How much does a BikeFitting cost?
Basic/Beginner Bike-Fitting
A basic or beginner BikeFitting averages around $100 and takes about an hour.
A Basic Bike Fitting Includes:
Saddle position
Fore/aft
Height
Handlebar position
Reach
Height
This service is usually for beginners and is very basic.
Saddle position along with handlebar position is set. Depending on the shop, cleat positioning may or may not be part of this service, which for anyone riding with clipless pedals, is one of the most important BikeFit settings.
This level of BikeFitting is often included for free from your local bike shop after purchasing a bicycle. However, the level of skill and expertise that you will receive will vary dramatically, depending on the qualifications from the specific shop.
Advanced bike-fit
The Advanced or Complete BikeFitting is more in-depth than the Basic/Beginner Bike Fitting and takes about 1.5 - 2 hours for $100 to $200+ USD.
This fitting is also static, but more comprehensive tools are used, such as Saddle Pressure Mappers and Goniometers.
Advanced Static Bike Fitting Includes:
Seat Position
Angle
Height
Fore/Aft
Saddle width and type
Cleat Positioning on the pedals (foot/pedal interface)
Cockpit Adjustments
Handlebar height & reach
Brake lever & shifter position (hand/wrist comfort)
Flexibility testing and injury history to access optimal positioning
Riding style, ability, and bike characteristics
(Image Source: Christiaans and Bremner, 1998)
3d motion bike fit / Dynamic
(Image Source: Braeckevelt 2018)
A Dynamic Bike-Fit using 3D motion software provides the same bicycle settings as listed above in the Advanced BikeFit, but these settings have been determined via either video or motion software while the cyclist is riding.
This is the most costly of the fittings since the 3D software, equipment, and expertise is expensive and limited.
Depending on your location, this service starts at around $250 - $300 and can go up to over $700, depending on what additional bikefitting/aero services you seek.
3D motion vs static fitting
Since 3D motion software is high-tech and expensive then it must be better than a static bikefitting???
Well not so much.
Both methods, static or dynamic, will put you into your optimal Bike Fit Range and both have their pros and cons. Understanding the interaction between you and your bike is most important since your optimal fit changes over time and sometimes even during one ride.
Do your own bike-fit at home and save hundreds of dollars :)
Jesse is Director of Pedal Chile and lives in Valdivia, Chile. Jesse has a Master of Science in Health & Human Performance and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. Hobbies: MTBing, snowboarding, reading, taster of craft beers, researcher, & compression sock wearer.
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References
Braeckevelt, Jarich. “Data Driven Bike Fitting.” Science and Engineering Conference on Sports Innovation, Proceedings, 2018, pp. 47–49.
Christiaans, H. and Bremner, A., 1998. Comfort on bicycles and the validity of a commercial bicycle fitting system. Applied Ergonomics, 29(3), pp.201-211.
Silberman M., Webner D., Collina S., Shiple B. (2005) Road bicycle fit. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 15(4): 271-276. (fig 1 and 2).
Wadsworth DJS, Weinrauch P. THE ROLE of a BIKE FIT in CYCLISTS with HIP PAIN. A CLINICAL COMMENTARY. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2019;14(3):468-486