[Closed] Bike fit experiences? Worth it?

Yes, anyone that cycles for anything beyond a short commute can probably benefit from a bike fit. Last time I had one was a few years ago and was about £100 (although that included adjusting a second bike to match). Just having the measurements alone helps you adjust your fleet, assuming you have multiple bikes.

Ofc there's different types and quality of fitters. I'd say it's pointless going to one who specialises in setting up aero positions for racers if you're just looking for comfort on sportives (although there's a lot of overlap and a really good bike fitter should be fine with both).

If your bike fit and current position are a long way apart then I'd adjust to it gradually to, not in one big step but again the fitter should talk you through that.

I had one years back at Epic Cycles, came free with a new bike. Got the new bike home and measured it up with my existing one and it was exactly the same, so I'd found the 'text book' position already just by fiddling till things felt right.....

For me, definitely worth it.

I went to Edinburgh Bike Fitters (Dougie Shaw) who seemed as clued up as my physio, but with all the specialist measurement tools for bikes (Retul etc.).

This meant he was able to detect and measure the fact that I sat twisted in the saddle, causing me to overreach with my right leg. I had detected the overreaching myself but my remedy was to try stacking shims under the cleat, which worked a little but didn't treat the root cause.

Once he'd identified what was wrong, it was back to the old drill of massage balls, strengthening and stretching to correct the twist. This also helped with pain in the back of my right shoulder as my right arm was also overreaching!

I'll admit I was a bit disappointed there wasn't some magical mechanical fix, but like Footflaps I had more or less adjusted the bike to the perfect position by trial and error, it was just my crappy posture that was the issue!

I would say it's worth it,not so much to get maximum power but more to make sure you're not in a position which would cause excess wear & tear or damage your knees.

After reading the reviews I went here   http://www.cadencesport.co.uk/index.php

Its only as good as the person doing it and their ability to correctly interpret the results.

back to the old drill of massage balls, strengthening and stretching to correct the twist

No wonder you were sitting crooked! 🙂

Have you considered going left-handed for a while?

Do these cover shoe fitting? - I get quite annoying "hot-foot" when doing longer rides. I use MTB type pedals (Time Atac) and shoes (Shimano) and generally get it after the 100km point.

After posting on here a while bike I went to Cadence and Adrian, I'd bought a new bike within 12 months previously and was having some bad knee pain which was causing me to ride less and less and actually cry while trying to ride. It wasn't cheap but I'm now completely pain free and can ride for many miles with no issues. It included Sidas custom footbeds which are great because I have a high instep which without support then leads to my knee twisting. We also adjusted my stem/bars which made massive improvements. I'd definitely recommend it if you're having pain and issues as it's a quicker than trial and error and hoping you pick the right thing to fix. If it wasn't causing me any pain and therefore it wasn't really quite as important I'd probably try adjusting things myself to work it out by trial and error just because it was quite expensive.

Trial and error was beginning to cost me a lot of money, I would genuinely have saved the cost of the bike fit if I'd just done it first rather than after a long period of trial and error. Thank god I went before I shelled out £80 for some fancy pedal extenders...

Thanks for the advice. I have bad posture; one leg shorter than other and hip rotation issues on one side so they fitter will have his work cut out! . I've pretty much followed the standard advice and trial and error so far. I guess in the scheme of things the cost is small compared to what we spend on bikes and bits 🙂

I've had one, worth it for me and dealt with a couple of issues I was having. Mike at Bike Dynamics in Leamington was who I used.

Do these cover shoe fitting? – I get quite annoying “hot-foot” when doing longer rides. I use MTB type pedals (Time Atac) and shoes (Shimano) and generally get it after the 100km point.

Some do, some charge a bit extra.

'Hot foot' is generally because you're using MTB pedals. Even with stiff XC racing shoes the pedal will still put pressure on a point, although if you're not already using carbon shoes then they will help a bit. ALthough I do the opposite and use really soft shoes and do 50miles fairly comfortably, I think the big shoes let the foot move around bit so even when it's not optimum it can shift around and doesn't get pressure in the same place all the time.

I had one done a couple of years ago and it was totally worth it. Meant I could ride a 100km in a day.  Things have got a bit pear shaped again, despite me replicating the settings, as I have got the same aches and pains!

But in summary worth it, as I did it after months of faffing around, which did not help and actually pushed myself in the wrong direction.

I spent about 4 hours with Vankru a couple of years ago, full Retul fit, cleat shimming/positioning etc...

I found it completely got rid of a few back & forearm pains and I also found it easier to sustain threshold efforts for longer. Definitely worth it.

I have also used the detailed numbers they gave me to set up the saddle/pedal relationship on all my bikes (not bars though as obviously different for road, mtb, gravel...) which helps me to jump between them without feeling much difference.

They now do a data logging service so you can go & get sensored up & then head out for a ride so they have more accurate positional data to use alongside the stuff they do on the turbo.

I'd definitely recommend it especially on a road bike.

I was measured up for my current bike , but it always felt a little stretched to the hoods for some reason. Bike fitter immediately spotted it, and pointed out that the hydraulic hoods I had were longer/further from the bar, than mechanical brake hoods. Put a shorter stem on, and suddenly everything was comfortable.

<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> Probably more importantly he noticed that the cleat on my right shoe was a couple of mm out compared to the left. Quick tweak and suddenly my pedalling was smoother. </span>

Video analysis and a bit of playing with a huge protractor made sure my pedalling action and position were sorted for my goals and build.

My fit was £65, and absolutely worth it - just having someone objectively reviewing my bike and position spotted some little things that I just hadn't twigged.

I’ve had one, worth it for me and dealt with a couple of issues I was having. Mike at Bike Dynamics in Leamington was who I used.

Also used Mike, he covered cleat position etc, not just the saddle/bars bits. Could feel the difference between the ride to and from the fitting. Apparently I have short hamstrings, even for a cyclist!

Do these cover shoe fitting? – I get quite annoying “hot-foot” when doing longer rides. I use MTB type pedals (Time Atac) and shoes (Shimano) and generally get it after the 100km point.

Try slamming the cleats right back away from your toes as a test first. I had same issues with Shimano pedals, though to be fair using ATACs helped a lot anyway. And some Sidi Megas which meant my feet had a bit of room to expand/move slightly.

Bit of a thread resurrection...

I am in a similar situation to some mentioned above. Whilst on the CX bike (which also gets used for road rides), I find that anything north of 2 hours ends in quite a sore back - presumably due to being fixed in the same position on the bike, something that isn't the case on the MTB.

Not wanting to start the expensive game of throwing different stems, saddles, handlebars, etc...then guessing best set up, perhaps a bike fit would be best.

Having looked around online, there seems to be a massive variation in service and price - £60 or £70, with some starting at over double that (fancy jigs, retul, video guidance, etc?).

Any thoughts on what would be worthwhile?
And any recommendations for Edinburgh/Central Belt?

Cheers

I used to own a road bike and riding that compared to my 29er ht always ended in a sore back. Not whilst riding it, always after. I then started to get it a bit on the mtn bike so tried moving the seat back and forth to see if it made any difference. Not had back pain since so maybe try a few adjustments and see how you get on. I was very surprised how much difference small adjustments made.

Snake oil.

I had one done a couple of years ago and it was totally worth it. Meant I could ride a 100km in a day. Things have got a bit pear shaped again, despite me replicating the settings, as I have got the same aches and pains!

See.

tried moving the seat back and forth to see if it made any difference. Not had back pain since

But I'm sure that paying someone would have been much more satisfying.