Thanks for all the great info in your posts. I’m sure I can speak for others and say that we all appreciate your posts - they are truly helpful to read and try to understand this concept of finding the perfect fit.
I’ve been riding for about 2 years now and currently have a 2002 58cm Trek 5200 that is pretty much stock right off the showroom floor. I ride 100 +/- miles per week with my long ride being in the 50 mile range on the weekend. It’s the only bike I’ve ever owned and, although it feels like it fits, I can pretty much GUARANTEE you that in your opinion, it doesn’t fit “correctly”. The sales guys just wanted to get me out of there as the shop was closing and I was naive enough to believe them when they told me that nothing needed to be tweaked. It fit me “perfectly”. Needless to say, I don’t visit that shop anymore.
On my weekly long ride, after about 40 miles, my neck starts to hurt, my shoulder & arms start to fall asleep, and for about an hour after I’m done riding, I can hardly walk because my lower back hurts so bad. Question #1: Do you think the aching due to the fact that 1) my bike is fit to me incorrectly; 2) because I am (getting) old(er) (33) and not in bike-shape (i.e. ride more miles, my muscles will get used to the pain); or possibly a combination of both (1) and (2)? Last year I rode 2,000 miles. I hope to double that mileage for 2004. I can’t imagine riding in that much “pain” this year.
(Series of) Question(s) #2: Obviously, I live in San Diego - home to many qualified bike fitters. Assuming that the answer to Question #1 is what I think it will be (“Go get properly fit by a qualified fitter”), how much should I pay for this fitting? How long should it last? How much do your shop charge for a fitting? How long does it “normally” last? How do I know if I’ve been fit “properly”? Do any of the slowtwitcher’s ever ship their bike and themselves to you guys for a bike fitting? I’m considering doing this.
Let me start off by saying that I am not Tom!! Anyhow, that out of the way, I would say that without seeing your position and watching you ride, it is almost impossible to come to a good conclusion about Q1. I can make some guesses though.
At 100 +/- miles per week, done consistently, that should be enough that you are not talking about basic fitness being an issue. You should be able to ride that amount comfortably, assuming that you don’t have some other major issues qoing on. So then I would start blaming the bike fit. At 33, you ain’t that old, either.
First off, your saddle height is probably wrong. Most riders saddle height is wrong. after that, the reach should be checked. Based on what you say, I’ll guess that your bar is set too low and too close and / or your saddle is too far back, resulting in excess lower back curvature, and hence strain on the spine. There are also the myriad of other adjustments to be made on top of that, for which you will need some help getting through.
I don’t live in San Diego, or even in the States, so I can’t tell you what the going rate for a fitting is. I would expect it to last up to a couple of hours, and ideally involve a follow up visit or 2. Don’t know if that is the norm or not.
I live in San Diego, and I’ll give you my two cents on some LBSs in whom I have a lot of trust: B & L, Leucadia Cyclery, Bicycle Sports and Hi-Tech Bikes.
Here’s the skinny: I’ve used B & L both for fit and for wrenching since their phoenix-esque rebirth from the ashes of Fleet Feet and a couple subsequent periods of mediocrity. They are FISTies now, which only lends more credibility in my own mind. I’ve always found their service to be fast, competitively priced, honest and well thought-out.
Leucadia Cyclery is a place I ride past all the time (I live in North County), and while I’ve never been in there, I’ve heard nothing but praise from several friends who swear by them. Granted, they’re mostly a Klein dealer, but it’s the service of fit that you’re looking to purchase.
Bicycle Sports is new to the area, and I’ve been in a couple time, once with a friend for fit advice, and once for some quick wrenching services. Dave and crew are really easy going and friendly. I personally thought their advice for my friend was spot-on, and their service to me was great. Dave’s fit qualifications are unquestionable…
Hi-Tech. Again, I’ve never personally been there, but my friends who have rave about them, particularly with their care for fit and ergonomics.
There are other shops that come to mind, but none that I’ve frequented with regularity (save for Nytro, but their fit, IMHO, tends towards the elite racer). Good luck.
Hmmm. Well, first off, you’re not old. Eh gad, I’m 42 and I’m still capable of getting out of people’s way. You have tons of time to still be fast. So it’s not your age.
It could be bike fit. Tough to say. What you’re describing might cause a good fitter to first look at your reach measurement. You are lucky to be in San Diego becasue you do have some good fitters there. There is no need to travel, you’ve got great resources at your disposal.
I just finished a fitting with a customer that took 2.5 hours and I charged $150 labor for. The total cost of the fitting including parts was $449.50. The customer paid $850 for a used Kilo off E-Bay. For the cost of the fitting and the bike he paid $1299.50 for a used Kilo not counting his shipping and time- and he still has a used bike. Heck, they are $1399.99 new (correctly fitted). duh. But that’s another story…
Anyway.
I shot some digital photos and we looked at them on the screen to measure joint angles and talk about his fit. We made enormous improvements. He is much better off now and the bike works great for him now.
I think you need to count on 2-2.5 hours on a fitting and something north of $100 for the time, plus parts and installation labor. One thought though- be sure who have a fitter who is willing to “kill” the project early if your frame is the wrong size/geometry. That way, he won;t be wasting your/his time and money. Also, have an “exit strategy” for what to do if you discover the frame is utterly inappropriate for you.