Buying a New Bike, Part 3: The Final Fitting
The past 4 weeks have raced by quickly, and for a host of reasons. Buying a new bike and testing it have occupied much of my time. I now have a dozen rides and 250 miles on the new bike, with a few minor adjustments along the way.
It’s all in the proper fit
This all began with a proper fitting
in early March from Jessica Bratus at fitmi!, before shopping for the bike.
Fitting is a 2-part process, part one to help you zero in on the correct bike, and part two to tweak the final product.
I returned for the final fitting 10 days ago, with well over 150 miles on the bike. I’m amazed at the time and precision work that Jessica put into this final fitting. The adjustments on the bike were fairly minor-a new stem with additional rise, and 3/8″ added to the seat height. The hard work this time went into measuring my knee placement, then adding some shims and adjusting the clips on the bottom of my shoes.
The saddle provided with the bike is best described as a torture device from the middle ages. Jessica has a seat-fitting tool which we put to good use. The tool is a memory-foam pad, and you sit for a moment, then she measures the dimples to determine size. My new saddle is a WTV Volt Comp, size medium, about $45.00. It is deluxe!
The Take-away
I have several conclusions on the process of getting a new bike. First, getting a proper fitting is paying big dividends: I have the correct size bike; I saved shopping time by only looking at bikes which fit; and I’m not as fatigued after riding.
The bike itself is very nice, a Trek Domane SL5. This is a gravel bike with hydraulic disc brakes, which in turn allow for wide tires. The thru-axle system used in lieu of quick release hubs is impressive; stronger, stiffer, and very easy to use. The carbon frame provides a comfortable ride, and the Shimano 105 shifting is nearly flawless.
I remain in love with the new electronics. The Wahoo ELEMNT Bolt computer and iPhone app provide remarkable data. The Bontrager Flare light set is a great safety enhancement, generating much more respect from passing motorists when compared to my past lights.
Future Story
I’m filled with questions about the fitting process and how it relates to other styles of bikes, and I’m curious about how to find a good fit on a limited budget.
Share your thoughts
Your comments on this are always welcome, and I’d love to hear some success stories on bike fitting services from your local bike shop. Please drop a note , we read them all. If we publish your item, you’ll get one of our tee shirts! And remember you can find some of the best tours right here!
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