I'm in Jamestown/Hudsonville. I've used Village Bike Shop numerous times (Jenison location). Dale (owner) carries all of Specialized certifications, however I'm not sure what that means. He has fitted me to road and triathlon. His shops also sponsor a lot of events around West Michigan. If you go, let him know Christian Glupker sent you. He won't give any discount to you, but the referral may work in my favor. :)

Questionable places: Freewheeler Bike Shop. I question how they fit my dad to his bike, however it was a 'free' fit on a bike he didn't buy there (but he bought a lot of components/saddle). His coach had to readjust the saddle. The shop is a fantastic shop, but I'm not sure I'd use their fit. Another questionable is Cross Country Cycle in Holland. I felt they did a good job with cleat adjustments, but I question their experience with a full professional fit. Again, they could be great at it, they just have no reputation for professional fits like Village Bike Shop.

Further away is The Tri Shop. I believe it's a ST favorite Tom Dermely. As much as I love Dale at VBS, I may use Tri Shop for a fit on my Triathlon bike. I have my first full Ironman (IMLOU) in October so I may go in for a 'check-up'. Plus I really want to check out the shop. :)

Another great shop on East Side is Fraser Bikes. One of their triathletes was USAT triathlete of the year for two years in a row. I know a few of their mountain bike racers and they are all great guys. The shop has a tremendous amount of respect in the area.

You're in Muskegon, I know nothing of Rock n Roll. Also, I found the Specialized dealer to be rather generic (Brickwheels?). Nothing impressed me about that shop (as a racer). They are more geared toward recreational rider.

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

http://breakawaybicycles.com/service/fitting/

Breakaway bikes is the Spesh dealer I was thinking of. Their Muskegon shop is definitely geared toward recreational riders.

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

Good summary Christian, do you know Mike Clark at 3rd Coast? He's more of a road bike guy but I would trust him completely with a tri bike fit.

I think Brad White at Velo City knows his stuff too. I've been impressed with Speed Merchant the few times I've been in there also.

I know Mike Clark and Brad White in Holland and both are good guys. Mike did my wife's fitting. If I were going to choose I'd go with Brad. He's certified (Mike might be as well - don't know) and he rides professionally for UHC. He's being tested and fit to roadies and TT bikes all the time so it'd make me feel comfortable I was getting knowledge from a pro.

I have no idea if he does power testing etc or just alignments off of standard angles and comfort but they do have a small training section and kickr in shop so I'm sure you could ask.

I've had multiple people who I trust tell me that Tom Burke at Village Bike Shop in Ada is the best fitter in the area. Genius is the word they used to describe him. I'm hoping Santa leaves a fitting under the tree this year. I've had good luck with Chris Knight over at Racer Racer personally.

3rd Coast is maybe 2 miles from my house but I've yet to step foot in there. I always forget about them. Don't know much about them at all.

Speed Merchant treated me like some noob when I went in there. I see them more as a pure roadie shop, not that it's a bad thing. Just the vibe + the attitude I received. I could have caught them on an off day but I haven't been back since so not sure.

As for Tom Burke, if it's the same guy I'm thinking of he's one fast rider.

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

Thanks for all the replies. I think Tom Burke and Brad White are my two front runners for now.

I have the same impression of breakaway, mostly a recreational shop. I've heard their previous owner was a great fitter, but retired a couple years ago, and I don't know where he went.

Rock n Road in Grand Haven is where I go for service stuff. Great staff, great work, I have never heard anyone talk about their fittings though.

Stop by 3rd Coast, they are good people. Mike Clark and some others started it after he left Velo City. I've know Mike for 20 years and I don't think there is a more knowledgeable bike guy in West Michigan.


I'm only familiar with Tom Burke from races and the only thing I know about him is that he seems to be blurry. Damn that dude is fast.

