Featured Bike Fitter

I've done my share of "epic" or "intense" things on my bike but what I love about cycling is that the highlights can happen any day or time. For me it could be nailing the road bike down the 5 mile 20 minute downhill commute to work, reaching the 29er singletrack Zen, crit racing with my friends or even just buzzing through busy city traffic. It can all be so good! If I could pick only one highlight, it would have to be SSCXWC10 (2010 Singlespeed Cyclocross World Championship). That was Rock and Roll! Thanks Hodalla!

My interest started at a young age. One of the first objects I ever drew was a bicycle--my mother still has the picture. My cycling obsession started at age 16 on a mountain bike in the Hills of Cheddar, in SW England, where I grew up. College and work led me to London where I first started working in a bike shop at the age of 20. After leaving the cycling industry because of a lack of career progression or opportunity I worked my way into the world of multi-million dollar corporate telecoms contract work. Although successful, it left me dissatisfied and drove me back to my enduring passion, cycling.

After working in the corporate world, I found it harder and harder to accept the unprofessionalism rife in the cycling industry. Something is wrong with bike retail when I have more fun shopping for a microwave oven than cycling gear! Phil and Julian of Cyclefit London were the first people I had met in cycling retail that truly inspired me. Their vision for a new cycling experience and their unrelenting drive for bike fitting excellence caught me hook, line and sinker. I begged, bullied and bribed them into taking me on and was surprised and delighted when they eventually agreed to make me their apprentice.

Cyclefit UK revealed to me an approach to the human/bicycle interface that has enthralled me ever since I first went for a bike fitting back in 1996. During my apprenticeship with them I spent two years working with some of the best Physio Therapists, National Cycling Coaches, Osteopaths, Chiropractors, Surgeons, Massage Therapists, and Bike Fitters in the world. Cyclefit UK's drive to further their understanding of what happens to the human body when it cycles made for an amazing hub of development and learning. This experience was so far removed from the "bike fitting" that I had conducted during my bike shop years that I no longer count that time as bike fitting. I started truly learning and practicing the science and art of bike fitting five years ago, and hope that I always have the opportunity to make a living practicing this fascinating profession.

Long story short, I was presented a great opportunity to implement my dream of integrating a higher level of bike fitting back into bicycle retailing. At Tacoma Bike, in the state of Washington, we are proving, much to the amazement of the bank, in these hard economic times, that bike fitting can directly and indirectly increase multi-channel revenue through a consultative sales approach that rewards exceptionally high customer loyalty and referral. "Value" seems to be the buzzword in shoppers' minds these days and professional bike fitting integrated properly into a bike shop can offer the highest value in the industry.

Age range from 20 to 70 with most in the 30-50 range. A typical cyclist coming for a fit will be old/wise enough to know the value of professional help. That could be the novice who seeks out all the help they can get or the long time amateur road racer who grudgingly and finally admits that someone else might be able to help. More often it's the recreational cyclist who appreciates learning, injury-free cycling and the great feeling of being at one with the bike.

4.5 per fitting. Also, a variation of the Cleat Wedge such as the VV1 MTB Cleats and ITS (In-The-Shoe) Wedges.

Every time. Although it can be a hard tool to learn how to use correctly, that little tool provides invaluable, consistent and reliable information that helps me dramatically improve leg chain biomechanics.

I use BikeFit's Cleat Wedges much more often than I use ITS wedges. It takes more ITS wedging for the same biomechanical affect AND with Cleat Wedges we improve the available toe box volume for an improved shoe fit. Steve is definitely one of the most advanced and analytical cycle fitters in the world.

I only realized why when I recently used another brand of 2 and 3 hole leg length shims that are the same profile as the cleat (don't stick out the front like the BikeFit LL Shims): I couldn't get the cleat to engage! What this proves is how well thought out the BikeFit product is. BikeFit: Original and Best!

On the shorter (pelvic torsion) right leg I use a stack (two Cleat Wedges back to back) and 2 varus Cleat Wedges with longer BikeFit screws. On the left I use 2 varus Cleat Wedges.

I have attended a fair share of classes on bicycle fitting as a student and I realized that many classes tend to add overly technical and ultimately recommend unnecessary procedures. It can be very confusing to learn something that you were taught was essential only to later discover it was only added for show. Don't get me wrong, because there is a part of a great fitting that is show, but when you're learning the subject I think the two subjects need to be identified and separated. As a BikeFit instructor I get to teach bicycle fitting separately from the show. Because I'm highly trained in video analysis, motion capture, computer modeling, physical examination, flexibility assessments, data capture, studio design, jig based custom bike fitting and other additional techniques I will very often make recommendations for these techniques in the relevant situations. If you are well trained in bike fitting, you will know when and how any or all of these techniques are appropriate for you. However, even if you knew how to use all these cool tools, it still doesn't mean that you can conduct a good bike fit. Teaching a man how to use a sewing machine doesn't mean he is going to make you a beautiful dress! I prefer BikeFit's philosophy because it produces dressmakers (not sewing machine operators)... metaphorically speaking!

A loaded but very valid question. In most of the training courses I have attended and, in fact, in most of the fitting literature that is published there is a lack of focus on how to set up the foot and pedal interface. I find that wedges and frontal aspect leg alignment are the most often missed, poorly understood and inadequately covered aspects of bike fit training. Understanding how to position the foot has allowed me to solve issues and improve many cyclists' power and comfort where others couldn't.

One pro tour level cyclist came to us with such a large forefoot tilt and lack of foot strength that his resulting over-pronation was causing the collapsed arch of his foot to rub on the crank arm! He was riding for the biggest pro tour team in the world. I was surprised that no one on his support staff there could diagnose and help him accommodate this massively costly yet common issue. Needless to say that after these issues were addressed he was back racing at the top of the sport.

It seems illogical because it was one of the easiest things I have ever done, but I am most proud of: becoming a father!

Apart from getting some sort of grasp on this incredible subject and getting to help all sorts of good athletes, I feel that the biggest accomplishment has been in training. Helping other fitters who will in turn help more cyclists. This way, the world gets better!

SADDLES! Or more precisely a quick and accurate way to choose the right one! None of the gizmos work well and are really just starting points. Assometers and sit bone measurers are an inadequate way to assess the optimum pelvic support for an individual, purely because most cyclists hardly contact the actual Iscial tuberosities. My wife lays bets on how many times I use the words Pubic Rami and Perineum whilst fitting. I spend a lot of time helping a rider understand what parts of the pelvis should and should not bear weight! The saddle is such an important and often laborious component to choose. Tiny adjustments in height, tilt and offset can dramatically change the loaded area of the pelvis and also the cyclist's posture. In many fits, finding the correct saddle is the answer to everything--I often wish it didn't take so long.

James Cracknell, multiple Olympic and World champion, decided one day that in 10 days total, he was going to solo row the English Channel (20miles), ride his bike non-stop (300m/day!) from the northern French coast to the southern Spanish coast, and then swim across to Africa. I don't know anyone else who has done so much with their athletic ability.

Jens "Shut up Legs" Voigt, has such enthusiasm for suffering. I love that too.

Don't stop learning!

Oh don't make me choose! My current favorite connection point component is my SMP Composit, it feels so awesome, more power, more stability, less perineum pressure!

In bike fitting, Phil Cavel and Julian Wall of Cyclefit UK who taught me almost everything I know about bike fitting. Dean Burke, who was one of the masterminds behind what was Rocket7 shoes, has been a huge supporter and mentor since I moved to the US and a mastermind when it comes to shoe fit, design and setup.

A big thank you to everyone at BikeFit, a truly awesome company and a fantastic bunch of people--a real pleasure to work with you all.