It's All About The FIT...Period! 
END OF STORY! 
 by Alex Stanek, Smart Cycles

SMARTFIT= 
[Accurate Body Measurements]
+[Understanding Customer's Needs and Interests]
+[Highest Level Fitting Knowledge and Intuition]
+[Complete Understanding of Product Performance and Purpose]
+[Customer's Complete Participation and Input]!

Forget about frame material.  Forget about wheels.  Forget about brakes.  Forget about tires.  Forget about bike weight. Forget about any and all equipment possibilities.  Forget about all the things you know are meaningful when building your dream bike. At least for a little while.  

We could write or talk about this for hours.  But we will try to keep this intro as simple as possible.  OK, here it goes: Do whatever you must to beat it into your head and convince yourself that ABOVE  EVERYTHING ELSE, by the greatest measure imaginable, FIT IS WHAT MATTERS MOST when you set out to buy a road bike.  

Would a marathon runner be in a position to compete, not to mention survive a race, with shoes two sizes too small or too big???  Ummmm....NO!  Could a basketball player have fun, be fun to play with, or even at the very best give herself the best oppt'y to not kill herself wearing the wrong size shoes?  NO!!!  Could a 5'9", 190 pound major league baseball player be competitive and keep his job if he was forced to use Babe Ruth's bat (50 ounces and 44 inches...OUCH!) ....NO!  The same logic applies to road cyclists.  No matter what your level, interest, or ability...when it comes to cycling, especially road biking...forget about everything until you have allowed yourself to proceed with the knowledge that "IT'S ALL ABOUT THE FIT....PERIOD....END OF STORY"!

Now that you have been successfully BRAINWASHED.....READ ON!

What Size Do I Buy?
You have taken many exciting steps towards buying a beautiful, maybe even custom, higher-level road bike. You have labored over frame material, components, budget, even the bike’s color. You’ve been to ten shops. You’ve gone back to three of them 4 times each. You have then visited the last two stores on your list 5 times each. Finally, you have decided on the goods and who you are buying them from. A sense of accomplishment and glee overcomes you….yet you have the sense about you that one painful, difficult, nearly cruel decision is left to be made. You are left with the infernal riddle…. what size do I buy???

In some cases, if you are buying a popular compact or "semi-compact" style road bike (or most mountain bikes), the answer is easily found through a simple process of elimination. If a bike comes in four or even five sizes, the right choice can be made easily… simply by considering the rider’s height, torso length, and to a lesser degree, their inseam. BUT….what if you are choosing a bike frame that comes in 12 or even 18 different sizes? And what if YOU have to determine the sizes of 8 or ten other items on your bike in addition to the frame size!? You probably could buy one of four different frame sizes and for the most part be very pleased. BUT….how do you know WHAT SIZE IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST SIZE FOR YOU?

We’ve been selling high-end road bikes (many of which are available in 18 different sizes, sometimes in increments as tight as ½ centimeter) for over 40 years in combined experience. Undeniably, it always comes down to OUR decision and rarely does the customer have the opportunity to truly participate and provide valuable feedback in the process. That is until now! 

There are a variety of bicycle fitting systems and devices one can use, as well as many techniques and "schools of thought" when choosing frame size and fitting a rider to a bicycle. Some employ techie tools that allow for body measurements (this is a great place to start, but certainly not a way to determine a frame size for keeps). There are a thousand pieces of computer software that "solve" the sizing question. Others have you dropping plumb lines all over the place as the customer sits on a bike "approximately" their size…the intersection of these lines creating a "virtual optimization" of frame size and rider position. 

We are not going to tell you that these devices are all useless or inaccurate or that they will end up putting you on the wrong size frame. However, all of these methods still lack the customer’s feel and true participation and feedback in the sizing and fitting process. Also, most of these methods use general guidelines and fitting rules.  They do not incorporate different specific and particular features that are present in frames and bikes from different manufacturers.  If you are buying a TORELLI EXPRESS, your fitting session needs to be specific to that model.  The results from your fitting session, with a Torelli Express in mind, cannot be used if you change your mind to a Guerciotti G45!!!  Don't fall into the trap!

Pretend for a minute you are not buying a bicycle. You have chosen to have a custom tailored suit made by a clothier. You choose a style, a fabric, a color, and you meet the tailor for your first fitting. You are measured…measured again and again and again! You trust your tailor. But, you know that in an approaching visit, you will be putting the suit on for the most important part of the fitting process. YOU will wear it and have a say in how it looks and FEELS. After some time working together, you and your tailor are on the "same-page"…and you both move forward with confidence and excitement. Logically, wouldn’t you like to apply that process to determine what size bike you need? YOU CAN! 

