Interpreting Serotta Fit Cycle Data For Other Manufacturers?

Steve Sr. wrote:
I am in the market for a new high-end road bike so I decided it would
be a good idea to get a professional fit done first to figure out what
bikes would fit and which wouldn't. See, I have been listening to you
folks all these years!

The best local fitting service that I could find was one offered by a
local shop that sold Serotta and used the Serotta Fit Cycle. Before
the fitting I told the shop that Serotta was on my list of possible
candidates along with several other manufacturers and that I would
need results that would be applicable to makes other than Serotta. I
was told that this would not be a problem.

The basic results of the fitting is that I have the loss of
flexibility related to aging (I'm 48 and 160 Lbs.) and that I needed a
bike with a higher front end and slightly shorter top tube. This
information ruled out the Litespeed Tuscany as a problem in both of
these areas.

After the fitting the shop suggested a Serotta Fierte and a full
carbon Trek Pilot. I also mentioned that Litespeed was on my list of
possible makes and asked what Litespeed other than Tuscany would fit.

Here is where the issue begins. The fitter said that the Litespeed
Siena would probably fit but couldn't provide specifics since he
didn't have data from Litespeed in the same for as Serotta to input
into his computer program.

So do I need a PhD in bike fitting to interpret the numbers from the
Fit Cycle or is there a straight forward procedure to determine how
close a certain manufacturers bike will match the fit data.

A shortcoming with a lot of Serotta trained fit persons that also sell
Serotta. They design the fit so that in a Rx sense, all that will work
is taking their info and sending it to Serotta. Nothing else is possible
or will work. A shortcoming of this over technical fit system that
doesn't take into consideration that tere are MANY frames that fit most
people, but their approach, strongly supported by Ben, is that they take
you down the Serotta path with no other written information.
If they write the info down, seat tube angle, top tube length, seat
height, fore-aft, etc, any good fit person/saleperson can make another
frame work.

The questions that need answered a

1. Which frame size is needed (53 or 55cm)? A 53cm gives the shorter
top tube but with a taller seat post effectively lowers the front of
the bike. A 55cm does just the opposite.

2. Will the seat post need to be straight or setback? This also will
play into the correct stem length.

3. What is the correct angle and length of the stem?

Can anyone enlighten me?

This specific information should be provided by a fit person that is
focusing on giving you fit information, not just trying to sell one of
their bicycles. INSIST on this information, on paper, and armed with
that, take it to other good bike shops. If they won't give you the
information you paid for, get yer $ back.

Thanks,

Steve

"Steve Sr." wrote in message
...
I am in the market for a new high-end road bike so I decided it would
be a good idea to get a professional fit done first to figure out what
bikes would fit and which wouldn't. See, I have been listening to you
folks all these years!

The best local fitting service that I could find was one offered by a
local shop that sold Serotta and used the Serotta Fit Cycle. Before
the fitting I told the shop that Serotta was on my list of possible
candidates along with several other manufacturers and that I would
need results that would be applicable to makes other than Serotta. I
was told that this would not be a problem.

The basic results of the fitting is that I have the loss of
flexibility related to aging (I'm 48 and 160 Lbs.) and that I needed a
bike with a higher front end and slightly shorter top tube. This
information ruled out the Litespeed Tuscany as a problem in both of
these areas.

After the fitting the shop suggested a Serotta Fierte and a full
carbon Trek Pilot. I also mentioned that Litespeed was on my list of
possible makes and asked what Litespeed other than Tuscany would fit.

Here is where the issue begins. The fitter said that the Litespeed
Siena would probably fit but couldn't provide specifics since he
didn't have data from Litespeed in the same for as Serotta to input
into his computer program.

So do I need a PhD in bike fitting to interpret the numbers from the
Fit Cycle or is there a straight forward procedure to determine how
close a certain manufacturers bike will match the fit data.

The questions that need answered a

1. Which frame size is needed (53 or 55cm)? A 53cm gives the shorter
top tube but with a taller seat post effectively lowers the front of
the bike. A 55cm does just the opposite.

2. Will the seat post need to be straight or setback? This also will
play into the correct stem length.

3. What is the correct angle and length of the stem?

Can anyone enlighten me?

