The full monty
I offer one level of bikefit, with add-ons if required, but never any less; bikefitting is such a wholistic process that I believe you can never look at one part in isolation.
Here's the process I go through with every rider…
01.
Before they've even walked through the door, I like to get to know the person I am about to fit. That's because riders will come to me for various reasons: they might be in pain, want to ride faster, or have just bought a new bike – these are all things that influence the way I approach the fit. Discussing previous injuries, goals and any discomforts someone might have on the bike enables me to deliver a service that is tailored to the rider.
02.
On arrival at the studio, the rider's bike is fitted to the turbo trainer and I might choose to pick up on a few points mentioned in the rider's Pre-Fit Questionnaire if I need more clarity. Once the bike is set up, I ask the rider to warm up on the bike while I take an initial look at their current position and how this fits with any discomforts that have been mentioned.
03.
The rider takes a break while I check shoe fit and cleat position – the foundations of a great bikefit. As we run through a physical assessment, I take note of any limitations that might influence the rider's position on the bike. If a rider's posture off the bike is drastically different to how they look on the bike, it may be that their body is being pulled into a position that isn't natural to them and that we need to address this issue. Humans are adaptable, bikes are adjustable!
04.
Cleats have been adjusted and the rider is back on the bike. This time, an adjustable stem has been fitted to the bike so that handlebar reach and height can be tested dynamically. This is the fun bit! Saddle height, saddle angle, saddle setback, hood angle, lever reach, bar width – you name it. No stone is left unturned as we find the perfect setup for the rider. A range of test saddles are available to try before you buy, and I encourage riders to take these home and test over the next month to make sure they're right for them.
05.
Every aspect of the bike has been tuned to the demands of the rider, and the next step is to record all the various parameters that make this fit unique. The information is written into a comprehensive Fit Report with which the rider can set up any other bikes – the fit is not exclusive to that bike, within reason (road bike fits don't apply to timetrial fits).
06.
The Fit Report emailed out to every rider contains not just the bike's coordinates, but a record of what changes were made during the fit and – crucially – a list of any components that may need to be purchased to reach the desired measurements. This could be a new stem or handlebars, for example. The Fit Report is straightforward enough that anyone picking it up can fit the necessary components correctly, though as a mechanic I am able and willing to carry this work out myself for a small additional cost. Often this is the best way, as the rider can have peace of mind that the bike will feel as good as it did during the bikefit.