Bike fitting?

Hello All,

I will have to be looking for a new rig at the end of last year I bought a very nice Litespeed siena. Its a compact frame when I took it out for the first time I came home after about a 2 hour ride and my hands were killing me to the point I couldent even grab and hold onto my water bottle. I went to my LBS and they told me a few things to try the same thing happened. So yesterday I grabed the bike and went to the shop they told me the frame was to big and yet too small I guess the reach is like 40cm too long but the seat post tube is like 2-2.5" too short. Now I trust the bike shop very much but I dont know what to do other than buying a new bike. Now I love this bike and I would do almost anything to try and keep it as I don't have enough money to buy a new bike. Please does anyone have any other ideas for me to try? And if not does any one know some one looking for a very nice litespeed?

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Permalink Reply by Arrak Thumrs on April 25, 2010 at 7:53pm

I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.

If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your bike shop. If you like everything about the bike but the frame, why not transfer the full grouppo to an appropriate frame that fits you? Sell the bare Litespeed on eBay or the CL Marketplace.

Frankly, your fit sounds out of the norm. Perfect for a custom. Having said that, I think my suggestions will be exactly what you don't want to hear. So I plead the fifth and consequently shut up :)

Best of luck and happy rides!

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Permalink Reply by Steve on April 25, 2010 at 8:40pm

Thank you for you're help Its kind of what I expected. But again thank you so much for your help and very good information.

Arrak Thumrs said:

I didn't realize that, and I apologize for the suggestion. I assumed the steerer was aluminum.

If you're already stretched out on the flats, I'm ready to side with your bike shop. If you like everything about the bike but the frame, why not transfer the full grouppo to an appropriate frame that fits you? Sell the bare Litespeed on eBay or the CL Marketplace.

Frankly, your fit sounds out of the norm. Perfect for a custom. Having said that, I think my suggestions will be exactly what you don't want to hear. So I plead the fifth and consequently shut up :)

Best of luck and happy rides!

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Permalink Reply by Julie Hochstadter on April 26, 2010 at 3:08am

i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up.

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Permalink Reply by dan brown on April 26, 2010 at 10:01am

get a grip (the one by Irving Pk Rd) does very good fittings. they have some type of certification and
possibly a 'fit kit' (special bike for fitting). YMMV

DB

Julie Hochstadter said:

i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up.

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Permalink Reply by Jack on April 26, 2010 at 12:18pm

I just went through the fit process at GAG and it went well. They have F.I.S.T. fitting certifications and a fit cycle (a completely adjustable bike trainer thing to dial in your fit). They detail down to your cleat placement if you have clipless pedals, digitally record your cycling motion to help with fit, power transfer, and knee alignment.

One of the best parts was that when I was fit, my current bike was sized properly and there was no pressure upselling. I had my bars adjusted and lowered the seat along with a tweak to the cleat placement on my shoes.

The rate is above 100 clams, it is $325 i believe, but most of it is applied to your bike purchase if you go with something from them. I don't know if there are varying rates depending on how detailed you want the fitting. I am a Chicago Tri Club member and that got me a discount on the fitting.

They are great to work with and more of an upscale shop. You won't find Huffys on the racks there. Very knowledgeable and easy going. I hope this helps.

dan brown said:

get a grip (the one by Irving Pk Rd) does very good fittings. they have some type of certification and
possibly a 'fit kit' (special bike for fitting). YMMV

DB

Julie Hochstadter said:
i feel your pain,but unlike you didn't have much of a relationship with an LBS. Turin is great, I agree....i rode a 44 cm eros donna bianchi for 2 years even though it didn't fit me because i loved it and the bike shop i bought it at told me it fit which i believed them at the time..... i miss the bike terribly and even took it in for a bike fitting at athletico since my arms were going numb but finally came to the realtization that it doesn't fit me and sold it to a friend. If anyone knows of a 39-42 cm or xsmall frame junior road bike hit me up.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher D Thornton on April 26, 2010 at 1:15pm

Steve,

I did a lot of research on bike fitting after getting fitted for a new bike a couple of years ago. I finished up documenting a lot of the information in an article that was published in the Fox Valley Bike & Ski Club monthly newsletter.

Principally there's only two things that matter. The "seat-tube angle" and "effective top tube length." Once these parameters are correct everything else can be dialed in.

Here's a link to the article.

http://www.fvbsc.org/archive/fvbsc_roadbikefit.pdf

Chris T