M
Mike Jacoubowsky
Guest
> 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.
For what it's worth, the Trek Pilot makes an excellent credit-card-touring
machine. What many don't realize is that it's got clearance for pretty big
(28c+ if desired) tires, something not commonly found on higher-end bikes
these days. It's also got a higher starting position for the stem, due to
the upward-sloping top tube (it's not really a "compact" design, where the
front of the bike is the same as most but the top tube slopes down to a
lower point; rather, it's an upwardly-sloping top tube where the seatpost
end of the tube starts at a normal height, and goes up from there).
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
"Steve Sr." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>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 are:
>
> 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?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>
> 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.
For what it's worth, the Trek Pilot makes an excellent credit-card-touring
machine. What many don't realize is that it's got clearance for pretty big
(28c+ if desired) tires, something not commonly found on higher-end bikes
these days. It's also got a higher starting position for the stem, due to
the upward-sloping top tube (it's not really a "compact" design, where the
front of the bike is the same as most but the top tube slopes down to a
lower point; rather, it's an upwardly-sloping top tube where the seatpost
end of the tube starts at a normal height, and goes up from there).
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com
"Steve Sr." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>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 are:
>
> 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?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Steve
>
>
>
>