Bike fitting (1)

No laughing now…

So my wife and I upgrade road bikes. Felt F50 with a double (faster for them to switch the cranks than to order the 55 I was told). We both got 54cm frames.

My wife and I additionally got a “fitting” of sorts. We did not have to pay for this service. We were required to wait for around 2 hours for my bike to be delivered from another store due to lost paperwork. They through in their time for free.

Her cleats were checked, saddle adjusted (height only), and bar measurement was taken. Now I understand they didn’t want switch out the bars for free. They wanted us to “trade-in” the old and purchase a narrower bar for her for barely anything more. Certainly not a big deal. Not a thing was mentioned about the stem. Other “checks” were performed with a protractor and plumb-bob (is that what that thing is called?). In addition, a lesson on pedalling form was given off-the-cuff. Other than setting the cleats, and adjusting the saddle height, nothing was done. She’s riding a stock 54 Felt.

Now I got a quicker fit when my bike was finally ready. The saddle height was adjusted. Certain other “checks” were also performed as noted above. I’m riding a stock 54 Felt. No changes were deemed to be required.

In order to keep my spouse enjoying our evening at the shop I kept my reservations to myself. She was wary of purchasing “nice” bikes to begin with so to see her enjoying herself was very important to me. As a result, I didn’t really ask penetrating questions of the fitter. So now I find myself asking STwitchers who have neither seen me, my wife, or our bikes! However, perhaps you’ll find this funny too…

We’re both riding stock 54cm Felts, but she’s 5’6" with a 31" inseam, and I’m a bit over 5’9" with a 29" inseam.

Thoughts or ideas on how this could be?

Burns

Hmmm, the fact that the frame sizes are similar is not out of the question at all, but the stock stems staying on seem just a triffle unusual.

Anything can happen though. Geez, I would sure like to see you guys on these bikes.

In any case, I think it is fair for you to contact the retailer with your (entirely valid) concerns and perhaps schedule a re-fit to address your questions. They are good questions and the retailer is likely best equipped to handle them- to a much greater degree than us guys on an Internet forum.

Don;t be shy about going back man! That is a big part of what you paid for!

Actually it ISN’T what I paid for. I got a screaming deal on these bikes. No really… screaming deal. No sense ruffling feathers.

“trifle unusual” hmmmmm.

Perhaps I should experiment a bit with some stem purchases at first for her bike (shortening it up). She looks really stretched out… at least for a recreational rider like the two of us.

Thanks

Burns

Well, it isn’t too great of a deal if the equipment doesn’t fit correctly.

I still wouldn’t be too shy about giving them a call. This is the kind of thing I would lose sleep over.