[LordOpie]

I got measured and fit yesterday. Measured cuz I need a new bike. As part of the measuring process, he applied the numbers as best as possible to my current bike... cool. He also adjusted my cleats. Since I had mild discomfort in my left foot -- and I had tweaked 'em on my own several times -- I figured, cool.

I now realize slight/mild discomfort is to be tolerated cuz this long time pro doesn't know me like I do and made things worse. A lot worse.

Today, at mile 30, both feet started aching. I thought, maybe I just need to get used to the new setting. At mile 55, my right knee started hurting. At mile 65, my right ankle started hurting and it never ever bothered me before. I haven't felt this bad since I started learning about fitting things myself a year ago.

I'm tempted to go back to the guy and ask for his help, but I just don't think that he can help me. Since he fulfilled the primary reason I went to him -- measuring me -- I don't think I'll complain.

Two morals to the story:
1. If it ain't broke, don't mess with it or atleast make very small changes and see how that works.
2. Learn about fitting your bike to you. No one knows you like you do and since you'll do it yourself, you can make those tiny changes every few rides until you're happy.

I'm not saying don't get fit, but I am saying that it's only the beginning to making your bike yours.

As for getting measured, time will tell, but I have a strong feeling that I would never have measured myself as proper as he did.


Sidenote: As for today's ride, I was hoping to get my first century of the year. I'm disappointed cuz my mental, emotional, cardio, and muscle health today was the best it's ever been past mile 60. I could've ridden thru the pain, but I was getting worried about what it might be doing to my already damaged knee... even got my knee brace and ice pack going.

 

[johnbryanpeters]

Man, that's sad. Hope you get your bike tweaked back the way you like it.

J

 

[LordOpie]

Thanks JBP!

 

[Serial Midget]

Pain is bad. When I got fitted for my bike I was primarily concerned with the frame, fork rake and other things I don't know a whole lot about. When it came to the fine tuning of cleat placement, saddle height and position, stem reach, bar height and angle and god know what else - I tend to fiddle with them on my own. Over the years, with the exception of stem reach, I am pretty sure that I have always ended right back where the original build started. The one exception is the stem - even for my small size I run a very short stem.

So... maybe this guy doesn't have the experience you need. Is he a specialist of some sort? Maybe works primarily with racers?

 

[LordOpie]

it seems like mostly racers, but I've seen a couple of old, touring type dudes in the shop who've used his service and were happy.

 

[wooglin]

If he didn't mark everything so you can put it back the way it was, that was a mistake. And if he really did make big changes then that was an even bigger mistake.

First thing I'd do is put your cleats back where they were and see what happens.

 

[Serial Midget]

but I've seen a couple of old, touring type dudes in the shop who've used his service and were happy.

Did they appear drunk or on medication?

 

[LordOpie]

If he didn't mark everything so you can put it back the way it was, that was a mistake. And if he really did make big changes then that was an even bigger mistake.

I'm going to cry. At least I'm learning

But it was about the numbers for my custom bike, so as long as they're close to proper, I'm okay. I think I'll do the wrenchscience again and see what it says.

 

[Bikebro]

Adjusting a cleat for a foot issue seems totally wrong. What did he use to adjust your cleats? The big honking R.A.D. system is really the only way to go there.

To many people ride a poor fiting bike for so long that it becomes the norm to them and a correct position feels bad at first. It takes awhile to adjust but its normally worth it. Alot of fitters seem to leave out that people need to work on flexibility and core muscle strength. This doesn't apply to having pain through out your leg. Any good shop will make corrections for no charge.

 

[mattv2099]

I got measured and fit yesterday. Measured cuz I need a new bike. As part of the measuring process, he applied the numbers as best as possible to my current bike... cool. He also adjusted my cleats. Since I had mild discomfort in my left foot -- and I had tweaked 'em on my own several times -- I figured, cool.

I now realize slight/mild discomfort is to be tolerated cuz this long time pro doesn't know me like I do and made things worse. A lot worse.

Today, at mile 30, both feet started aching. I thought, maybe I just need to get used to the new setting. At mile 55, my right knee started hurting. At mile 65, my right ankle started hurting and it never ever bothered me before. I haven't felt this bad since I started learning about fitting things myself a year ago.

I'm tempted to go back to the guy and ask for his help, but I just don't think that he can help me. Since he fulfilled the primary reason I went to him -- measuring me -- I don't think I'll complain.

Two morals to the story:
1. If it ain't broke, don't mess with it or atleast make very small changes and see how that works.
2. Learn about fitting your bike to you. No one knows you like you do and since you'll do it yourself, you can make those tiny changes every few rides until you're happy.

I'm not saying don't get fit, but I am saying that it's only the beginning to making your bike yours.

As for getting measured, time will tell, but I have a strong feeling that I would never have measured myself as proper as he did.


Sidenote: As for today's ride, I was hoping to get my first century of the year. I'm disappointed cuz my mental, emotional, cardio, and muscle health today was the best it's ever been past mile 60. I could've ridden thru the pain, but I was getting worried about what it might be doing to my already damaged knee... even got my knee brace and ice pack going.

Are you ffreakin insane???? You don't change your fit then go do a century the next day... You have to adjust to your fit which takes time. You are using your muscles and body differently than you were before. It's not something you adjust to overnight.

But then again your new fit might totally suck and your old fit could be way better.

 

[LordOpie]

Are you ffreakin insane???? You don't change your fit then go do a century the next day...

Perhaps. Why not?

 

[mattv2099]

Perhaps. Why not?

because your body is trained to use muscles in a specific manner. If you change your fit then your legs are moving in a differently than you've trained them to.. You have to start slow and take it easy for a few weeks while your body adjusts. That is if the fit is hugely different. If it's just minor tweaking then it shouldn't take long at all to adjust.

 

[LordOpie]

eh, it's only 100 miles.

 

[Pau11y]

eh, it's only 100 miles.

That's sarcasm right? I/my ass, can't handle much past 50 miles riding around here. But, riding around here generally involve as many miles on dirt as it does on pavement. And on dirt, you can't go nearly as fast, it beats the hell out of you and your bike, and you have to pay waaay more attention to what the hell you're doing and your line.

 

[indieboy]

the pain you were experiencing was from using muscles you hadn't used, perhaps ever. you should have ridden with it for some time to let your body adjust to it. if after some time you were still experiencing the pain, THEN change. but going back and forth consistently like you seem to be you're never going to find the "sweet spot" and to be honest, someone's fit changes over the course of time. ppl become more flexible and riding styles change, all changing what position is going to be best for you.

 

[DRB]

What changes did he specifically make?

The changes, especially if they are drastic, should really be made over time instead of all at once. It allows your body to slowly adapt to the new changes as opposed to all at once.