Is a bike fitting worth the $$$?

I had it done for 50 bucks - done by a live person and 'feel'. The guys told me for another 50 or a total of 100 bucks, he could do the same with the aid of a computer which would give me a handy dandy print out with all the angles and dimensions that it says I should be perfectly fitted to my bike. I opted for the live fit going by feel. Even since then, I did a couple of tweaks on my aero bar position after having ridden a bit.

I think the fit was worth it but glad I didn't bother with the computer fit and opted for the personalized one.

IF the "fitter" knows what they are talking about and I mean triathlons -vs- road riding then yes it is worht the money.  I had a fit done and just slight tweaks made a large difference.  I also had it done with the aid of a compu-trainer so that we could get direct feedback about what the changes were doing.

It made me much more comfortable on my tri and road bike!!

Adios
Dave

How is your current fit? Are you comfortable on your bike? Do you have any problems, like back, neck or knee pain? Are you on a tri bike or road bike? If you're on a tri bike, what's your position like?

If you're not having any fit-related issues, then you probably don't need to pay anyone to tweak it. If you are, you need to find out if they know what they're doing. Fitting a road bike is something most shops can do at least reasonably well. If you need a tri bike fitted, they need to be very experienced in fitting tri bikes.

Never had a fit kit session myself, but it seems quicker and cheaper...and has a history.  Check this link... http://bikefitkit.com/bicycle_riders/bike_fitting.php

It's not part of the sport, but it may be part of the bike you just bought.  A fit will help you optimize up to the point that it's tweakable within the bounds of your budget.  Better to find out before you spend 3 hours numb right before running a half marathon.

Yes, get a good fit.

I have paid for 3 of them; first was okay, second was terrible, and third wins the prize. I paid $125, $50 and $95 for them. I now have a bike fit guy that is great...I've bought 2 bikes since I worked with him (not from him) and he gets them so they fit me great. I wish he sold more brands so I could just buy the bikes from him.

Hardest thing to determine is where to get one done and how much experience they have and will they fit the bike well for you. Someone equated bike fitting to religion in that everyone thinks there way is best until they are convinced otherwise.

Someone from Chicago shared his experience with you which helps. I talk to as many triathletes from your area as you can and learn from their experience.

What I like about my fit guy is he asks lots of questions as to your goals in riding, type of riding you do,  how you ride, determines if you have any issues, measures you, and spends lots of time. He runs the numbers and comes up with a plan to adjust your current bike to optimal for you and your goals. With my first bike he changed it so much he didn't want to do it in one adjustment as he thought it would be to much of a change so we did stage one and about 5 weeks later did the final adjustment. Then I rode the bike about a month or so and went back for final tweaking. A couple of the local places that do fittings fit everyone with the same philosophy and don't take into consideration their age, goals and what is really best for them and consquently it doesn't work for everyone.  They try to put everyone in as aerodymanic low position the  person can tolerate. Gosh, that doesn't work for me...I'm 45, had back surgery, I want to be comfortable number one.

I can't tell you how much better the bikes feel...I feel one with my bike and like it is part of me and I really love riding as it comfortable. I did a 7 hour ride last October and wasn't sore at all the next day in large part because my bike fits me well.

Doing HIM this year, you'll be on your bike a lot and if your neck hurts or hands go numb, it won't be enjoyable for you. Get a fitting but do shop around as to the best place to get one.