I'm in hudsonville,have used Dale at VBS for two tri fits and a mtn bike fit. He's very knowledgable, doesn't just adjust your position he tells you WHY he's adjusting and what benefits/differences u will see. I've never gotten a fit from Brad out at velo but I've been there and he does seem very knowledgable as well (I mean he's a pro,why wouldn't he be)

Good luck

I live in Rockford and won't set foot in Speed Merchants. I went in their about a decade ago looking for my first entry level road bike and they were complete snobs who had no interest in helping me. There are too many other good shops in town, no need to spend my money where it's not wanted. My experience is n=1 of course, but I've heard similar stories from other people.

And yes, Tom is hella fast!

Mike clark and Brad white.

Brad just road UHc time trials and mike clark road dirty Kanza. Brad was a tri guy before turning roadie pro.

There is a Saturday sprint ride in holland that Brad rides when he is not racing. There is also a spirited group ride in Hudsonville same time that mike rides. That would be a good opportunity to meet either guys.

Prater Chiropractic in Kalamazoo does solid bike fits from a holistic approach. He's a triathlete himself and a strong athlete.

If you're willing to drive Fraser Bikes over on the east side is about a 2 hour drive and I have heard good things (they are also a FIST shop). Also, West Michigan Bicycle in SE Grand Rapids is getting an entirely new fit studio. Saddle pressure mapping and everything. I know a couple of their guys have been to Arizona a few times this winter for training on the system - might be worth at least looking into.

---

Ben

#DSP

I should get more involved since I'm in Hudsonville, I'm just so use to training alone. lol

---

_________________________________
The curious task of economics is to demonstrate to men how little they really know about what they imagine they can design.

I can't speak to the quality of their fitting services, but I like the shop:

http://www.einsteincycles.com/services/pro-fitting/

And a trip to Traverse City is always nice. After the fitting, you can ride the peninsula.

I just moved to the area, but the bike shop in Niles (might be a little too far South for you) the owner is an IM triathlete and USAT certified coach FWIM, but I don't know what fitting certification she has if any. Worth checking into though.

---

TrainingBible Coaching
http://www.trainingbible.com

I'm in Muskegon and have used Ken at B'Away for my tri & road bikes. Although he is no longer part owner, he has an agreement where he still does fittings. He did a great job for me and is a very experienced / accomplished cyclist (he's very involved with the WM Coast Riders group). I would highly recommend contacting him through B'Away.
Have not heard anything good about Rock N' Road. Good luck!

brian1986 wrote:

Any recommendations? I live in 49441, and would be willing to drive a couple hours for a good fitter.

Is 4.5 hours within a couple? Worth the drive.

http://www.fiftyonespeedshop.com/#!bike-fit/c11yj

Ken is the guy at Breakaway that I've heard great things about, but I didn't think he was still in the area.

4.5 hours is probably a little far for me, unless I can't find anyone decent closer.

I feel like I can dial in a pretty good fit on my own, taking video, analyzing angles, adjusting, taking more video, etc. But I imagine a good fitter can do it much more efficiently and better.

I remember racing against Brad back in the day. I pimped him at the mat for a $50 swim prime at the Great Lakes Championship (now Tri del Sol). ;-)

.

I rode with Brad in his first road race. He just went to the front until the entire field couldn't hold his wheel any more.

You should check out the Tulsa Tough race from last year. Sounds like the same thing. He'd been pulling the team to set them up for the last 2 laps, when the entire team crashed out. He looked back, saw them all gone and he just took off and pulled away from the field to win after working for over an hour.

FF to 1:08:00 or so in the video (1:07 in race time).

https://vimeo.com/97850243

Not quite the same thing. I was in a cat 4-5 race and he was about 22 years old. He just set a pace nobody could hold.

Nicest guy in the world, it's a pleasure to get to ride with him sometimes

I too live in Jamestown.
I echo Chris' review of VBS and Dale Phelps.
They just got the new RETUL bike to go along with the BG fits they have done for years.

Cant say enough good things about the way Dale does his fits.

---

---

Michigan Awesome

Hand2Hand Ministries

Resurrecting an old thread - I am in the market for my first tri bike and, per ST wisdom, would like to get fitted BEFORE I pull the trigger on a new bike, or look for a used one.

The database has 2 fitters from Grand Rapids bicycles listed - any experience with Heather or James? I am willing to travel to Ann Arbor or Detroit if needed for a good fit.