Tri-Bike Fit

So I have had my new tri-bike for a month now and I have not ridden it or anything. I needed to get a bike fit first. I scheduled my fit for today a few weeks ago. I got a call from Bob the fitter earlier this week asking if I can come at about 1pm as they were a bit short handed in the morning.

My fitter and main bike shop is located in St. Paul which is a 2:10 drive from my house. I have a local bike shop that I trust to do some basic maintenance and tune ups for me, but they don't do much with higher end road or tri bikes.

I drove down to the store and they were eating lunch when I arrived. So it worked out pretty good that I was able to change clothes, and get set up while they finished lunch. Bob and I discussed how a tri-bike fit is very different, what to expect, and what to look for. It was a very informative discussion.

Then we got underway. They use a GURU bike fit system which allows for computer control of the location of the various parts of the bike. So moving seats and bars and such up and down forward and back. The position is VERY different but our whole goal was to try and get a position that is aerodynamic, but more importantly comfortable. If I can't stay in that aerodynamic position because it isn't comfortable then the advantage is lost.

At times it kinda felt like the eye doctor. We would be in one position and he would ask if I like the first one...then move the seat....or this one? "One...or two....? 😃

It took about 2 hours from when I got there to go through the fitting. I even spent about 15 minutes just riding the fitting machine to ensure that the position was good. The whole experience was very positive, and I seemed to fall into a very normal category for fitting.

Then they needed to modify my bike to the fitting measurements. They were also going to clean up some of the cables which were dangling. They were going to try and get it all done before they closed, but they were not sure. I was prepared to spend the night if needed as I knew this was a possibility.

So I drove to the mall and walked around for a couple of hours doing a bit of shopping. Then I got the call from the mechanic that he was done. It wasn't nearly as bad as they thought it was going to be to clean up my bike and get all the stuff on it.

So now my bike is all set to go and it will go on the trainer tomorrow for a 90 minute ride.