Retul bike fit?

Pink16

Hi,

I'm thinking of getting this done (getting my bike fitted properly to me)

Has anyone done it before and if so do you think it was worth the money?

Thanks

doozerie

I've had it done and to me it was worth it. It was educational in that it highlighted some issues (e.g. lateral movement of my knees) which I was not conscious of - some of these would probably have been quite visible to anyone cycling behind me but others were more subtle and would have been tricky for a bike fitter to diagnose.

So the RETUL system takes some of the guesswork out of it. Having said that, it's not a guaranteed perfect solution either. Despite the ability of the system to accurately measure your pedaling efficiency on the bike, and therefore finely measure the effects of changes made to your fit, it still comes down to the skill of the fitter to get to a fit which balances efficiency with your physical limitations so you need a skilled fitter operating the equipment. I used Chris McCann of Inspired Cycling and I found him excellent to deal with.

12 sprocket

doozerie wrote: »

I've had it done and to me it was worth it. It was educational in that it highlighted some issues (e.g. lateral movement of my knees) which I was not conscious of - some of these would probably have been quite visible to anyone cycling behind me but others were more subtle and would have been tricky for a bike fitter to diagnose.

WAs this lateral movement of your knees ever a problem for you and how long were you cycling in the original position, eg with lateral movement of your knees?

J Madone

Afaik Dominic in Base 2 Race will be the Irish Retul fit man, think it's just being signed off now.

doozerie

12 sprocket wrote: »

WAs this lateral movement of your knees ever a problem for you and how long were you cycling in the original position, eg with lateral movement of your knees?

Was it a problem? The best that I can say is: probably. I've had niggling problems over the years, nothing major but affecting my hamstrings and knees mainly. I tweaked my bike fit over time in an attempt to tackle the problems and I had some success but never entirely eliminated the problems.

Amongst other things, the RETUL fit identified that my saddle was too high and too far back - I'd lowered it more than once in the past and it had helped but I mistakenly thought it was as low as I could go without causing my knees further problems. With the saddle lowered and shifted forward, the RETUL measurements showed that my power output was better (or at least didn't drop off as I moved up the gears) and that my lateral knee movement was reduced. Since the fit my hamstring issues have not recurred and I've had fewer issues with my knees too - one knee niggle remains but I didn't have the fit done on my commute bikes so my fit on those could well be off and could be the lasting source of that particular problem.

As for how long I was cycling with lateral knee movement, I really don't know. It may have been there forever, it may have developed as a direct result of some of my own tweaks of fit over time. I don't think it's entirely gone either, but it is reduced and perhaps it'll reduce further over time - I was told that it can take upwards of 200 miles of riding to adapt to the new position, which I've long since done, but a person's bike fit is constantly evolving as such so mine might continue to change for the better (hopefully) over time.

Due to the evolving/changing nature of bike fit over time, I imagine that the best thing would be to have the fit re-done every now and again. That's a tougher regularly occuring expense to justify, but certainly I have no regrets about spending money on my only RETUL fit to date.

joemc99

kinetixproducts.com in Sandyford will have the full Retul system in a couple of weeks, early to mid may I believe. Paul will be getting full training on the system too! Retul is meant to be the ultimate in bike fitting.....I know a good few riders who have had it done and have said the suggestions were excellent.

mkenna

Can highly recommend James O Donnell in Oranmare, Galway-full bike fitting service-position/power output/video analysis. Post fit follow up to iron out any tweaks and adjustments. Check out bikefit.ie

CHIPPY1979

I would aso highly recommend James O'Donnell (Oranmore Co. Galway with easy access off the motorway). Top of the range equipment along with a high knowledge and wealth of experience.

kerryscoob

joemc99 wrote: »

kinetixproducts.com in Sandyford will have the full Retul system in a couple of weeks, early to mid may I believe. Paul will be getting full training on the system too! Retul is meant to be the ultimate in bike fitting.....I know a good few riders who have had it done and have said the suggestions were excellent.

Got a bike fitting done during the week by Kinetix, must admit very professional, subtle changes immediately noticeable when data was reviewed, the patience of Paul to get things right, no half measures.

