Where's the best place to get fitted for a road bike (and a good deal---I'm looking to get a Trek 5200) in NYC???
thanks!!
bike fitting in NYC
Sat, 01/24/2004 - 3:15pm
Sat, 01/24/2004 - 3:36pm
#1
Fitting
I asked this same question about a month ago and ended up going to Craig Upton. His fitting was fantastic. He spent about 2 hours total, measuring me and the bike and then plugging numbers into his system. The bike feels right on. Perfect seat height and reach. He uses a small laser to check alignment of your various moving parts and double checked everything to be sure. He also does custom footbeds for those expensive bike shoes we buy that come with a piece of cereal box as a footbed. The footbeds add a great deal of comfort to the whole package Very affable guy on top of it too.
(212) 749-7971 or [email protected]
Mon, 01/26/2004 - 10:40am
#2
Bike fit - recommendation for Mr. Upton
Craig does a tremendously thorough job. We went through a fitting which didn't quite seem right to him. So we bascically started again from scratch.
He can provide you with all the data from the fit so that if you change saddles or stems or whathaveyou, you can still fit.
Totally changed the feel and efficiency I have on the bike.
Sat, 01/24/2004 - 5:55pm
#3
Sid's Bike Shop...
...on E. 34th St. is very good with bike fit - either Alan or Zoltan. They've fit three bikes for me and they're all perfect. If you go in now (slow season), they'll have plenty of time to spend with you.
Mon, 01/26/2004 - 10:58am
#4
The most complete shop
"R & A Cycles has got to be the biggest cycle shop around - they advertise it as the largest in the east. It's worth a visit just for curiosity's sake. They have everything from water bottles to wet suits, hundreds of frames, clothing, shoes, cyclometers, everything. It's heaven, if a little high-end/pro.
I get excellent fits from Felix at R&A. Ongoing. The guy would say to me a few months after a fit, ""Hey you lost weight, let's move the saddle, the stem, drop the bars, adjust the cleats."" He knows his art, cycles, and he cares.
http://www.racycles.com/
Ask for Felix.
It'as about a mile and a half from the Brooklyn/Manhattan Bridges on the way to Prospect Park.
"
Tue, 01/27/2004 - 4:44am
#5
R & A Cycles
I have to agree with JP on this one. First of all, R & A is an amazing bike shop. When I started searching for a bike, I paid them a visit in October and chatted with Felix quite a bit about various bikes and fitting. I then went to otherbike shops in the area to compare products. In the end, my friend and I returned to R & A to make the purchase ( For me a Trek 5200, for him a Cervelo Soloist ) due to the quality of the shop and Felix.
I picked up my bike a week and half ago and spent 2+ hours with Felix ono-on-one fitting the bike. He really knows the art and will not let you leave until you are completely satisfied with the fit. When you are all done, he'll take one last look, one last measurement, and make any adjustments needed before he lets you leave the shop.
Just remember to take your credit card because it's hard to leave R & A empty handed.
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 4:05am
#6
"Alex,
There is no ""Art"" to bike fitting. It is a scientific measurement based up the optimum angles that enable your muscles to fire most efficently.
I don't want to take anything away from Felix - But you described a subjective fit, not something based on science."
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 4:36am
#7
Bike Fittting
Hello Craig.
Out of curiosity, how much do you charge for a bike fit. Also, where are you located, I'd like to learn more.
Tue, 01/27/2004 - 9:08am
#8
R&A
Great Alex, you are locked into great fits. Felix will watch you when you come in over the months and make suggestions on evolving your fit. It’s like having a part time coach. He’ll ask what type of riding you do, what your weaknesses are (none, haha) and fit you not only to the bike, but to your type of riding. He’s a pro. And one of the best bike handlers I know. The other guy on the floor, Tony Taylor, was the USCF 2000 Masters national Gold Medalist. Cat 1 Elite and then some. He’s the man for equipment and techy stuff. And R&A has good prices and seems to negotiate. Talk to Phil for that.
