We’re now offering our Level 2 Retul fit service at Planet X’s Rotherham showroom every Monday. Three appointments per day are available. Fit slots start at 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm with next Monday (the 18th of October) already full. The off season is the perfect time to get your position dialled in ready for your best 2011 ever. BOOK ONLINE NOW.
Bike Science Derby’s Retul certified fitter Andy Brooke explains what sets Retul apart when it comes to bike fitting measurement systems…
We often get asked what makes Retul 3D fittings so special and I always answer with the same simple reply – accuracy and individuality! The system doesn’t apply a one-size-fits-all approach to fitting, it tailors the position to each individual rider based on their own pedalling style. That’s what really sets Retul apart from other systems.
Until recently riders were fit using very simple calculations for saddle height based solely on leg length, but this didn’t take into account how the rider pedalled. Lets take a simple example of two riders with exactly the same inside leg – one who pedals with their toe down and the other who pedals with their heel down. If you set both their saddle heights according to inside leg measurements then of course they’ll end up with the same saddle height. However, the rider who pedals heel down might be over-straightening their leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke and risking injury, while the rider who pedals with their toe pointing down might not be straightening enough and won’t be able to put the maximum power down. It really doesn’t matter which of these pedalling styles you use as long as you take it into account when setting your saddle height. Everybody is different and even the greatest cyclists in history have different pedalling styles from one to the next. Bike fitting has now realised that it’s OK to pedal differently to the Pro of your choice (because lets face it, s/he probably pedals differently to everyone they race against anyway!) so fitters have moved away from static fits based on leg length and towards dynamic fits – fitting riders on their bike to take into account their individual pedalling style. Before the Retul system, this relied on fitters working by eye but accuracy varied greatly between fitters and only elite level athletes could access the kind of motion capture technology required to accurately measure the angles of knees, hips and ankles during the pedal stroke.
This opened up another, cheaper option to get a dynamic bike fit – video capture. The main problem with video capture is accuracy. The lens in a camera, like the human eye, can shorten angles depending on it’s view point, making it incredibly difficult to take accurate measurements. Even if a camera can accurately show the pedal stroke, the next problem with measuring angles on the human body is setting the points to mark out the angles. With most video capture systems this relies on the fitter clicking a mouse on the exact pivot point within the joint. When the rider and bike are reduced on a computer screen from over 1.5m in real life to just 10cm, it’s very difficult to precisely find anything! Clicking just a few millimetres either side of the pivot point can change the angles recorded by as much as 5-10 degrees.
By placing infra-red LEDs on skeletal markers, the Retul system can ensure accuracy and repeatability and take the guess work out of fitting. Our fitters are still highly trained and the 3D motion capture technology we use certainly doesn’t do the job for us, but it does allow us to be confident in our recommendations and our measurements knowing that the figures we have in front of us are accurate to within a millimetre.
Retul is a 3D system. Three infra red cameras in the Retul scanner record side to side position and movement of each marker providing our fitters with with detailed information about how each rider sits and moves on the bike. No other bike fitting system gives this detailed insight. Side to side imbalances in pedal stroke can be spotted and corrected (either by direct interaction from the fitter or with flexibility work and strength training). In most cases our fit clients will leave us not only with a better bike position, but a suggested program of stretches and corrective strength exercises to improve their efficiency on the bike further.
Why not book a demonstration evening for your team or club? – IT’S FREE – Contact Us.
Read more and make a booking online
Next to your frame (an possibly handlebars) your saddle choice is the most important factor when it comes to influencing, improving and hopefully optimising your comfort and posture on the bike. Selecting the right saddle is a key part of the bike fitting process and getting it right can mean hours of pleasurable time on the bike rather than pain or simply putting up with discomfort. As a general rule, it shouldn’t hurt or take any effort to simply sit on your bike. If it does, something’s wrong with the fit or your equipment choices!
At Bike Science we’ve selected a range of saddles that are proven winners when it comes to comfort. So, whether you’re a pro or novice, male or female, road, triathlon, mtb or time trial rider read on for our comprehensive guide to our range of saddles.
Prologo Scratch Pro – From £69.99
There’s a reason why this saddle is the most popular saddle in the pro peleton and it’s the same reason we’ve selected the Prologo Scratch Pro as our “go to” saddle of choice for road riders struggling to find a saddle that works for them. The Scratch Pro saddle features a slightly rounded profile which works well for riders with moderate or poor flexibility. Active density padding means the saddle will support you where you need it and is softer where you don’t so won’t cause unwanted perenial pain or numbness. Available with either Ti or super light carbon rails for when you need comfort but don’t want to sacrifice weight saving.
