Finally went for a bike fitting - overview

[woowoo]

I just ventured into the bike world last year with a Focus Variado 2.0.  Not super fancy, but a decent road bike.....and the bike's name is Clint (after Clint Eastwood, who is a total badass, which has zero relevance to this story). 

I've done three Triathlons on the bike, longest road ride to date has been 35 miles.  Now that I'm training on it 3-5 hours a week my knees have started
hurting and my lower back has been killing me.  Figured it was time for a
true bike fitting and I'm so glad I went!  I wasn't sure if I would feel silly going without a fancy bike, but now I feel silly for waiting so long.


Quick review:   I paid $200 (Went to Element on Clybourn for you Chi-town ladies) for a road bike fitting (not the super fancy one with the
lasers and everything, this was their mid-range fit).  Chris (one of the owners) spent almost two hours with me!  It was
incredible how drastic the changes to my bike were, and how much more comfortable it is now.  He put on a shorter stem for my handlebars (this cost an additional $55 for the stem), raised my seat over 1.5 inches, moved it forward, adjusted the angle of my saddle, made some adjustments to my cycling shoes, checked all my breaks and tightened everything AND offered me some additional tips on my form.  It was a tedious process at times, but All in all, it was well worth the time and the $200 ($255 including the part) and I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Today is supposed to be a rest day but I had to try it out...ended up riding for over an hour.  Ooops!

Anyway...get a bike fitting done.  DOOOOO IT!
 

[katinthehat]

that's fantastic!

[sadlebred]

It sounds like a really great bike fit! They are worth the money if you go to a good fitter!

[chw57]

So glad it was a good experience! I had some VERY similar adjustments made when I went for my fit, and it was amazing what a difference it made! 

[boston340]

Oh wow, that sounds so in depth and definitely worth it!