Bike fit over-rated?

Yeah, that's me.  I average between 16 and 18 mph depending on the distance. 

For me, there is a fine line between the best aero position and comfort....namely the seperation of the aerobars.  It looks like the closer the bars are together the less you are 'open' to the wind.  But I find it's more comfortable to me if the bars are spaced out more to accomodate my broader shoulders.

~Mike

Are you saying you're going to get professionally fit and then still change things?  If that is what you meant then I don't get it. 

Maybe I'm over simplyfing this but it seems like there are three main adjustments: seat height, handle bar/aerobar reach and height. 

Maybe it's just my nature not to pay for things I think I can do adequately myself.

~Mike

I'm all for getting a bike that fits and adjusting the seat to proper height and getting the right stem and handlebar height/reach.  I just don't see the value in a 'professional' fit.  I've not been to bike fitting school and am not bike fit certified but I've read enough BT posts about proper geometry to get within an 1/2" of the optimal position for power and aerodynamics.

I can change my reach +/- 3 inches by where I rest my forearms on the aeropads.  (I don't always ride holding the ends of the aerobars).  Point is, for most people, a do-it-yourself bike fit is 'good enough' and a professional fit is overkill.

Anyway, it's just my opinion and it's worth what you paid for it.  :-)

~Mike

I paid $120 for a fitting.  Geneva Bicyle Center.

worth every penny.  Guy knows his stuff.  45 minute drive from my house, and there are plenty of LBSs in my area. 

I've been to all of them, not one has the expertise Geneva has.  Everyone I've spoke to who has went to get fit by at GBC, has found a new bike shop. 

TT bike fit to me is an expertise I have little knowledge on, and its easy to have the viewpoint of "over-rated" as very few know what they are doing, therefore it is difficult to see the value--most experience with bike fit will be "coulda done that myself."  The reason very few know what they are doing, is that most take the attitude of "bike fit is easy to learn," and dont take the time required to learn how to do it properly.  This was proven to me when a very nice shop in Syracuse didnt even fill out a questionaire/file on me.

First time I got a bike fit it took 20 minutes and they lowerd my seat.

when i went to Geneva, we weren't done with the paperwork in 20 minutes.

one can only rate bikefitting being over rated or not based on their experience with fitting.  I would respecfully suggest that if your viewpoint is that its over-rated, that you've never been properly fit.

I kind of look at buying a bike like buying a suit.  you buy it based on look, feel, and if it fits you on a generalized basis.  than you have to have it "tailored" or custom fit to your body.

Sure, I could easily read up on tailoring suits, save some money, and dial in the fit fairly good.  Than, take it to Gramdmas house and have her finish the job.  But, since I wear a suit every day, and I wanna look good, I spend the extra money on a tailor, because he is simply better at it than me. 













 

That's a very good point.  My opinion is based on never having been professionally fit.  It's also based on biking 2,263 miles last year w/o any complaints or injuries.  My perspective is from a recreational BOPer who is comfortable on his bike. 

Nevertheless, from a purely engineering perspective, I don't see bike geometry adjustment precision as that complicated but obviously if you had to fill out a 20 minutes questionaire, there must be more to it than seat height and cockpit reach/height.

~Mike

I understand what you are saying.  But I don't use a powermeter, I took the cadence sensor off my bike and I don't monitor my heat rate.  I just ride and enjoy being outdoors.  My goal is to enjoy myself and comfort is more important to me than aerodynamics or power.  Might there be a better position for me that would give me significantly more power or aerodynamic efficiency?  I doubt it...but I will never know.  ;-)

~Mike

I never said I was in the MOST powerful/aero postion.  I said I don't think I'd see any significant increase in power or aerodynamics but slightly chaning my position a 1/4" this way or that.  Might I see a 1% increase in power/aerodynamics?  Maybe.  But so what.  If I'm less comfortable I might not like biking as much and might ride less and then it's still not woth it. 

BTW, I'm not arguing my point for you or guys like you, I'm arguing the point for me and guys like me.  :-)  Professional bike fitting might be "worth it" for 'contenders' but I think the average joe and/or LBS can do an adequate job of fitting to avoid overuse injury and get pretty good power and aerodynamics for most people.  And by most people I mean MOPer and BOPers or 67% of us.

~Mike

I can change my reach +/- 3 inches just by where I put my forearms on the aerobars....so changing the reach on my stem or aerobars 1/4" is within the tollerace of how you happen to be riding at any given moment.  Its like when an egineer calculates something to the 1/10th of an inch, the foreman measures it with a yardstick and the worker cuts it with an axe.  OK, maybe that's an exageration but I just don't think 1/2 a degree in body position is gonna matter to the average joe.

I would guess that 97.2% of your gain came form the seat hight adjustment not from the 1 cm stem.  :-)

~Mike

Oh good point.  I hadn't even thought about adjusting cleats and using shims.  I had a dickens of a time getting my cleats adjusted.   When I bought new shoes I mounted them exactly like were on my old shoes but it still didn't feel right.  I rode with an allen wrench and would stop every mile or so and adjust untill I found the sweetspot.  Had not even thought about this.  Good catch!

~Mike