BikeFit Pro Education class Dec 4-5

Picture - Jeff Fulford PT from Loma Linda, CA

Notice the Specialized saddles near the bike – we showed several models of the saddles throughout the class using the "SWITCHIT" which will be available soon. In the meantime if you would like to see the SwitchIT in action now visit Woodinville Bicycle. Mike Rabas the owner of Woodinville Bicycle also visited the class for an hour to talk about bike shop relationships with clinicians. Woodinville Bicycle is a Specialized dealer.  

Lastly a big thanks to Superfeet who supplies us with the world’s greatest over the counter insoles for all shoes, especially cycling.

4 Bike Fits Nov 14 & 15

Students - Richard Raley and Thomas Cody
Instructor - Tony Corke

David
Left 17 degree varus 3 varus CWs
Right 22 degrees varus 3 varus CWs

Tom
Left 12 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
Right 15 degrees varus 3 varus CWs plus 2 LLshims
Added Speedplay extender plates

Cory
Left 2 varus CWs ½ longer spindle
Right 1 varus CW ½ longer spindle

Beth
Left 1 V V 1 Varus Cleat 1CW
Right 1 V V 1 Varus Cleat 2 CWs

Total Varus wedges 20 – average # of wedges per fit = 5

Wider stance or longer spindles would have been more but one fit was on Keos and the stance could not be properly addressed

No - ITS wedges

Are your numbers similar? If not why?

8 Bike Fits – Oct/Nov, 2010

Jason
Left 11 degree varus 1 ITS & 1 CW & 1mm washer
Right 9 degrees varus 1 ITS & 1 CW
Cindy
Left 11 degrees varus 3 varus CWs - plus one degree wedge under big toe
Right 16 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
Gary
Left 6 degrees varus 3 varus CWs & 2mm washer
Right 16 degrees varus 3 varus CWs
Shawn
Left 9 degrees varus 2 CWs & 2 heel wedges varus (-1/8 spindle)
Right 21 degrees varus 4 CWs & 2 heel wedges varus (-1/8 spindle)
Kim
Left 15 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 CWs varus
Right 16 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 CWs varus
Eric
Left 10 degrees varus 2 varus CWs
Right 10 segrees varus 2 varus CWs
Harley
Left 10 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 varus CWs
Right 14 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 varus CWs
Dave
Left 15 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 varus CWs
Right 16 degrees varus 1 ITS & 2 varus CWs

Total wedges installed = 44 (all varus, 40 CW & 4 ITS) average number of wedges per person 5.5
4 heel wedges were used but not tallied in the total
No Leg Shims or Stacks
6 of the fits displayed wider left stance width

Do you use a similar amount of wedges? If not do you know why?

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

After hour bike fits – don’t forget about early am hours

Ever consider after hours for bike fits? There are several reasons for this:

1. Most people work all day. After hours is when they can fit this appointment into their schedule.
2. During regular hours, the shop is busy and space is at a premium.
3. Less disruption- I can’t count the number of times I am pulled into a separate customer’s issue during one of my bike fits.
Whatever the reason, consideration for after hour bike fits will arise sooner or later.

Coming from someone that does not own a shop but works with one, setting up appointments before the shop opens has been working even better for us. Typically, we try to start before the shop opens and look to finish just after the shop opens. Sometimes the bike needs to be left for work – for installing a part or possibly (probably) a tune-up. Another issue for us is the purchasing of parts. Our arrangement with the shop is parts are purchased directly thru the shop. It is so much easier dealing with transactions directly rather than trying to cover the part with the client and then with the shop later- less work and hassle for everyone.

Another big reason is responsibility. I do not need to be concerned with locking up after hours. I like to be able to leave when the shop is open and employees are present. It is a much better feeling.

Mostly, I wanted to share with you that there may be other options in addition to late night fits which we may not have even considered. This can also lead to more opportunities. We do this a few times a month and it has worked nicely.

Shimano D I 2 - another perspective

I was all excited to get my new Tarmac with Shimano DI2. Admittedly the cool factor had me overlooking an issue. My wrist was starting to hurt and I was trying to come up with all kinds of reasons why this was happen. Then I finally pushed through the cool factor and found the source.

Just a note (perhaps a warning). See the gap at the top of the hood where it meets the handlebar in the first photo.

Second photo shows a filled in gap. Cory at Woodinville Bike Shop ( www.woodinvillebicycle.com )did this for me.

It appears as though the clamp that wraps around the bar and holds the hood in place is lower than on other models of brake levers. This lowering of the clamp seems to be part of the issue. Whatever it is (over sight by Shimano possibly) I am not able to recommend this product. It functions very well but the ergonomics have a long way to go.

Although it is better with the 'fill in' I am ready to “Make the Leap.” Too many customers rant and rave over the comfort of the Sram brake levers. No doubt they will get another “Connection of Excellence” award this year from BikeFit.com

Congratulations to our most recent BikeFit Pros - Coast to Coast (NY-CA)

May 12th and 13nth Carlos and Brian went thru the intense BikeFit Pro Education course hosted by Woodinville Bike Shop in Woodinville. WA. http://www.woodinvillebicycle.com/
Tony Corke (Far Left)  originally from the UK was the instructor. You can now find Tony regularly at Tacoma Bike Shop. http://www.tacomabike.com/
Paul - far right http://www.bikefit.com/

Carlos Raldirez  (2nd from left) of Mr C’s Cycles – New York http://www.mrccycles.com/
 And
Brian Tucker (2nd from right) of Bicycle Service Center – Hemet, CA http://www.bicycleservicecenter.com/

How do you mark your work?

If you are a dog you may lift your leg. If you are a BikeFit Pro you might leave a mark like this.

Remember Green and Red BikeFit Pros – let us know at your next order and we will include some BikeFit dots so you too can mark your work.



Cheers