LBS roll: perfect fit
 

I am looking for a new bike, and from what I've heard, the fit is more important than brand or components, etc...
The local LBS is offering so called "perfect fit"

http://roll-online.com/articles/roll...-fit-pg154.htm

Did anyone tried it? does it work?

It is well worth getting a fit, most shops will do it for free when you get a bike. IMO there is no such thing as a perfect fit from a shop, they will set you up in a good starting position and from there you will need to fine tune things when you have ridden it for a while.

If it comes down to getting a lower spec bike and a fit, or a high spec bike, then get the low spec with a fit. Its worth it to help avoid injury.

The local shops I've been normally have a guy who ask me to hop on seat, then he steps aside, look at me, saying : "That's too big" or "That's too small, let me get more expensive bike for you"
But this shop "roll:" has some kind of geek measuring system.

Agree.

I agree good fit is most important.

I also agree that these "systems" are not necessarily perfect, but they get you in the ballpark.

With fit, there are generally tradeoffs between performance (speed) and comfort, for example.

Let us know what you end up with!

An experienced guy in a shop can see imediately if the frame is the right size just by looking at you on it. The geek bit allows him to fine tune things like stem length, seat position, cleat adjustment and the angle of the brake hoods so they are comfortable for you. From there you will be basically comfortable but will probably make your own adjustments after riding for a while.

Columbus, huh?

I'm not seeing anything about cost on the site. If the "perfect fit" is free, do it. I know one LBS charges like $150 for it, but if you buy a bike from them, $100 of it goes towards the bike. Still lame. Performance Bike put me on the bike I wanted and helped make sure it was the right frame size for me.

yes, this is columbus.

So, it is over. I went to measure myself to LBS store. Before measurement the sales asked me what kind of bike I'd like to have, what is with the bike (like bag of water bottles which added the weight), what kind of roads I do, and approximate mileage a week - and entered all of the info into computer. They have a podium with posts of and laser beams. I was asked to stand against the posts in relaxed pose, the laser measured my height, then it measured the length on my arms - and leg length from the top of the hip. It all added up to so called "active height" if I remember correctly.
Then the machine printed out a chart with all recommended sizes my bike should have. It was from 47 to 51 cm, - but I am not sure, - because they keep the chart and do not give it away.
then we got to the bikes. the chart had the seat height, and he did not need me to seat on it to have it adjusted.

He gave me Felt for a test ride. the chain felt off once, and I felt the Felt has the most uncomfortable seat. Besides, the seat was too high I believe. I do not remember the model, but it was like $1,400 and cool red tires.
While i was riding Felt, the sales prepared Giant Defy 1 for me. I have lowered the seat down to my feelings, and not what the chart said, and immediately felt the difference. The 105 was really good and smooth. the Giant was $1,250. They did not want to lower the price no matter how much I asked them. So, i asked them to hold the bike until I check all my options.

But let me finish with the measurement. it probably gives you good idea about the right size of the bike, but I already knew, that I need something between 49 and 52, as a max, depending on geometry. However, the LBS had only two bikes of the 52 size in stock and it was triple (I wanted compact, but they did not have it), and they really wanted to sell me it, though it was not on their chart, where the max was 51, but I just did not pay attention to it then. I come to conclusion that these charts are somewhat helpful to confirm what you already should know, but you don't have to reach to something out of your range. I thought size 52 would be ok for me, but I was wrong.

So, I left the store to cool off, and get to another LBS where they have Cannondales, and have had the smallest one assembled for me as I asked them over the phone this morning. The Cannondale CAAD 8.6 was size 51. I rode it for a while and to my surprise felt it better than Giant!
Moreover, the LBS lowered the price when i asked them and sell me all bunch of clothes and shoes with some kind of discount.
Yes, it is Tiagra-Sora, but I considered saving couple hundred bucks worth it, especially that the hand shifters are not the thumb ones.
the bike weight as it is off the shelf is 21 lb. And it is red. Aren't the bike supposed to be red?

I end up paying:
2010 CAAD 8.6 - $920
Cannondale Bibs $80
Cannondale Long slv jersey $45
Shimano R098 shoes $35
Uncle Sam $70
The total bill is less than $1,200
(and this is the finance 6 or 9 month same as cash)

the bike i liked the most was Specialized Secteur, but it is for $1,400, not even penny less.

It took me about a month to buy an old used one, sell it back, figure it all out, and finally buy a new one.

Right after that I rushed to bike trail and spent there about hour and a half, but I did not feel exhausted as on my old bike, I think I woud ride and ride, and ride, but it was already dark. I felt really good. Though I am not into competition, only one giant bicyclist passed me, and it took me about 7 miles to catch up with him.

I am placing an order for clipless pedals, cages+bottles.

Sorry for such a long story, but to me this is the purchase of the century.
My family is out of town, and I took advantage of it :) tomorrow I am going to buy new computer.

If you don't mind I would ask you some questions:

What do you think about all that?

Is it a good deal? Be honest!

What else would be nice to have?

Where do you buy cheap bike stuff?

Where to get more time to ride the bike?

Where is the dust come from, and where do the money go out?

What is the meaning of life?

thank you very much. I hope to see some of you on the trail.

Oh, there is a picture of me on the new bike:
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=156434
I photoshoped out the garage door behind me, b/c it is ugly.

flip it

sorry, what do u mean by that?!

The stem, most have a 7ish degree angle, most bikes come with it angled up. Invert it so it's angled down, more aero.

"Flip-it" is a recurrent bikeforums joke. Bar height is individual choice.


Well done. Kudos.

Seems fine.

Comfy shorts.

Holland.

Be your own boss. Literally and/or figuratively.

Dead skin, drinking.

Same as the meaning of dust.

Hope you like your bike.

There was a Roll for a very very short period of time around here. I think they took all the gear for which manufacturers jack up the MSRP so that stores like Performance can always be selling them at 40-60% off, then decided to sell them at full price. I almost laughed out loud when I went in there, saw a helmet I liked for $180, then literally walked across the street and bought it for $59 at Performance.

I have a soul, but I also have a brain. I hope there's always lbs and expensive boutique shops selling high end gear. But the impression I got was that they were just expensive. They lasted maybe 6 months.

thanks!
I cannot tell about the accessories, but the bikes it seems to me are the same price as everywhere at this time of the year.