Bike Setup - ErgoFIT vs BG FIT vs Bike Shop

[Caerus]

mmm interesting thread. I am planning an upgrade/bike build next year and will definitely do this as part of my purchase - particularly prior to buying those items that may need to be adjusted (or replaced in a complete bike). I am interested to know if they would do an preliminary assessment prior to purchasing a frame to ensure you get the correct dimensions on your frame.

 

Also, @caerus was the guy you went to associated with an LBS? Not sure if i would like that as it may influence your frame purchase based upon what they have to offer

Not at all, he is a Physio by trade. He is an avid cyclist & is doing Iron Man in Hawaii. His offices are in Hillcrest at the golf course. He certainly knows his stuff, and a very sound bloke.

[Stretch]

Not at all, he is a Physio by trade. He is an avid cyclist & is doing Iron Man in Hawaii. His offices are in Hillcrest at the golf course. He certainly knows his stuff, and a very sound bloke.

Brill - will be visiting him next year

[davetapson]

The interesting thing about ErgoFit, to me, was that the fit centres you over the bottom bracket, so it gives you one set of lengths for the rear of the bike (saddle height, set back etc) and another for the reach (or whatever you call the settings forward of the bottom bracket. This way you are centred correctly on the bike.

 

More basic fits make sure that your reach is right by shortening / lengthening stems etc, but don't necessarily make sure your CoG is correct.

 

Note: This is my understanding after conversation with the fitter, nothing official.

['Dale]

 

I am now allergic to BG Bike fit technicians, unless they have some form of clinical background.

 

I only sought out Jeroen for this reason.

[pietas]

Question: what would you be willing to pay for a professional fit? Also, should a fitter be associated with a LBS or methodology?

 

Someone who knows what they are doing and not just measure a few things, stick it in a computer program, get an output and send you on your happy way. The body is far more complex to simply stick you into a generic mold and then expect you to be properly fit. In the end you must be comfortable and efficient on your bike

[Minion]

Question: what would you be willing to pay for a professional fit? Also, should a fitter be associated with a LBS or methodology?

I would be prepared to pay around R500/hr for a fit. The fitter doesn't need to be tied to a specific LBS or methodology, but they must have specific fit knowledge and training/background. They should also have some kind of biomechanics/physiology background (preferably a degree). The fit system or method they use must be based on proper research and not just personal experience / 'common sense' / anecdote. "This is what Lance/Eddy/Greg did, so it must be good" is not sufficient research.

[davetapson]

ErgoFit seems good enough for Burry / Conrad Stoltz.

 

I reckon when you're beating them then it may be worth looking for something 'better' to give you the edge..?

[Lukep]

ErgoFit seems good enough for Burry / Conrad Stoltz.

 

I reckon when you're beating them then it may be worth looking for something 'better' to give you the edge..?

I would have thought that they would have been forced to use the BG fit, since they both ride for Spez.

[Minion]

ErgoFit seems good enough for Burry / Conrad Stoltz.

 

I reckon when you're beating them then it may be worth looking for something 'better' to give you the edge..?

I'm convinced top-level athletes are not a good example of fit systems. Beyond their training, their success is due to them being perfectly suited to their chosen sport. By the time they get to that point, the ones with major fit issues / imbalances etc. have been weeded out and are either performing at a lower level or have moved on to other sports.

 

At their level, a proper fitting may well be about giving a few seconds' edge, but for others, the fit goal may simply be about being able to ride at all without experiencing pain.

[covie]

I would have thought that they would have been forced to use the BG fit, since they both ride for Spez.

 

Lookup Burry's coach and lookup who designed ergofit, at the end of the day Burry doesnt have to do BG or Ergo, he can setup his bike himself if he wants to he is the athlete. Besides these guys dont ride stock frames, they ride bikes custom made for their physique.

[wapad]

Which do you think worked better for you, if you had to choose one which would it be?

 

I would go for a well known fitter in your area and you will know because they will require you to book

 

the basic information and history is the same but the difference I found was that once I was setup there were plenty small fiddles and one interesting thing was making changes but not letting you see it and then when you get on the bike getting feedback on how it feels and how it corresponds with what the fitter sees

 

 

I was quite surprised at the lower saddle height and getting the reach just right which takes away the neck pain because my eye level had changed

 

I also had a few changes with the cleats which are set differnt to counter the 5mm leg difference

 

I also had shims put into the shoes to get the knee just right

 

As you can see it was comprhensive at least 2 hrs for the first bike and then I was told to give it a few rides

 

on the mtb I feel more in the bike than on it now

 

BG fit me ..

 

I dont think many guys are going to do a fit better than Jeroen but my understanding is that the ergo fit apprenticship is not as intense as the BG fit

 

Go for someone that is well known and remember that the fit is a collaboration if you dont speak up and give good feedback you end up losing out

[pietas]

In the end it is about the fitter and not the methodology. There is nothing to doing a Ergofit or BGfit but doing the changes after the initial adjustments are were the difference lies. Getting you to a generic fit is not enough if you are not exactly perfectly build and aligned. And that is were the difference lies

[wapad]

In the end it is about the fitter and not the methodology. There is nothing to doing a Ergofit or BGfit but doing the changes after the initial adjustments are were the difference lies. Getting you to a generic fit is not enough if you are not exactly perfectly build and aligned. And that is were the difference lies

 

thats it in a nutshell..

[Minion]

And that is were the difference lies

It's also what makes it so damn hard to find a good fit. There're a whole lot of charlatans out there.

[Caerus]

It's also what makes it so damn hard to find a good fit. There're a whole lot of charlatans out there.

I agree, which the person doing it should have a history of working with the human body, not just a salesperson trained up. Hence why I found the guy I went to was so good, he is a physio.

[ob1]

I was extremely happy with my Body Geometry Fit. I would easily pay R1000+ for the result. The setup is specific to a bike, unless the other bike has exactly the same geometry, saddle, handlebars, pedals, cranks etc. The fact that Ergo-Fit does not perform an in-depth physical evaluation, was the clincher in my decision.