Used Bike Professional Fit - Where does it fit in when searching & acquiring a Used bike?

Triathlon Forum
1

Calling STer’s. I have some questions pertaining to the acquisition & bike fit of a used road bike and could use your help. I have performed a bunch of forum searches as this topic has been discussed ad nauseam. Unfortunately I did not find an answer to my specific question so here goes.

I am confused on when a bike fit takes place in the process of acquiring a used bike. What prescribed procedure do you recommend for purchasing a used road bike? To me a professional fit is of the utmost importance. Forget calculators and websites. I understand that stack & reach are very important; however how do I know what general frame size (say a 51 vs. a 54) to zone my search in on the different websites (ebay/ST/etc) without an actual bike in front of me prior to purchase? With a professional fit for a used bike (looking for a Cervelo S2 or S3), is there an initial fit for the frame size prior to the purchase without a bike present? Would that even be possible if I did not have a specific bike picked out as I might change my mind if the right deal is available on a great bike. Subsequently, after purchasing the bike would there be another fit to dial in stack & reach? Also if I am looking for a used road bike, what size stem should I require? (Imagine that’s based on the frame size)? I have had a professional bike fit before but it was for a new bike so it seemed like a much different process.

I plan on getting most of my early season LSD riding done, most of my early indoor trainer sessions, and all group rides on this road bike. I’ve purchased a Cervelo P3 at the end of 2009 and it has been great for me. I’m not in a rush to purchase this bike. I plan on taking my time and looking for the right deal.

Any thoughts?

2

There are specific bikes (ie. Exit fit bike) that allow a fitter to obtain your fit coordinates and then cross reference the coordinates to a suite of bikes that match the best. They’re sort of expensive, but you’ll likely get much more value from a used bike if it fits perfectly.

3

Go to a good fitter.
Get a fitting done on a fitting bike.
Ask the fitter for rec’s based on said fit.

Make sure to tell the fitter what you want to do when arranging your appointment.

4

Imo, road bikes are easier to buy then tri bikes. Road bikes seem to be built on more or less the same sta.

Tri bikes you need stack and reach numbers.

Fwiw, I’ve bought my last 4 bikes sight unseen & never ridden based off stack and reach, both tri and road. I’ve been able to make them fit perfectly in about 20-30min of tinkering right out of the box.

There is a lot to be said for knowing your coordinates then finding the bike for toy based off that.