Seems to me that you are suffering from "paralysis by analysis".
If you are willing to spend big money why not buy a couple of different
stems and seat posts to play with.
I await your missive on "what seat?" with trepidation
Good luck anyway,

Cheers,

Roy

In article 1112103980.7392f1f8f2d7c28031e78052f0045410@teran ews,
Qui si parla Campagnolo wrote:

snip

This specific information should be provided by a fit person that is
focusing on giving you fit information, not just trying to sell one of
their bicycles. INSIST on this information, on paper, and armed with
that, take it to other good bike shops. If they won't give you the
information you paid for, get yer $ back.


As usual, Peter is right.

Frame size does not meet any standard, so 53-55-57 can all be the same
"size".

Put 10 fit "experts" in a room and you will get 13 different opinions.

A good bike shop will take all your measurements and place you on a bike
that they say fits you. They will let you change stems and saddles maybe
even handle bars and cranks untill you get comfortable...within reason.

A comfortable bike at 25 miles may not be so at 100 miles.

HAND

Caveat Emptor

"Steve Sr." wrote in message
...
On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 09:01:40 -0500, "araby" wrote:


"Steve Sr." wrote in message
. ..
I am in the market for a new high-end road bike so I decided it would
be a good idea to get a professional fit done first to figure out what
bikes would fit and which wouldn't. See, I have been listening to you
folks all these years!

The best local fitting service that I could find was one offered by a
local shop that sold Serotta and used the Serotta Fit Cycle. Before
the fitting I told the shop that Serotta was on my list of possible
candidates along with several other manufacturers and that I would
need results that would be applicable to makes other than Serotta. I
was told that this would not be a problem.

The basic results of the fitting is that I have the loss of
flexibility related to aging (I'm 48 and 160 Lbs.) and that I needed a
bike with a higher front end and slightly shorter top tube. This
information ruled out the Litespeed Tuscany as a problem in both of
these areas.

After the fitting the shop suggested a Serotta Fierte and a full
carbon Trek Pilot. I also mentioned that Litespeed was on my list of
possible makes and asked what Litespeed other than Tuscany would fit.

Here is where the issue begins. The fitter said that the Litespeed
Siena would probably fit but couldn't provide specifics since he
didn't have data from Litespeed in the same for as Serotta to input
into his computer program.

So do I need a PhD in bike fitting to interpret the numbers from the
Fit Cycle or is there a straight forward procedure to determine how
close a certain manufacturers bike will match the fit data.

The questions that need answered a

1. Which frame size is needed (53 or 55cm)? A 53cm gives the shorter
top tube but with a taller seat post effectively lowers the front of
the bike. A 55cm does just the opposite.

2. Will the seat post need to be straight or setback? This also will
play into the correct stem length.

3. What is the correct angle and length of the stem?

Can anyone enlighten me?

Seems to me that you are suffering from "paralysis by analysis".
If you are willing to spend big money why not buy a couple of different
stems and seat posts to play with.
I await your missive on "what seat?" with trepidation
Good luck anyway,

Cheers,

Roy

I'm not really paralyzed by the analysis. I am just trying to make
sense of the data that was supposed to make this whole process
deterministic and not subjective.

I am trying to avoid the trial and error approach as you suggest and
spend a lot of money on a bike that doesn't fit right and can't be
made right by exchanging components. This is why I decided to start
with a "professional" fitting hoping to bypass all of this.

I' hope that you receive this in the spirit in which it is intended. I'm
certainly not intending to sound rude but since you seem to be unsure of so
many factors I wonder why you are sold on a Serotta or equivalent. What
exactly do you expect for the money? There are many equally excellent and
cheaper bikes out there. When you make an outlay of above say $1000 you are
entering the area of diminishing returns. Basically you will be paying for
"added lightness" and "badge engineering" which is fine if you know why and
what you are getting. Using an automobile analogy it's rather like insisting
on an Acura when a Honda Civic will do the job admirably.
I assume that you have had considerable cycling experience because without I
cannot see how you can make an informed decision purely on the results of a
few measurements. You have to suck it and see first before you have a good
idea what is best for you. As someone else has pointed out, provided that
you aren't wildly out in frame size, you can fine tune with stem and seat
adjustments. Your problems with regard to higher front end and shorter top
tube can be resolved with a shorter stem set to give the required height.
With respect, I don't see what your age and weight have to do with it.
I have three road bikes with 56,57 and 58cm frames respectively. With
suitable stem and seat set up, the triangle formed by the handlebars, saddle
and bottom bracket is virtually the same on each.
I can't imagine that you are very different from the hundreds of thousands
of cyclists who pedal happily for years without having had the benefit of
theoretical pre-purchase analysis.
Just trying to save you unnecessary expense,

Again, good luck with your choice anyway,

Regards,

Roy