KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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Monday is the big day. I will set eyes on my Tetra Pro for the first time. Here is my delima. I purchased this bike in Florida and I live in KY. I will be fitted to the bike in Florida. What is the best way to ensure the fit after shipping the bike to KY. I will be shipping the bike back via bike carrier. I am not a do it yourself biker and while my lbs is great they aren't capable of fitting the bike again. What is the easiest way to replicate the setup once the bike returns to KY? What tools do I need and what measurements must I assure before shipping the bike.
I will be posting picutes next week.
Cheers
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Triman
new member
Reged: 01/23/04
Posts: 16
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I was not entirely clear about your question. Most bike shops will ship partially assembled bikes in shipping boxes to other bike shops, and there is a minimal of difficulty in reassembling the bike at the other end. Where are you picking up your bike? I got my Calfee at Orange Cycle in Orlando. I know for instance that Orange will ship a bike to another location, and I think that the cost is about $75.00. Typically the height of the seat post above the seat tube is marked after the bike has been fitted...usually by just tape. The same thing is done with the steerer tube. The handle bars and seat tube are reinstalled at the other end. The other option is to break the bike in real good and ride it from Florida to Ky...just kidding!
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Drive down or rent a car and drive back. Take the bike in your car. Then you will have it when you get back all set to go. It isn't that far from KY. With the front wheel off a bike easily fits behind the front seats is about any car. Get a mini van and it goes right in.
Good luck.
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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This is all good advice. To further clarify. My lbs is just a recreational shop. The owner is a nice guy but has no experience fitting bikes. I want to make sure that he or myself can replicate the setup that is done in FL. Marking everything should make this possible.
The driving option is and idea, but it is 18 hours from Boca Raton, FL to KY. The minivan idea is great.
I would prefer option 1 if I could feel confident that I wouldn't lose the setup. It is about time that I learn how to do this work myself.
Thanks for the help.
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Rebecca_Smith
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 21
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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You’re correct in that it’s not the typical fit question. It’s not clear though why you or the person fitting the bike can’t write down the measurements and send that sheet with the bike.
A question comes to mind re-reading your post. You’re getting fitted in FL – how? With your saddle, stem, bars etc. If it’s on Tetra-Pro frame with your components it shouldn’t be too difficult to recreate your measurements. After all once the saddle is adjusted fore and aft, seat post up and down – you can have the post marked and then just reinstall it back in KY.
Whereas is you’re using just any old components laying around the bike shop, and then installing your own components back home, I would question whether you’re really getting a good fit down in FL. I’d wait to shop around and find a reputable fitter back home when you’ve got the bike built up.
There’s lots of info available on proper bike fit, so if your LBS can’t give you a proper fit, you and a friend should be able to come pretty darn close. In fact, getting a pretty darn close fit isn’t such a bad idea. Ride that way for a while while looking for a fitter, and then you’ll appreciate what they can do for you.
One last item, check out this device http://www.cyclemetrics.com/. The Fitstick has been around for a while and when it first came out it got great reviews. I’ve never used one and I’m assuming there’s an instruction sheet included.
B.
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mikel
new member
Reged: 01/21/04
Posts: 1
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If it were me, I'd take a few quick measurements and write them down. For instance, I'd measure from top of top tube to underside of stem. Then measure from top of top tube to underside of saddle. Then measure from trailing end of stem to leading edge of saddle. With these measurements, you should be able to get things very close to their "original" position. Assuming, of course, that the stem and saddle don't change.
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Lon
sage
Reged: 12/20/03
Posts: 595
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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As always Rebecca brings up good points. Fit is not static necessarily. My bike is set up quite differently than it was 5 years ago. It is a combination of me changing (believe it or not for the better) and some philosophies of fit changing. Whatever happens in Florida is just a start until you get some major miles in. Why not take a year off and cycle in Florida just to make sure the fit is right on? 
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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Rebecca,
I am getting all new components in FL. SO with a few measurements and markings I think I will be able to mimic the setup. I just wanted to make sure this was something I can do myself or if the setup was important enough to warrant me taking the long drive.
Thanks for all of your great info. This is exactly why I posed the question here. Even if I look a little ignorant everyone here is very willing to provide excellent information.
Bike setup:
60 CM Tetra Pro with 2cm Head Tube extension
Ultegra/Dura Ace Mix
Alpha Q Ex Fork
Selle San Marco Aspide Saddle
Syntace C2 Aero Bars
Thomson Seat Post
ITM Stem
Deda Handle Bars
Speedplax x2 pedals
It will be used for Olympic/Half-Ironman Tri's.
Thanks again to everyone for the great information to a newby. I have been riding for 4 years but only racing in tri's for 1. I am currenlty riding a 1999 Cannondale R500 Caad2 frame. The anticipation of the new ride is killing me.
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Rebecca_Smith
new member
Reged: 12/24/03
Posts: 21
Loc: Pacific Northwest
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Your reply addresses two points. One, yes you can set the bike up yourself and two, fit is very important.
Poor fit can translate to a poor ride leaving you to wonder if you’ve wasted your money on such a nice bike as the Calfee. Secondly poor fit can lead to physical injury. There’s lot’s of info available about a saddle being too high, too low or too far fore or aft. Also how moving a saddle can help alleviate some aches and pains you might have. The point is, fit is very important.
The other point, and I mentioned this in my first post; this is something you and a friend can get dialed in pretty accurately. Just search various bike web sites for bike fit, jot down the notes you need then go from there. I’d be willing to bet that if done correctly a pro would only have to tweak your job by a degree/millimeter or two.
Oh, and looking at your intended use for the bike don’t forget that a tri position is a wee bit different than a road position. Look at more than one web site for the info then compare. In fact I’m sure there are tri web sites that will discuss your proper bike fit.
B.
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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Rebecca,
Thank you so much for your time. I am now convinced that with a little attention to detail I can retain the setup attained in FL. I have spent a lot of time researching Tri Fitting (slowtwitch is a great resource). I was more concerned at my abilities to set the bike up. I am a bit of a mechanical moron, but as you mentioned knowing the measurements is most important here. I felt like this was something I could tackle, but posed the question to see if there was a reason for me not to tackle this task. I spent a lot of time researching this bike. It took several months to find a shop that would take the time to explain their suggestions for a ride. After a season of racing a bike that had me over stretched I definitly understand the importance of the fit. Thanks for your help. I will keep everyone posted on the results. Will post pictures of my new ride tomorrow.
Take care,
KYCALFEE
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KYCalfee
friend
Reged: 01/08/04
Posts: 35
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Well it is everything advertised. I absolutely love it.
Here it is:
http://www.bikefanclub.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1218&password=&sort=1&cat=506&page=1
It is on the photo gallery.
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