We have made it possible through the development of a very unique sizing technique, process and device we call SMARTFIT. But Before we get into its detail, we’d like to address a few specifics about bike frame sizes and overall rider-to-bike fit.

A bike’s frame size (as it corresponds to the rider’s fit) has 4 basic dimensions:

1. The length of the SEAT TUBE, this is generally referred to as the FRAME SIZE.
2. The length of the TOP TUBE.
3. The SEAT TUBE ANGLE.
4. The HEAD TUBE ANGLE.

These dimensions have a profound effect on the overall size of the bike, how it rides, its stability, and how the rider fits it. They also will have an effect on what crankarm length you should use, what stem rise and reach you should use, and also help determine what sizes to choose in other components of your bike. Our SMARTFIT BICYCLE SIZING AND FITTING SYSTEM takes the guesswork out of the selection of available frame sizes* and totally quells the wonder if one has selected the correct frame size. Most importantly, it makes the rider’s specific needs and input a decisive part of the process. Before we tell you how it works, we have a little more info for you.

*SmartFit also serves as a fantastic tool when the need to determine truly custom frame configurations arises.  We can measure you up for a TOTALLY custom frame built for you personally by the MONDONICO's in Italy!  

You’ve read these two words in this essay a number of times. They do NOT mean the same thing. Once you have determined the correct bike SIZE…we move onto the FITTING process. How you fit on a carefully selected bike depends on things other than just the correct frame size. YES, there is more to do. Many people do not even consider that there are a number of CRUCIAL component sizes and adjustments that must be chosen and made properly in order to put you in the best riding position possible on your new bike.

• You fit the bike properly
• The bike provides the greatest efficiency for the rider
• Maximum comfort for the rider
• Maximum stability for the rider
• Maximum power transfer for the rider
• Maximum aerodynamics for the rider

• Seat Height
• Seat Fore-Aft Position
• Seat Rail Length
• Seat Post Clamp Range-of-Adjustment and Length
• Saddle width and fit-to-rider
• Headset Stacking Height
• Stem Length
• Stem Rise
• Handlebar Width, Reach and Drop
• Crankarm Length
• Pedal, Cleat and Shoe Selection and Set-up
• Distribution of Rider and Bike Weight Between Front and Rear Wheels
• Tire Width and Compound

OK, now you know what must be considered to make all the right decisions in these departments and we are sure you want to know how SMARTFIT achieves it all easily, precisely and in a timely manner that is all easy to comprehend by the client. Even a purely novice biker will understand what is being done and how their feedback will be VERY valuable in the process. At all times during the SMARTFIT process, we keep the best interests and riding style of our customer in mind. If you are buying a bike to race, we would certainly not suggest the same set-up as we might if you were buying a bike for recreational, or serious but non-competitive riding.

In a perfect world, a customer would be able to test ride every frame size available with every combination of components available. Picking the right bike in this situation would be easier, but it would still be necessary to try at least a few combinations to determine what felt best. This is proof that the rider's input IS CRITICAL in the process. Not only would the customer have the opportunity to test different frame sizes, but they could also try EVERY stem length, rise and stacking height that would be reasonable for them to consider…then try 5 different crankarm lengths…how about 15 different handlebar combinations…do you see where we are going??? (Believe it or not, there would be nearly 3000 different possible combinations in a typical bicycle fitting session.) After testing all the different possibilities, we could make alterations and adjustments to achieve the perfect set up. Sounds nice, we know….but completely impossible!!! Well, impossible in the most literal of sense of the terms anyway.

SMARTFIT is an infinitely adjustable bicycle "position simulator". We have conceptualized, designed, engineered and manufactured a truly MORPHING bicycle frame-sizing apparatus that is unlike any other system of its type. The lengths of the seat tube and top tube are totally adjustable as are the angles of the head tube and the seat tube. We can manipulate the stacking height of the headset, the length of the stem, the rise of the stem and the length of the crankarms. The seatpost height is adjustable as is the saddle fore-aft position. Different handlebar widths, reaches, and drops can be tested. This is how SMARTFIT reveals its inarguable value.

SMARTFIT allows us to do all of this in REALITY, not just virtually on a computer screen. As the client, you will actually sit up on the SMARTFIT and be able to ride the EXACT configuration of frame size and component set-up that our calculations and intuition have suggested as the best for you. You then become an integral and important part of the selection process. YOUR feedback as well as YOUR position on your "virtual" bike are taken into account to a high degree. There is no more guessing, no shrugging of shoulders, no more "ok…that looks good…must be good" assurances. Basically, you get to ride 5, 10, 20, 30 or more different configurations to determine the one that is best for you.

