sosojeffcc

Sorry if this has been asked before, did a search but didn't really find much information.

So I bought my first road bike a few weeks ago, and probably have logged about 100 miles so far. I can only ride weekends, and just built up to a 33miler on my last ride, quite an improvement from the usual 14 miler. Is it too soon to go back to the LBS for the fitting? Should I give it more seat time? I already moved back my seat by a cm, and it felt alot better for my hands. And I definitely feel as though I could use more reach. (5'9 riding a 54cm trek 2.1) Tempted to flip my stem to see how it will feel, but would rather just wait for fitting. Also, I do want to change from SPD pedals to the 105's, and I'm thinking it would be wise to get accustomed to the new pedals since that will also be a part of the fitting right?

Thoughts? Thanks So far I'm loving the ride, and just wished I didn't travel for a living so I could ride on weekdays as well.

calamarichris

It's a good idea to get your fitting done right now. And since many fitters are also coaches with some knowledge of biomechanics and kinesiology, you can also get some suggestions to develop a fluid, 360-spin.
I envy your starting out, because I never bothered doing these things when younger and had to spend years hammering with lousy form and fitment, then a few more years unlearning bad habits.
Good luck and let us know how it goes!

TnBama

i did a fitting prior to buying my first serious bike, but still ended up with a too small bike, because i bought mail order. i would never do that again.

Best thing you could do for yourself is find a knowledgable crew at a LBS that uses a good fitting system and get yourself in a proper position on that bike. You can cause yourself knee problems, or waste time not being comfortable or efficient. You may quit because you aren't getting the most enjoyment or progress.
And stay loyal to your LBS.

Accordion

I did 1500 miles on my 2010 CAAD9-5 before having a professional fit. I'm glad I waited that long because I wanted to establish riding habits (how fast, how far, how long, how often) and also really get to know my bike. After all my little adjustments here and there I was STILL 3cm too low on the seat and using a completely wrong stem. I was so much more flexible after the 1500 miles that I'm glad I didn't get a professional fit right away.

sosojeffcc

I appreciate the comments. I think I am going to cancel my friday fitting appt, and just ride for at least two more weeks. It will allow myself to get accustomed to the new pedals, and also hopefully obtain more flexibility as well. As of right now there's no real pain anywhere, although 2:45 hours on a bike probably isn't too long for many of you.

Just out of curiousity, what sorts of bad habits are there to pick up?

Accordian, I notice you're in OC, what LBS do you go to?

kleinboogie

I can't say exactly when. I made the decision once I got a bike I was committed to, had a noticable increase in flexibility and was pushing hard which was causing lower back pain. GL

akansaskid

The "pro" fitter at my LBS won't touch it until you have at least 200 miles on the bike. Of course, you should have the seat height in the ball park before it leaves the store. Everything else is based on a melding of what the fitter knows and what you're comfortable with. You need the miles to help with the latter.

Accordion

I had a professional fitting by Jim Manton at www.finalfit.com. He was awesome and has done a ton of fittings. In fact I'm going back there this month to get a few tweaks done now that I have 6000 miles under my belt. I think I can get into a more aerodynamic position than I currently am. Check out his website and see what you think.

I don't really have an LBS. I do most of my own wrenching after trying out three or four shops. I was unimpressed with all of them so far.

JTGraphics

I went to the highly regarded fitter Nate Loyal and after a few rides after the changes I can really notice the improvements on how I fill on the bike.
I also had the custom foot beds made and what a difference that made on over all convert.
Might I say who you use makes a world of difference also many great fitters out their, ask around the folks that have had fittings and how it turned out for them.

akansaskid

OP: since this is your first road bike, you may be unsure what the bike is supposed to feel like. Your fitter will likely suggest a "typical" fit for your dimensions. And that will be a good starting point. But don't consider it the "best" fit, never to be changed.

I doubt there is a single "right" or "correct" fit.

One part of the problem is that someone else is adapting the bike to what he thinks is best for you, but really has no idea how it feels to you. So he falls back on time-honored guidelines or what he learned at the last clinic. Treat it as a suggestion - a starting point. But after the fitting, give it a few miles and a few rides before making any changes. Your fitter has no idea how flexible you are, or how susceptible that left knee is, etc. I'm betting that even Andy S. and Alberto C. make small changes to their pro fittings.

Then, too, the same fit is not optimal for maximum performance, maximum efficiency, and maximum comfort. A sprinter gladly gives up comfort for speed. A RAAM rider has to dial in some comfort and efficiency if he is to survive. To that end, be sure you fitter knows what your goals are and be equally sure he knows how to adjust the fit to meet your specific goals.

carpediemracing 

Fit changes for each person based on the level of fitness, physical problems (temporary or permanent), goals, etc.

Thoughts on fitting:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ive-thing.html

Fitting nowadays, sort of:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...y-and-age.html

And a little ditty on fit and how massive changes aren't necessarily bad if they're needed:
https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ive-thing.html

If I were the OP, I'd happily experiment with stem changes (flips, length) etc. I'd note the effect of the changes in a training diary, do some regular routes and note perceived effort, measured metrics (speed, HR, etc), and build a catalog of experience.

I played violin a long time ago. With violin makers, the elusive goal is to create a violin that has a Stradivarius's tone. It's a combination of a nasal type thing and a rich broad tone. If you think about it you rarely (never?) meet a person that has both a nasal and broad/rich voice. Violins are like that too. Someone experimented with the bridge, the piece of wood that supports the strings. It has all these cuts in it. They could easily make the violin more nasal by filing one part. Then, in a few seconds, by filing another, the violin would be more broad.

Unfortunately he couldn't make it do both at one time, but he illustrated the concept of compromises. You compromise one aspect of, in this case, violin tone, to get another. He could get a really nasally tone (typically related to cheap violins) or a really broad rich tone (typically mid-level violins). But he couldn't do both.

As a cyclist you'll find yourself in a similar predicament. Some terrain or styles favor one particular fit. Others, other types of fit. That's why there are TT bikes that are radically different from road bikes (as far as geometry goes). An ideal TT fit is very, very different from a more all-round "road" fit. The frame geometry reflects this.

If your ultimate goal is to do tris (for example), your ultimate fit will be different than if you want to be a track racer or a climbing specialist. You can have bikes for each, and you'd have to train different muscles and such, but for one bike you really have to choose your focal point and work towards it.

Phew. What all that means is that you should go experiment with fit, maybe do a professional fit to make sure you're not too far out of bounds, and see what works for you, your body, and your style/approach of/to riding.

One caution - extreme adjustments can frequently lead to injuries, from too much reach or whatever. Be aware of injuries from bad fit (typically sharp pains). Training soreness is usually not a result of a bad fit (typically an ache or soreness).

Good luck and enjoy the process,
cdr

DScott

Yeah, what cdr said.

Think of fitting as a multi-session process that you do over a number of months. Get a fitting, make changes, evaluate, then re-adjust. Repeat as needed. Some of it you can do yourself, but some really needs a different set of eyes/hands/brain to make it work.

sosojeffcc

Thanks for the great info guys!