I’ve come to the conclusion that a professional bike fitting (road bike) is in my best interest.
Despite constant tinkering, I just can’t get comfortable.
Anybody have any thoughts / what to look for?
In Chicago they seem to range from 100 to 350 for minimal to high end.
If any of you all are from Chicago…any recommendations? Get a grip seems to be the best, but you pay for it.
If it’s worth the money, then I’m ok with the price, but want to make sure it’s going to actually help.
there’s no question that Adam at GAG is one of the premier fitters in the city. do what i did and call to speak to all of the other fitters mentioned on this site about your fit. my guess is once you speak with Adam, you will book your fit on the spot. i was in the same place you’re in several years ago, did my research, met with the fitters personally and knew that GAG was the way to go. three bikes later and i can’t recommend them enough for everything they’ve done for me.
Jason at Village Cyclesport in Elk Grove Village did a great job with my fit. Very thorough and explains what the measurements mean and how they translate to position on the bike. I basically dumped off a P3 frame, a pair of Zipps and a box o’ Red, and they assembled and fit for $250-$350 I don’t remember. It’s a great feeling dumping off a bunch of junk at a shop and walking in a couple days later and it’s waiting for you, assembled and ready to be fit. Pure magic…
Christian Soto at Turin in Evanston is great as well. Very meticulous with the fit bike, and always ready with suggestions, equipment options, and advice. If you ever get fit by Christian, pay attention to his facial expressions during the fit. Deep, intense thought. You can really see the wheels turnin’—in his head. Allow LOTS of time…and quarters to feed the meter!
Get a Grip is not only the best place in Chicago for bike fit , but they are also one of the best in the world. You are right you get what you pay for.
Check this out, saw it on Velo News. Maybe this will help you out. http://masterbikefitters.com/ Get a Grip is listed within the elite of the world.
I have been fitted by many names that frequently pop up on ST and Get a Grip was the only place that did it right.
Fact is that you can get a good fit at many places in Chicago…but for a GREAT fit you need to go to where they have the best tools for the job, as well as training and experiance. That, hands down is at Get a Grip.
Mark Payares, PT, DPT, CSCS . is using his extensive understanding of the human machine to test, asses, and **mend **cyclist in order to produce the perfect Fit and ultimately the best experience, Mark certainly has the knowledge and tools needed (Retul 3D motion capture) to exceed your expectations. After many conversations I believe he IS one of the most knowledgeable fitters nationwide with regards to the functional and biomicanical movments of the body.
You may want to chat with him first and all candidates for that matter to ensure you are comfortable and confident in your choice.
It seems like Get a Grip has generated a large following over the past few years…
…but Rich Ducar (The Bike Shop of Glen Ellyn) was positioning people for a living (not working at a shop) at the time Adam was apparently getting his licensing. Rich knows the various different positioning methodologies. This was after years of working at Mission Bay in Elgin, running the Mission Bay shop downtown, then running John Cobb’s shop for a short time in the Chicago area (Rich is not only friends with Mr. Slowman of ST fame, but also with Mr. Cobb and has been around this sport for MANY years).
I think any of them will work well, but if I had my choice, I’d go see Rich in Glen Ellyn.
I have it from a VERY good source who I had dinner with tonight that Bill and Val of Mission Bay history may soon be available to fit you to a bike. Lets see, they were the first Cervelo dealer, first in the country to go to FIST (at the same camp as Tom Demmerly), first Quintana Roo dealer…very good friends with Dan (for decades). As of today, I would go to Bill, hands down, no question, first time, every time.
I have a good friend, David Hudson, who is now at Element Multisport. He’s a great Serotta trained Fitter and smart guy. He has a lot of fitting experience in Colorado and California. He has fit Kona qualifiers (who had great races in Kona) and several celebs, including Will Ferrell. They’re also using Retul to dial in the fits there.
It’s worth it. You can pay $100 somewhere, but what do you get? I had a bike fitted at Mission Bay (RIP) in it’s hey day, and I still didn’t get the benefits that I got from Get A Grip. Kevin (I think he owns part of Get A Grip) has since fitted me for a TT bike and a road bike. I won’t go anywhere else. Lots of bike shops are trying to copy their model, but the guys at Get A Grip still do it best.
I think Adam at Get a Grip should be called the Bike Whisperer. The first time I saw the studio, which is largely devoid of product, I thought there is no way that this could survive as a business. After the service, I got it. I know why they have a virtual hammerlock on the Chicago tri community.
Bike fit is a top consideration in tris. Spend the money.
Of all I’ve been to for bike fits in Chicago, Get a Grip was by far the best; knows their stuff, willing to take the time to 100% attend to you while fitting you. Well worth the cost.
I was at the new Start 2 finish studio on Saturday, Mark’s experience with physical therapy and bike fitting is a killer combination. Give him a call. He really specializes in getting you into a position that is both efficient and acceptable for your body type.
People with a science background and a true understanding of biomechanics are believers in the Retul system. For my money, and all of my clients money, I would recommend a more scientific and precise approach that is backed up with the science and precision which Retul offers. Retul is used by groups such as: Break Through Multisport, Carmichael Training, D3 Multisport, Slowtwicth, Garmin-Slipstream, USA Triathlon and many more.