From an aero and angles standpoint, I think my current position is pretty good. I have come to that position pretty much on my own, though. I’m considering getting a fit done, but I’d like to see some actual numbers around any changes. Do any shops in Texas do fits and actually measure the power/hr/speed relationship as they make changes, kind of like what Slowman did with Bjorn? I don’t want to pay for a fitting and then get only minor tweaks done that don’t have much impact.
I don’t quite understand how a bike shop could measure your speed, unless you own a powermeter, in which case you can do your own measurements.
It can take days, if not weeks, to adapt to a new position and have an accurate reflection of power production, not just a single session.
I would look to a fitter that can actually go out to a TT course with you, using a powermeter, and try a few positions over a period of time.
Either this, or go to a wind tunnel camp.
- gary
You’ve got a great point and if you’re ever in Florida then check us out as we do this service all the time!
I haven’t been here but they seem to offer a wide range of services:
Do any shops in Texas do fits and actually measure the power/hr/speed relationship as they make changes, kind of like what Slowman did with Bjorn? I don’t want to pay for a fitting and then get only minor tweaks done that don’t have much impact.
Pointless!
You just cannot make conclusions about power generation from minor position tweaks in a single session. If you change something, you need to then go ride for a few days or weeks and make a judgment over time. Even if a position change is good for you, your power might drop in the short run.
I think what Slowman did with Bjorn is a great example of how not to conduct a bike fit experiment. They learned nothing and proved nothing.
I would like to agree that it is rare that an already well positioned rider can show a repeatable power increase during a fitting session. Certainly, a new rider that is pretty far off and doesn’t have good form can see a measureable improvement by getting corrected to the basics. A very good way to plot changes is to go to a velodrom and ride at a constant power or speed and plot the changes in H/R or watts, distance traveled and time. Doing power measurement in a wind tunnel is a huge waste of money and valuable aero testing time. Who isn’t going to pedal harder with some huge fan feeling like it’s pulling you toward it for a big snack. I think doing an Oxygen uptake test would shed some quick and meaningful information, being able to breathe better almost always makes more power.
Who isn’t going to pedal harder with some huge fan feeling like it’s pulling you toward it for a big snack.
LOL! 
Reminds me of the article about Peter Reid in a recent tri mag. The put a shim under one of his shoes and – *voila! *-- a magical increase of 35 watts!
So that was why Normann rode away from him.
I’ve gotta get me some of those shims… 
“put a shim under one of his shoes and – *voila! *-- a magical increase of 35 watts”
hey, don’t judge, I heard his left leg is 3" shorter than his right leg - so there …
-g
Save your money. You’d be better off doing your own field testing with 20-60 minute efforts rather than riding for a couple of minutes indoors, changing something, and repeating. Shorter efforts could potentially be dominated by AWC and bias some changes based on where they fall in the protocol.