So, you're curious about bikefit?: LEVELS of fit and more FAQ
- AM Van Doren
- 3 days ago
- 7 min read
The most common question I receive via email or during fit consultations is which fit service to book. I totally get it, as I've given you a lot of options.
For the most part, I offer levels of fitting because a large part of my business objective is to make bikefitting more accesible to a wider variety of cyclists, whether that be in your identity, your bike, your budget or the way you ride. I believe diversity is normal and I became a bikefitter largely because of the amazingly diverse, vibrant, accepting cycling community here in New York City.
Roughly, the price of a bikefit breaks down to $125/hour for initially booking my time.
I opened up hourly appointments on my schedule earlier this year to make fitting a bit more accessible. Whether you're on a budget, working with a tight schedule or want to see my approach for yourself first, this appointment is tailored to your particular needs and requests. Come with questions, ready to explain any pain or goals and be proactive about letting me know what measurements or notes you'd need as a followup from the appointment. This appointment can be done via Zoom if you'd like my help with a fit or bike purchase question remotely.
Most clients use this fit if they are riding a single speed, fixed gear or flat bar bike, if they have no significant pain but want to be smart about increasing power and decreasing injury risk, if they have spent a lot of money on other bikefitters and are not sure they want to go through the full process again, if they want help sizing or working through concerns about a bike purchase, or if they have come to see me previously and want to setup a new bike or dial it in again for a new season or new goal.
In the beginning, the Street Fit was intended to be the less road-riding specific version of a bikefit. Primarily, meaning that if we are not working with the shoe/pedal as much, we can give you a more streamlined, relevant experience.
This fit uses the SICI approach, including interview, measurements and full documentation and an included followup visit to address any lingering issues or close gaps post "road test". I have spent the last two years refining my approach, industry knowledge and product familiarity so I'm able to give you useful, actionable information regardless of if your bike is a commuter bike, a vintage bike, a gravel bike, touring bike, etc.
This fit is the closest to the Road riding oriented methodology I was originally trained on at SICI. If you are someone who rides kitted and clipped, this is designed for you. It includes everything in the Street Fit, plus a foot and gait assessment, cleat adjustments and other interventions at the foot, shoe, pedal and cleat as needed. This is also the fit to book if you are riding with aerobars.
I also recommend this fit level to anyone who is having complicated pain patterns and wants to deep dive to sort it out, for people who are really curious about fit and want to learn as much as possible, or if clients would like to split time into an initial appointment (sizing for new bike) and a second appointment (post purchase fit), etc.
MORE QUESTIONS? Well, I have more answers!
How can I get the most out of my appointment?
Come in with questions, observations, goals, hypotheses, ask questions. My fitting methodology and experience differs from much of what you might see on youtube or social media and I'm happy to chat about it. You could call my fitting style "common sense", in that it should make sense to you, as a cyclist or recreationalist or athlete.
The methodology works really well for most people and most bikes, but your feedback and input is valuable. I'll ask you questions throughout (does this feel like a positive/negative/neutral change? do you think realistically you'll make this change? does this fit with your goals for the bike aesthetically/functionally/according to your preferences?) and use your feedback to make the fit individually tailored to your body, your bike, your goals.
I had a negative experience (resulted in injury, new pain, felt like a "sales appointment", wasn't very affirming to me as a cyclist, I didn't feel any benefit after, etc) from a previous bikefit. Why should I try coming to you?
I came into the industry almost as a response toward these types of problems. I work on what I would call a common sense, outcomes-focused basis.
I want you to have a great experience during your fit, but I am not selling you a "fit experience", I am selling you my time, attention and knowledge to address your cycling complaints to the best of my ability.
While I will absolutely recommend specific products and solutions during a fit, I don't retail or make a cut so there's no reason for me to sell you something that isn't quite right.
I come from riding with all sorts of people on all sorts of bike. Have you been to Thursday Night Social Ride? That's what made me want to do this work, for this community.
I started doing Pilates in my teenage years because it worked so well as cross training, allowing me to take more risks in the rest of my recreation and recover quicker, and I still teach it for the same reason now.
