OK, so I just bought a new tri bike (a used QR Lucero). I’m going to get a bike fitting done.
Does anyone feel that certain bike shops are better than others in NYC at tri fitting? The places I know of are SBR, R&A, Toga Bikes, and Paul Levine. Any others?
Thanks!
Matt
I am partial to Paul Levine- Since you already own the bike he is the guy to go to. he does fittings in the city as well as in central valley NY. really nice riding and great service.
It seems to me that the pure fitter is more of what you are looking for instead of the shop fit and buy program that happens in a lot pf places.
kevin
laim,
I second super clyde’s recommendation.
If you follow it, say hi to Grant Salter when you are at Signature Cycles. He fitted me before he moved to NY. Great fit and great bike + great performance!
Paul or Grant will do a great fit for you. They will inquire about any personal issues you may have and will take that into consideration for the fit. They will also help you maximize your power output without compromising it by screwing up your position, ie.,too low.
You won’t go wrong going there. Well worth the price. I don’t think you will get a better fit anywhere.
Thanks guys. I think I’ll get in touch with Paul. Do you know how much he charges though? I think SBR is around $135. I feel like I remember someone saying Paul was quite a bit more… after this bike purchase, my funds are a bit on the small side… =(
yes, paul is significantly more than $135 but he is one of the best, if not the best in the business. it will be money well spent.
Another vote for Paul Levine & the Signature Cycles crew.
Paul is more than $135 (not sure of his exact rate), but I feel that you get more than you will at any other location. Remember that he is first and foremost a fitter. At the other locations, you will be dealing with a guy who “also does fits.” Paul will spend the time with you to make sure your fit is right. He has a huge array of stems, bars, and saddles to make sure that you fit as well as you can on the frame you are bringing. And because of the way Paul works – by appointment only – his focus is 100% on you for the time that you are together.
Paul has the experience to pick up small oddities in your biomechanics, something that can pay huge dividends in terms of power and injury prevention.
Go to Paul. You will not be disappointed.
The fact that every other poster on this thread has basically said the same thing should be proof enough…
I used to be the best bike fitter in NYC! (
Advanced Serotta Bike Fit Certified, but Paul Levine. I gave it up once Paul started doing fits in NYC at Asphalt Green.
Join the Asphalt Green Tri Club and you’ll get a discount on Paul’s fit.
More seriously (I do have Advanced Serotta Bike Fit Certification) Paul is the best around. He’s not only good at it, he listens to your needs and cycling goals and stands behind his fit. He’s the fitter’s trainer.
Go to the best, a bike is not worth much it it doesn’t fit properly and your position isn’t comfortable, powerful and aerodynamic.
OK, you guys have convinced me that it’s worth it. To Paul I go!
Thanks for all the input!
you will not be disappointed–the only decison left to make if it is an option is to make the run up to central valley or stay in the city.
Paul, Grant and now Jason are aces.
Kevin
careful you might end up with a new Guru or serotta
Is there any advantage to going out to the Central Valley to get it done as opposed to doing it in the city at Asphalt Green? It’s definitely easier for me to do it in Manhattan.
Thanks,
Matt
It’s cheaper to do it in Central Valley and he’s got the whole camera set-up there, which he apparently does not have at AG. Don’t really know what that changes, but that’s what he told me on the phone.
If you can wait until Jan, rumor has it he’s opening a fit studio around the corner from Toga.
Absolutely go to either PAUL LEVINE or CHRIS KAUTZ. These are the two best bike fitting specialist in the USA. It is worth every penny. Back in spring 2004 I had severe hip problems (which lasted 13months) - went to several doctors appointments to diagnose the problem, X-rays, MRI, etc etc. After all that time & expense, PAUL LEVINE figured out the problem was caused by my bike (which was “fit” at one of the NYC Bike shops) and my bike seat was so far off as were my cleat settings.
Within two weeks the pain was gone! The guy is a miracle worker! And based on this experience I will only go with precision fitting that Signature Cycles performs… not the “eyeball-fitting, hold the string & weight at the knee” baloney.
Assuming you want Paul to guide you through the entire process, can he get you a bike for a decent price? Does he have any brand loyalty or is he for fitting alone?
Hey!
I just wanna reiterate what everybody’s already said…
Go to Paul - he ROCKS!!! Worth every penny. He fixed me up after a HORRIBLE “fit” at Toga screwed up my knees & kept me off the bike for 6 months
I went to his studio before he started doing fits in NYC. It’s an easy trip. I dunno if there’s a price difference, though, and then there’s the bus fare…
Anyway, good luck.
Paul Levine is the way to go. No doubt.
the central valley site is impressive, I do not know if he has the computrainer and spin scan analysis set up at asphalt green it worth asking about it. Plus there is usually walls full of eye candy- CRONO’s or ottrott st’s are usually just hanging like art.
I approached buying bike with Paul from a fit persepective. he set me up optimally—on the size cycle with the spin scan humming away. then we changed the set up to different bike geos I was looking at and made determinations based on the new postions and it effect on my spin and wattage-hr-resperations etc.
I think paul believes that certain brands are better bikes than all others so that is what he carries.
Serotta
Guru
?Seven?
I know for a fact serotta and guru I have one of each and I assume seven.
kevin
First he was only Serotta. Guru is a recent addition. He may be adding Seven (he’d have to say for certain here). It’d be nice at the very least since then he could offer a line of MTB’s. He also is or will be selling Teschner; for those who don’t know, Michael Rogers rode a rebadged Teschner (labeled as a Time) to the win at 2004 World TT Champs.
Paul fit me several years ago,and it was worth every penny.
He’s your man!
Hands Down Paul Levine…
You cannot argue with experience… it is all he does.
On top of being very skilled, he is incredibly professional and is great with ansewring any follow up questions you might have… I also picked up some very kee pointers on cycling technique (he not only fits em he rides em) Althogh he is best known for road bike fits he does tons of tri bike fits and best of all you can be fit in NYc or in woodberry depending on where you are…
Please feel free to pm me if you have any questions about my experiences with him
last time i got fit with him he mentioned that he has many more supplies at the central valley location which makes it easier to do fits. But it is a little bit of ahaul from the city… woodberry commons is right around the corner and there is great biking around his house.