Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

forum
road.cc bike forum

BG bike fit at Specialised store

by sanderville
Sat, Jun 18, 2011 12:34
6

Has anyone had one of the BG fittings at a Specialised store? Was it any good? How much was it? Do you have to buy a Specialised bike or can you take your own?

I know I'm being lazy in not just going and asking, but that's what the interworldwebnet is for.

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

Add new comment

6 comments

Avatar
james-o | 12 years ago
0 likes

A few good tips and methods can do a lot of this for free and you'll learn a lot in the process.

I'm a bit sceptical of fit systems that measure you up and give you an average of the riders in the data base - body mass distribution / build can have as much effect on positioning and comfort as limb + back length.

Lemond method for saddle height works well once you've measured your insiude leg properly (in socks, with a book spine or similar against the crotch, measured flat-back against a wall)

Weight distribution between bar and saddle can be done by your own feel, you need to feel that if you take your weight off the bar you can maintain the same position with your core muscles not your arms.

And ignore the knee-over-pedal spindle, that's just a 'happens to be true for some' coincidence.

Also, look at reach and stack of bikes, not just top-tube dimensions.

If you still can't get comfy then book a fitting - i'd guess many people could save money by doing the above though.

I was fitted by a reputed and well-used 'fit-system' once and tbh it said i was already well set up, didn't reccomend any changes beyond a few mm here and there. I later made a few based on the suport-your-weight-in-same-position-without-your-arms idea and i'm now much comfier.. so i'm a fit-system sceptic unless it's done by a fit expert, maybe a custom frame builder for example, rather than a 'system' - ie a load of averages.

Avatar
sanderville | 12 years ago
0 likes

Sounds good then. I'm sure my Boardman is too small for me so I need some kind of professional advice. Do you actually feel better for the changes made or have you not made them yet?

Avatar
David Whyte replied to sanderville | 12 years ago
0 likes

The saddle height and position is far better, i no longer suffer from the severe leg cramps that i used to get after a few hours on the bike.

The shorter stem was a bit dodgy to be honest, far to twitchy on the front end with it to be honest. I've reverted back to my 90mm one and it feels grand to be honest. I still haven't changed to the narrower bars yet, but that will be the next thing i do.

Avatar
sanderville | 12 years ago
0 likes

Thanks for that. Think I'll wander in and have a chat then. Hundred quid seems a bit steep though. Did they appear to do anything that a decent bike shop wouldn't be able to do, e.g. do they have fancy lasers and oscilloscopes and stuff?

Avatar
David Whyte replied to sanderville | 12 years ago
0 likes
Sanderville wrote:

Thanks for that. Think I'll wander in and have a chat then. Hundred quid seems a bit steep though. Did they appear to do anything that a decent bike shop wouldn't be able to do, e.g. do they have fancy lasers and oscilloscopes and stuff?

To be honest Specialized themselves are looking to charge £130. So the shop i were looking to encourage people to use it by dropping the price. The retual system that uses the lazers to do the fit starts @ £175, so the BG fit seems decent value for money.

The BG fit is very personal, they do indeed have all the nesessary equipment in order for them to size you properly.

I recall them measuring shoulder width, arm/leg length, flexibilty, back length, they also did the cleat positioning and the bone width in the arse cheeks to make sure the width is correct.

All in all quite a complex fitting i thought and certainly gave me food for thought.

Avatar
David Whyte | 12 years ago
0 likes

I had one done a few weeks ago, long and short of it was that my Specialized Elite that i bought from the same shop has to long a top tube for me. It's 53.7cm and i need a 52 at the most.

All in all a good experience, they noticed i also needed narrower bars (40cm) and my seat was far too low and too far back.

You take your own bike down, unless of course you're buying a new bike at the time.

Best idea is o ring your local store and talk through with them what you're after, as everyone is different obviously.

Cost was £99.99.

Latest Comments