Looking to add aerobars to the bike, so I want to make sure I get it all dialled in correctly with a bike fit, before I put hours in on it over the winter on the trainer.
There’s a topic on this board from 2008, but I figured 10 years later it’s due for an update.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a bike fit in Toronto? I’m leaning towards Enduro Sport given their tri focus, though I have a $100 gift card to Gears that may be worthwhile. Though the Mississauga store does not look nearly as performance focused as it used to be - maybe the Laird location is worth a shot. They charge an extra $75 for aero fit, vs ES’s $50.
Side Note: Should I wait to purchase aerobars until after the fit? AKA, will the shop recommend correct ones, or should I just bring in a set beforehand.
This would be my first fit, so I appreciate any and all advice!
I don’t have any experience with Gears so I can’t help you there.
Chris at Enduro Sport has fitted me on my 5 different bikes over the years and has done a great job. The first 2 bikes I purchased elsewhere and had him do the fit. He has worked with me over the years as I got more experienced and my fit got more aggressive. I would highly recommend him.
Definitely get the fit and work with the fitter about adding the bars. Probably talk to them ahead of time to make sure they have some options available.
If your road fit is dialed in already, this being a road bike, and don’t want to change that, then the only part that’s being “fitted” - or could change - is the clip-on aerobars, and there are limits to how much you could really change. In that case, I probably won’t bother with a fit session. But if you are going to use this set up, road bike + clip-on bars, as your full time tri bike, and don’t mind change the road fit, then I would say you should.
If your road fit is dialed in already, this being a road bike, and don’t want to change that, then the only part that’s being “fitted” - or could change - is the clip-on aerobars, and there are limits to how much you could really change. In that case, I probably won’t bother with a fit session. But if you are going to use this set up, road bike + clip-on bars, as your full time tri bike, and don’t mind change the road fit, then I would say you should.
I’ve never had a fit before, so I doubt it’s properly dialed. I generally ride alone, and mostly plan on using this for tris, so I think it should be alright.
My biggest concern is that I have a proprietary “aero” seatpost, so I’m not sure how much actual adjustment will be able to made with this bike in that regard.
The seatpost will limit how much adjustment of fore-aft saddle position you have. I am not familiar with Foil’s seatpost in terms of its offset and adjustability, but most ROAD bike will probably not let you move the saddle forward enough to the tt/tri bike position.
I think before you decide on a fitter - which is a lot of money to get done right, you should think about how you will be using this bike (road vs tri, and what percentage), what you want to optimze (e.g. regular riding for comfort vs race for speed), and what your existing issues are, etc. Going blindly into a fitter without specific goals/issues to address will probably not get what you what, regardless how good the fitter is. He will probably ask you the similar questions first.
can’t beat the depth of Endurosport. from the fitter guide:
Enduro Sport has been fitting bikes for 25 year and has long been recognized as a leader in the industry. In fact, Slowman himself once called Enduro Sport, “a shop that is further down the road in tri bike fit than most in North America.”
The seatpost will limit how much adjustment of fore-aft saddle position you have. I am not familiar with Foil’s seatpost in terms of its offset and adjustability, but most ROAD bike will probably not let you move the saddle forward enough to the tt/tri bike position.
I think before you decide on a fitter - which is a lot of money to get done right, you should think about how you will be using this bike (road vs tri, and what percentage), what you want to optimise (e.g. regular riding for comfort vs race for speed), and what your existing issues are, etc. Going blindly into a fitter without specific goals/issues to address will probably not get what you what, regardless how good the fitter is. He will probably ask you the similar questions first.
I definitely have concerns about my current fit, toes seem pointed down during the whole pedal stroke, and I suspect my stem is much too long, lots of reach, results in solid lower back pain (but that may just be not enough time in the saddle). That said, in terms of goals/primary usage, I was a cyclist first, and have recently gotten into triathlon. That said, my bike never felt “comfortable”, I always just assumed that was the trade away with performance. I came into road cycling from an MTB background, so naturally I just assumed all road bikes feel this way. I’m starting to suspect that’s not the case.
Either way, I generally ride for speed - its an eternal struggle to keep the HR down, as I just want to go as fast as possible. If there’s some way to keep comfort while doing that, that’s fantastic. I suspect a race fit is only useful if it’s mildly comfortable at least, since the position needs to be sustainable. In terms of road vs. tri, I don’t really participate in formal group rides or cycling races, so I guess you could say all my saddle time is tri training time. If I end up getting the clip-on bars, how easy will it be to take them off, and put them back on in the correct, “optimised” position?
Thanks btw for all of the replies - highly appreciated!
If you’re just adding tri-bars to a road bike I wouldn’t bother getting a full fit. That’s a waste of money. I’ve done the clip-ons and I never felt they were effective - more of a half assed compromise since the geometry of a road bike is completely different. In the end I just took them off and eventually bought a real tri bike.
If you are not feeling comfortable on the bike, you need to get a fit for your road riding first. You won’t be going fast if you are in pain/discomfort. Being able to ride at an aero racing position is a function of your flexibility and a few other physiological factors, so you can’t force yourself into that. Even some of the pros you see them riding in less than aero positions. So comfort and racing position are not mutually exclusive.
My suggestion for you is to get a road bike fit first - through this process, I think you will get to know your body a lot better, and whatever the adjustments made from that will allow you to ride in more comfortable position and more and longer. Then you can decide how you want to approach the tri needs.
**Enduro Sport has been fitting bikes for 25 year and has long been recognized as a leader in the industry. In fact, Slowman himself once called Enduro Sport, “a shop that is further down the road in tri bike fit than most in North America.” **
Gears is a great bike shop with awesome selection and staff.
However, when it comes to fitting and fitting specific for triathlon, then Endurosport is where you need to be.
Dan Rishworth the founder and owner of ES is really one of the true pioneers in triathlon and triathlon retailing - not just in Canada, but in all of North America! Dan started out in Toronto, I think shortly after Nytro opened up in Southern California. He was able to benefit from the little known fact that through the late 1980’s and the 1990’s, Southern Ontario was a real hot-bed for triathlon - still is.
Chris Bastie who is the Store Manager, formerly worked for Cervelo and has been an industry insider for years. He worked in Custmer Service for Cerevlo, and as you might imagine is VERY customer focused in terms of what he does in the shop!
Hope this helps.
Both Dan and Chris have taken Dan Empfield’s fitting course, as well as, other fitting courses.
Looking to add aerobars to the bike, so I want to make sure I get it all dialled in correctly with a bike fit, before I put hours in on it over the winter on the trainer.
There’s a topic on this board from 2008, but I figured 10 years later it’s due for an update.
Does anyone have any recommendations for a bike fit in Toronto? I’m leaning towards Enduro Sport given their tri focus, though I have a $100 gift card to Gears that may be worthwhile. Though the Mississauga store does not look nearly as performance focused as it used to be - maybe the Laird location is worth a shot. They charge an extra $75 for aero fit, vs ES’s $50.
Side Note: Should I wait to purchase aerobars until after the fit? AKA, will the shop recommend correct ones, or should I just bring in a set beforehand.
This would be my first fit, so I appreciate any and all advice!
Best fit in the city is JP at Brown’s followed closely by Frank at Racer Sportif.