OK, so I called mission bay multisport in Elgin today to set up a fit session in anticipation of buying a new bike. They tell me its not necessary to get fit 1st. Come in, try bikes, they’ll get me on the right size, then get me fit on it from there. Of course, this goes against the conventional ST “fit 1st, then buy bike that fits”. Now I’m hella confused… My main goal is to feel good training and racing IM (at a reasonable cost- bike, wheels, new shoes and CPTR/HRM for $3k or less). Are these guys just trying to get me in and sell me whatever’s in stock, or is (prepare for lambasting…) getting fit 1st overkill unless you’re getting a custom? This should generate some interesting replies…
i would recommend fitting first. probably if they have great experience they can eyeball and generally get pretty close but that’s not what you are paying for. I would have bought the wrong size bike if i’d done that.
and that’s my worry. What would have been wrong about the size you almost got before getting fit? I feel a bit cramped on my road bike w/ 110 mm stem, but only 4" of seatpost is exposed- short legs and long torso for my height. Maybe I should ride a size bigger and have the seat and bars slammed all the way down? Only a fitting will tell… but the one I called doesn’t work that way- does The Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn do fittings 1st?
Well, I dont know them, but my take, they don’t sell bike fits. Come in they will get you on a brand they sell that fits you, and the fit is included in the price of the bike. No need to get fit first cause you might find a brand they don’t care that has better geometry for you, or that you think is cooler, or has better color.
From all I have heard, if you go there you will walk out with a bike that fits you. Did you have all the options available to you? Was it truely the best bike for you? Maybe Maybe not. If cost is no concern, pay a fitter to fit you and give you geometries, or even a list of frames that are closer to optimized for you then find a good shop to buy the bike from and have them dial you in.
If you like the brands that Mission bay sells, I think you will be happy with the purchase.
Call Misson Bay and ask for Bill…he is back in country. Let him know your thoughts. Also, if you go on the 27th (tomarrow) you may just bump into Paul Thomas. Misson Bay has a great reputation for a reason…
From my experience, get the fit first. While I was elated to get a P3 back in '01, I didn’t consider fit first, bought the frame size that seemed appropriate and ended up with the most uncomfortable, unridable bike I’ve ever had. (I looked cool though…) Spent $250 on the bike fit after the fact to try and rectify the situation and still was only marginally more comfortable. Ended up selling the bike a short time later.
Years later, I had the opportunity to get a custom fit before ordering the custom frame and I can’t describe the difference the custom fit has made. I can ride for several hours before I even think about saddle discomfort. I’d be vary wary of a shop that doesn’t support a bike fit before frame selection.
Is the “fit” included with the bike purchase??? I have no clue in this case…but some shops will use a “free” fit to get you to buy a bike first…then get fit on it. Trust your gut here. If you feel comfortable that this shop will have your best interest at heart and find THE bike that fits the best (not just ones they have in stock) then go with them. If not - find a shop that will do the fit alone, pay the fitting fee and then buy your bike there or elsewhere. My LBS will do it either way.
You can probably negotiate with them on the price…like “if I don’t end up buying a bike from you…I’ll pay “xx” for the fitting.”
In the end, it’s your money. Sometimes you need to let it speak for you.
Good luck.
This is not “some bike shop”…this is Mission Bay here man. You think that Misson Bay is going to sell a bike that is the wrong size? If they did…you think Bill would not make it right? Lunchbox needs to head into the store and see what he see’s.
As I said in my prior post - I have no clue in regards to this shop - but if the OP would feel better about his purchase by getting a fit beforehand…I think he should…regardless of what shop it is.
I’ve bought bikes both ways and found that being “fit” prior to choosing a bike has yielded a better overall “fit”. And both fits were done by “reputable” fitters/shops. YMMV.
never been fit, so no comparison here. I figure I’m going to throw down a lump of hard-earned cash, and want the best for what I’m willing to spend. I could buy a bike in my size, then take it to Mission Bay to be fit to it as well- what would that run? (Record10?)
tfish,
A great testimonial for determining the bike that fits best (getting fit first) and purchasing a frame/bike that fits best versus buying a bike and then getting fit to “make” the bike fit you as best can be done with the frame/bike (the one you selected first).
The latter method places minimal emphasis on weight distribution (we are moving the cyclist on the bike to make him fit the frame) and sacrifices great handling where the bike seems to disappear beneath the cyclist as it becomes an extension of the cyclist’s body rather than something the cyclist is just sitting on. This “great experience” usually only happens when one is willing to first identify what optimum frame dimensions fit the cyclist and then select the correct frame to work with or if one just gets plain lucky.
Comfort is one issue. Comfort with great handling is something entirely different and most often just an accident if one firsts picks the frame and then tries to make the frame fit the cyclist.
Glad you finally had the experience. Now you have a truly great ride (bike) that is a pleasure to be on. You have become one with the universe grasshopper!
Sounds like they’ll find a bike that fits you, by doing some quick measurements, putting you on some to see how you feel/look. Of course these will be from the brands they sell. But an experienced and reputable bike seller should be able to help you find a bike that fits and is comfortable for you, then after you have bought it they will dial it in for you, and more than likely continue to make small adjustments over the first couple of months, because as you ride it you’ll probably find a few things that aren’t comfortable.
