As a service driven shop, we consider our Fitting Program one of the key elements of the shop. We feel that all cyclist should have a fitting done, everyone deserves to be comfortable on their bike. And maybe if you are not comfortable on your bike you should come talk to us.
Why get fit from Peloton Cyclery? First our fitting specialist is one of the more knowledgeable and experienced fitter in the area. And is also one of the more professionally trained and certified fitters in the mid-west. We use the most advanced tools on the market, we were one of the first, if not the first shop in the state to offer dynamic motion analysis fittings, we have been using video motion analysis for over three years now. Most shops just started offering basic fittings in the last year, and some don't even do that.
When you get fit by us, you will only be fit by one person, Sam Markovich. Not one of many so called "fitters" that some shops talk about, there are only a handful of professional fitters in all of St. Louis, if your shop is having many employees do fittings then you are not getting what you deserve. Sam, has been fitting cyclist for years at a professional level. He is also one of the most certified fitters in the St. Charles, and St. Louis area. He has attended over 20 different seminars, clinics, and courses on fittings over the years. Sam is also a custom bicycle frame designer, so he understands bicycle geometry and how it affects handling, ride quality, and the relationship of the riders fit to these qualities.
Here is a short list of some credentials:
SICI / Serotta Certified Bike Fit professional
Member of SICI- a collaboration of cycling science professionals
SICI / Serotta Certified Advanced Motion Capture Analysis- Sam has experience with both DartFish and Retul
3-day Clinic with Cervelo at San Diego Wind tunnel- Product testing, aerodynamic theory, prototypes, and fittings
Medical Aspects of Cycling Positions, with Andrew Pruitt, EdD
Wind Tunnel Testing, with Kim Blair PhD, Dr. Blair is with the MIT wind tunnel lab
Bio-mechanics of Elite Cyclist, with Jeff Broker, PhD
Power Output Training, with Max Testa Md
And this is just the short list!
What is a fitting?
Well a full fitting is done on a fitting cycle, it must include an adjustable stem, an adjustable length crank, and employ a power output meter and resistance unit, at a bare minimum this is the tooling needed for a fitting. A fitting should include an interview where your needs and desires are discussed. A physical assessment should be conducted. And of course time on the fitting cycle. You and your fitter should discuss and work to meet all your goals and work through any issues you have had. These are the bare requirements for a fitting program.
Can I be fit on my bike?
Yes, and no. You can be fit on your bike, we do it all the time. But a full fitting always requires the above mentioned processes and tools including the fitting cycle. While we often do fittings on your bike, you are limited to the bikes designs and limitations. So when you are being fit on your bike, you are being fit to the best fit achievable to that bike. Not necessarily to your optimal fit. So it is best to be fit on the fitting cycle to find your optimal fit position, then translate the fit to your bike- or at least the closest that your bike will allow.
Other shops fitting don't take as long and seem easier?
Fittings Vs. Sizing
Well they are not really doing fittings. Alot of shops have jumped on the bandwagon the last couple years, talking about doing fittings, but they do not have the experience, time, materials, etc. to conduct and actual fitting program so they have taken a shortcut to make the customer feel better, unfortunately this is usually bad for the customer. What they are doing is what is called a formula based fit or sizing.
There are many tools for sizing, they all take measurements and put them into a formula and spit out a number. You usually take a few measurements using some tools, or have the customer stand against a measuring board and slide some sticks around, the one that seems popular right now has the customer stand there while they are Lazar scanned. You end up getting told what size bike to buy, and there were some bells and whistles to make you feel good, and you were told you had a fitting so you are happy. So why is the customer usually not happy after riding several hundred miles on the bike. Well if you take 3 people and they are all 6 foot tall would they all need the same fit, even if one is 100lbs over weight, and one has a back problem, and one is a professional racer. So you can see that this is not going to work, taking a couple measurements from someone and putting it in a formula is not a good idea. The tools being used by these shops are not bad tools, they are best used as a starting point to help pick out a bike, and should be finished with the customer having an actual fitting. But if that is all the shop is doing is having you stand there and getting scanned, then you were not fit, you were Sized.
