Have you used the Serotta International Cycyling Institute (SICI) fitting program?

Question

I was considering getting fit by a local cycling dealer that uses the SICI's program, and was wondering what people thought of this program and whether it was worth the high price. Or is the "do-it-yourself" fitting like ( http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO ) just as good?

Answer 1

We have the Serotta Size Cycle for our shop and it is GREAT... for fitting someone who has a specific issue, ie. bulging disc, lower back issues, etc.

We have come to the point that it's just as likely to just put the person on the bike using the Fit-Kit-Pro system. Put the person in the trainer, and check/fit everything to them - before they even test ride the bike. After the fit, then they test ride. THIS is faster and the customer LOVES the attention of us making sure. For me, it gives me peace of mind that I know they are riding the bike fitting them, and not just some bike off the shelf.

So recap, unless you have physical limitation, or are buying a totally custom frame, just get fit on the prospective bike. You'll be a lot happier! Besides, most all of the bigger names have a complete geometry chart published for their bikes to refer too.

The website will get you vary close to your goal fit - I would still use the real world fit for the final - don't just rely on the website or the Serotta system.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Nothing beats having a local shop with bike fit expertise other than going to a professional like Bill Peterson, or others of his level. The Serotta system was the first in the US (if not the world) to have a dealer actually measure the the dimensions of a frame using a fully adjustable bicycle 'fixture'. This way, a customer could have a custom designed frame without having to meet with the builder. Panasonic tried somthing similar in the eraly 90's but it didn't quite take off. There are a few dealers in my area with old Serotta 'fit kits' that, unfortunately, since they don't rep Serotta any more, are pretty useless.
However,
Most independent builders will take measurements from the system, so if your shop is willing to hand off the critical aspects like top tube and seat tube length, you should be able to get a more than reasonable fit from the likes of wojciak, kellog (spectrum), Sachs, Marinoni, or another reputable builder in your area.

If your dealer is rep'ing serottta, let's just say you could do alot worse. Ben Serotta makes a fantastic bike at a reasonable price. The only thing I've ever had issues with from serotta are the paint jobs (Marinoni's are worse). I personally feel the quality is a bit lacking in that area, but that's just my opinion and I know I'll get some hate mail for it.

If you're seriously considering a Serotta road frame, the only thing I would suggest is to look at Spectrum Cycles, Ted Wojciak, Marinoni, or Richard Sachs. All are fantastic frame builders who make high end race frames that last a lifetime. Not that any of them will build a better frame than serotta, just that there are different tubing and paint options you may wish to consider. Personally, I'm really impressed with Tom Kellogs (spectrum cycles) designs. I have one of his Merlin frames as well as an old Columbus SLX frame. sweeeeet.

Just one last presonal note, I think Wojciak does the best paint jobs, but that's just my opinion.

Answer 3

The Serotta system is fairly effective at determining a good bike fit. The thing that is nice is that retailers are trained by Serotta in the application. If they sell their bikes in the first place, you can be pretty assured that you have a good shop.

The tools at competitivecyclist are great. I've used them myself. But I've been in the business for a while and pretty much know what dimensions I am going to need on any bike I buy. The value of having this done in shop with a fixture is that you can try different options. The shop might even put you on a bike and let you ride to see how the fit is. You don't have this kind of interaction with an online tool.