NEWS
April 4-5, 2009 - Helena, MT
For our second trip to Helena, Montana, we hung out at Big Sky Cyclery. This time, Jim Barnes, Melinda Barnes, Kevin Colvill and Michael Walker were the students in the 2-Day BikeFit Pro Education class.
Here are some photos from our two days at Big Sky Cyclery:
Measuring the tilt and angle of the forefoot with the ForeFoot Measuring Device
Visual check of cleat rotation alignment--no RADs needed!
Checking cleat rotation- by feel rather than visually
Adjusting rotation of mountain bike handlebars
Even some people you might never expect need a wider pedal width--here a happy customer showing off her new 20mm pedal spacer
March 30, 2009 - Upper Echelon Fitness, Portland, OR
The BikeFit Tour wrapped up in Portland this past March 30, 2009. On this day, we hung out at Russell Cree's facility--Upper Echelon Fitness--for a day of Foot/Pedal interface fitting. In attendance were:
- Russell Cree
- Jeanette Rose - USAC coach
- Luke Demoe - Bike Fitter from Collins Cycle Shop
- Molly Cameron - Bike Fitter from Portland Bicycle Studio
- Michael Sylvestor - Bicycle Fitting Services
Here is Luke measuring the forefoot varus of cyclist Heidi Swift - Jeannette Rose looks on as Paul discusses the amount of tilt the tool measured.
Russ, the self proclaimed Jedi Master, working on Heidi's shoe.
Paul discussing the important, albeit unfortunately often overlooked, forefoot varus with Michael Sylvestor, with Jeannette intently viewing the process.
March 28-29, 2009 - Therapeutic Associates, Portland, OR
Several Physical Therapists from Therapeutic Associates Inc. (TAI) in the North West participated in the BikeFit Green level course. TAI is expanding the number of facilities offering BikeFit services. See the TAI website for more information.
Here are a couple of shots from the class:
Measuring Lloyd's (www.triathlonlab.com) angle of the forefoot with the Fore Foot Measuring Device (FFMD)
Discussion of the front view with two students.
The night before the hands-on portion of the class is a lecture at Mark Montgomery's place, where most of the students stay while attending the class.
Before any adjustments are made, appropriate markings on the cleat/shoe are applied
Marking the shoe for cleat fore/aft positioning.
TriFest 2009 - March 6-8, 2009, Tucson, AZ
Earlier this year, we went to TriFest and one of the highlights was finding a high-wheeler cruising down the street (left). On the right are Eric and Matt of Trisports.com my two favorites from the shop. They both attended a F.I.S.T. along with our one day Foot/Pedal class at the SlowTwitch.com compound.
One of the highlights of TriFest is a great party hosted by TriSports.com and from the looks of it,
Paraic McGlynn from Serotta is enjoying himself.
February 11 & 12, 2009 - BikeFit Tour stops in Des Moines, Iowa
Barr Bike & Fitness - 
David Hoss, Garen Palmer
Bike Country - Tony Leehoven, Gordon Havlik
People are beginning to figure out how to take advantage of BikeFit Systems' education program. Remember, we come to you and allow up to 4 individuals to be trained. Our first trip to Iowa included 2 Bike Fitters from two different bike shops. Barr Bike & Fitness was the host and Bike Country was the other half of the crew, all working on their BikeFit Pro Education. It was great to see a blend of shops getting along and learning a new level of service to provide their customers.
Two days and 6 bike fits covered a lot with this motivated group. It is such a pleasure working bike fit with folks and helping build their foundation. You would not build a house without a good foundation. So often, the foundation is missed in a bike fit. As you may notice, many of our photos at education gigs show us working with the feet. With bike fitting, the same is true- if your feet aren't right, everything else will be problematic. We need to get the feet properly adjusted and then proceed up the body with the rest of the bike fit.
Using the G-meter to check knee flexion
Tony from Bike Country checking cleat rotation
A look at the side view
Tony setting up the laser for side view while Paul observes
David checking saddle height
Observing the front view notice the sizing stem is already on the bike
Dave and Gordon installing Speedplay Cleat Wedges
Paul and Gordon checking rotation
Garen setting the BFS knee dot strap notice the laser is already set up for the front view
Tony taking notes if you look closely you can see the hip and should angled measured... this is a Tri Fit
The new BikeFit Pros, Tony and Gordon of Bike Country, with Paul in the middle
Garen checking Fore Foot tilt with the FFMD tool
The new BikeFit Pros from Barr Bike &, Fitness, Dave and Garen, with Paul in the middle
The BikeFit Tour travels to Arkansas - January 24 & 25, 2009
Andrés Angulo of Advanced Cycling hosted Paul Swift and International BikeFit Director, Andrew Weber, for two days of intense BikeFit education. The newest BikeFit Pros to emerge from this training were:
Andrés Angulo - Advanced Cycling
Branton Moore - Highroller Cyclery
both from Arkansas, and
Mike Irwin, BA, COTA\L - BicycleFit Rx
from Kansas.Andrés rented a conference room at a downtown hotel in Fayetteville. This group came from a mix of coaching, mechanical and occupational therapy backgrounds. Their diverse knowledge allowed us to move through more bike fits than usual. By the second day, Andrés's phone was ringing with more clients requesting to be fitted that weekend!
Many cycling coaches such as Andrés are adding bike fit services to their offering; it is a natural fit! (No pun interned for coaches with a rich history like Andrés's).
