Bike Fitting Client Testimonial
Judd's Bike Fitting Experience
I have been doing triathlons for the past six years. I started off with sprints, then progressed to the Olympic distances, the Half Ironman. This July (2012), I will be taking another progressive step, which is a Full Ironman in Lake Placid, NY at the age of 62.
My wife and I moved to Oak Run last November. She is a retired teacher and I just retired this past February. Being new to the area, I joined the YMCA in Galesburg, Illinois to start my Ironman training program.
In January, I was participating in a spin class when I met Phil Willis. During our conversation, I asked him if he could recommend any local bike shop. That's when I first heard about Bickel's Cycling & Fitness.
This spring, I decide to have my Cannondale Slice tuned up and re-fitted since our move. I was a little skeptical leaving my old cycle shop and trying out a new one. However, that skepticism left shortly after we were warmly greeted by the Bickel's team.
I started with the initial spring tune up and I was genuinely impressed by how I was treated. This is where Larry and I first met. He did the initial tune up, asked some questions regarding my riding profile, and made some suggestions and recommendations at the conclusion of this process.
What impressed me the most was his concern about not making too many changes two weeks prior to my first Sprint Tri of 2012. Larry suggested that I ride my bike for about 4-weeks before I call him back to make an appointment for a complete bike fitting. I followed his recommendation and called him back in 4-weeks.
This bike fitting was as thorough as a physicians examination. Nothing was over looked: flexibility, strength, range of motion, posture, feet alignment, hip angles, leg extensions, etc. And...this was all done before I even got on my bike.
Once on my bike, Larry used the information that he gathered prior and then made the necessary adjustments. They say that baseball is a game of inches. Well, in cycling it's centimeters! After all of the adjustments were made, even though I thought they were insignificant (2 centimeters in most cases), I kept asking myself how these minor adjustments could make any noticeable differences.
The fitting was on a Tuesday and on the following Saturday, I did a 4 1/2 hour ride (basically 85-miles). Those little centimeter changes that were calculated by Larry translated into a noticeably more comfortable feeling and improved speed during my ride. It was well-worth the money spent for his services.
I can not speak highly enough regarding Bickel's professional approach in achieving the most for the rider, and at the same time, exceeding customer expectations. That hour drive to Burlington back in April was well worth it for me.
I would highly recommend any cyclist to utilize the expertise that Bickel's has to offer, whether you are a weekend rider or a seasoned "die hard" biker. You won't be disappointed by their service or the results."
Judd Glow, Galesburg, IL