From home to a temple of cycling, from community builder to center of the most advanced services. Thus, Sportler continues to grow in popularity with the public and in the services it offers cyclists : among these, bike fitting plays a central role . Because buying a bike is easy, using it properly is already more complicated. For the novice who doesn't know the best position, the advanced amateur who seeks performance, and even the bikepacker who has to ride for days and can't afford back pain or tendonitis from an incorrect fit.
Bike fitting by Sportler
We spoke to Marco Gidoni, who handles bike fitting at Sportler's Peschiera del Garda store, about bike fitting. He graduated in Sports Science with a specialization in Adaptive Preventive Physical Activity. He also worked for seven years in rehabilitation, as a trainer for biomechanical analysis machines, both for kinesiology and gait. Our questions and his answers reveal how important it is to use your bike correctly and with the correct position in the saddle, if you want to have a successful cycling experience .
"At Sportler," he explains, "we mainly use two types of bike fitting. A much more innovative one, idMatch by Selle Italia, is used in the larger stores , such as Sportler Bike Milano in Carugate, Sportler Bolzano, and Sportler Treviso, which is our flagship store . The other system is called Smartfit and was developed by Scott , but it can obviously be applied to all bicycles. For both types of systems we have in-house, we can provide different types of main services . From the more advanced Pro bike sizing, to a less in-depth one. In any case, the aim is to identify the correct size based on anthropometric measurements and the bike model. The system allows me to first scan the person , manually with the Smartfit systems or automatically with the IdMatch volume cameras ."
What happens then?
Using the subject's anthropometric measurements, the system cross-references the data provided by the manufacturers , such as whether a Specialized, Canyon, Cube, Canyon, or even Scott bike is used. It then automatically suggests the size and also provides a minimum of suggested components , such as crank length, handlebar width, or stem offset.
What is this information used for?
They allow you to suggest the bike to the customer to buy . And this can happen directly in the shop, and in this case the cost is deducted from the bike. Or, for example, if the customer wants a Canyon that is mostly purchased online, they will buy the suggested size and in that case the service is paid for. This applies to both systems. And for both, a bike fitting can also be performed a little faster than with the Pro.
How long are we talking about?
A Pro bike fitting is a pretty comprehensive service that provides a lot of quality but takes its time: about an hour and a half . However, with IdMatch, the system can get you on a bike much faster. The Pro also includes an analysis of the distance between the sit bones , to determine whether the saddle shape and size are optimal for the customer. And then, if necessary, the cleat positioning is also done.
What if the customer has flat pedals?
There are no cleats, but we do give you some guidance on how to center your foot relative to the pedal spindle. This is a great addition to the service, especially for beginners.
Right, right on: who is bike fitting for? Is it more useful for the novice or the aspiring cyclist?
It's certainly a truly complex and highly diverse service, which can truly be suitable for everyone . Both for a novice, who is truly new to the sport and has no idea how to position himself in the saddle, and for someone who has been riding for years. With a fitting, we can… eliminate the most common errors of inappropriate saddle heights or extremely long bikes . It's ideal for the intermediate athlete, therefore, anyone looking for a minimum of performance and also wanting to keep an eye on comfort. It's very suitable for the advanced athlete, but also for bikepackers who need to travel on bikes with very comfortable and endurance-oriented geometries and perhaps sometimes have to submit to certain diktats when it comes to carrying panniers.
A very broad panorama…
To which are added also athletes who use the e-bike, which are becoming increasingly complex bicyclesNot just for electronics, but also for the saddle fit. A service must be offered to all users, to gain a few watts both in terms of aerodynamics and in terms of friction and performance of the bicycle. This includes the in-depth study of the positioning of the cleat for optimize the transfer of force to the pedal and place the saddle in the right place, to ensure the angles are optimal. And then there's the stem and handlebars, ensuring they're positioned in the most comfortable way for maximum efficiency.
Does anyone ever come in who feels off and needs a reset because they've been pedaling poorly for years?
Unfortunately, those are the most difficult. The human body is wonderful, but it has a huge advantage: its ability to adapt to certain conditions . So if you've been pedaling the same wrong way for years, it's difficult to achieve the reset we're talking about. In these cases, rather than talking about bike fitting, I like to define it as a process undertaken with the client.
Do we start from knowledge?
We don't have a magic wand, but we can understand their needs and ask the right questions to determine how long it takes for their back and neck pain, or wrist pain, to develop. These questions are very useful for understanding where we are and where we need to go. This requires us to achieve this goal in multiple sessions, spaced two or three weeks apart, to try to get the person accustomed to the new position.
Also because too drastic a change would do more harm than good…
In fact, I very often use the method of not touching what is deeply rooted . I had a very advanced amateur cyclist, often in the top places in granfondos and circuits, so a structured person. Well, he had the saddle 3 centimeters higher than it should have been, really a lot. But he got used to pedaling that way.
What did you do?
I advised him to lower it, to put less stress on his spine and joints , but when we lowered it, he said he couldn't pedal. We agreed on a minimum of half a centimeter of adjustment, but when he returned, he asked me to put it back the way it was . On the one hand, it was a shame, but rather than harm him, we preferred to leave it as it was. The primary choice is to understand the person's needs and accommodate them as precisely as possible.
Is explaining important?
Absolutely. I really enjoy outreach, so I always try to explain the reasons why I'm doing something, moving the saddle, raising or lowering the handlebars, etc., so that people understand the path we're taking. This is very important.
Also because certain interventions are better done in winter than during the season, so that there is time to adapt…
Very true. The point, however, is that there are some cyclists who don't want to dedicate time to these aspects ; they prefer to dedicate it to other things, and I understand them a little, but obviously I don't agree with their choice. They have families, they have jobs. And they say they don't want to dedicate time to changing positions. They can't do it, but we know that sooner or later that moment will come . When they can no longer straighten their legs and other similar problems.
Do I need to make an appointment for a fitting at Sportler?
Ninety-nine percent of the time, an appointment is made. There are rare cases where, with a bit of luck, I'm at the Peschiera shop and it's not crowded, so I can make a quick appointment. Generally, an appointment is always required, so the shop can guarantee staff coverage and the professional can dedicate themselves fully to the bike fitting service, ensuring quality service, otherwise you risk losing them. Also, if the job lasts an hour or a half, it's like having one less person for that entire time . It's as if they weren't there.
Bike fitting costs at Sportler vary based on the services requested. Prices start at €15 for Bike Sizing (free with the purchase of a bike), go up to €99 for Bike Fitting (which includes expert advice and the identification of the ideal setup), and go up to €150 for Bike Fitting Pro (the most advanced).
