The standard response to anyone who asks a fit question is go to the LBS and get a “professional” fit. How many have and what did it cost?
My last fitting I paid for, but it is tough to determine what I was paying for the fit and what I was paying for the school I went to where the fit was performed.
When I raced bicycles, I was fit by Eddy Merckx once and he did not charge anything, and then again at his factory in Belgium by one of their fitters. I’ve also been fit by the various instructors at NECA (guys who started the systematic bike fit thing with the so-called “FitKit” brand fitting system). Also, my employees who are fitters help fit me as well.
Since I own a store that specializes in road and tri bike fittings, I don’t generally pay for the service. We charge $150 for an existing fit though.
Here’s a link:
I bought my most recent bike “online”. I was first professionally fitted though - at a cost of $300. It was probably the best money I’ve spent in the sport.
Gear West Bike and Tri is a great LBS in minneapolis that includes a very extensive bike fitting when you buy a tri bike. The last fitting i had took almost an hour to get everything just right and to make sure the bike was the best one for me (fit wise). they also will refit you and make adjustments as long as you own your bike, which i really like since I am new to the sport and my aero position should get better over time.
I do not know how much they charge if you do not buy the bike from them though.
Totally myself, but it’s been refined over YEARS of riding.
Bought my TitanFlex online and then had Tom D’s crew at Bikesport do the final assembly and then fit the bike to me. I had my old bike fit there, too. Best investment of time (5 hr round trip) and money. They know triathlon and will work with what you have/want.
I had one done at Bikesport but didn’t have to pay as I bought a bike there as well. The fitting took 1.5 hrs and bike fits like a glove.
I do it myself. Being in the sport since 1987 (with several bikes along the way), it is kind of an evolutionary process. When I change bikes, I take a lot of measurements, transfer them over and make slight adjustments. I don’t think I could have found a “bike-fitter” when I started, although the local bike shop set up my original (decent) bike. I think most people can figure out their position given a decade or so to do it. A professional may save some time and trouble
http://fitwerx.com/NewFiles/FitandPositioning.html
I bought a bike from them so it only cost $100 for the full fit (normally $300). It took about 3 hours. I was amazed at how much they changed the setup of my previous bike which I thought I had been “comfortable” on. It was a 3.5 hr drive to get there, but worth it.
I watched the bikers go by at the Mooseman 1/2 this past weekend and was amazed at how many people on really nice bikes had completely messed up positions and were already out of the aerobars at mile 10.
Yes, I paid for a bike fit and am glad I did.
I was fit by Tom D. at Bikesport when I bought my bike from him.
I was originally ftted when I bought my bike two years ago. I’ve been tweaking it incrementally since. A little lower in the front, edge the seat forward, see how it feels. I know I was doing OK because I lowered the front too much and had to put a 1 cm spacer back in. I also raised the seat too much and lowered it a quarter inch. I think I’m pretty well dialed in - 2.5 cm lower in the front than original and about a half inch higher and a half inch more forward in the seat (thinking the forward offsets the raising of the seat). Had some maintenace done at Edge Cyclesport and then he took a look at my fit. He made no adjustments. I’m about ready, though, to try lowering the front again as my flexibility has improved. But, I don’t want the basebar lowered, so I may be looking at a new front end set that will lower my aero position without lowering the base bar.
In 1996 I drove to Shreveport and was fit to my bike by Dave Bunce and John Cobb. They only charged my like $65. Incredible value. I know that they would have to charge a hell of alot more now. Do they still do fittings now that they are at Blackwell?
Did it myself, but desperately need to get a professional fit. As soon as I have a free week-end I plan to make an appointment with Tom.
I drove from Chicago to VT for a fitting at Fit Werx (and road trip vacation) and I’m glad I did. Also got the cycling shoe inserts. They feel good.
There are standard angles and measurements that can be used as a basis for fitting yourself. I’ve seen them (not sure if it was for FIST) but I don’t have them and sure wish I did. I tend to do my own bike fitting. During the winter I ride my winter bike, switch to my nicer road bike in the summer/fall, and use my tri-bike during the summer and races. Whenever I’m not using one bike I have it on the trainer so I can ride it and adjust it (try new adjustments to see if they work/feel better).
Did it myself as well as for my wife and about half a dozen friends. It took a lot of reading and research to understand it. Living a long way from a decent LBS forced me into being my own fitter.
My bike is a custom built Yaqui. Ves measured me before designing the bike. Therefore, I consider myself “professionally fitted”. The fitting was included in the cost of the bike, although I believe he charges between $100-200 to be measured (and it’s well worth the cost).
I had mine done at the Boulder Center for Sports Medicine, the location where Dr Andy Pruitt is. The fit was done on a Computrainer, before and after wattage/hr measurements were taken. The ‘after’ HR was 10 BPM lower for the same wattage. Video was also taken, with photos from the analysis provided with the report.
I thought the fit was well worth the cost.
For more information: http://www.bch.org/sportsmedicine/science.cfm
Went to a local bike shop, stood over a Raleigh and was told that I needed either a 53 or a 56, their frames ran in 3 cm increments. Found my 55cm Bianchi on ebay. I think that it fits ok but I will pay for a fit my next bike.