Just a thought that popped into my brain - UK riders on this forum are always complaining that the UK is a bazillion miles behind the US when it comes to bike fit, and tri bike fit in particular.
Some (UKGearMuncher?JulianinEngland?) have even travelled to the esteemed Mr Demerley in Michigan to be fitted!
Is there any validity in the idea of doing something on line, a step beyond the “plug in your dimensions and press start” method?
I’m thinking “all” you would need is, say…
2+ athletes who want to get FIST’d (phnaaar, phnnnarrr)
A bike fit jig - borrowed/rented/nicked from an LBS - maybe an LBS could set up a day long seminar or something…
Plumb line, angle measurer, tape measure etc
Web cam/link to, say, Mr Demerley, John Cobb, that Elite Bicycles chap, that Levine bloke, or any respected/trusted fitter.
With the athletes acting as each others measurer, giving measurements, and feedback to the “remote” fitter, surley in this day and age of hi-tech virtual conferencing, you could do something that is almost as good as being there in person? The fitter gets paid via credit card/bank transfer. Everyone is happy!
Right, back to work - let me know if its a stupid idea or a go-er…
I almost had this working back when I had all my shops and it will work. The cameras now would give a better picture and it should just take a good high speed connection on both ends for everything to go smooth. Combine this with Skype and it should be pretty inexpensive. I’d still be glad to work on it if someone would create the web camera account. The studio would be very easy but it will take 2-3 people to make it go smoothly.
That could be very interesting from an international standpoint. An untapped opportunity ? It’s no replacement for primary surveys but no less valid than online coaching plans are to athletes…
… no less valid than online coaching plans are to athletes…
I’m glad you didn’t mention online critique my position threads with replies from people no more qualified to do bike fit than they are to do brain surgery.
Woah, cool - I got a post reply from the man who got Lance aero!! And he thinks my idea is a go-er! Even more cool!
I need to speak to some computer geekmates, and bike geek mates (why do I get the feeling they are going to be one and the same???) and get this thing sorted. Watch this space…
UK Gearmuncher - send me a PM and maybe we can talk about it further…