“Get a Grip” or “The Bike Shop” in Chicagoland area. Which does the best job, between these two shops, fitting someone with the “FIST” method?
Can’t go wrong with either.
My experience is only with The Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn and they do a great job…that would be my vote! Good luck!
hmmm…I’m not sure. They both do their best. PM me for details.
I’d probably steer towards The Bike Shop. A few more years of experience in tri setup, plus knowledge of multiple “positioning” methodologies (Rich Ducar - the owner, worked with/for John Cobb in the old Bicyclesports days, after he worked for Bill at Mission Bay Multisport).
Don’t forget Mission Bay either…they are also FIST certified.
The key is to call around and see which shop you feel more comfortable with. There is alot of trust that goes into paying the kind of money people do for this service, and it usually fights off buyers remorse if you feel comfortable with the people who set you up.
Avoid “Get a Grip”, they do their own thing…to the point of using plumb line to get set you back in a KOP positon!!..I personally experienced…not good
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Just curious. What’s a KOP position?
“What’s a KOP position?”
Knee-Over-Pedal spindle. and it has absolutely no business being used in conjunction with a tri bike.
btw – and this is not to denigrate either of these other two shops, but just to inform chicagoans – there are two additional F.I.S.T.-certified shops in chicagoland: EndureIt!, which has sent four people here to be F.I.S.T trained, and Mission Bay which has two, and two more Mission Bay folks are coming out over the winter.
When I lived in Chicago I drove to Dearborn to see Tom D. Pretty much a full day round-trip but I was happy with the results.
I could have used the wrong abreviation…“Knee over pedal spindle” which as far as I know does not apply to a true tri fit.
That’s interesting. I’ve been going to their shop for years and assumed they knew what they were doing. Does it hinder one’s position to use KOP?
I gotta disagree with you here. I had a fit session with them a couple months ago and couldn’t have been more impressed. I went in for a fit before purchasing a new tri bike, and they were champs - worth every penny, and the effort to get there. I worked with Adam, who first went through an interview to get some basic info, and then checked out my flexibility and range of motion before we even got started with the session. I was set up on a Serotta size cycle, and then we got into it. They have a SWEET setup for fitting…big screen TV right in front of the size cycle, and it’s coupled to a computer so they can show video of the rider in action, and superimpose lines on the pertinent angles/measurements. I did some riding, which was captured in video, and then replayed on the screen. The lines/angles were plotted, and adjustments made…repeat until optimized. Angles were also measured using a goniometer - no plumb line was ever produced during the session. Adam took his time, and I got the impression that he would have worked overtime to get the job done RIGHT. This is a high-tech operation that prides themselves on quality work - case in point, after receiving the bike that they helped me select, and built, my second ride on the new bike was a 110 miler with absolutely no discomfort - they nailed the fit. I’m not out to slam either MB or the Bike Shop (actually, I’ve worked with Chris at the Bike Shop, and he’s top notch as well), but I think you’re off the mark here. BTW - check out their website and you’ll find that they’re also FIST and Serotta certified fitters (getagripcycles.com). Just my $0.02…
I don’t think my fit was done with “Adam” I don’t remeber the guys name…nor I really care. I too was impressed by the nice set-up, although the seatpost on the Serrotta kept sliding down!..none of the toys (video, computrainer, etc. really made any difference…nor I think is necessary for a good FIST work. I had traveled from Puerto Rico to Chicago on business and brought my bike to get a fit done…I should have gone to Mission Bay.
I even email the guy that fit me to tell him that I was not happy with the results and he did not care to reply, in my experience a total waste of my money (bike shipping and fit). I guess if you are buying a bike from them or live nearby the treament is different…my last $.02.