How Much Difference Can A Bike Fit Make?

This video includes a paid-product placement on behalf of Specialized and Retül.

Despite his long commute and innumerable photoshoot appearances, Cycling Plus Editor Rob Spedding has consistently ignored any bike fit advice he's ever had. We sent him to Specialized's UK HQ to get himself sorted out, and hopefully deal with his persistent neck pain and old running injuries.

[gnidaerd]

I re-did the bikefit thing recently BUT not for a bike but rather for the fit, personal fit. We used the RETUL jig and used it to find the best Stack and Reach for my body shape (long legs, short torso, long arms), flexibility and join action. Previous bikefits were to fit me to a bike I had bought at the time and those fits are a compromise usually because the 2nd hand bike is bought for my height.

Learning: I needed a shorter Reach and more Stack however thats not all. In the 'perfect' fit the seat height dropped initially 2cm then over a few weeks of adjusting to the new shape I gained back 6mm so in the end 14mm lower seat height and raised up bar height and a shorted stem. I was comfortable on my previous setup but being a perfectionist I was looking for the right fit.

After my ego got used to the idea of the new shape (which is still in the aggressive stance in the Retul scale) and my legs became used to the new seat height the GOLD started to show.
1) I was able to hold sustained seated efforts longer
2) Standing climbs were more open as I stood higher, opened my chest, and relaxed my hips more, fatigued less and climbed faster.
3) My recoveries are faster and I feel less quad muscle fatigue (go figure, my seat is lower).
4) Seated climbs now allowed me to really exaggerate the heel drop to give me hamstring relief mid climb and yet still power up the climb. This allowed me to keep climbing longer at a hight cadence.
5) Being lower 'in' the bike the handling is better, corner grip is up and more nimble.
6) Being lower in the bike my upper body is more relaxed and I can do more looking a round and posture changes.

my advice: Get a posture fit first, then go find the bike that best matches your shape. You'll be shopping for STACK and REACH rather than colour and bling.

[powdaze]

Some very good comments and good video. To give you some background. I a certified master bike fit specialist in Colorado (over blown title) and have been fitting PEOPLE (not the other way around) to their bikes since 2009. I have certification from Retul, BG Fit and Trek Precision Fit. I have fitted cyclist of all stripes and performed well over 1000 fits in my career. Yes, I'm biased, but I can't stress a good fit enough.

Get one from a reputable shop, by a seasoned professional is worth every dollar!! The rider interview and physical assessment is the KEY. As in the video. Everyone is asymmetric. I repeat. Everyone is asymmetric. Also, make note your physical conditioning in February/March is different in than June/July. The video stated, the client had comfort issues. Shoulder pain, Achilles pain from running. Long and high arches in his feet. Valgus knee tracking. These are the issues we need to know about and how to proceed in your fit. (Btw, the fitter in the video address these concerns ;-)

Add in bio-mechanics. As a bike fit specialist. I consider myself a bike tailor. Think about your tux or wedding dress. You had it altered correct ;-) no bike fits correctly off the rack. Our goal is riding without pain and more efficiency. This boils down to a proper bike fit. You'll be happy you did and thank the fitter with a 6 pack of beer!! Haha!

[ryanbarnoya]

Used to work at a specialized owned shop before retul, and left in the middle of retul integration. So let's toss aside some things here. Fitters who know what they're doing, will always get you further along than you'd expect. Retul puts it on a computer, makes it look fancy with tracing screens, and puts you on that rotation stand which makes you feel flashy. That's what you're paying for with retul. You're paying for the packaging that a good fitter can accomplish for much less money, and similar results. Believe me, my fitter who's now my coach, dialed me in for $100 on a fit which was much better than spending $300+ with specialized. I'd rather save the money wasted on flashy computer screens that make it look cool, get a good fit done the old school way, and put that towards other investments like tires or drivetrain pieces that the bike needs to keep on rolling.

[craighenry]

Bike fit is well worth the money you spend. If you spend five grand on a new bike, spend three hundred on a good bike fit you will be happier for it.

[pjr]

I’ve had a bike fit, and it’s the best money I’ve ever spent on the bike. Sometimes it’s only small changes but they make all the difference. There is no point spending thousands on a bike if it doesn’t fit you...You wouldn’t buy shoes two sizes too small or too big would you? Don’t knock a bike fit until you’ve had one done.

[reflectionsdetail]

I had a retul done last winter, and have noticed a HUGE increase in power transfer.  I have 1900miles since the fit and no complaints at this point.  I have a few mm of adjustment I can change to increase the aggressiveness of the fit IF I want, so when the racing begins we'll see if I need that increase.

[GadgetMart]

More important than a top peg bike imo

[El_JayBubby]

A proper bike fit is on the top of my shopping list. Wish there was a place near me that did more than just use the old "Plum Bob" to make sure your knee is somewhat over the pedal axle. Could always be more comfortable on the bike and use that info on later bike purchases or builds.

[pedroandrade]

so Bike Radar:
also importanto to mention that with the bike fit, core training is massively important! it will also have a great impact on back and neck pain. it cannot be overlooked, in my opinion.
other than that, good illustrative video.

[up]

Never trust a dude with no bottle cages on his bike.

[DevelopingNL]

How far behind the first metatarsal did they place the cleat?

[dbcoder]

Dude this music is getting PUMPED. Excellent taste in music my guys.

[Bikejon]

Is a Specialized Concept Store as good as anywhere to go for one of these bike fits? I have one reasonably close to me and I'm thinking of finally having a bike fit just to ensure everything is dialled in right. I suspect I'm not far off but I want it bang on if I do any more double century rides.

[stevechance]

My local bike shop charges $250 for a bike fitting. They'll starve waiting for my $250. F them.

[cruzanbum]

LOLing my shorts off @ 1:17 when the fitter makes a small saddle height adj. only to then put the end of the tape on the soft padding effectively not getting an accurate measurement.

[phillvallace]

I got a bike fit a while back at a bike shop but pretty sure they were more interested in selling the bike than rather making sure it was the right bike for me the bike still feels way to small for me

[U-Chewb]

Good vid but would you pay £200+ of your own money for the bike fit? Or play around with your setup until you find what's comfortable?

[burdazza]

Is there one of those retal bikes for mountain biker s

[finleymathews]

When are you doing the best mountain bikes under £600, £750, £1000, £1500 test

[conorverbruggen]

ok ok but what does Bike Fit James aka Acid James think?