Bike Fit Before Dream Bike Purchase
So after 3 years on a relatively entry level tri bike, I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on a dream bike. I plan on getting a professional fit after I have the bike, but sometimes they tell you that you need different equipment (crank length, bars, etc.). The last thing I'm going to do is spend several thousand dollars on a bike then have to spend another grand on different equipment. So does anyone have any experience with bike fits before buying? Is it worthwhile or is it OK to just fit me to the bike. Also, it goes without saying that I would test ride the bikes I'm thinking about (Trek SC 9 series, Specialized Shiv S-Works) and be measured to buy the correct size.
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If this is a "dream bike" you might be better off looking at a custom frame (think Seven, Guru, Independent Fabrications, Calfee, Serotta, etc...) and build the bike from the ground up. A dealer can buy a "gruppo" (bike shop lingo for brakes, crankset, f/r derail., etc... > think of a collection like Shimano Dura-Ace, SRAM Red, Ultegra, etc...) When buying a "gruppo" many times a dealer can select crank length when ordering. Other than the crank - the stem is really the only other big "moving" target, which will be dependent upon the top tube length. When building from the ground up, you can select the width of the base bars, the length of the aero extensions, saddle of your choice, bar tape, cages, pedals, etc... Yes - this will cost a bit more - I'd recommend going w/ a custom frame and Ultegra parts vs,. a stock bike and Dura-Ace if you are looking to balance the checkbook easier and justify a custom purchase.
Much to think about! And very exciting!
Based on the fit, you can figure out if you're better suited to a stock bike or if a custom geometry would allow for better fit (fewer spacers, stem length normal, etc).
Many of the new super bikes (Trek SC9, Specialized Shiv, and Cervelo P5) have become much more user friendly with middle of the road frame geometries and metrics as well as a bunch of bar/stem configs that will fit just about everyone. The days of bikes being strictly in the category of long & low or tall & narrow are coming to an end. That stated, I'd still get a fit and then find a bike.
I'll disagree with Woody about the custom bikes. You pay just as much, if not more, for frames that are more or less generic from an engineering perspective. Guru and the like don't have the money Trek, Specialized or Cervelo have for R&D. So you're paying as much or more for a frame that's not on the same technical level from an engineering standpoint as the big bike manufacturers. I also think the quality of many of the custom frame makers is nowhere near the level coming from the big boys. I apologize in advance to anyone who has a Guru but it's an overpriced, generic piece of shit frame. They have lots of problems with cracks and breaks in the frames. This has been pretty well documented and discussed on many forums like ST or BT. And good luck selling your custom framed bike. I can sell my large Speed Concept 9 without too much hassle. It's another thing trying to sell a custom frame specifically made for me.
Things to think about.
I also know several Guru owners who feel just as good about their bike, as well as very reputable fitters who consider them one of a small number of go-to brands.
For anyone considering the purchase of a custom frame, that's a conversation best had with your fitter/shop, rather than based on internet opinions and/or ST reviews.
I would do fit before as well, at TT is a great option
Mike,
There's a big Guru dealer here in Houston who is one of the sponsors for our tri club. So lots of members gravitated towards his shop and Guru. The number of problems people have had with their frames has been absurd, IMO. I'm not completely talking out of my ass here.
I think a custom frame is an excellent option for someone who is an outlier from a fit perspective but that's really a small percentage of customers.
Guru frames just aren't on the same level as the SC9, Shiv, P5, BMC TM01, etc. from an engineering and R&D perspective. So why pay $4000+ for a frame based on a generic 10 year old mold when you could get something much better for the same price? That's what I don't get. Assuming you're not a fit outlier, of course.
As an aside, the Bike fit was really good. About 2 years after the purchase, I decided to go down to TTbikefit and have Todd adjust my position a little. Todd said that the fit was really good, so the only thing we did was to take the fit I had and just rotate everything a little more forward to take out the spacers (think of a radius to a circle pointing straight up--he just rotated it so that it pointed a few degrees left of straight up).
All that said, if I were buying a new tri bike, I would probably go with a mainstream frame. I'd look around though. Calfee, Serotta, Seven, I.F. All make excellent bikes. Buy what you like and what gives you that tingly feeling, that is what counts.
All that said, if I were buying a new tri bike, I would probably go with a mainstream frame. I'd look around though. Calfee, Serotta, Seven, I.F. All make excellent bikes. Buy what you like and what gives you that tingly feeling, that is what counts.
Maybe I was a bit harsh in calling Guru a piece of shit but I still think it's subpar quality anyway you quantify it. Like I said, the number of problems my friends have had with Guru frames is alarming.
As I mentioned in my last statement... I don't get why anyone who falls within normal fit parameters would choose to pay $4000 for a "custom" frame that's based on an outdated generic mold when you can spend the same or less for a state-of-the-art Speed Concept, Shiv, P5, DA or TM01. Those frames are a marvel of modern bike engineering. I get going with a custom frame if you're super tall or really short or you have orangutan arms or whatever. That's a very, very small percentage of customers. If you're a 5'10" dude with normal fit parameters... I think it's foolish to get a custom frame because, frankly, there's nothing custom about you.
Yes, the bike bike manufacturers have their QC and design problems too. Take the Trek SC for example. The RD hanger is a 50 cent piece that when broken a certain way will completely destroy a $4,500 frame. It's a stupid design flaw. I also hate where they placed the Di2 battery on the SC. It's in a stupid place that will eventually cause a problem. I know those are uptown problems but problems nonetheless.
You have a point which also adds to my points. Something more entry level like a Trek SC 7 (carbon) or 2 (alum) series is far more state-of-the-art than Guru and a fraction of the price.
I stand by my assertion that if you're going to pay state-of-the-art prices (like what Guru, Calfae, Serotta, etc. charge), you might as well get a state-of-the-art frame (which you won't get from the custom frame makers). I can't see any rational explanation otherwise... outside of a fit outlier.
... if you're buying for aerodynamic doodaddyness. But there are more qualities to a bike than just that.
I know we're treading on a circular argument here but why not also get the aerodynamic doodaddyness if you're paying the same price.
To me a simple analogy would be beer. A SC, P5, Shiv, etc. is like a finely crafted microbrew or good Euro beer. Guru is like Budweiser. Would you pay the same price for Bud as you would Guinness? Me neither.
Let's keep the thread on topic to the OP's question. Whatever beer you think a Guru is more like is your opinion, to which you're entitled.
Cool. I'm interested in hearing about the process and what you end up with. Pretty exciting.