Kennedy CycleFit

rooman

Hi Cipo,

sounds like you had an interesting experience, one that I can relate to, I had a "hack frame" read "a frame of dimensions and geometry that didnt suit the aspirations or physiology of the rider."

I was a newby, I bought a high end Italian steel bike from a reputable bike shop for $3000, its was all set to go and according to them "perfect for me", well it gave me the downhill shimmies something awfull, I went back , they suggested I change the original steel fork for a carbon one, that would "dampen the resonance" they said.... so out I go, hit the hard Kilometers, first hint of a down hill a cross wind or some bumpy road at speed and whoa, I was nearly off, every time....I had spent over $400 on the fork, fitting it and the "drop string set-up" they offered for $50 extra.

Made no difference, I was aching in the hands, my feet were burning, my knees ached and stabbed me back, had trouble breathing/tight chest, my perineum had developed a numbness whilst riding I figured was now a long term injury and my back was a pain arena from sit bones to neck...., they too said , "ride more you'll get used to it!", not "well the frame is a bit small for you and the seat could be longer, and the cranks longer, the stem higher, the bars wider, all of the above"...nadda, just bye, have fun! and smiled at me.....

So I ventured around looking for a solution, and by accident walked into Kennedy's.

The first thing he asked was "what do you want from your riding?".

I said, "I am not that young any more, Ive been an athlete, but not seriously a rider, now I need low impact, high aerobic excercise , I want to lose weight, get fitter, get out, do bunch rides and go from there, maybe down the way, some competitive rides", OK, we made the apppointment and I arrived with my road bike, shoes, and $180 for the fit ( at that time).

You know the fit drill, so during that we had suggestions of:

" for you to use the bike you have, .... and, until you develop more riding strength, stamina and skill to be rid of the symptoms you have,..... your position requires changes to your set up now........ and again in two to three months when you're fitter, & more used to riding........ and adjustments will be necessary until you settle into the style of riding that will come from your mind/body/bike interaction......." noting that my fit will be different for Road, as opposed to Track, as opposed to Racing in short crits & TTs etc....

OK as for cost and components, we had choices of light (read carbon & $$s) or utility ( read alloy and $$Ss but less) I went for utitlity ( mainly FSA or generic bits) and ended up with a wider bar, raised and longer stem, longer seat post, longer seat.

I was just plain too big for the bike I had bought, I was not prepared to shell out for a new one and said I'd stick with that frame & transmission, and (thought to myself I would probably get a custom later on)...but for now, I wanted to make do with what I had, smarting that I had already unwisely thrown $3000+ at a bike that didnt suit me. ( Sound familiar?).

So I paid my fit fee, bought the parts, John & a mechanic both fitted them and my riding became heaven, from the first ride.

I was more open and could breathe better, somewhat more upright, so my hands and butt bore my ample weight more evenly and my back had less strain, I could see more of the road ahead in this natural position and hence no more neck pain, and my sit bones actually sat in the saddle on the right place and goodbye pain down there....( but if I sat forward it came back when I moved off my sit bones, stands to figure, the sit bones are the place to bear your weight not the perineum, and we have to teach the body to sit properly..that took time ( hence John's statement to you and to me- give it time". I lost the down hill shimmy largely, but it is still there on that bike a touch as the frame is too small , that I cant change, and it is a steel bike which allows the shimmy resonance to develop, easier than alloy or carbon. I just touch my knees to the top bar in descent and that dampens the vibration, and I move forward and lower to the top bar. Down hill stability is now there, but I have to work for it.

So, with perserverence and some dedication and willingness to accept advice I am happy to say my Kennedy experience has re-invigorated my life on the bike. I've made adjustments with John since then and at no charge, (I am sure I do buy a lot of coffee at his in-store café tho!)

I am glad your new bike from the LBS (local bike shop?) suits you better and you too are a happier rider from the experiences

I now have a track bike, (fitted by John) a ride to the shops-Hybrid, fitted..etc and am activley training for Masters events later this year, I am doing 1000+ klms a month on the road, 10 hours on the track, not a skerrick of pain, discomfort or ache, other than my heart rate from the interval work outs, I am enjoying my riding more than ever and looking forward to a healthy, comfortable,...well maybe competitively uncomfortable, but riding without pain from the riding itself...the rest is up to me.

I try not to shoot messengers, just like to get to the bottom of their message and see what the real problem is, seems we have done that ! Good luck and ride safe!

cheers Roo