Buying a bike - fit first

I recently was asked for advice by someone looking for a new bike. He already has a great road bike but wants to get a triathlon-specific bike for races later this year.

The absolute first recommendation I have is to find someone who can do a bike fit. The more objective the better.

Bike fits do cost money from $100 to $300, I've heard. Some fitters are certified and others aren't. Some use plumb lines as if hanging wallpaper, while others use lasers.

How to know whether you're getting value for money?

Ask around.

A shop that is keen to have your business should be willing to deduct the cost of a fit if you do buy a bike from it. That seems fair to me.

Before I bought the most expensive bike I've ever owned - I had two fits. One by a fitter not linked to a specific store, and one by the shop where I bought the bike. The results matched and so I felt better about the fit.

Try not to think too much about a specific bike or frame that has caught your eye. The idea of a fit is to determine which frame your body suits, without having to do any major modifications to the stem (where the handlebars sit) or the seat.

For example, I was keen for a Kuota. But it was too short a frame for me and would have required so many additional spacers on the stem to lift the handlebars that it would have looked absurd. So I ended up with a Trek (which is no longer but that's another story). Currently I have a Cervelo and my experience has shown it's a good fit for taller (height is relevant of course) people.

So fit first.

Well, set a budget first. There is a huge range of high quality bikes with great parts at reasonable prices. More of some prices and the key differences when you hit the luxury end of the bike market in a future post.