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 3:59am
#9
bike fitting
It seems interesting that if a bike fit is so good - Why would you change it in a couple of months? Seems like this is an eyeball method, that evolves as someone changes his mind.
A bike fit based upon your bone lengths (which never change)and uses scientific measurements to accurately measure joint angles along with EMG's to measure omptimum muscle would be a bike fit you wouldn't have to change.
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 9:12am
#10
Holy Cow!
Hey Craig.
I do not know you but have heard your name mentioned and recognize the respect you command. I also am not a fitter, but here are my comments on your comments about my comments ;-)
I used to have a bit of a belly. Felix fit me somewhat upright to accommodate this. If he did not and fit me stretched out and more aero, my knees might have hit my belly. When I got down to fighting weight, and lost the belly, the fit was changed and I now ride lower and more stretched. My back is parallel to the ground now. Is this bogus?
Also, apparently, pedaling style is personal. Some point their toes, some drop the heels, etc. To maximize an individual style, position over the pedals is important. Directly over, back a little or forward. I believe Tri fits are forward. Am I misinterpreting?
Is fit final? I think not. As you, well, as I progressed from cruising at 15 mph to 20+ looking for hills, I became stronger and could handle a fit more for speed and power. Jeez, my saddle and bars used to be at the same height. Now, the bars are a few inches lower. Felix dropped me down when he saw that I was training and improving and had lost weight. Not a good move??? I have that little cap on my headset because to get rid of it I would have to cut the fork. In case I ever want to go to a more upright position, I left it alone. If I were to get fitted to ride, say, BMB or PBP, I would probably go more upright and get wider bars. A bad move??
The last “fit” Felix did for me was my cleats. I had put new ones on and, after a ride, I dropped by R&A and he was outside watching me approach. He asked me to get on the trainer and moved my cleats to maximize power. He has all the tools to do this. Eye-balling bull**** fit or someone who is concerned helping me progress??? Progress involves change. All I know is that with Felix’s ongoing input, I have maximized my riding and have improved speed, climbing, comfort and handling.
Now, please, seriously, comment on what I have said. A fit evolves with and as the rider evolves – that is my stance. It has worked for me. I hope you are not just reacting to a competing professional. R&A is a pro shop and race supporter. Kissena.
I look forward to your views – but I ain’t paying ;-)
Rgds, John
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 11:21am
#11
John,
Good points - I'll hopefully answer them all
Cleat position is vital to bike fit - so should have been right from the start. The position of your cleat effects where you are over the bottom bracket.
A common mistake is bike fitting is stretching people out, usually to the point where they can longer use their core muscles to help apply power & generally ride the bike. As a general rule, if you belly is hitting your knees chances are you saddle is to low to allow your knees to be so high.
Handle bar - does change. You can change handlebar height depending on the type of riding you do. More upright for cruising and efficency and lower for more performance.
Pedaling style - well your right pedal have different pedal styles. Doesn't mean they are right. It would be better to correct the pedaling style while doing the fit so as the rider is using their muscle in the most efficient manor.
I think that was everything
Cheers
Craig
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 11:26am
#12
forgot to say....
Felix at R&A sounds like a very good person, showing great care for his customers, which is fantastic and so often not seen. This I love.
Cheers
Craig
Wed, 01/28/2004 - 12:18pm
#13
Craig, You too obviously know what you're doing. Felix was mindful of these things too and sort of - I think - eased me into a more racing style of riding. As I said, he's sort of like a coach. The cleats were off because I changed them, using the stencil that Look provides. Guess I was inaccurate.
My point is that as I evolved, so did my fit. It was tweaked.
Any hoo, thank you for your pro input. Maybe sometime I'll ask your fit advice - and pay!!
Rgds, John
Thu, 01/29/2004 - 10:52am
#14
Craig Upton
for those of you interested in meeting craig he will be at the feb club program on the 10th with the aquifina team. ckeck the bulletin.
brought to you by, hal eskenazi, vp programs