I fit bikes according to the same biomechanic rules that apply in my Pilates classes or when I go lift in the gym. We limit any unneccesary strain or torque on the joints, we set you up well so that you can effectively use your skeletal support and easily fire your large muscle groups.
I have ridden gravel my whole life, spent time pacelining on a road bike, solo bikepacked from San Francisco to LA, picked up fixed gear riding in my late 20s and quickly found myself racing tracklocross, crossed the line at a couple gran fondos, ridden the Five Borough Bike Tour and Discover Hudson Valley on a tandem, been a regular bike commuter on more than a handful of different bikes across cities and continents, and I've listened closely when my friends who rode bikes in other ways told me what they knew, too.
Can I buy parts during the fit and have you install them there?
Because my clientele is so wide ranging and my current studio space so small, it doesn't make sense for me to retail anything right now. I'm happy to recommend local bike shops that stock products I recommend or who have great customer service and mechanics for ordering and install. If you're coming for a followup visit or bringing new parts to an initial fit I'm happy to tell you what parts I can do on the spot (saddles, pedals, various spacers or fitting parts, some stems).
Should I get a tune-up before or after I do my fit?
For the best fitting experience, your bike should be in good shape when you come to see me. If you have something like a seized seat post or stem, it can limit our ability to work with the whole methodology. If I encounter something during our fit that should have some attention, I will let you know and am happy to make referrals to one of the many excellent local bike shops.
What fitting parts do you currently have that I can try or use?
Currently, I have an adjustable stem (fits 1 1/8th inch steerer tubes, can shim to 1 inch) and adjustable road-style drop bars (32 cm to 44 cm). I have about 10 saddles in the test saddle library across profile, material, width and style and am working to build it out further. I have a full kit for foot, shoe, cleat and pedal interventions, sample chamois and arch support, etc.
What if I don't have a bike?
On Thursdays, I take appointments out of Ride Brooklyn, where we have a Guru Fit Bike and can find your personalized geometry or "try on" multiple bike frames and components for size. Book an appointment there.
This is also the place to book if you're looking for a more seamless fit experience (new stem or saddle at the fit, leaving your bike for a tune-up the week before or for the mechanics to swap bars afterward).
Do you still offer sliding scale?
Currently, I am able to offer Quick Fit appointments for pay what you can, $75-125. No need to justify why, but respect my time, ie, don't show up on a carbon frame and fresh Rapha gear ready to buy any parts I suggest.
Can I bring a friend or partner to my appointment?
Sure! My current space is quite small but you're always welcome to bring a plus one to keep you company or learn more about bikes too. If you're looking to fit two people during one appointment, send me an email and we can chat about your goals and what I suggest.
Can I bring more than one bike?
If you are coming to see me for a Street or Comprehensive Fit, you're welcome to bring more than one bike, although please connect with me in advance of your appointment to make sure we will have enough time to meet the objectives for both bikes.
I'm about to buy a bike and don't want to go through a bikefit yet but I'd love a little advice. What have you got?
Almost everything in the bike industry, from frames to handlebars to crank arms to saddles, "runs large" or is sized large. And one of the most unsafe and painful ways to ride is on a too big bike. Are you under 5'5"? Especially relevant, check out this instagram video I made last year.
I still don't really know what to expect in a bikefit with you. Any more insight on the process?
Bikefitting, especially low-tech bikefitting that is focused on outcomes, not selling you product or a buzzy, tech driven experience, is a funny and weirdly connective process. I come from the background of working as a consultant, addressing complicated technical problems, before I then pivoted to teaching movement, both elementary physical education and Pilates. So when you and I are in a bikefit together, I view it as an opportunity for us to collectively solve a problem and for you to leave with a better understanding of your body and your bike. As a cyclist myself, I love getting to know my fellow New Yorkers on wheels - and my friendly, Missourian nature comes out as I love to chat a bit about our favorite routes, how we got into riding, which groups we love to ride with, and whatever else might come up in the few hours we end up spending together. Maybe imagine you're taking your bike to get a very long, strange haircut...or don't feel shy to tell me you prefer not to chat.
Still have questions? Book a fit consultation with me or send me an email info@revolutions-per.com.
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