The fit before buying thing is simply to do this…not to buy a bike based off of the brand or what it looks like and a guess on a size, then try to get it dialed in after the fact.
Lbox,
As someone that has been selling and sucessfully “fitting” road and tri bikes for the past ten years let me help you out here with some suggestions:
Do test ride ANY and EVERY bike you are considering buying. Bike fit varies from brand to brand.
Don’t get a certain bike size measurement stuck in your head. IE. “I’m a 56CM!” Bike fit varies from brand to brand.
Do trust your sales person to get you on the correct size for each particular brand.
Do buy the bike brand that you feel most comfortable/fit best on. If you feel good on several, select based on shop service, warranty, componets, etc.
Once you have selected the brand and size bike you are going to purchase you can then get “FITTED” on it.
In this case, being “fitted” just means dialing in YOUR OPTIMAL fit on the bike that you have selected. You will already know that it is the right frame size for that brand and you like the way it rode.
Again, your local shop will help you. It’s how they gain your trust and keep your business.
Good luck and fast racing.
No kidding.
People are acting like a scam is taking place, where they sell you a bike that doesn’t fit and then say “too bad” when you want to find one that fits better. HOw hard is it for bike experts to eyeball a person and be able to accurately pick the correct frame size? Doesn’t seem like it would be terrifically difficult.
From a time perspective, isn’t it much easier (for most people) to find a frame size that fits, and then tinker with the other parts (aerobars, seat, stem, pedals, etc)? Not sure why they would want to spend all that tiome on indidivudal fitting them to a bike, when the person may not even buy it … or are just wanting to see how to do the bike fit so they can fit themselves on the bike at home.
Is anyone really thinking that the person won’t both buy the bike and get fit to it? Wouldn’t folks ride the bike on a trainer in the shop before leaving with it?
It seems like more is being made about a situation that doesn’t seem to be that big of an issue.
I only have myself as an example. I walked into Tom’s shop, told him what bike I wanted, he picked the appropriate frame size, made adjustments to the stem, added pedals, did the aero bars, etc. I got on and it was damn near perfect. The only thing that needed adjusted was lengthening the sero bars a bit.
Fro this experience, I didn’t get the idea that bike fit was an extremelly difficult thing to do, or some type of complicated rocket surgery … well, unless “The Deadlifter” walks in (really long arms, short torso, etc). I’d guess that most folks that bike fit for a living and work at or own reputable shops can do bike fit estimation and precision alterating very quickly.
I still don’t get, except for maybe the top pros that are looking for every advantage, why bike fit is talked about as if it were this imaginary thing, like the G-Spot or Babe Ruth. 
“Are these guys just trying to get me in and sell me whatever’s in stock”
In my opinion, from what you’ve described, yes. They are interested in selling you a bike, not serving you as a customer. And from this response also, it would seem that their “fit” is based solely on comfort (with a visual guess on aerodynamics), and not on power generation and handling.
“is (prepare for lambasting…) getting fit 1st overkill unless you’re getting a custom?”
Definitely not. It will tell you which bikes will REALLY fit you, and not just be able to get your contact points in the right place.
Mission Bay will take care of you. What they probably meant was that you should come in find the bike that you like and fits your needs and price point then they will fit you to that bike prior to any cash trading hands. Alos most shops will charge a fee for fit services but then will refund that fee at the time of purchase. If you are dealing with a shop that charges for this service then check to make sure they offer a refund.
Lunchbox:
There is no shop in the world that carries all the tri brands that are available in the world. So what if you get measured(fit is done on the bike that you own)and find out that the best fit for you is a xyz brand which is only available in Zimbaktu?
Are you willing to go there?
Being comfortable and aero on a tri bike is a compromise.Fitter does the best he can do and you adopt some over time.
The way I see it you are a newcomer to the sport and no matter what you buy or how you get fitted it will take you a long time to find the perfect balance anyway.
So go ahead buy a bike get fitted to it and ride. You will make tons of changes along the way anyway.
Good Luck
It depends if you like to roll the dice on bike fit. I went through quite a few bikes before I figured out the old standover trick did not work for me because the top tube always ended up being too long.
Of course the LBS is going to eyeball the fit for what they have in stock and then “fit” you on it afterwards.
And this could/would work for most men with standard sizes so you could do okay. Or not. The sad thing is that you will really know after a few 60 mile bike rides.
If I was buying a bike, I would find one of those online calculators - I think Yaqui has a good one on their site - and get my own measurements and then do a little online research with various brands geometry and then decide what bike I want (maybe you could boil it down to a few choices and then see what they have). If the LBS has it at a good price then they can sell me one.
fitting = what feels right/best. The only way to get this is to ride bikes. IMO, what they are telling you is 100% accurate. No measurement in the world is going to estimate what feels right to you. You are unique, embrace it!
“Are these guys just trying to get me in and sell me whatever’s in stock”
with the possible exception of R&A cycles, mission bay is the least likely place in america to not have your appropriate size and style of tri bike in stock.