Bike Fitting Specifically for Touring Bikes

[Fanwaar]

I ride a Thorn Raven Nomad with butterfly bars and am looking for someone to help me perfect my set-up.

I know this subject has come up in numerous posts before and I have taken advice from these. I really have tried everything and to the best of my (and others) knowledge my set-up is pretty good, but I feel it needs tweaking to ensure my biomechanics are running in line with what I perceive to be comfortable. I basically need peace of mind that I'm doing everything possible to prevent reoccurrence and occurrence of injuries. It's not a matter of the merits of professional fitting, more a request for advice on what services best suit touring cyclists and who provides them.

Please don't post any advice on set-up as I know all the theory, have tried different methods and asked the advice of many experienced tourists... I just want to know if any of you touring cyclists have ever used a professional fitting and if so then are there any recommendations? FYI I'm based in Reading (for my sins) but am willing to travel.

Many thanks.

[CREPELLO]

Wouldn't Thorn help you with the setup if you bought the bike new from them? That should all be part of the service with a new bike. It's a quick train ride from Reading to Bridgewater.

[Fanwaar]

They indeed did a basic set-up when I collected but they don't have the equipment to go into the detail I'm looking for.
It is an easy train ride or an equally easy two day training ride to Bridgewater!

[Mattie]

Please don't post any advice on set-up as I know all the theory, have tried different methods and asked the advice of many experienced tourists... I just want to know if any of you touring cyclists have ever used a professional fitting and if so then are there any recommendations? FYI I'm based in Reading (for my sins) but am willing to travel.

Many thanks.

How about MSG bikes in Lancing near Brighton ? their website mentions bike fitting and ergonomics; seee what they say: http://www.msgbikes.com

[Richard]

It's a long trip but Paul Hewitt in Leyland, Lancs. offers a highly respected fitting service. He'll put you on his jig and set up seat height, setback, bar height, reach etc. Well worth the trip and money (about £50 I think).

Rich.

[Fanwaar]

Thanks for the suggestions.
To elaborate: I've got a history of issues with my patella and quadriceps tendons (largely born out of overuse and weakening from the days when I didn't know how to train properly). Over the past few months I've been stepping up my training in preparation for a 20,000 mile+ hemistour of the Americas that I'm due to kick off in May. A few weeks ago I had a reoccurrence of one of my 'favourite' injuries and now I'm wanting to ensure it is my body and not my bike set-up that has caused this. This might sound like I'm grasping at straws but you'll understand why I want to cover all bases. For the record my Physio (who specialises in triathlete and specifically knee injuries) isn't convinced by many bike fit formulas but has questioned my cleat positioning.

Back to the point in hand... From internet searches I'm rather taken with Kinetic-One (http://www.shop.kinetic-one.co.uk/-90-c.asp). Their 'Total Bike Fitting' service is carried out with you on your own bike and not on a rig... a big plus for me. However, if I were to get this service and then compliment it with the Pedal/Cleat/Shoe Fitting service my knees are crying out for I'd be talking about parting with over £200 of our Queens finest. That's a lot of money for something that may not tell me anything. I'm not by nature a gambling man which is why I'm keen to hear others experiences.

Thanks again for the help.

[Fanwaar]

I opted for these guys in the end... http://www.corridori.co.uk/gbu0-display/Specialized_BG_Bike_Fit.html
The two guys that do it have great experience under their belts and the Specialized Body Geometry fitting service seems to be the best around.
Off down there in a couple of weeks, I'll post on how it goes.

[bikes4two]

My wife and I used MSG bikes in Lancing (msgbikes.com) for our 1st tandem. We are different in height by 13" so were a challenge, but after extensive measuring and a run-through on a computer, Alastair did his stuff. The settings on the tandem are still as per day one and we've done some trips since then and no problems (including a 4 week one, so lots of chances of accumulated strain, but none to speak of). Can't recommend their fitting service enough and Alistair is a walking encyclopedia on bike matters.