Howdy-
Our shop is in WI, and the majority of our customers (fitting or retail) simply don't ride in the winter (mid Oct - mid Mar on avg). The few that do are trainer-based, and I'd guess less than 50% of those are using a trainer which allows any sort of road-like freedom of movement. Granted, most fit bike systems don't offer this either and that doesn't stop us (fitters) from doing the fits in the first place.
I'm a big believer in clients being able to go out and put miles in on their new fit, as soon as possible, to keep the things we talked about current in their minds and to start physically adapting to their new position. It also offers a better chance for timely feedback on the results.
So, offseason/winter fits are something of a challenge for me philosophically. On the retail side it's one of the levers we can try to pull during the months when bikes aren't exactly flying out the door, and I totally get the value of doing that. I just don't feel great about it when there's a high probability the client isn't going to use it anytime soon.
Am I off base, and how far?
Carl Matson
Our shop is in WI, and the majority of our customers (fitting or retail) simply don't ride in the winter (mid Oct - mid Mar on avg). The few that do are trainer-based, and I'd guess less than 50% of those are using a trainer which allows any sort of road-like freedom of movement. Granted, most fit bike systems don't offer this either and that doesn't stop us (fitters) from doing the fits in the first place.
I'm a big believer in clients being able to go out and put miles in on their new fit, as soon as possible, to keep the things we talked about current in their minds and to start physically adapting to their new position. It also offers a better chance for timely feedback on the results.
So, offseason/winter fits are something of a challenge for me philosophically. On the retail side it's one of the levers we can try to pull during the months when bikes aren't exactly flying out the door, and I totally get the value of doing that. I just don't feel great about it when there's a high probability the client isn't going to use it anytime soon.
Am I off base, and how far?
Carl Matson