Seen in a newsgroup on the 'net, and our reply-

> Read the following and you'll know more about bike fit than 90% of
> your typical LBS employees:
>
> http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

I *hope* that's not the case.  The most important aspect of fit is the one CC gives the least time to- the relationship between the saddle and handlebars.  Not just the distance horizontally, but also the difference in height between the two.  CC does a fine job with the relatively easy stuff (seat height), including the generic formulas used, but y'know, that's not all that far removed from the bit about having someone stand over the top tube and check for clearance, which they (rightfully) chastise.

A good shop, using one of several methods to measure body proportions (in our case, the FitKit, but there are others that also work well), can very quickly get someone in the ballpark, and recognize that someone is more likely to fit bike A than bike B.  But it takes more than just measurements... after setting up the bike as recommended, you need to check the results.  Does the cyclist look relaxed or are they working to maintain their position on the bike?  Is their back straight or is it curved (curvature indicating an issue that could be reach-related, or possibly a saddle issue)?

CC's fitting guides are geared towards making it look like they're doing a wonderful service for you because you can specify such things as crank length, stem length, handlebar width and gearing.  But they don't do a great job helping you figure out *what* your choice should be.  That's because there are too many variables that are best dealt with in person.  Such things include how flexible someone is, how their hip sockets are placed, interviewing them regarding how they plan to ride and what opportunities exist in the local area etc.  And then, as mentioned previously, actually observing them on the bike.  CC doesn't talk about such things, because doing so would imply that there just might be a reason to see that LBS after all.

Is CC better than 90% of the bike shops out there?  I certainly hope not! But it's a wake-up call to shops that a mail-order outfit would feel comfortable making such a claim... and I'm certain that there are retail establishments that could really care less about how you fit a bike and just want to push something across the counter at you and take your money.  But to essentially tarnish all shops with such a claim is unwarranted.

--Mike--     Chain Reaction Bicycles
http://www.ChainReactionBicycles.com