Here are Left and Right side views of our 210 sq.ft. fitting studio, visit the gallary for more pics.
This fitting is done on your existing bike, either one you already have or one you just bought. Your bike will be mounted in a trainer, and our adjustable fitting stem mounted to your bike. We will look at general flexibility and an interview before the fitting starts. And will work from your feet to your hands to help you achieve as good a fit as your bike will allow, and put you in a position that will help you reach your goals.
This fitting is best suited for people who already have a bike, or just bought one, and wants to be comfortable and safe on their new bike, but wishes to save some money and time and still get a comprehensive fitting.
New Bike Sizing: $50.00
Time: @ 45 Minutes
Options: None
This fitting is done on the fitting cycle. You will be on the fitting cycle and we will position the fitting cycle to put you in a medial position for all ranges of motion and the three points of contact ( Saddle, Pedals, Handlebars). After achieving your position you will be given all important measurements to help you pick out a new bike from any company by looking at their geometry charts. This is for someone who does not want to spend the time or money on a full fitting, but does want to make sure their new frame will be able to be properly adjusted and able to achieve a proper fit. The position you will be put in will be in the middle of all measured ranges of motion, allowing you room to adjust for personal preference while making sure you are in a correct biomechanical position on your new bike. Most of our client who use this sizing, are often coming to us for the fit, but purchasing a brand we don't carry, we will consult with you to make sure the bike model and size you have picked out is correct. This is also a good way to get a quick fit for your existing bike, if time is limited, or if you just want a quick fit to tinker with.
Pro-Fitting: $150.00
Time: up to 3 hours first session and 1 hour follow up session
Options: Triathalon or TT positioning $25.00
This fitting is done on our fitting cycle. It includes the computrainer pedal stroke analysis, and cleat alignment sessions. This will have an in depth interview discussing all aspect of cycling, as well as a more in depth physical assessment to asses range of motion, flexibility, or any inconsistencies or other health concerns that may affect your cycling. We will spend a considerable amount of time on the fitting cycle achieving an optimal fit that addresses all concerns and goals brought up in the interview, we will spend time analysing different positions allowing you to feel them on the fit cycle and work together to find what works best. We will work on every aspect of bicycle fit, and will translate this fit to your current bicycle for you, or use it to help you pick out a new bike or design a custom frame.
Pro-Fitting with video motion analysis: $200.00
Time: up to 4 hours and 1 hour follow up session
Options: Triathalon or TT positioning $25.00
This fitting is the same as the Pro-Fitting above except we will be using video motion analysis. By using video motion analysis, we can take all critical measurements while you are pedaling and under stress. This allows us to fine tune your fit, or find small variances in your fit that only show up while you are pedaling at full power. Quite often your measurements can change quite a bit while riding versus sitting still, this allows us to take those measurements under real riding positions and forces, quite often this is the answer to the problems no one has been able to help you sort out in the past. This fitting is the best possible fit, and what is most recommended.
Other options and services
Cleat Alignment: $40.00
Time: 45 minutes
We will correctly position your cleats on your shoes. Examine the need for shims for forefoot canting, and using the R.A.D. pedal system align your cleats to match your tibial rotation, so you can experience pain free cycling. And more important reduce the likely hood of developing an issue in the future.
Computrainer Session: $35.00
Time: 1 hour
We will put your bike in a computrainer. Discuss your pedal stroke efficiency, give your drills and show you how they improve your pedal stroke. Then let you race a course on the computrainer.
Bicycle Cad Drawing of Bike fit: $15.00
This can be added to any of the fittings, after your fit you will be given a series of measurements. Sometimes these measurements are confusing for the average cyclist to understand, and many times the bike shop employee does not fully understand them and how they relate to a frame. We can design you a frame using the same software Sam uses when designing custom frames, that will put all this information on a frame, so you or anyone else can look at this drawing and easily see what the numbers represent. Plus it is fun to have a custom picture of your bike/fit.
Bicycle Cad Drawing Example with some of the 100 different measurements it may include.
Here is a short list of some credentials:
