mx22

Hello,

Any leads on a good bike fitter in NYC? Preferably in Brooklyn but other boroughs would do just fine. I did search the forums and it looks like Felix from R&A was recommended, but that was a few years ago and his website is no longer active...

Thanks!

ChiroVette

I bought my new bike a few weeks ago from Piermont Cycles in Rockland and I cannot say enough about Glen. he sold me an awesome Scott Foil 30, my first really nice bike, and this guy is incredibly knowledgeable. He will not steer you wrong. I know it is a few miles outside of NY City, just over the Tappan Zee or GW if you go that route, but before you do anything, you need to give this guy a call at least, and hear what he has to say.

First off, unlike most bike shop employees and managers, he will NOT recommend a custom fitting if you don't need one. In fact, when I asked him about it, he steered me away from one, and told me I am actually better off riding the new bike for a while before even considering a custom fit. Why did he say that? Well, first he asked me if I am a racer, wanting to squeeze every last drop of performance from the bike. Then he asked me if I was in any pain when riding. or if riding was causing me problems such as too much pain or soreness.

A few more questions like that, and when the answers were all "no," he said I don't need a custom fit, at least not now. This is one of the reasons I am recommending him so highly. Because he is a guy that will only sell you what you want and need, and not try to foist a very expensive item on you just because he makes money to do so. he explained to me that if I wanted one, he would gladly give me a custom fit. It takes like three hours and is extremely exhaustive and detailed, which is what you want. he also said that if anything goes wrong in the future or I develop some biomechanical issues he cannot address and fix with a few easy tweaks, that then he would recommend a custom fit for me.

It sounds like you are way more of a candidate for a custom fit than me. Definitely call him. He has extremely elaborate equipment he uses and he performs something called the Guru Fitting System. Even if you opt to go with something more local, trust me, you should call this guy and talk to him since you have nothing to lose.

cafzali

Piermont is an awesome shop and Glen's a great guy. It's only about 30 miles from NYC and is an easy ride once you cross the GWB. Toga, which has locations in both Rockland and NYC, is also a good shop.

I preface this by saying I've never been there, but R&A gets a bad wrap on a lot of boards. Many say they're basically a shop that supports a big mail order business and aren't very good at customer service. YMMV, of course.

mx22

Sorry, not sure where it came through that I'm in more need of a custom fit then anyone else, didn't try to imply that at all. Planning to get a new bike and will likely go about buying a used one or building one up myself. When I bought my current bike, LBS did some basic fit for me and while not perfect, it was/still is more then I could have done myself. Just looking for something similar this time around too - at least get me in more or less proper position which I can tweek little by little myself...

ChiroVette

Sorry, man, I completely misunderstood you. My bad. I assumed from your original post and thread title that you knew already that you needed one.

Let me say then that I wouldn't fix it if it ain't broke, but again, that's me. Certainly if you have the cash to spare, and spending 3 hours in a bike shop going through what I can only assume is a very laborious and tedious process, then even if you "don't need one," I think that it would certainly have its benefits. Call Glen, though! He will steer you right.

So let me ask you this question, then:

If you don't know whether or not you need a custom fit, were you asking about shops that do them just out of curiosity? If not, then are you looking for one, and if so, why? I guess my limited understanding of a custom fit that costs usually between $200.00 and $300.00 is that if you need it then you need it and should bite the bullet; BUT that you only need it if you are having problems riding that can't be solved with a few quick tweaks and changes.

ChiroVette

Agreed about Glen and Piermont, and I have heard the same thing about R&A as well.

mx22

I don't need the pro fitting, but I do think I need at least some basic fitting done. I could always go back to LBS I bought my first bike from, but if there is someone else in the area more knowledgeable, why not go there?

ChiroVette

I hear you. I am friends with the guys over at Larry's Cycle Shop, on Flatbush and K, since you asked about Brooklyn. Go in there and ask for Mugsy (though not sure he'll rob a bank with you lol).

They do basic fits for bikes they sell. Not sure what services they offer with bikes purchased elsewhere, but they will hook you up as best they can. Honestly, the shop doesn't even do pro, custom fits. They do the basic, easy bike fit. They probably would only charge you a few bucks, if they charged you at all. Hell, maybe you can get Mugsy or one of his [strike]henchmen[/strike] employees to do it gratis if you buy some bike stuff you need, like tubes, parts, lights, a helmet, or whatever.

I would still highly recommend you call Glen at Piermont regardless of your needs as he is a great guy to talk to about anything on this topic...certainly a helluva lot better than me.