Mike F

I caved and set up an appointment with pro-fitter next Friday. I have some discomfort in the right knee above the cap, hip soreness and it seems my sciatica is returning after a many year vacation. This started happening about 300 miles into the new bike (800 miles now). It seems too only bug me when I ride (except the Sciatica). To complicate things more my right foot is pigeon toed.

I have tried all the great tips I read here but nothing seems to alleviate the soreness. Part of this is my fault because I haphazardly tried too many adjustments before figuring out if the previous adjustments worked. I figure Ill just hit the "CTRL-ALT-DELETE" and reboot.

The fitting is going to be done by certified fitters and not the LBS that sold me the bike. Anyhoo... should be interesting what they say. Wife and I want to do a big ride in October so the sooner the better.

sakonnetclip

Sounds like all you need is some quality Internet advice

datlas 

WTF is a 'certified' fitter??

Anyway I hope you are able to solve the problem.

Mike F

Thanks! The guys Im going to are FIST certified. Although FIST specializes in tri-fitting, the shop sells a lot of high end road bikes and do custom fitting for them also. It will cost $75 but its worth it to me. I would take it back to BW to get it fit but I dont think they do it and Im a little suspect of their initial 5 minute fit - done while I was wearing jeans and tennis shoes, based on the height the sales guy thought I was, with no rollers or simulators. Sure wish I was a '41 member before I bought the bike.. which I love dearly.

https://www.slowtwitch.com/dealersurvey/fistcoaches.html

ultraman6970

As for the pain in the knee cap could be just that you are tying to use gears that are too heavy or the saddle is a tiny higher. If you ride all the time with 53x15 is more than clear that the problem could be that, if thats the case ride with light gears for a week just sight seen... 39x17 and see what happens, if still have pain just lower the saddle like 3 or 4 mm and continue like that. Usually u need to adjust to the new position and probably you are trying to push it too far if using heavy gears you know. Just my 2 cents.

Mike F

Thanks for the input. Im riding a compact on the 50 . You are correct on pushing it. Ive been spinning in the mid gears most of the time and when I kick it up the discomfort starts or after about mile 7. Ive moved the seat post several times (small increments) and the same pattern continues just at different thresholds. I also wonder if it could also be the crankset length. I have a 175mm that came with the 58cm bike. Im 5'10-11". If I check the sizing for the z85, Im in between 56 and 58. Im wondering if they sold me the 58 because there were no 56 in stock?

So many possibilities running around in my mind. I figure its best to spend $75 to narrow it down than hundreds trying to figure it out on my own. If the frame is too big they will know how to make any adjustments better than me.

haaseg

I thought this couldn't possibly be right, but then I checked their site and the 56 = 54cm Top Tube Center to Center and the 58 = 55.5cm Top Tube Center to Center.

But still - a 55.5cm would be for someone with like a 34" inseam.

I had a similar issue where I really wanted a Trek and the guys were telling me "No, no, you definitely need to go with a 54cm", but the thing just felt waaay to big for me. It turned out they didn't have a 52 anywhere in the shop. I went to another store where they spent a little more time measuring things out and had me ride a few different 54s and 52s of different brands until we found my Fuji Comp SL-1 on sale in the corner which was a 53 and seemed to fit best of all.

Mike F

In just under 34" . It will be interesting to see what they say

Commodus

I spent more than two years refining my fit. I read a lot, tweaked a lot, bought some new parts.

My fit cost me $150, took three hours, and transformed my riding experience. I sometimes wonder how long it would have taken me to get there...I often read and talk to people who say they fit themselves, and are very happy with their fit. Well, so was I! Until a nagging pain popped up and pushed me to a fit.

Anyways, I hope you have a similar experience to mine!

pgjackson

I don't like the idea of some dude who is a certified "FIST" messing around with my seat.

Mike F

I think that may run a little higher than $75

lazerzxr

Just out of interest, did the fitter do something you had never tried before or didnt think of or was it just that he made a combination of adjustments that you had not yet stumbled upon?

lazerzxr

pigeon toed with pain over the knee cap and some hip discomfort. my money says the answer will be in some cleat wedges and a lateral cleat adjusment. Have you tried either of these? Let us know how you get on and good luck

tadawdy

Typically, you'd want to raise the saddle for someone with knee pain.

George

FWIW, my inseam is 34" or 86.3 cm and I have my saddle set at 77cm.

spock

Hey, you are not throwing in the towel . You're just having a fit...

Commodus

Both. He put shims and wedges under my cleats, I hadn't tried that. Though I was beginning to suspect that may have been the problem.

He also concluded that I should see a physiotherapist for some pelvis misalignment I was having. That was a biggie!

I ended up with my saddle way further back than I would have put it on my own. I was very skeptical, and thought it looked funny. Then I pedaled on the trainer for a bit and was like...wow.

HazeT

when the fit fails, they will tell you that you need more time to get used to the bike and strength your core muscles.. nice way out

Mike F

And if it works, I will kiss them on the mouth