Developed initially by pro riders including four times world time trial champion Fabian Cancellara and Team Sky pro Bradley Wiggins, the short, wide nose of the Nago Evo TTR saddle makes it a great choice for time trial and track riders who need to stay UCI legal. Extremely comfortable when riding far forward, plus an innovative new grip system on the nose keeps you planted without sliding. An increasingly popular choice with triathletes looking for a lightweight, supportive saddle for riding in the aero position
The original Cobb saddle. Developed in the U.S.A by world renowned bike fit and aerodynamics guru John Cobb, the V-Flow features a deep cut away and relatively soft memory foam. A great choice for smaller riders (and ladies) riding with tri bars on a road bike who suffer from frontal saddle pain or numbness. Available to try before you buy so you can test a saddle out and see if it works for you.
Cobb Cycling V-Flow Plus – £99.99
A development of the original V-Flow saddle. Slightly harder memory foam offers more support for heavier riders or those riding longer distances. A more pronounced drop away on the nose of the saddle further reduces the chance of frontal saddle pain or numbness. Another great choice for triathletes or time triallers using clip on bars on a road bike. Also available to try before you buy.
Cobb Cycling V-Flow Max – £114.99
From the same designer as the innovative and very popular Adamo saddle, the V-Flow Max is the perfect choice for riders looking for comfort on time trial or triathlon specific bikes, especially over long distances. Short profile, firm memory foam and radical cut away dramatically reduces pressure caused by the front of the saddle. Available to try before you buy. Test it before you decide to keep it!
We’ve just updated our opening hours at both the Bristol and Derby locations.
Bristol hours are now
Monday : Closed
Tuesday : 10am – 6pm
Wednesday : 10am – 6pm
Thursday : 10am – 6pm
Friday : 10am – 6pm
Saturday : 9am – 5pm
Sunday : Closed
and Derby hours are
Monday : 10am – 8:30pm
Tuesday : 10am – 8:30pm
Wednesday : 10am – 8:30pm
Thursday : 10am – 8:30pm
Friday : 10am – 6pm
Saturday : 9am – 5:30pm
Sunday : Closed
Book a Precision Bike Fitting or an appointment to discuss sizing and specs for a Planet X or On-One bike NOW!
If you “Like” Bike Science, follow us via the new BIKE SCIENCE Facebook page. We’ll be posting news, offers, bike fit tips and all manner of other useful stuff. Why not post a REVIEW or ask us a question on the DISCUSSION board?
At Bike Science we pride ourselves on providing the the most in depth bike fitting service possible which is why we select Retul 3D Motion capture technology as our measurement system of choice. For an explanation of what makes Retul the best possible bike fitting tool available GO HERE. To add to our arsenal of tools, this week sees us introduce Computrainer to our Bike Science fit studios. As well as being the only trainer that’ll stand up to day to day use in a professional fit studio, Computrainer’s Spinscan feature gives our fitters an in depth insight into each riders pedal stroke. Combining this with Retul’s unique ability to spot side to side position imbalances means that our fitters are more able than ever to help each rider optimise their position, correct imbalances, reduce injury risk and increase performance.
BOOK YOUR PRECISION BIKE FIT ONLINE NOW – Prices from £79.99
The best money you’ll ever spend on your bike!
As bike fitters we’re always aiming to stock the best possible products when it comes to the all important rider contact points and there’s no contact point more important than the saddle. We’ve selected the best of the best from Italian saddle supremo’s Prologo. Whether you’re after a top level perch for your road/mtb or tt bike we’ve got the saddle to suit you at the BEST PRICES ON THE WEB. Our introductory offer prices won’t be beaten.
Prologo Nago Evo TTR – RRP £119.99. OUR PRICE :: £94.99
Prologo Scratch Pro Ti Rails – RRP £99.99. OUR PRICE :: £69.99
Prologo Scratch Pro Carbon Rails – RRP £139.99. OUR PRICE :: £109.99
A trip to Eurobike last week meant the ultimate “Busmans Holiday” for Bike Science Head Fitter Andy Sexton. Bikes, everywhere you look! More carbon and Ti “bike p0rn” than you can poke a stick at. Read the first of our Eurobike show reports over on the Tri247 Website and look out for a few exciting new products appearing on the Bike Science site soon.
We’re at the Big Woody Ironman and Half Ironman distance triathlons. Whether you’re racing the event, or just coming over to support one of the UK’s toughest events, come and see a live demonstration of the Retul 3D motion capture bike fitting system and save £25 when you book a Retul bike fit.
The sun is shining, the birds are singing and we’re at the first ever Bristol Harbour Side Triathlon. Come down and see the biggest thing to hit triathlon in Bristol since “Big” Kes Aleknvicius. See the Retul 3D motion capture system in action! Missed us this week? Catch us next weekend at the Big and Little Woody triathlons in the Forest of Dean.
