One slow weekday afternoon, a harried woman rode up to the bike shop and asked to return her new bike.
“No problem,” I said, and asked if there was a specific issue.
“It’s totally the wrong size!”
Before starting the return, I asked to see her ride the bike outside. She agreed, and I saw she rode awkwardly, with knees cramped, her steering unsteady. She was frowning.
I stopped her and moved the bike’s seat up 2 inches and all the way back, away from the handlebars. She tried again. Twenty feet later she told me the bike fit perfectly, and rode off smiling.
The lady with the "totally" wrong size bike wasn’t riding a $4000 bike, just a "normal" bike. A clear example of how a few fit adjustment can transform a bike from “totally wrong” to “perfect”.
What is a bike fit?
"I didn't know it could do that," says pretty much every person I've ever moved a bike seat forward or backwards for.
Everyone knows a bike seat can go up and down, but how high or how low is right for you? The angle of the seat plays a huge part in comfort and efficiency, but what's the difference between a two degree seat tilt and a five degree seat tilt? Should the seat be all the way forward, or backward, or in between? Even the handlebars typically have some degree of adjustment that can be dialed in, being raised, lowered or angled.
Most bikes can be significantly adjusted to fit the rider, and often a few millimeters of change results in a more comfortable, easier to ride bike. While these tweaks don't require technical knowledge beyond using an allen wrench, it can be challenging to set a good position without an experienced second set of eyes.
For example: two 5'11" people may ride the same size bike, but require completely different adjustments. An individual with long limbs and a short torso needs their bike adjusted differently than a person with short limbs and a long torso.
All these considerations, and the questions one asks to get there, are the core of a bike fit.
Why me?
My aim is to provide approachable, affordable fits for people looking to be more comfortable on their bikes. Results for "bike fit in my area" will return lots of $300+ options. These fits are generally in a full fit studio and often have a computer software aided component involved. They're great for folks who are looking to really, really dial in the fit of their bike, but can be overkill for many.
I've made adjustments for hundreds of bikes like the story I started with, and dozens of full fits for people looking to get more out of their road, commuter or hybrid bikes. In addition to naturally having an eye for the process, I've also learned to ask the right questions, listen to the answers, and work with the customer from where they're at. Throughout my fits I take into consideration not just the technically "right" adjustments, but the appropriate adjustments based on their experience, comfort, flexibility, and other individual factors.
Where?
Currently I only offer fits at the Oak Park location of Wheel and Sprocket
You can fill out the contact sheet at the end of this page to schedule with me or ask questions.
Services*
Based on my first few months of operations, I've updated my fitting structure to be easier for both myself and clients to understand. If a fit runs to 40 minutes, I'll round down on pricing, I'll round up for 50 minutes, and charge $112 if we end up in that 45-ish minute area.
30 minute fit: $75 This generally addresses seat height and fore/aft positioning, checking knee position over pedal, and observing overall posture and comfort while discussing goals for riding. Often this is all that's needed for a hybrid style bike.
1 hour fit: $150 This will usually start with everything in the 30 minute fit, then will likely use a fitting stem (a device that allows quickly trying multiple positions for handlebars). Because bikes with drop bars (road and gravel bikes, usually) can require quite a bit of adjustment at the handlebars the expectation will be that road bikes will require a the 1 hour fit.
*Please note, I do not offer fits on eBikes of any type. I will also decline to provide fits on bikes that are obviously mechanically unsafe at the time of fitting (for example, non-functional brakes, shifters, compromising damage to the frame or components, etc). If safety issues are found during the fit (for example, stripped out bolts) they will be addressed case by case.
Additionally, I am unable to install cleats on shoes for clients during a fit for insurance reasons. Cleat installation is, however, a service that Wheel and Sprocket provides as a bike shop, so my recommendation is to have your cleats installed ahead of or following the fit. Wheel and Sprocket, as of right now, charges $21 labor for cleat installation and they can help you with the full process of choosing the right shoes, cleats and pedals for your intended riding goals.
Payment Options
Preferred: Zelle, Venmo, cash
Payment due at conclusion of fitting service.
I've been asked recently about tipping: while it is greatly appreciated, it is not expected.
Contact
I will be in touch with you via email within 24-48 hours and will follow up with a text message from my Google voice number if it seems you did not receive my initial response.
A note on scheduling: I use Google Calendar to schedule appointments. If you do not have a Google account to accept an invite with, please do not assume I have you in my personal schedule until I have explicitly sent you an email stating that I have you on my calendar. I value your time, so if I have offered you a timeslot, but not confirmed it, please do not arrive for a fit.
Thank you!I generally respond in 1-2 days