vs B of different brands .. all wanting a slice of the same market.

Agree. Unless you are in competition, I simply cannot see the value in anything more than the most basic of fittings and this usually comes free with the bike. An adjustable stem is about 1/3 the price of a low end boutique fitting. A quick release seattube clamp and/or a micro-adjust seatpost and you are on your way to a perfect DIY custom fit.

H

I think alot of cyclists and fitters miss the biggest point. This is more with the so-called "shop it" and less so with a higher end fit.
What they miss is doing an assessment of you before the fit. Some higher end fiters will do soem sort of assessment then fit the bike to your imbalances.
I've posted an article on my website disscussing this(pelotoncoaching dot com.) .
So you get a fit based on what's wrong with your posture and any issues you have with mobilty, flexibilty,injury or muscular imbalance.
this does you little or no good and may lead to disfunctional movement patterns. Making the issues worse.