Conference noted::bicycle

I put together a bike a couple years ago with one of the better shops in this
area, the Wheelsmith of Palo Alto.  Rather than using a Fit Kit ($50!?) he just
gave me a form and had me take a bunch of measurements.  It included every
imaginable measurement:
        inseam
        foot length,
        distance from elbow to end of fingers
        hip to knee
        shoulder width
        weight
        etc...
Must have been 20-30 different measurements.  He took these and used a set of
tables and algorithems and figured out the "optimum" sizes for seat tube, top
tube, stem length, bar width and drop, crank length and made recommendations
about type of rims, spokes and tires.  He suggested that we build this
"perfect" bike and make any adjustments at the time of delivery.

It worked fine.  I don't know where he got the information, I know he has some
high power connections, I stopped into the shop two weeks ago and he was in
Colorado Springs at the OTC.

Does anyone feel that this method is inadequate and that a Fit Kit is worth the
money?

    I Was fit kitted last spring at Belmont Wheelworks for $25.  I'm
    glad I did it, but it didn't do much for me.  $50 sounds like a
    lot.
    
    Also, the fit kit is not universally accepted as the "best" way
    to get measured for a bike.  The USCF and Eddie B. don't recommend
    the fit kit, Greg Lemond has his own method which he spells out
    in his book.
    
    The fit kit does do an excellent job on cleat allignment for your
    pedals.  Everyone seems to think this is the best part of the fit
    kit,
    

    How will you be purchasing the frame and components.  If you go
    through a shop (such as O'neil's), they'll very likely provide the
    service as pre-sales.  The RAD (cleat adjustment) piece of the fit-kit 
    is usually the most expensive.  It sounds as if that won't be needed
    right now.  Be careful when using a fit-kit.  If not properly done,
    you could be way off on your measurements.  I've seen screwed up
    results before.
    
    steve
    
                           

    I've never seen Frank of 'Frank's Spoke N Wheel' charge for the
    FIT KIT; he has always done it for free. Usually the person who
    is kitted is buying, or at least THINKING of buying something...
    
    Frank's Spoke N Wheel
    Rt 9 Framingham
    (508) 872-8590
    
    I think Frank simply considers the Fit Kit part of the great service
    that he promises to all his customers, not something to 'sell'.
    
    Mark Reid
    

    Thank's for the info, Mark. I agree with you. These guys SHOULD
    be offering the service of fitting you with the right equipment.
    
    They shouldn't be offering it as a "saleable" element. In fact,
    it may sell itself when some people take advantage of being fitted
    and realize some component(s) may not be correct and require or
    influence a purchase replacement.
    
    IT'S ALL GETTING VERY CLEAR TO ME NOW.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Chip

    By re-reading the base note, it makes me wonder how the FIT KIT
    inquiry was made.  If I ran a bicycle shop, and some guy called
    me up on the phone and says "How much will you charge me for a FIT
    KIT?"  I would definitely charge the guy some bucks.  Whereas, if
    some guy walks into my shop, ready to sink some bucks into a frame
    and some components, I would FIT KIT the guy free of charge.  What
    better source for developing customer satisfaction then selling
    someone a properly fit bicycle.
    
    I remeber when my SO got FIT KITted, it took at least a half hour
    between the measuring and the calculating.  And, that was just to
    calculate proper frame size.  In my opinion, that's alot of time to 
    spend with a NO-SALE customer.
    
    	-Nancy

    You may be right, but I do a lot of business with Gamache's and
    there was not a hint of flexibility around purchases or the like.
    I do spend money there frequently. I think that good business
    practice is to cultivate the consumer relationship. Not take a
    guy who might not have the experience necessary to ask the right
    questions. Then he'll eventually find out that he was and take his
    business somewhere else. I know that there are a lot of "used car
    salesman" types out there and I whole heartedly agree with the
    caveat "let the buyer beware." Thank God for this notes file as
    I've learned a great deal about cycling (and people).
    
    Chip

    Thought I'd provide a quick update. I did get "FIT-KITTED" last
    Friday (for free) and ordered all the stuff for by bicycle. 
    
