Nothing beats experience. Miles and miles (or kilometers), of training, and endless tweaking trumps a "pro" fit anyday.

A "pro" fit just evolved from the idea that a rider is most efficient in a certain position and that position can be found through 1-2 sessions. Total BS. Total, total BS.

Get on the 'net, oops already there. Find a couple formulas for finding frame size, saddle height/set-back, stem length, etc.. Save yourself the $20,000 on that Hollywood "pro" fit and donate your money to me.

That's what I just paid, $60, two weeks ago and it was well-worth it. The adjustments did the trick and resolved my knee pain.

Because if you gain five pounds your fit is off. Fit is a moving target. In my case, I refit my bike for winter riding due to wearing heavy clothing. I can reset my bike when you cannot move or sit the same as when in summer clothing.

If you come in with issues, we fit you and you still have a problem there's no charge to recheck it.

My doctor does not give a money back guarantee either. Besides, there's no way for us to tell if you are lyng when you say you have back pain. But from our perspective, we can prove to you why a particular riding position is best for you. It's where you are producing the most power, comfortably.

Thank you for my morning chuckle.

Haha! No problem. At least, someone was able to find the humor in that reply.

BTW, everyone else. I was just kidding about the $20,000 for a pro fit. I am of the opinion that experience is a big factor in deciding on if you need to get a professional fitting. If you are new to cycling, and don't want to be bothered by the do-it-yourself method, which as you know I think is best, then by all means, DO go for a fitting at a bike shop.

One caveat though, price doesn't determine the quality of the fit you get. Experience does. So, research and ask around. You may find that the $50 fitting you get from that racer dude down at the small potatoes bike shop is tons better than the $200, measure everything brand-name-system fit job you might get from another place.

...as always, just because you paid for a fitting doesn't mean that you shouldn't try to tweak it yourself after you gain some experience knowing what you like.

:thumb:

Absolutely. Fitting a bike is like fixing a car. It does not mean it's done right. It's just done. In our case we have people coming as far a three to four hours for fittings simply due to reputation.

Ask around on who is good. Just like anything else, that's the best way of handling it.

If a fitter's been trained by a company like Serotta for example, on where the shop does specifically measured custom bikes, (not one where you use a tape measure to go custom) that is usually a good indicator of a relatively good fitter.

I like double cheeseburgers; doesn't mean it's good for me. ;) :D

Professional fit? Didn't cost me a cent back in 1986, but I did it with the help of 14 years (at the time) experience, The Custom Bicycle by Kolin and de la Rosa and help from similarly-seasoned competitive cyclists. I've had various shop owners compliment me on how well my Ciocc fits me (albeit it is more of an old-school "Eddy" fit as opposed to the contemporary "aerodynamic" positioning). :50: