The Focus is on You – the Rider

Discover what our clients have to say about their experience with Bike Fit GH.

“Size Matters”

If you’re like me, you hate trying on clothes.  I detest having to go to the store, pick a few pairs of pants off the rack and try them on.  In theory, whatever size you are – whether it be a 34, 36 or whatever – it should be the same across brands.  So, if you wear a 36 waist with a 32 inseam, you should be able to grab a few of those from the rack and pick the ones you like best.  But inevitably they all fit differently – some you can’t button; others are too snug here or there and then a couple fall down.  WTF?  Shouldn’t the size be the same across brands and certainly within the brand.  But nope, it’s like they’re making this crap up as they go! As much as I hate buying clothes, I love checking out new bicycles.  As it happened, I was in the market for a new bike last year and so I checked out my local bike shop’s website to see what they had to offer.  At the time, I was riding a Specialized Roubaix which I really enjoyed, but I was looking for something a little bit more “aggressive”.  My thought at the time was a Specialized Aethos, which they had in stock.  Perfect!  It had the gearing that I was looking for and so I decided to reach out and see if it was still available.  But when I spoke to the gentleman on the phone, he was insistent that I get a fitting before we moved to the bike selection process.  The fitting was not free, in fact it was a few hundred dollars, but I was told that if I buy a bike, it would be credited back to me at the sale.  But I was skeptical.  I had been riding the Roubaix for over a year and it fit just fine.  It’s a 58 cm frame, so that should work for me on a new bike.  Doesn’t that make sense?Since I wasn’t making any headway and I figured the money would be credited toward the sale anyway, I would go ahead and set up a fitting.  When I arrived, I met Geoff.  Having mentioned the fact that I have multiple sclerosis to the shop owner, he knew Geoff would be the right guy to do the fitting.  Geoff took some measurements off my current bike (the Roubaix) and asked why I was looking for something new.  Obviously, I have a nice bike, but I explained that I was looking for something more aggressive and would allow me to ride in a more aero position.  In our discussions, Geoff mentioned that he works with people who have MS and so is quite familiar with some of the disease’s nuances.  This was perfect for me and I was confident I would leave the shop with a well-appointed Aethos.  However, that is not exactly how things go with Geoff.I’ll forgo the details of a fitting that lasted in excess of 90 minutes, but suffice it to say, I left the shop with my Roubaix resized (longer stem, adjustments to the seat post height and a few other tweaks) and some homework.  To achieve the position I was interested in, Geoff’s first demand was that I bend my elbows.  Basically, he wanted me to get comfortable on my current bike and see if I could ride in a more aero position with the bike I own.  Why spend money on something new, trying to achieve a position that may not work well for me.  After riding some miles on the “corrected” bike, then we could see about something new, if that’s the way I wanted to go.Somewhat dejected and a little disappointed, I headed home with my current bike.  As ordered, I headed out for a few rides on the new set up and it was fantastic!  Though only a matter of millimeters and a few degrees here and there, the bike was far more comfortable, and I was able to ride in a variety of positions depending on how I felt.  Anywhere from being upright on the tops in a touring/sightseeing position to a more tuck, aero position – all worked out.  In fact, I found it far more comfortable to ride in the drops than I had previously.  It was truly amazing!Since I do a lot of riding on an indoor trainer and I have a dedicated bike for that set up, I reached out to Geoff to get his input on a new bike for the trainer.  The current bike I was using was a 56 cm frame and I knew it was too small.  I didn’t want to spend a lot of money on a bike because it’s just intended for residents in my pain cave, so I suggested an Allez.  Geoff reviewed its geometry and said we could work with that frame.  I had the bike shipped to the shop, and Geoff (and the mechanic) got everything set up based on my fitting measurements.  I was unable to get the bike myself, so my wife picked it up and brought it home.  I took the bike off of the rack and hopped on for a quick spin, up and down the road.  It felt like I had been riding the bike for years and everything fit perfectly.  Again, amazing!Why a bike fitting?  For the same reason you have to try on pants at the store – the sizes don’t mean a thing!  Each rider is unique and bike brands invariably build their bikes based on very loose metrics.  Therefore sizing (54, 56,58, etc.) across brands and within a given brand means very little.  Based on what the manufacturer is trying to achieve, the geometry and design have little correlation to its “size”.  So, you need to know your size before you can get a bike that fits you and therefore will be the most effective machine possible.  More than that, Geoff works with many custom frame builders (from more cost-effective steel all the way up to carbon fiber) to have a bike uniquely built for you.  The bottom line is this, spending a few hundred dollars to get a proper fitting gives you information you will never get from simply trying on bikes at your local bike shop.After almost 2500 miles on my new trainer set up (the Allez), my power output, comfort and performance are all much better.  I’ve even taken the bike out on the road a few times, and it rides brilliantly.  If I simply kept it “as is” from the manufacturer, it would not have been that much of an improvement over the old bike that I had on the trainer.  Do yourself a favor and get the right bike!

Kevin Flannagan