    This is the first (self-built) bicycle I will own and really wanted
    to go with the C-RECORD GRUPPO but, alas, the $1300.00 price had
    me gulping a few times (the components themselves were things of
    beauty just to behold and touch!). I went with the CANNONDALE
    aluminum frame, Cinelli bar post, Scott bars, CAMPY CHORUS GRUPPO,
    TIME pedals, Vetta III saddle and Modolo reinforced rims.
    
    I guess I'll begin work my way up to the C-RECORD GRUPPO a little
    at a time starting with hints of birthday and Christmas presents
    next winter and a few purchases here and there of my own.
    
    All you people were right, though. C-RECORD stuff are works of art!
    
    Thanks to all for the help.
    
    Chip

    An update on the FITKIT results. Am I glad I didn't pay for it.
    It did well for me in certain areas, but was way off in others.
    I have not become accustomed to unorthodox techniques or styles
    either. I immediately started raising the seat (I looked like
    a dynamically compressed Sean Kelly) and I really think that
    I'm going to have to get a longer bar stem, I've raised that 
    as far as I can go. I have SOTT bars and when I get out over them
    my knees are banging my chest. Also, I had to move my seat back.
    I've become accustomed to (because of a bunch of advice) about
    a 90% - 95% leg extension. The FITKIT probably left me at 75% -
    80%! I pretty sure they didn't screw because my friend had his
    done there and came out fine. My body type is a little different.
    Long legs, long arms, wide shoulders and short torso. I might 
    have thrown it off. I'm 5'6" & 1/2 (had to get the 1/2 in there)
    with 44 shoulder.

>>< Note 945.9 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                                   -< MORE >-

  >  An update on the FITKIT results. Am I glad I didn't pay for it.
  >  It did well for me in certain areas, but was way off in others.
  
  >  I'm going to have to get a longer bar stem, I've raised that 
  
  >  as far as I can go. I have SOTT bars and when I get out over them
  >  my knees are banging my chest. Also, I had to move my seat back.
  
Chip,

	I to have DH bars. They do make you change your position on the bike.
I had to move my seat back and get an extention stem to raise the bars. I don't
think FIT-KIT was made with DH style bars in mind.

    I do believe you're right (FITKIT & DH's).I'm going back to the
    dealer this weekend for the "crossbar" to stiffen the extension
    up a bit. I'll ask the question and bring it back, unless someone
    out there beats me to it in this note. I definitely need more
    height in those bars and I'm "maxed" out now. 
    
    The only experience I've had to date is on my trainer, but I can
    already feel the worth of them and can "gut" the pluses on the
    road, even with them not exactly right (I think another half to
    a full inch will do).
    
    Chip

< Note 945.11 by WMOIS::C_GIROUARD >
                              -< JUST A TAD MORE >-

My bars are about 1/2 inch below my seat height, and its an incredibly 
comfortable position.  I had to buy a taller stem as well.  I got the Nitto 
Technomic.  Its clamp diameter is 25.4mm while the Scott Bars diameter is 
26.0mm, but it works if you spread the clamp a little bit when you install the 
bars.

By all means, get the bridge bar.  It noticably stiffens the Scott bars.  

Kevin

    I haven't had the fit kit for the fram done on my bike yet but I
    did have the cleats set for my pedals (MAVIC)and since then I have
    put about 100 miles on the rollers. I would HIGHLY reccomend that
    anyone has this done. I have found that I have a much smoother pedaling
    motion and my knees don't bother me after long rides anymore.
    
    I had it done at Franks Spoke n Wheel in Framingham.
    
    Paul

A fiened of mine uses the Scott bars and to get a good fit he went to a
mountain bike stem.  Where a road bike stem has a long reach and and slight
drop the mountain bike stem had a shorter reach and a noticable rise.

This was a conversion from normal road bars, if you had your bike fitted from
the start with the Scott bars in mind this may not be a problem.

	I got a Sakae AH stem from Nashbar for $10.90 to go with
	Scott DH bars.  Its 230 mm long with an extension of 60 mm.
	It gives you basically the same geometry as the Nitto that
	everybody uses at half the price, and it fits the bars
	without being spread or rebored.

	chris