SMARTFIT ends all wonder and question as to what to buy. Its ability to determine EXACT positions and sizes even helps you optimize your purchase of components. After a SMARTFIT session, you will know what cranks, stems, bars, saddles, headsets, seatposts, and pedals you should be considering. You will avoid costly mistakes that look good on paper but don’t feel great on the bike. And the best part of the whole process is that FEEL was taken into consideration. In order to have fun on a bike, it has to FEEL comfortable, it must FEEL efficient, it must FEEL like it allows you to be a part of your riding environment. Ultimately you are buying a bike to get out and FEEL the road below you…why should you not FEEL what you are buying before you commit to it? We developed and invested in SMARTFIT to allow our customers just that opportunity and it DOES NOT FAIL!

Furthermore, we have compiled a database of riders, their riding styles, body measurements and the frame sizes and component choices that this sample of bikers has been happily and successfully using. This data has been collected from a varied group of retailers, teams, speed labs, coaches, framebuilders, and distributors. While we wouldn’t use this as a way to determine your optimal frame size and bike fitting, the information can be very valuable to the process. Sizing and fitting a bike is all about the personal relationship between the rider and the equipment, but our intuition and beliefs come from experience and this rider database keeps all of that experience at our fingertips for reference!

Sign up today for a SMARTFIT Session. Available for stock or custom new bike buyers. Also available to optimize fit of riders to their current bikes. 

BUYING ELSEWHERE?
If you want an honest, educated and experienced opinion of any existing frame or bike and/or if it is appropriate for you, you should consider doing a SMARTFIT session with us.  SMARTFIT is a valuable tool and will help you determine if a particular frame geometry or full bike configuration will fit YOU properly.  We perform fittings on a stand alone basis.  You do not have to buy a bike or frame from us to benefit from SMARTFIT! 

SMARTFIT sessions are specific to you the customer...but that is only half of the equation...we MUST BE FAMILIAR with the specifics of the intended frame purchase to provide accurate advice!

• Looks Like A Bike, Eliminates Confusion Of Person Being Sized.
• Allows Use Of Real Bike Parts, Specifically Tires and Wheels To Retain The Feel Of A Bike And Offers A More True Rider Cockpit and Feel.
• Allows Client To Set Their Components On It For Even More Accurate and Specific Results and Feel.
• Laser Etched Rulers and Compasses Make For Quick and Accurate Changes To Lengths and Angles For Testing Various Configurations
• Clamps Into A Familiar, Easy To Use, Indoor Trainer.
• Uses Established SALSA Brand Stem Sizer.
• Uses Standard Road Bike Bottom Bracket and Cranksets To Retain Feel Of A Real Bike During Pedaling

• Body measurements: height, inseam, hip to knee, knee to ankle, foot length, torso length, neck length, arm/reach, shoulder width and other measurements. Done on the remarkable equipment and data analysis tools from BIKEFITTING.com .
• Analysis Of Measurements Vs. Sizes that desired frame is available in or your existing bike’s measurements or guidelines Of Builder Making Your Custom Frame
• Discussion of Analysis and Selection Of Optimal Frame Size
• Complete Guided Session on SMARTFIT SIZING APPARATUS including the testing of different frame sizes and component set-up possibilities
• Documentation Of Your Session, listing "best" choices in frame size and other components

Bring your existing bike, shoes, pedals, comfortable but tight fitting riding shorts or tights and jersey.

BY Appointment ONLY. $150 for customers purchasing a bike from Smart Cycles. $300 per session otherwise.

Cost of fitting is deducted from full bikes purchased at Smart Cycles. (Bike may be purchased up to 30 days following fitting to have fitting cost applied to the purchase)

Most appointments last 1 to more than 2 hours.

GOOD FIT, BAD FIT!

Click the pic for a larger view!

We don’t mean to overwhelm you with information, but we would like to let you know that we strongly believe that your personal flexibility has a LOT to do with your overall comfort on a bike and it will directly affect your performance on a bike. Many people sit on a bike cold and stiff and say "this is uncomfortable"…the same person, after doing some stretching and being more prepared for a ride physically can have a completely different experience. Imagine this while riding and not just sitting on the bike. This segment of the cycling, sizing and fitting process is more akin to performance, training, and coaching, but we would like to put the bug in your ear. As with ANY sport or physical activity, stretching the appropriate muscle groups is IMPORTANT. As we proceed with your SMARTFIT SESSION, we will take your personal flexibility into account. Some people would make sizing decisions based on cold measurements…we will NOT allow that to happen! We also recommend some basic stretching right before the session. If it is possible for you to get real loose before our appointment, like you might get if you sit in a hot tub or sauna, we would not tell you that it wouldn’t make a difference…much like it would right before a long ride!

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