The Fitter - Paul Burgess (recent completion Trek Pro Fitting Level I Sacramento, FitPysio TT Toronto)
Bio - 3 time Ironman Competitor, Qualified for Hawaii Ironman, 1st Riding Mtn. Triathlon (1989), 1st Rubberman Triathlon (1988)
1st Northwest Police Fire Games Duathlon and Mtn. Bike events (1992), recent sub 5 hour Half Ironman, Industry professional since 1988
CUSTOM BIKE FIT SERVICES
"The only consistency in bicycle fitting is that every fit is different".
At Mud, Sweat and Gears, we have a passion for cycling, we believe in our product, and we believe in the right fit. Creating the right fit requires synergy between the rider and the bike. This ensures comfort, efficiency and enables the rider to participate longer.
In the last 10 years the cycling industry has embraced the importance of a proper fit on a bike. Back in the early 80’s when I first started racing triathlons our idea of a proper fit was not much more than seat height. We all suffered through years of back/neck pain, numb body parts and without knowing, loss of efficiency due to a lack of understanding of how the body leveraged itself on a bicycle to transform movement to power.
As a store owner and the median between you and the cycling industry, it is my responsibility to ensure you get the most out of this complicated machine. Many of us in the industry can say we have sized lots of riders to bikes and we all know what we are talking about. What I have learned over the years is that this process of “Fitting a Rider” is an ever changing endeavour, sometimes humbling. I once believed that linear alignment was the way to ensure maximum power and reduce the chance of injury. After revisiting the process of many of my “Fittings”, education on body movement, and two highly progressive fitting courses, I no longer believe this is the best method. No two bodies are exactly the same, we can’t be plugged into a formula, so why should we try and plug a rider into an exact theory on alignment. For instance, your leg acts like a piston, but it’s not a piston. Our legs can rotate, pivot, bend, and leverage. Pistons can only extend and contract. In order to perform all of these movements the leg has to move in a non linear fashion throughout its cycle of movement on the bike. Flexibility is a whole other area that also effects how a bike should be fitted. Your muscles attach to your bones to perform constant leveraging that enables movement. Someone with poor flexibility will need to have a much different leverage position than someone with good flexibility. This is an important variable in the fit process.
What is a bike fit?
When you purchase a Custom Bike Fit from Mud, Sweat and Gears, the first thing to remember is this is a guaranteed process. I guarantee when finished you will be comfortable and positioned to enable power transfer in an efficient manner. The fit Process begins with an assessment of your riding goals, experiences, and physical abilities. Your body alignment and flexibility is assessed to establish a baseline with which to start the fit process. Then working from the bottom up we fit your equipment to you. Shoes and cleat placement are matched to your natural alignment; I then assess fore and aft position, extension, height and reach. There are many different tools that are used from a basic tape measure to video capture. However the most important tool that must be used by any reputable bike fitter is the Ear. Your feedback is paramount in this process, again you are not a formula and I can only make recommendations. If they don’t work for you then they must be revisited.
The “Process of bike Fitting” is just that, a “Process”. I don’t go through a bike fitting and then presto you are good to go, there may be return visits with feedback on comfort, fatigue, power all being issues that may need further attention. But at the end of this process, I pledge to you that you will enjoy your riding experience, ride more often and longer. In the end isn’t that what this is all about, having fun on your bike!
Cost - Road Fitting $ 150.00, Triathlon Fitting $ 200.00
To book your Custom Bike Fit email
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, I'd be happy to help you enjoy your bike more!
store owner Paul Burgess
Friday, 25 February 2011 17:32 | 
Written by Paul | 
