wow -just saw the new Retul bike fit system. CTS started using it and are getting rave reviews from their customers. check it!
"As to professional bike fit, I just today got back from Asheville where I was fitted by CTS using the Retul system. I have at least 10 books on bike fitting and have been around the subject since 1971. At home I have used a goniometer, plumb bob and home-made video angle measurements on my computer. Although my fit was pretty close (for example I have the right overall size bike, right crank length and stem), the Retul system and CTS made changes to my fore-aft saddle position and height that really improved my comfort on the bike. I think it is a great thing to do. Seeing projected on the wall a large stick figure with your riding biomechanics in real time is very interesting. There really isn’t any way to see what your angles and positions are while actually riding other than a system like this. I highly recommend going to CTS if you can. Best, Mark "
the company is new…but it appears as if they know what their doing. I cant wait to get my fit done (once my bike arrives!!)
If you’ve seen the system you would know that it is on the cutting edge.
Todd has been w/ the Boulder Center for Sports Med for some time before branching out. He doesn’t teach you exactly how to fit, i.e. F.I.S.T or Serotta, he teaches you how to use his camera system. The camera measures to within .03mm of accuracy. It was initially designed for use in brain surgery where microns matter.
I saw him set up and do a quick demo on a rider and I was blown away. The fitter puts little balls on the rider in key places, 3 on the foot, the hip, shoulder, hands, etc. In less than 10 secs. you have a myriad of measurements from ankle angle and torso angle to reach and height. The beauty is that you can put balls on your elbows if you want to see how narrow you are, or other places. If you want to know a certain measurement, you just place accordingly. As you pedal, a stick figure moves on the computer screen showing you in real time. From there it is the fitters job to use the information correctly.
Todd used his system to fit all the SlipStream/Chipotle riders as well as Craig Alexander. It’s a great system as it is accurate, but allows for some “art” as well.
Funny you’d make the surgical reference, since a scalpel is only as good a the surgeon whose hand it’s in. Give me a scalpel, doesn’t mean I know how to do surgery. Sure it can measure precisely, and reliably, but that doesn’t make the measurements valid.
I would argue from having taught at the Serotta fit school for years, and I’m sure Dan would agree from teaching his FIST clinics, the accuracy of the tools isn’t where most fits go wrong…
Yup, I do love the spam aspect of it, too! You’d think by now spammers would have learned that by putting up a first post to talk about how great some new product we’re going to notice…
yes you are correct and very observant; The Retul system definitely requires a fitter to know how to utilize the data. But since you have a fit business, are obviously not biased :), and have probably not seen the Retul system - Im sure your opinion is justified
What makes you so sure I’m not familiar with your system? If, as I assume, you work for Retul (we don’t know as you created an anonymous account here), you know that Retul has partnered with the Serotta International Cycling Institute (SICI). If you take the time to go to the SICI website, you’ll notice I’m one of their instructors, so I’m much more familiar with your system than you assume.
If you re-read my previous post, you’ll see I said nothing disparaging about the accuracy or reliability of the tool. My issue was simply your decision to create a new anonymous account, and come with one of your very first posts touting how great some new product is, without divulging that you are (most likely) linked to the company. This seems to be getting more common here, and I know a lot of longtime Slowtwitch members find that to be disingenuous. But it says nothing about your product’s accuracy.
Oh, bike fit spam! That’s a first for ST, I’d wager.
Let’s see: “NormansKid” Registered today and has made two posts. One of them being this one. Awesome!
(Not that I’m ragging on Retul – I’m sure it’s great, though I know nothing about it.)
Get a grip bicycles in chicago charges $325 for a FIST fitting http://getagripcycles.com/page.cfm?pageID=93
Now THATS what I call art. Art of making money. Oh and the bike is extra, not icluded
So, uh, does your reply to my post have anything to do with my post? Answer: No.
Also, just because one shop charges a high amount of money for a FIST fit doesn’t mean that everyone does. Most shops charge about $200 for a two to three hour FIST fit and most shops include it for free with new bike. And, if the large array of anecdotal experiences with FIST fits are to be believed, most people are very happy with their FIST fits. I know I am.