Obviously, bike shops are also stepping up to the plate by adding professional bike fitting. We all had much appreciation for Branton who was the hustler of the group, often running back to the bike shop for items such as shorter stems and saddles. Branton actually paid for and took this course on his own, not as a representative from his shop.
Rounding out the group was Michael Irwin (Occupational Therapy Assistant) who made the trip from Kansas to attend. It was great having his input from the clinical realm combined with his cycling knowledge and athletic background.
This group really shows the inter-workings of bike fitting at its best, combining the coaching, mechanical and clinical aspects all rolled into one. We cannot underestimate the talents form each of these groups. This combination allows us to feature the best from each making for great training weekend. Everyone learned beyond the core curriculum! A huge success
Branton talking with cyclist the smile on the cyclist's face says it all!
Branton and Andrés checking each other's work
Andrés going over notes notice the comments from the cyclist we fit, in RED!
Cleat adjustment from the front view
Adjusting float on the Speedplay Zero Pedal. By now everyone knows the Foot/Pedal interface is the most important connection to your bike. We pay particular attention to this area during our education course. For the best pedal adjustment information available on the web, see Speedplay's technical videos.
Andrés Angulo - Advanced Cycling, Branton Moore Fayetteville, Andrew Weber Director of International Sales and instructor for Bike Fit Systems, Michael Irwin BicycleFit Rx
Cleat adjustment from the bottom view. At this training, 7 of the 8 cyclists we fit came in with Speedplay pedals
Andrés and Branton working on saddle position
More notes notice the left and right side do not always get the same adjustment. It is common to see a difference on one side versus the other.
Andrew, Andrés, Michael, Branton, Paul
Helena, MT - January 18-19,2009 - The Bike Fit Tour's first visit to Montana in 2009
Our first trip to Montana and to Great Divide Cyclery was a great experience. One of the goals at Bike Fit Systems is to introduce the clinical world to the Bicycle Retailer environment. We believe there can be great synergy for a dealer having a strong relationship with a PT Facility and vice versa. At Great Divide Cyclery we had the wonderful opportunity of working with both at the same time.
Eric Grove of Great Divide Cyclery invited Don Harris, PT, from Manger-Harrington Physical Therapy to participate in our two-day bike fitting course. This proved to be a good experience for everyone. The idea of blending the PT Clinic and Bicycle Retailer environments can help each better understand the role the other can have with a cyclist. This partnership allows the strengths of each to be better utilized when communicating with customers.
Part of our education involves identifying when the bike shop or fitter reaches their limits and may defer to a trained clinician. On the other hand a PT typically does not stock retail merchandise nor can provide mechanical work for a bike. Joining the two can be valuable to one another as well as help grow their business!
Bike Fit Systems was proud to be involved with Great Divide Cyclery.
Eric Grove BikeFit Pro
Steve Coen BikeFit Pro
Mike Williamson BikeFit Pro
&Don Harris, PT - Manger-Harrington Physical Therapy BikeFit Pro
Eric taking notes
Measuring the tilt or angle of the forefoot with the
FFMD - Fore Foot Measuring Device (checking for forefoot varus)
The entire crew
January 14, 2009 - F.I.S.T (Fit Institute Slow Twitch) & Bike Fit Systems in Valyermo, CA
Even SlowMan himself, Dan Empfield, admits a F.I.S.T. bike fit is not a complete bike fit. Perhaps that is our lucky star since we are often invited to cover the important foot/pedal interface at the compound in Valyermo, CA. Combine a F.I.S.T. bike fit with Bike Fit System's cleat fit and you end up with the most comprehensive TriBike Fit in the world.
Here are some more F.I.S.T. Bike Fitters that have added this important education and training to their repertoire.
Notice the concentration, looking at the rear view of a foot/pedal, with Kit (our Director of Education) pointing out the details
Here the guys are setting the laser on the right leg (toe line) to highlight the knee pattern relative the toe line
Paul, Todd Carver (Retul), SlowMan, Katrina Vogel and Cliff Simms (Retul)
At the Slow Twitch compound it is not all work and no play. Bike rides are often a highlight of the day, especially if you are from someplace cold and snowy. Here two skinny guys are flaking Paul at the start.
Lastly, Paul tries to catch a group shot and misses himself at the San Andreas Fault sign on the bike ride.
2009 - Bike Fit Training in Woodinville, WA
Bike Fit Systems offers a variety of ways to receive bike fit education. We come to you, at your location, or you come to us. The other option for you is to find us working with host facility affiliates around the world. Check the website for an updated list of these facilities in the near future.
Earlier this year, Jason Jablonski and Tim Bochnowski came to the Pacific Northwest. At first I thought I should do something to my name so it would be more like "Swift-inski" to better fit in with the crew. The "you-come-to-us" option for now is only available for a maximum of two (2) students, typically held at Woodinville Bike Shop in Woodinville, WA. The small student-to-teacher ratio allowed Tim and Jason were able to enjoy tons of hands on educational scenarios. This course was conducted by Russell Stevenson and me.
The students: Jason is head of SET Coaching and provides bike fits in Wanatchee, WA. Tim traveled a little further, as his fit studio Mountain Velo is located in Park City, UT.
Here we have Jason setting up the knee dot strap in preparation for the front view analysis
Jason is setting up the sizing stem - the sizing stem is an absolute must for any bike fitter
Tim is discussing the knee-over-toe alignment via the front view
At the hotel, lecture and review of the day along with instructor Russ, looking on from the right