If the fitter says he is retul certified and does a "retul fit" then what I expect (not necessarily what I want or is acceptable to me) is to be put on my existing bike and put into a position that my coordinates fall into the retul acceptable ranges. That's about it

What I really want/expect in a proper bike fit:

- go over athletic history, goals, races, etc
- analyze physical ability and natural tendencies
- find any imbalances through some quick tests
- ignore my existing bikes capabilities and put me on a fit bike (retul, guru, etc)
- Use a motion capture system to see coordinates, angles, etc.
- constantly ask for feedback from the rider
- Go through the FIST protocol
- Does it past the eye test? based on fitters vast experience
- does it past the aero eye ball test?
- add aero helmet and see how the tail transitions to the back (change helmet if need be)

Transfer coordinates to existing bike or recommend a new bike that will accommodate that fit.

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My expectations are similar to stevej. However I don't have the expectation that they will necessarily put you in the retul recommended ranges. Those ranges probably work for most people but there are exceptions and if needed the fitter should work with you to figure out what works best for you whether they fall in normal ranges or not.


Retul is only a tool. A good fitter can provide a quality fit with or without Retul. You could get the same data with a video capture system with multiple cameras and software to take measurements. I think an experienced fitter is more important than the system.


A bike fit involves:
1. An interview to find out the riders experience and goals and any injuries/physical limitations they are working with
2. A physical assessment to check for imbalances and flexibility
3. Perform the fit on existing bike or on a fit bike depending on the situation. Out of 4 fits I've only used a fit bike once because it was a pre-purchase fitting and I didn't have a tri bike yet. If the rider isn't looking for a new bike and their current bike is the right size fitting on the existing bike is fine.
4. The fitter uses whatever system they have (retul or other motion capture, manual measurements...) to take measurements and make fit adjustments.
5. During the fit get feedback from the rider on what feels better or worse as changes are being made.
6. Transfer coordinates to existing bike or recommend frames that are a good fit if its a pre purchase fit
7. At the end of the fit take the relevant bike position measurements on the fit bike or on the riders bike and provide them to the rider in a fit report.

I agree with this statement above. That's what they should do. But I've seen too many people who say they are retul fitters and just put you in x position. So I'm at the point that any fitter that says or advertises they are a "retul fitter", I am automatically skeptical.


This is where a fit bike is absolutely critical IMO. Trying to make changes on an existing bike takes time and depending on the bike, it can be a pain in the butt. The rider needs to be able to feel the difference and the best way to do that is on fit bike where you can make changes in less than 5 seconds or while the rider is riding. This helps the rider feel the difference and whether or not it is something they find better or worse. Making a change that takes 5-15 minutes to do so, the rider looses the feel of what that previous fit felt like..... especially if changes had already been made.

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Thanks for reply. My fit sessions begin with a chat about injuries thrust life, your goals, and issues. Then I follow the Body Geometry fit protocol gathering info on angles and issues. I have all the latest Retul tools( Vantage, Muve SL,Angul stem) Video X Y Z planes. As for use of FIST Protocol, if this is what we tinkered with in SoCal in the 80's yea I use that among others. I started this post as to curiosity as to what you all want. And all measurements are recorded with Retul Zin

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Robert Driskell
Certified Master Body Geometry fit Technician
Certified Master Retul Fit Technician
Zipp Service Course Specialist
Bikes Plus Pensacola Florida

I would agree with everything that has been said here already.

My exception would be in relation to someone who is coming in for a 'fit top up'. Personally my last bike fit, which used the Retul system, was done on my own bike. I have spent countless hours on it and I was in for fine tuning. For me there is nothing like feeling the fit on my own contact points, which for obvious reasons are hard to replicate on a dedicated fit bike. If I was looking at making major changes to my position then yes I would want to be on a fit bike but for fine tuning I much prefer to feel what the changes are like on my own set up.

What I expect:

Discussion of goals, current fitness levels, injuries, issues with current fit ect.
Check of body off the bike. Check leg lengths, flexibility, strength, cleat position ect. Understand where the rider is coming from.
Assess current fit. Retul motion capture is great for illustrating problem areas and where you want to make changes.
Make changes.
Test. Test the changes at various levels of effort on the bike.
Review. Use the motion capture to again illustrate and talk through with the rider. What they feel and what you see may be two very different things.
Make Changes
Repeat.

Always communicate what you are doing, what the compromises are ect. You might have a different position for someone who has a great run leg to save more of the legs from someone who is stronger on the bike. Someone might be prepared to run a more aerodynamic position at the cost of comfort ect.

As has been said these systems are just a tool in the end.

Hi

My bike fit is done by this company, I have had the bike fitted for a Ironman race and now changed for standard distance. The bike felt amazing and I highly recommend getting it done


Paul
London
Latest VLog 15 - youtu.be/wNIYUMMzhj8

Dan, Monty? What are your views? I think it's time we set a standard on just what is a proper bike fit. Interview, physical assessment, record measuement of bike, fit, make changes to existing bike, record marsurements bike and rider. Follow up. Repeat when there is physical change in body or goals have changed. I like to record video and can capture stills HD.

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Robert Driskell
Certified Master Body Geometry fit Technician
Certified Master Retul Fit Technician
Zipp Service Course Specialist
Bikes Plus Pensacola Florida