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Helping a friend get into a bike

vickaiservickaiser
in General Training Discussions

What's your best advice for me to give to my friend who is getting into his first tri bike?  Would you have TT Bike Fit do a pre-fit and get the frames that fit you best?  Or go into the LBS (tri shop) and let them do the FIST/Retul/whatever?

Comments

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    Either. The LBS will obviously want to sell them one of their bikes but they'll still know their fit profile and can make an informed decision. I can give you my personal opinions on the Houston area fitters and who I trust the most.
  • vickaiservickaiser
    Give me your two cents, Bob. Who would you go to for a pre-bike fit?
  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030





     

    My list would be slightly different if your friend already had a bike.  I'd put Cynthia at #1 in that case.

     

    Tad only does fitting.  He doesn't sell any bikes so I think he'll have the most unbiased opinion.  He used to work with Cythina at the Bike Barn Custom Fit Studio.

     

    Shama would also give your friend a pretty unbiased opinion but he really pushes "custom" Guru frames.  No offense to anyone who has a Guru but I think they're huge pieces of shit.

     

    Cynthia is the best fitter in Houston, in my opinion.  Why I put her #3 on this list is because she does work for Bike Barn so she's definitely going to try and sell your friend one of their products.  She is going to be biased.  It's hard to go wrong with a Trek Speed Concept or a Specialized Shiv though.

     

    Landry at TOTR has a good reputation but TOTR rubs some people the wrong way.

     

    Tiffany at Tru Tri I just don't know enough about.  I know her personally through Tru Tri's association with CyTri but I don't know enough about her fitting skills.  I know she has only had her Retul cert for less than a year.  I also suspect she's going to really push a bike that Tru Tri sells.

     
  • vickaiservickaiser
    Ok, thanks. I know all these people with the exception of Cynthia. I was just curious who would make your list.
  • penlynwilsonpenlynwilson
    I'd highly recommend Tadd Hughes for the pre-fit and post-fit. I went a couple of weeks ago.
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow

    If it was me, I'd do a pre-fit with Todd at TTbikefit.com to figure out what was the right bike. Then I'd buy the right (1-3yr old) bike on eBay...

    see this:  http://members.endurancenation.us/Training/TrainingForums/tabid/101/aft/8570/Default.aspx

    and this:  http://members.endurancenation.us/tabid/101/aft/8550/Default.aspx

  • GMAN 19030GMAN 19030
    John, the only issue I have with ttbikefit is the lack of immediate and in-person personal feedback and the admin work to get a video to Todd and all that. It's just easier to hit up someone local especially when there are some really excellent fitters in the area. YMMV.
  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    Bob,
    I actually agree with you. Most of the fitters in my area are associated with a bike shop and know a lot more about road bikes than tri bikes and they will generally just be trying to sell one of their overpriced bikes then try to fit you to it. The others are known more for fitting you onto a bike you already have as opposed to a Pre-buy analysis. Dealing with Todd will burn a week, but I know so many people who ended up very pleased with his fits (myself included) after just a couple of iterations. And getting a deal on an eBay or Craigslist bike could burn another month. Both of which require you to be very hands on and interested in a bit of wrenching. It really does come down to how much time you have and how much dough you are willing to spend. I'm generally a tight-wad and like doing my own wrenching. Also, perusing eBay for bikes or gear is one of my daily hobbies.
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