Bike Fitting

Bike Fit FAQ's

Do I need to have a super fancy, top of the line racing road bike to benefit from a bike fit?

NO!

Some of the most rewarding bike fits that our fitters have done are on entry level hybrid bikes that literally change the client’s opinion of not just the bike, but cycling in general! Everyone can benefit from a bike fit, whether you are riding a few miles on paved bike paths on the weekends, to training for your first “century”, or even pedaling your full suspension mountain bike on twisty singletrack with berms and jumps.

I bought my bike at a bike shop and they took my measurements, told me what size I needed and even adjusted the seat for me. Why would I need a bike fit?

First of all, it is great that you went to a shop that goes through properly sizing a bicycle, many don’t! There is most definitely a difference between bike “sizing” and bike “fitting”. Proper sizing of a bike is going to give the rider a great baseline for having a comfortable experience riding. Having the wrong size bike is not only a comfort, handling, and aesthetic issue; it can be a safety issue as well.

A bike fit is taking a properly sized bike and making it fit YOU. There are so many micro adjustments able to be made to the bikes 3 touchpoints (pedals, saddle, handlebars) that the possibilities are virtually infinite. Whether it is replacing one or all of these touchpoints or just making a .5 mm change one way or another, it is impossible for a professional to make good recommendations without being in the controlled setting of a bike fit.

Don’t you need a fancy, “fit bike” with a bunch of sensors connected to a computer to get a good fit on a bike?

Listen, we’re bike nerds. We love gadgets and flashy stuff that does cool things and is probably a bit overkill for the kind of riding we’re doing as much as anyone else, but… If you’re not fighting for a podium at a professional race, then most of those gadgets are often quite overkill. The bike fits at Still Ride are for people riding their bikes for fitness and fun that want to be as comfortable as possible while doing it. The question you will get the most during a bike fit at Still Ride is: “How does that feel?” because that is our focus. The reality is, in most cases, the fastest bike is the most comfortable one.

What should I expect after I do my bike fit? What am I walking away with?

We hope that with every bike fit done at Still Ride, the most valuable thing the client will walk away with is knowledge. A bike fit is as much an education in how relatively small adjustments of the bike, and its components, can change how you feel riding that bike. Sure, the idea is you walk away with your bike fit to you and that the fit can be recreated on a new or different bike down the road, but the fact of the matter is that your bike fit can be evolutionary. Changing levels of fitness, injuries, or even your intended riding focus, can drastically affect how you want your bike to fit. We are here to help you take the knowledge you learned in your bike fit and apply it to making other adjustments for you down the road with even more experience. Some people even choose to schedule a bike fit every year for a refresher!

How much is a bike fit? Is it Worth it?

We charge a rate of $200 for a bike fit at Still Ride. This includes (but is not limited to) an interview with the bike fitter to discuss what you want to get out of the experience, body measurement on and off the bike while adjusting all touch points and replacing them as necessary. This will take 1-½- 2 hours of time fully focused on you. This fee does not include parts, which vary in price pretty significantly, but expect another $100- $300 in parts depending on what we replace. We will do our best to work with what you have, but sometimes replacing a component (especially stems and saddles) is going to be the most beneficial change. Based on the cost of most bike upgrades, it is hard to argue that this money could be spent anywhere else on any bike that would actually change your experience as much as a bike fit.

What should I bring to my bike fit?

You’ll need to bring your clean bike in good working order, set up to ride like you would bring to any outdoor ride. If your bike needs some mechanical work, give us a call to get that sorted out before your fit so it isn’t a hindrance.

We recommend bringing the clothes and shoes you would wear on a bike ride on a nice summer day. We have a place to change into these clothes from your street clothes. A helmet is not necessary, but if you have questions about how your helmet fits, bring it along! We are happy to help with that as well. Be prepared to work up a sweat, so a towel and water bottle is also a good idea.