Working the SwitchIt

From BikeFit Pro Education class at Mike Fraysse's Sports Resort. The coolest regional training center for BikeFit.  

sitting pretty......not

A little off center

          Add something so they actually feel the center of the saddle

                                                             Now sitting pretty

Thanks to Steve H

BG Saddles

Hey Paul, 
Noticed you mentioned a few times that the BG saddles from Specialized are often the saddle of choice for your fits. Are there any particular models that you like or seem to be using the most?
Thanks! Matt

Matt,
I have had luck with several models if not most of them. They simply offer many good fitting saddles in several varieties. It is rare we are not able to help someone gain comfort with the Specialized line of saddles. Sorry if that is not specific enough for you but it is what we experience.
Paul

BikeFit 2010 – Connection of Excellence Awards - BG Saddles

Innovation:  The folks at Specialized aren’t sitting down on the job - the first saddle manufacturer to scientifically address concerns of health-related issues due to extended time on a saddle. 
 Specialized is clearly leading the industry down the path to healthy, comfortable cycling.  Padding in all the rights spots, a “V” cutout and window to relieve pressure and increase blood flow, AND multiple saddle widths make Specialized, special indeed!  Congratulations to this 2-time winner, making the most excellent connection with your posterior!

Max

Dr Max Testa and Andrew Weber talking about the SwitchIT in our booth at Interbike.

Max is one our biggest cleat wedge customers.

The SwitchIT featured one of the award winning products from Specialized. This is two years in the row Specialized as been recognized for a “Connection of Excellence” Award for saddles.

don't miss the Annual “Connection of Excellence” Awards presented by BikeFit.

The Annual “Connection of Excellence” Awards presented by BikeFit Thursdayat 5pm in booth # 406 See the display tomorrow for who will win one of these coveted awards!

Good day at Interbike 2010 – Seems like just a few less attendees verses last year but no official word on that. Showed the SwithIT to a lot of people. Specialized provided us with plenty of demo saddles – big thanks to Specialized for that.

Pedros hooked us up with some cool tools. The EXiT bike was a draw.

The most questions today came from Rolf Dietrich of Rolf wheels. He hung out during one of our foot/pedal interface demos. Biggest surprise was Jan Bouland coming to our booth the pick up some cleat wedges she claimed were for a presentation she was doing in the Specialized booth…not sure what to think of that one.

Imagine no more - a real look at the SwitchIT - Interbike booth # 406

Offering you the ability to put in less effort yet provide better customer service. You can change and TRY 5, 6 or more saddles in the same time it takes to change one saddle the traditional way.

Could I give you more?

Before SwitchIT - average saddle sales were 2 to 3 (2.5) per every 10 bike fits.

With SwitchIT the average saddle sales is now 5 to 6 (5.5) out of every 10 bike fits.

Twice in two weeks – Sitting Side Saddle.

First, I did not come up with the idea for the solution we applied for this person – but it worked. Steve Hogg (Mr Proprioception) turned me on to this idea when one does not have the ability to feel the center of the saddle. And since I have now seen it twice in a short period of time I thought I would share the following.

Note the photo – sitting off center

We were struggling with alignment on this cyclist. If we address the leg/cleat/foot alignment sitting off center – would we really be helping him? In this case we needed to move ahead in the fit and get him sitting closer to center and then go back to the foundation (feet).

We did first try a Specialized BG saddle by itself because we often have good success getting people more centered with just using a BG saddle. I am not suggestion what you see in this photo is something Specialized supports or does not support. We at BikeFit did this on our own.

Yes this is meant to be temporary and used to help the cyclists know when they are sitting close to center.

FYI – In almost all education classes we offer, we like to show off equipment from other companies in which we have success with at BikeFit. When it comes to saddles no one else comes close to Specialized. Maybe one day what will change but as of right now…second place in saddles is a long way away.

An ITS Wedge story – skipping to question number 4

 from an ITS Story below 
4) I noticed on your website you endorsed the Specialized BG saddle. What do you think of the Specialized BG footbed insoles. Are they better than the cycling Superfeet. I use Superfeet in my shoes and sneakers. I like them. But I went with the BG insoles because of the metatarsal button thing.

Phil,
At BikeFit, we have had good luck with the BG saddles and often recommend them. I was able to consult on some saddle designs ten years ago. The company had some distractions, though, so you did not see a lot of them in the market. Some of the features I helped with input on at that time are similar to some of the things you see in the BG Saddles today. We really do like to let people know about products that work well in helping them find more comfort so you will hear us talk about Specialized saddles.

Our experience is not just limited to saddles. For example when it comes to foot beds/insoles we’ve also had good luck with other companies like Superfeet. Our ITS wedge is designed to fit perfectly with them. I have not had/seen any issues with the BG insoles. I have seen a few people switch but most have stayed with the BG insoles if they already had them. If they feel good, stick with ‘em.