Some of you might remember my post back in September; I had gone to Shreveport and got fit on my bike by John Cobb. I concluded that that was the most bang I have gotten per buck since I entered this crazy wonderful sport of triathlon. One of our local triathletes read my post and called to talk about going down to Shreveport. I suggested that maybe John Cobb would come to Upstate NY and do a fitting clinic. In early January, he did. John and his associate, Brian Cowan, fit 36 athletes over a 2 and a half-day period. He worked with all shapes and sizes, a wide range of abilities and experience. It was a sight to behold. Part of the program was a dinner for 60 followed by a talk and Q&A session by John. Rauni (my co-organizer) and I got huge thank-yous from everyone that attended.
What I learned.
John Cobb has a gift, part learned but the bigger part innate. An analogy I like to use is learning to play chess. Anyone can learn but very few people can play 36 people at once and beat them all, the way Bobby Fisher could. I watched Cobb fit 36 people, working in groups of 6 and spending an average of 2-3 hours per group. It was like Bobby Fisher playing Chess. He has an eye that integrates information from how the person stands, walks, and peddles. He knows without a detailed analysis if something is wrong and how to fix it. What he learns about you, just watching you walk, is amazing.
Can he teach his skill?
Partly. Brian was quite good. Personnel from our LBS were delighted with the tricks they were learning. The athletes learned about fitting, peddling, aerodynamics, equipment choices, training, etc.
How does he compare to other experienced fitters?
I don’t have enough first hand knowledge to say. I believe he is head and shoulders above others in upstate NY. Among those being fit at our clinic were a number of bike shop owners.
What makes a Cobb fit special?
He has the eye.
Bill
What I learned.
John Cobb has a gift, part learned but the bigger part innate. An analogy I like to use is learning to play chess. Anyone can learn but very few people can play 36 people at once and beat them all, the way Bobby Fisher could. I watched Cobb fit 36 people, working in groups of 6 and spending an average of 2-3 hours per group. It was like Bobby Fisher playing Chess. He has an eye that integrates information from how the person stands, walks, and peddles. He knows without a detailed analysis if something is wrong and how to fix it. What he learns about you, just watching you walk, is amazing.
Can he teach his skill?
Partly. Brian was quite good. Personnel from our LBS were delighted with the tricks they were learning. The athletes learned about fitting, peddling, aerodynamics, equipment choices, training, etc.
How does he compare to other experienced fitters?
I don’t have enough first hand knowledge to say. I believe he is head and shoulders above others in upstate NY. Among those being fit at our clinic were a number of bike shop owners.
What makes a Cobb fit special?
He has the eye.
Bill