|
Post by DelB on Jul 15, 2013 10:21:53 GMT
Morning all. I originally stated my intention to go for a proper bike fitting session on another thread on the forum, but thought my experience this morning deserved a thread of its own in order that others might gain a little from it. Ok, cycled down to The Tri Centre at Newington in Edinburgh this morning for a Bike-Fit session. Arrived there at about 9.20 and was on my way again by 9.30!! Met Simon, who seems to be a really good bloke, and he looked at the bike, looked at me, asked what height I was (6'1") and then advised me that the bike (a 60cm frame) was a little on the small side for me! I was really surprised to hear this as I always felt that I was a little too stretched out on it. Obviously just my 46 year old body objecting to being asked to do something athletic after six years of relative inactivity! He got me to sit on the bike and pedal backwards whilst he held it upright for me and then got me to stop with my foot at the lowest point of he pedal stroke. He felt my saddle could come up by just 3 or 4mm and maybe be moved back 5-10mm or so to give me more room in the cockpit, so he carried out the minor tweeks with an Allen key. I asked him what I was owe him and he replied that he wasn't charging me anything for the relatively little time he'd spent with me. I thanked him for his time, his feedback and his honesty and cycled the 5 miles home again. So, happy that my position was pretty much spot-on, but very surprised to hear that my bike may be a touch too small.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 10:30:36 GMT
I find that very surprising indeed.
|
|
|
Post by DelB on Jul 15, 2013 10:33:38 GMT
I find that very surprising indeed. Glad it wasn't just me then. To be honest, I'm not looking for a flat-back racers position on the bike anyway. If I'm more upright, that suits my Sportive ambitions anyway.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 10:34:58 GMT
Very surprised to hear he said the 60 was a little small because you're very much at the lower end of Decathlon's sizing chart for the bike. If anything I would have thought a 57 might be a consideration, but what do I know? I'm nearly 6'3" and naturally assumed 60 would be best for me.
Good on Simon for the free fit though. Nothing like my LBS rip-off merchants. I wouldn't be surprised if they started charging an admission fee.
|
|
|
Post by DelB on Jul 15, 2013 10:40:13 GMT
Very surprised to hear he said the 60 was a little small because you're very much at the lower end of Decathlon's sizing chart for the bike. If anything I would have thought a 57 might be a consideration, but what do I know? I'm nearly 6'3" and naturally assumed 60 would be best for me. Good on Simon for the free fit though. Nothing like my LBS rip-off merchants. I wouldn't be surprised if they started charging an admission fee. I actually sat on a 57cm bike before choosing the 60. The 57 just felt way too cramped. Yep, was very impressed that he did what he did, when he could just as easily have gone through the motions and relieved me of the Β£50.00 I'd been ready to spend on the session.
|
|
|
Post by psyclepath on Jul 15, 2013 10:58:05 GMT
That is interesting, my mate who is 6ft 1 has bought a 57 because that is the size mine is and he doesn't look too big for it. If he thinks the 60 is too small then the only size up is the 63, which is more suitable for giants, not people slightly over 6ft!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 11:40:39 GMT
I am 6'6" and have the 63. It's a small 63 though due to the sloping top tube.
I'd have thought nobody under 6'3" would want a 63 however, as it's a fairly long cockpit.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 11:54:43 GMT
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:17:04 GMT
The only problem with those kinds of chart is that it doesn't take into consideration inside leg measurement which I've now come to realise, for me at least, is much more important. Furthermore it's not always clear when it says 'you should be on a 55' what measurement that refers to.
|
|
|
Post by DelB on Jul 15, 2013 12:19:59 GMT
The only problem with those kinds of chart is that it doesn't take into consideration inside leg measurement which I've now come to realise, for me at least, is much more important. Furthermore it's not always clear when it says 'you should be on a 55' what measurement that refers to. That, and the fact that all bike manufacturers seem to measure their bikes in different ways!
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:24:08 GMT
the top of the chart it has size in CM size in Inch, as I recall this is generally taken from the centre of the BB to the top of the seat tube...may be wrong on that...
but yeah it is quite generalised, but works well for most. The problem i have seen with people short legs and long arms is they end up on shorter bikes with longer stems, this now messes with steering response
I guess theres no straight answer if you have longer/shorter arms or legs than the standard build allow for
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:27:28 GMT
you can of course just get on the bike that just feels rite and pedal away?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:29:34 GMT
the top of the chart it has size in CM size in Inch, as I recall this is generally taken from the centre of the BB to the top of the seat tube...may be wrong on that... but yeah it is quite generalised, but works well for most. The problem i have seen with people short legs and long arms is they end up on shorter bikes with longer stems, this now messes with steering response I guess theres no straight answer if you have longer/shorter arms or legs than the standard build allow for That's exactly my problem. Proportionately VERY long legs. Therefore any 'off the peg' bike is going to be a compromise for me. There's always the custom route (the LBS I got fitted at said I'm a perfect candidate for a custom frame, and they don't even offer that service so not trying to make money out of me) but, well...it's not cheap.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:30:10 GMT
you can of course just get on the bike that just feels rite and pedal away? A lot of problems with fit only manifest themselves after a few hours in the saddle.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jul 15, 2013 12:42:46 GMT
You also have the problem of being in the middle of the suggested bands and/or the exact frame size is not built by the manufacturer. Why ordering online is a bit tricky for me.
The advice and order has to be, professional bike fit, LBS bike fit then charts and measurements. Above all else, jason is spot on, try the bike.
|
|