I am frustrated to no end trying to get a good tri bike fit. I have been through multiple fitters and bikes and spent loads of money, yet still have more of a road than a tri fit. I am a short woman with a long torso and short arms and legs. I’d like to try one more time to either get the bike I’ve got fitted to me, or start over (once again) with another bike - but only if I get the best opinion out there b/c I’m tired of going through the process for less than ideal results. It looks like I’m going to have to fly somewhere anyway, so who is the best?
I’ve heard of: Paul Levine www.signaturecycles.com David Greenfield at Elite Ian Buchanan at Fit Werx Todd Kenyon http://www.ttbikefit.com/ I’m not attached to any certain brand. I don’t care if it’s stock or custom, I just want it to be the perfect fit. The budget has not been established yet and will require some negotiation with my husband, after having spent a lot on this project already. Has anyone had experience with the above, or do you have other suggestions? I’d say this is my last shot for a long time.
My money goes on Tom Demerly at Bikesport, Dearborn, MI. A search will find you all you need to know. Tom has a vast amount of knowledge from all directions of cycling and triathlon especially as a very experienced triathlete. His attention to detail and manner are all backed up with a refreshing lack of BS and genuine desire to get you the best possible fit. The only downside is that they are incredibly busy as is befitting such a service.
I travelled from the UK twice to get a tri and road and haven’t regretted it for a minute.
allow me to give you one thing to consider as regards your choice of bike. if you’re very short of stature — compounded by the fact that you’re long in the torso (which means even shorter yet in the legs) — can have a have a hard time finding a bike that’s low enough in front. this is not especially problematic in production bikes built out of carbon, because the construction style of those bikes means you can build them with a short head tube (you just beef up the carbon around the head tube to make the area fat, instead of tall).
but custom bike makers don’t have this option. most of them have a real limit as to how short they can make that head tube. so, some of the production bikes get you lower than any custom bike will.
i bring this to your attention because, if you do end up with a nice, aggressive position (which may or may not be the case, i’m just sayin’), then you might find that a cervelo p2 or p3, or a felt, or the king of “lowness,” the kestrel airfoil pro, might get you something you can’t get out of custom (or that you can’t get with the torsional frame rigidity that you might want).
i bring this up because a some of the most well known fitters have business models that work best when the customer buys custom. but custom may not be the best bike for you, and my suspicion is that production will be your best bet.
I would say the go to Signature cycles and get just the fitting done. independent of the bicycle buying decision. Take the dimmensions you get as a result of the fit and then shop for the new steed.
I went to Paul with my heart set on a few different bikes we did the fit and set the size cycle to each frames dimmension evaulated each for comfort performance etc and came up with parameters that generated a balance between comfort and performance.
Thanks for the input. That is a good point for stock bikes. I would be happy with either stock or custom, as long as I get the right fit.
Currently I’m on a custom bike with a 75 degree seat tube angle. As I have tried to bring my front down to get more aero, my hip angle has closed down. Therefore, I am limited as to how aero I can be. That being said, I’m not one to play with my own position, so I don’t know what I can do to improve where I am, and there may be more that can be done than I know.
My plan is to go to the best fitter I can find, someone can give me a good unbiased opinion of my current fit and whether it can be adjusted on my current bike, and if I can’t get what I need out of my current bike, will set me up on the best bike that will fit my needs in the same trip.
then you may well find the kestrel airfoil pro in 48cm is your bike. very low head tube, steep seat angle, long front end. but, you have to ride it steep.
if you ride less steep, say 77° or 78° instead of closer to 80°, the kestrel may be too long for you, and the cervelo or felt would be the better way to go.
yes, best is to get yourself a good fit. just keep in mind, if you’re a competitive, fit, trim, talented rider, one of these three bikes i just listed will fit you nicely. this is an inside out way of saying that if you’re fitter recommends a geometry different than one of these three production bikes, you might oughta raise an eyebrow.
in all cases, those i’ve recommended are 650c bikes. you have no business riding 700c. calfee and elite will both make a nice dual 650c custom in a pretty small size. but you probably won’t need custom. but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get custom, as long as the custom will fit you as well as these productions bikes will.
trirunt, i’d put in a weighty vote for dan empfield being the best, and --if it worked out… in combination with frame maker ves mandaric. if you can work it out to connect personally with him/them for a fit i think you would be one happy rider. i surely am.
peggy
If you are looking for a tri bike fitting, go to the guy you are conversing with, Slowman.
The founder of this site, Quintanna Roo bicycles and the most specialized tri bike fitting system around. If it’s a tri bike fit you are after, there really is no where else to look, Dan Empfield (or someone he has trained).
or, have your powertap rebuilt onto a 650c rear wheel. in this case, you’re just looking for a new rim and spokes, and the cost of a wheel build ($30 or so).
doll, if you’re shorter than 5’5" and you’re on 700c, esp if it’s for tri, there is no way the thing will ever fit. tell your husband you’re going to take up equestrian if you can’t get the bike to fit right. that should get you the bike you need.
or, have your powertap rebuilt onto a 650c rear wheel. in this case, you’re just looking for a new rim and spokes, and the cost of a wheel build ($30 or so).
doll, if you’re shorter than 5’5" and you’re on 700c, esp if it’s for tri, there is no way the thing will ever fit. tell your husband you’re going to take up equestrian if you can’t get the bike to fit right. that should get you the bike you need.
LOL - “Doll”
I know a lot of women who would slap you if you called them that.
