If you are in the Chicagoland region, or are going to be visiting the area for either the Accenture race in a week or going to do Ironman Wisconsin and will be in the area…and have ANY DOUBT WHATSOEVER that you might have a fit issue on your bike, I HIGHLY recommend a visit to Rich’s shop in Glen Ellyn IL.
I have been racing a long time (over 20 years) here in the midwest and like to think that I have a pretty good understanding of the sport, the training, the equipment, etc. Last winter I bought a new bike, a Litespeed Saber, in part on Rich’s suggestion a year ago that I needed a longer head tube for my size, age, flexibility and race goals.
I searched the shops and the web and found the bike on closeout, at a good price, at a shop in Wisconsin. (BTW…there was a materials question I had about it that Herbert at Litespeed was very helpful in looking into for me.) Set it up in a way that I thought was optimal for me and started racing this summer. I have had some pretty good results, but also the feeling that things “weren’t quite right on the bike.” I call Rich last week. I go in last Friday, he sets me up on the trainer, takes a long look and then, boom…different stem, higher seat, lower bars, change the armrests. I go out for a quick trip around the store and it feels gooooooooood. Drive home, get out on the country roads…and feel better than I have all summer on the bike. Raced Sunday…3rd in the AG, felt GREAT on the bike, and, most telling, had my fastest run split in any race all year. Legs/hips didn’t feel strained or awkward and just felt terrific about the whole thing.
I guess it just shows that no matter how long you’ve been at the sport and think you know what to do, the BEST thing to know is who to see if you have a doubt. Rich is the guy. His eye is great, his rates are reasonable and it is worth the trip.
Best,
Mark