Sunday, December 28, 2008

Bike Fit Tips

10 things you should know when you think to shop for a bike fit:

  1. Look for a "certified" bike fitter. Ask if they hold any certification.
  2. Look for an independent bike fit - Why? For different reasons: bike fit done by a bike shop not always have a professional certified bike fitter available; moreover their bike fit are usual driven by the interest to sell not only new equipment but the type of equipment they sell, that not necessarily works for you.
  3. Do not believe if they say you have "legs discrepancy". Legs discrepancy can be assessed only by X-Ray. More often it's a "muscle imbalance" that needs to be addressed by specific strength exercises.
  4. Make sure that bike fitter does flexibility and posture assessment
  5. Ask for the independent bike fit has an agreement with a bike shop near by. The advantage is that the bike shop will sell and mount equipment according to the new measurements and suggestions given by the bike fitter
  6. The bike fitter should ask the main goal of your bike fit: performance vs. comfort.
  7. Ask for a written document that lists what changes have been done and why, which changes have been done to address which problems or pains or performance requests. The document should also list all the new measurements.
  8. Ask if they have "follow-up" process in place. After a new bike fit some discomfort is expected to allow the body to adapt to the new position. However, if you have pain and not discomfort or your discomfort has not gone away in 2 weeks of riding, then you need to call the bike fitter. The bike fitter however should call you any way within 2 weeks from the bike fit, and ask for a re-assessment. The re-assessment should be at no additional fee, unless you changed position or equipment meanwhile.
  9. Do not change position by yourself just because you are in pain or you feel discomfort. Call the bike fitter fist, ask for a new visit. If after they are not able to address your problem, then just shop for another professional bike fitter
  10. It's a plus if the bike fitter has "coaching" and bio mechanics knowledge, to advise for the best position to address performance goals and prescribe exercises and training that can address eventual flexibility and muscular imbalance issues.

Schedule a Bike Fit for an existing or for a new bike with Davanti Cycling by February 28,2009 and get 20% discount. Mention the discount code "10 tips for bike fit".

email now to: luisa@davanticycling.com or call 1-888-348-5228