Bike fit is a doorway, not a destination

There's been a recent surge in the importance of bike fit over the last couple years. Serrota/SICI started their symposia on the science behind cycling, Specialized and Trek both have bike fitting initiatives that they are rolling out to their dealers. It's definitely an area of the bicycle industry that is getting a lot of attention. Don't get me wrong, I think it's worthy. Here's my position: Cyclist/Customers that are properly fit on their bike are generally happy customers. They ride more and therefore become more connected to the sport/hobby. As a result, they generate more revenue for the bike shops because they wear out tires, chains, brakes etc. They want better equipment and need upgraded components. It's a great win-win for everyone. In my opinion, the last thing a bike shop wants is a bike that sits against the wall in someone's garage.

With all the emphasis on bike fit, it appears that few people are concerned about the bigger picture. Professional bike fit sounds great. It's rather boutiquish in the same context as having your own massage therapist or personal trainer. Here's the charge to bike fitters. Bike fitting is a doorway to better performance. It creates an environment for enhanced potential. However, it is not the end of the journey. On the contrary, it's a mile marker along the journey. After bike fit comes training. Training has to occur with critical feedback that ultimately creates a finely tuned union between the cyclist and the machine. This is created through thousands and thousands of effective turns of the pedal.

Once the cyclist is committed to enhanced performance, and results are evident through objective repeatable measurements, the process accelerates very quickly. The longer and more diligently the cyclist focuses on technique, the better they will become at recognizing the capability of their own body. Ultimately, the cyclist requires less direct contact and only needs periodic re-checks.

The journey is long, riding is fun, enjoy it as long as possible. Maybe I'm one of those guys who never becomes satisfied. There is always something that can be improved.