Anyone out there have experience with this technology? I have recently seen some advertising on it, and wonder whether there is any merit to it. Bottom line is I am looking for someone expert in Tri-bike fitting in the greater Seattle area. There seem to be alot of “experts” at road bike fitting but I don’t think they appreciate the fact that for IM we hope to be in a aero position for at least 70+ miles which is clearly different from a 40 mile TT where you’re not running a marathon afterwards. Thanks.
Well, there is, like most systems, some merit to the wobblenaught system. It is another a tool that belongs in a fitters tool box. But like all independant fit “system” it is neither a stand alone, substitue for experience or the last word on bike fitting.
The contention that there is one best “system” or technique is likely not valid. I would suggest a good fitter has gone to a number of schools, done a lot fitting, been fitted a lot themselves, participates in the sport and has a lot of experience.
If a store or fitter is trying to sell one methodology as the “final word” or “best technique” in fitting I might be leary of that. It suggests their first foray into fitting.
The great thing about the heightened awareness of the importance of bike fit is the increased number of new bike fitters.
The bad thing about the heightened awareness of the importance of bike fit is the increased number of new bike fitters.
It’s a double edged sword.
I’m replying to your second point; tri bike fitting in Seattle area. I talked to Michael Peters at Sammamish Valley Cycle a month ago about a fitting. He has experience racing triathlons and mentioned he has completed the FIST tri bike fitting class put on by Slowtwitch’s Dan Empfield and Monty. Haven’t scheduled a fit yet but his rates seemed reasonable. He fits you to the bike but does no ergometer testing or anything related to power measurement. I don’t know if most fitters do this or not…
I have an appointment to get ‘fit’ this evening with John from Triumph Multisports. John is a regular poster here (triumph) and is FIST certified - the shop is located in Leschi. I watched a recent fit presentaion by him and was impressed. PM me or I will post here tonight and let you know how it goes.
WobbleNaught is VERY road-fit oriented, and I think the jury is very much out as to how well it will transfer to the tri scene.
With WobbleNaught, the fitter taks your measurements with a bunch of proprietary tools, gets on line, sends the measurements to the W.N. site, gets your fit back, and sets you up with the numbers from the site. No judgement of efficacy implied here, just an FYI…
John at Triumph is a good guy, and I wouldn’t hesitate to contact him about a fit - he was recently FIST certified, and sure seems to know his stuff.
Reed at Speedy Reedy is someone else to talk to, and certainly the folks at Sammamish are worth a try as well.
I would definitely talk to all of the above folks first, but, in addition (and I hate to plug this,) I just agreed in principle to start doing bike fits for Gregg’s Greenlake, and will be available by appointment 2 evenings a week starting in a week or so (Fist certified for several years.) The shop info will get sent to Dan as soon as I sign the paperwork (so you will be able to find it on the FIST list.)
I haven’t been doing fitting for anyone but training clients for a couple of years - it was a big pain in the ass to do it in my living room - but It got to the point that I was turning down a bunch of requests, and the folks at Gregg’s approached me at about the same time I came to that realization, so…
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bump
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Had my bike fit by Reed at Speedy Reedy… early spring of 2004 he helped with my fit on my rain bike then in August I called and told him I was ready for a new bike. Two days later he had a Dual set up based on our fit sessons in the spring. A few minor adjustments and I’m still very happy with the results.
Jay
Hey TriMD,
I was ‘fit’ last night at Triumph Multisports by John. I was impressed by his technique. As I wasn’t being fit to purchase a bike (but using my existing bike), there were some limitations - it was determined that my cockpit is a little bit short :-(. I appreciated the fact that it wasn’t a “put your seat here and your handlebars here” kind of fit (as I’ve had at other well known Seattle shops). We played with a few different ideas and Sunday I am going back to the shop to try them out on their Computrainer. I can’t wait to see what the wattage differences are. Anyways, can’t say enough about the customer service - I would highly recommend it to you.
I had my tri bike fit at Speedy Reedy and was pleased with the results. Only my neck muscles had to get used the aero position and after a few rides I was riding 4-5 hours at a time on the aero bars. I have had some bizarre experiences at other seattle shops such as two employees of the same shop fitting me to the same bike set up my seat an inch different. When I asked about the change, employee #2 told me employee #1 didn’t know what he was doing.
I would be glad to help you get fit. Scott and I have both been FISTed by Dan (ouch!) and we use a Computrainer for wattage testing in several different seat angles.
In addition to getting FISTed, I am a card carrying idiot of the Fit Kit, failed member of the Serotta school of yoga and DFL finisher for years 
I personally know the developer/owner of the Wobble-Naught fit system. His name is Tom Coleman. He doesn’t fit the cyclist stereotype by any means, but he is very knowledgeable nonetheless.
In regards to his fit- I have been fit by Tom Coleman personally for my road bike. The fit is based entirely on critical measurements of your body- your spine, shoulders, femur, feet…
Overall I felt the fit was superior to my prior position which I had setup based on my limited knowledge. The W.N. fit does not consider flexibility, which is a very important element of bike fit in my opinion. Many people I know who have gone through the W.N. fit complain they are in an overly aggressive riding position. Primarily due to being positioned very far back in regards to the saddle and very low in the front.
The Wobble-Naught fit definitely works best for road riders. I can guarentee you that the W.N. fit will put triathletes in a “shallow” riding position. Probably would be effectively a 74-75 degree seat tube angle when taking the saddle position into consideration. I’ve had many in-depth conversations with Tom Coleman about fitting triathletes, and to make a long story short he believes that riding at 76-80 degree seat tube angles does not generate enough power primarily by over stretching the quadracept muscles when your foot is in the upper most position of the pedal stroke.
I should add that he has no background in running and has never mentioned how his bike fit would benefit my run. That is the primary reason why I have not had him fit me on my triathlon bicycle.
I’m curious to see what experienced bike fitters and the Slowman have to say in regards to my comments. Also Tom Demerly’s opinion, as I know that one of your competitor stores is going to begin fitting riders using the W.N. system very soon now. There are quite a few triathletes in my town (Boise) and few if any true triathlon fitters, so any input is appreciated.
Hope this starts some good conversation. Cheers to all.
Tony
hooker_elite:
Great name! I called John as well and am going to set up a fit. I think that the important components of fitting are recognizing that everyone is different even if they are the same age, height, and weight with regards to personal comfort, and flexibility, etc… I like the idea of objectively measuring power output as well with the various changes. Again, it may be that a certain change in position results in a 15% increase in power however if that position for some reason causes discomfort such that you can only stay in the aero position for a third of the ride what’s the point? Thanks again.
Tony,
I have also been fit by the WN system (locally through the ABG rep, Alex Gardner) and found that i have moved myself back to my former position. The flexibility test for WN is all the crawling around yoga positions that you need to do to get the measurements The fit puts the cleats too far back for me and is more of a power sprinter position, IMO. It has worked well for some of the local road racers though. I think is not designed for tri at all. Tom C is supposedly devloping a fit profile for triathletes. TC’s fit seems to focus too much on wattage generation rather than wattage sustainability. It is extremely cool with the laser though. We use the smart tools angle finder already so that didn’t have the cool factor - but it is a very effective tool. I am glad that even the WN fit throws the knee over pedal spindle out though and that the research behind the fit seeems to be there.
We (not us as a shop but Seattlites in general) may have TC coming to the Marymoor Velodrome to do some telemetry wattage information for fits which would be sweet. Sit in the center of the track and get people to ride, record info, move them, ride, record, etc…, very cool. His information for muscle recruitment is top notch i have heard and would like to see it for myself.
Hope the WN conversation goes on.
Go Boise Aero!