Bike fit was for the son on the TT bike so I was able to sit and observe, before the test you would have thought he looked fairly good he never complained of been uncomfortable, but the data showed up where adjustments could improve posture, and now he has the data for the future.

Time well spent I think...

AstraMonti

How much did it cost you kerryscoob?

kerryscoob

A new road bike purchase and decided to head back to Kinetix for bike fitting on Retul, this was the 2nd visit , 1st call was for TT bike.

The more I see of the kit the more I'm impressed, no if's or buts the figures are there to see in black and white the minute you adjust. This visit was different to the last in we knew we had a problem going for fit. Paul listened to our story didn't give a solution immediately, then we measured and he gave the options, this bike fitting lark does require time and patience (bucket loads). If you are serious about cycling it's a must.

The rider left mentally in better shape, looks and feels better on the machine, I realise the coming weeks/months will be the proof, but hopefully the physio bills will only be for rub downs.

ryan_sherlock

I have had two Retul fits by two different people - highly highly recommend it. I ride 30,000km/year and have no issues. As was mentioned kinetixproducts.com up in Sandyford does it (and also has the very cool frankeinbike for your find optimal position)

trin duc

Hi guys. Just wondering how much does it cost to get a retul fit done. I'm cycling at least 12 hours a week so I would like to get it done if I can afford it

Wicklowrider

kerryscoob wrote: »

but the data showed up where adjustments could improve posture, and now he has the data for the future. .

Sounds interesting. What do you mean by data? Did you see quantifiable improvements like power before and after?

ktz84

You should get a full report showing the original position and the various adjustments and their impact along with your final position. The sheer volume of data that they are collecting from different fits will allow them to recommend specific bikes that are best suited to your riding position. As always the best fitting bike, irrespective of its weight so long as it's built for your type of riding, will always be the fastest bike for you.

I've had 2 retul fits done. One in Bespoke Cycling in London (long before retul became quite as ubiquitous as it is now) and a new one done in Velo Cafe Magasin in Belfast. Both great jobs. I really appreciated having it done locally this time as I was able to go back and forth to really dial my position in. I'd always ask what the backup service is if things aren't working out. If they don't allow follow up visits find someone that does. You are paying for a specific outcome and so long as the bike is capable of being fitted to you then expect nothing less.

I went from almost persistent injuries including lots of physio and cr@ppy cheapo bike fits and none sorted which is what drove me to go to London. That position worked superbly up until the start of last year when I started to get a bit of lower back and knee pain. Things change over time so it was time for a new fit. Again the best money I've spent on the bike. I could well be back again when I swap off the winter bike to the summer bike as I'm cr@p at transferring the diagrams from current fit to another bike. You really have to interpret them from the bottom bracket and that just hurts my head.

Mine cost £175 both times but not sure what you guys in the South are getting charged.

kerryscoob

ktz84 wrote: »

You should get a full report showing the original position and the various adjustments and their impact along with your final position. The sheer volume of data that they are collecting from different fits will allow them to recommend specific bikes that are best suited to your riding position. As always the best fitting bike, irrespective of its weight so long as it's built for your type of riding, will always be the fastest bike for you.

I've had 2 retul fits done. One in Bespoke Cycling in London (long before retul became quite as ubiquitous as it is now) and a new one done in Velo Cafe Magasin in Belfast. Both great jobs. I really appreciated having it done locally this time as I was able to go back and forth to really dial my position in. I'd always ask what the backup service is if things aren't working out. If they don't allow follow up visits find someone that does. You are paying for a specific outcome and so long as the bike is capable of being fitted to you then expect nothing less.

I went from almost persistent injuries including lots of physio and cr@ppy cheapo bike fits and none sorted which is what drove me to go to London. That position worked superbly up until the start of last year when I started to get a bit of lower back and knee pain. Things change over time so it was time for a new fit. Again the best money I've spent on the bike. I could well be back again when I swap off the winter bike to the summer bike as I'm cr@p at transferring the diagrams from current fit to another bike. You really have to interpret them from the bottom bracket and that just hurts my head.

Mine cost £175 both times but not sure what you guys in the South are getting charged.

Couldn't have said it better myself as regards price, on both occasions I was getting other bits and pieces of equipment so breakdown of price, I can't really say.

If anyone is thinking of doing it, set aside hours it takes time as I mentioned earlier.