The fitting thing has worked its way into daily conversation because it preys on the insecurities of many who feel they are not capable of knowing what is right. Wind tunnel tests notwithstanding, I think a person can easily determine what works, and what is right - all he has to do is ride a lot.[/QUOTE]
THIS
Eric S. Zimmerman
Zimmerman Bicycle works
and Cinematography
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check out the work here
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THIS[/QUOTE]
I dunno, after years working at a shop... having a second critical eye can be pretty helpful. And newer riders often need quite a bit of help to really figure it out. People get used to a low saddle, or a high saddle, or a super long reach... stuff that could mess up their knees or back on longer rides, and having someone say "try it like this" really helps.
Note: just referring to the concept of fitting in general, I'd usually see this as something to do once they have a bike, so not commenting on fitters designing frames/etc.
some people need affirmation
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unfortunately given the nature of the business, the t̶h̶e̶r̶a̶p̶i̶s̶t̶ fitter in a bike shop can't tell the customer that they're the problem, it always has to be the bike
so they really don't do much other than jack up people's handlebar setups to make the drops inaccessible, and sell zero-offset posts and +20° 80mm stems
I tend to go thru these cycles where I doubt my fit, happened last year after a knee tendinitis. When something like this happens I wonder if everything is as good as it can be. I think most people who ride a lot go thru that at some point, at least all the friends I have who ride a lot do. This said I always settle back to "my" position. The worst $300 I spent was a retul fit last year after that injury, really useless.
Perhaps I'm reading too much into this, but there's clearly a line where frame fit and frame function part ways. The role of a good frame builder is to find that middle ground, whether that's made to measure or full custom.
At what point should we re-think what we're doing as riders/consumers and try to fit our body to frame (ie- increase our fitness, flexibility, etc), rather than the frame fitting us? With all the hoopla about 'fittings', perhaps some time in the gym or just riding would sort most of it out for people.
My interpretation of all this is that there are some who are gifted with an eye for an aesthetic that falls in line with the well-handling bike, and those who are gifted in math who can think their way to a well-handling bike. Two paths to the same (or similar) result. Don't ask the former to explain their craft in terms that will make sense to the latter.
DT
http://www.mjolnircycles.com/
Some are born to move the world to live their fantasies...
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Kinda' sorta'.
I think many people know how, or can be trained, to help another find a more efficient fit. Those same people would be far less equipped to also design the bicycle that contains the fit without having made a decent amount of them, and knowing how every change here (for position, for instance) affects something over there (in handling, for instance).
Last edited by e-RICHIE; 05-02-2013 at 09:34 PM. Reason: typo -
In some respects for the majority of riders the fit is probably the easy bit. Getting that position dialed on an off the peg frame is a bit harder and some would say there will be some small compromise and as Richie said, building the bike for that position another skillset again.
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Sean Doyle
www.devlincc.com
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you guys want practice? knock yourself out on this abortion that just landed in my inbox. Yes, A performance road fit. Who can tell me whats wrong with this fit for a 5'1/2" person with very average proportions.
Saddle length: 260mm
Saddle Setback: 42mm
Saddle to bar: 428mm
Handlebar drop:: 55mm
Saddle height: 620mm
Is it possible to connect the tubes to accommodate this? Yes. Am I willing to do it? No.
Nick Crumpton
crumptoncycles.com
"Tradition is a guide, not a jailer" —Justin Robinson
"Mastery before Creativity"—Nicholas Crumpton 2021
Word!
I'm waiting to see the numbers from my wife's recent tri-bike fit session. The fitter is pushing for a custom Guru for her because she has super long legs and a shorter torso. Is there any way to be sure the bike will be functional and not just a bunch of tubes put together to match the fit specs?
J
Nick Crumpton
crumptoncycles.com
"Tradition is a guide, not a jailer" —Justin Robinson
"Mastery before Creativity"—Nicholas Crumpton 2021
If setback is from the tip of the saddle to the BB center the the 42mm is real close to what I use with a 67.5cm Bb center to top of seat height. If the setback is BB center to ST/TT center then the ST angle is in the mid 80s. But since no mention was made of the ST length I assume (yes I know what this word means...) the 620 is to the top of the seat.
Any way about it the geometry of this frame would be a challenge. Andy.
Andy Stewart
10%
So Nick,
where did those numbers come from? Are they from a fitting the prospective client received? Take-off from their current bike? What lead them to that conclusion?
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Devin Zoller
L'Ecu Bicycles
No. 1 choice of inner SE industrial Portland's discerning velophiles.
Bike would be a disaster. Front-center is 5cm shorter than would be responsible. Bike would handle poorly and have large amount of toe overlap if attempted with 700c wheels. Its likely this amount of saddle setback is not necessary for a rider this size.
Is this about what you were thinking Nick?
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