Bike Fitting?
 

Wondering if anyone has had a professional bike fitting done. I live in central Texas and I'm will to drive a distance if it's worth the money. Also about how much can I expect to spend on the fitting service. I'm sure the upgrades and parts are variable.


I'm asking because I was in a charity ride yesterday and and had a few other riders come up to me and tell me my seat is too low which got me to thinking about other fit problems i might be having.

Contact your local bike shops for what they may charge.

There's lots of fitting info to be had with a little internet searching.

I look at pro bike fitting the same way I look at audio equipment that will set up my sound to the room acoustics. I've been riding (and listening to music) a very long time, I know what works for me, and I'll stick with it.

FWIW, you really do want your seat post and seat set up to the right height, you'll get a free performance boost out if it.

If you are just getting started and expect to ride a lot, or if you want to ride fast, or if you're experiencing pain - then a fitting can be of great help.

There is even a fitting subforum which might help for 'general advice' - submit a few pics or a video and get some online feedback.

After I purchased my first road bike, in 2011, I was having problems with pain is different places and wondered if I had made a wise purchase going from a hybrid to a road bike. I was 64 at the time. I was getting ready to ride my first MS-150 and knew that I could not do it with the bike the way it was and was seriously thinking of cancelling the ride. I read a lot of forum threads on bike fitting where there were a lot of people that told me to save my money on a pro fit and do it myself. That would have been great if I had known what it is I was suppose to do and how to do it. I also didn't want to screw around with it for several months in hope that I got done correctly. So, I began researching the different fitting systems and decided on doing a Retul fit. It cost me $250.00 for 4 different sessions and it was the best cycling investment I had ever made. I did the MS-150 the following month and didn't have any issues whatsoever and the pain I was experiencing prior to the fit, was gone. While there are other fitting systems out there, I found the Retul system to be the best for me.

Unless you are an infrequent rider, experiencing pain or uncomfortable on your bike a good professional fitting is well worth the money. With the wealth of good solid info on the web and You Tube videos, it is possible to do your own bike fitting. However besides having a qualified bike fitter evaluate your position on the bike and make adjustment from a seasoned eye, they can make more accurate measurements. Also, it saves a lot of trial and error when new components may be involved. For example when I had my bike fitting done, I did most of it on my own right after getting my bike and I suspected to correct the one problem I was having, a shorter handlebar stem might be required. Sure enough the fitter recommended it and was able to get close to the size by using an adjustable stem, which put it in the ballpark. I was able to get the correct size stem there on the spot and left with a much better fitting bike. Had I replaced the stem on my own, it would have been a guessing game and likely require multiple trips to the LBS to get the right one.

Well, I see a number of bike shops around Killeen. Perhaps one of them does fitting. Worst case, you go to a shop in Austin -- a major cycling center. Expect to pay 100. or more, depending on what components they change. Look for a fitter with a lot of experience -- not just some name brand system and a fitter who went to a class to use it.

FWIW, you really do want your seat post and seat set up to the right height, you'll get a free performance boost out if it.[/QUOTE]

Thanks, I replaced my bike back in March and I've noticed a lot of my segment times and average speed have gotten slower.

I was thinking Austin might be my best bet to find someone with more experience

Unfortunately, just randomly asking around local shops may get you a mediocre fitter: someone who's taken a weekend course and is now "certified" but doesn't have the years of experience. Ask friends at group ride and check yelp as well.

There are a few in Fort Worth that have good reps based on social media feedback from local cyclists.

One is Ron at Benbrook Bicycles just south of Fort Worth. Ron is closing up his storefront but he may still be available for bike fitting consultations. He has the fitting cycle, software, and good feedback from satisfied customers. I've met Ron once at his shop and chattered briefly, and even tho' I'm just riding a one-size-fits most comfort hybrid he was still willing to discuss fitting basics for a road bike I had in mind, and showed me some of the considerations via his software. I'd been away from road biking for 30 years, and frames have changed so I learned quite a bit from a short visit.

Also, Colonel's Bicycles on Foch Street does fittings, and seems to have a good rep.

Ditto Mellow Johnny's on the Trinity trailhead just SW of downtown Fort Worth -- you can actually ride your bike to the shop along the trail.

And I've heard good reports about Bicycles Inc on Granbury Road in Fort Worth.

They had not made the job a costly thing Back when I started riding,
and I later Worked in Neighborhood shops so there the fitting was talking to the Customer, about how it feels. ?

Now with $4000+ bikes comes the demand the fit be 'Scientific' and probably need a Computerized Printout.