Long time builder, first time fitter.
06-20-13, 04:09 AM
#1
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Long time builder, first time fitter.
I have been making frames for a long time. In the past, I have been supplied drawings or specifications only. More recently some folks have supplied "specifitcations" with measurements taken from components. We added BikeCad (I usually draw from scratch on autocad) recently which has been really convenient.
Saturday, we had a guy come in riding a bike that thought his frame was too small. He is about my size (5'11") and was riding a 56. We got him on the bike and it looked way too small also. He had ridden a bigger bike and loved it.
I told the guy I wasn't a fitter. He was OK with that and just wanted someone to help him who understood layout and to change things till he felt right and build a frame from that.
The next day I called the LBS and they had a Calfee fit bike for sale. I bought and brought it to the shop.
He had an offset post with the saddle slammed to the rear and tilted up quite a bit. He had bars level with the seat and flat with the tops of the hoods (how I personally like them) with a 110 stem.
Before he got there I set the fit bike up as a 58 with a 73 seat angle, offset post and his saddle centered and leveled. Upon his arrival we discussed where his old bike was and that what he was going to try was "what I would have tried to sell him if I was a bike salesman". I told him it was going to be a lot different and require an adjustment period. He was cool.
He got warmed up and asked to try it with an even longer top tube, no prob...
and longer....
and longer....
We ended up at 61cm though the frame would not be that big as the stem was still short.
I then tilted the fit bike up on blocks so the front was 6" (150mm for you frame builders) elevated and he rode like that a bit and liked it even more. We cranked it down but but it became too small so back we go.
I went around and took some measurements (I have a goniometer for building car frames LOL) and talked about crank lengths, stem lengths and weight distribution and why his new stem would be longer.
We then added his component dimensions and reverse engineered in bikecad to get his design.
I work with a guy who has been a pro bike mechanic for 20 years and he was pretty excited as was I. We are all looking forward to the build and his test ride.
What do you think?
Saturday, we had a guy come in riding a bike that thought his frame was too small. He is about my size (5'11") and was riding a 56. We got him on the bike and it looked way too small also. He had ridden a bigger bike and loved it.
I told the guy I wasn't a fitter. He was OK with that and just wanted someone to help him who understood layout and to change things till he felt right and build a frame from that.
The next day I called the LBS and they had a Calfee fit bike for sale. I bought and brought it to the shop.
He had an offset post with the saddle slammed to the rear and tilted up quite a bit. He had bars level with the seat and flat with the tops of the hoods (how I personally like them) with a 110 stem.
Before he got there I set the fit bike up as a 58 with a 73 seat angle, offset post and his saddle centered and leveled. Upon his arrival we discussed where his old bike was and that what he was going to try was "what I would have tried to sell him if I was a bike salesman". I told him it was going to be a lot different and require an adjustment period. He was cool.
He got warmed up and asked to try it with an even longer top tube, no prob...
and longer....
and longer....
We ended up at 61cm though the frame would not be that big as the stem was still short.
I then tilted the fit bike up on blocks so the front was 6" (150mm for you frame builders) elevated and he rode like that a bit and liked it even more. We cranked it down but but it became too small so back we go.
I went around and took some measurements (I have a goniometer for building car frames LOL) and talked about crank lengths, stem lengths and weight distribution and why his new stem would be longer.
We then added his component dimensions and reverse engineered in bikecad to get his design.
I work with a guy who has been a pro bike mechanic for 20 years and he was pretty excited as was I. We are all looking forward to the build and his test ride.
What do you think?
06-20-13, 04:53 AM
#2
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Sounds like a perfect session, can you do me?
06-20-13, 07:33 PM
#4
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Another reason for a trip to New England!
06-21-13, 12:07 AM
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No matter where you're at... There you are... Δf:=f(1/2)-f(-1/2)
06-22-13, 01:52 AM
#7
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Well, I spent some time around a local custom frame shop and have watched a fitting there. And like many of us I've been fitted on a mock up for components. I am very impressed and I'm sure you have turned around a new corner in your trade. I wish you were in my city.
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Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
Vitus 979, Simplon 4 Star, Gazelle Champion Mondial, Woodrup Giro, Dawes Atlantis
07-01-13, 03:50 AM
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