Sizing
& Fitting

We use our experience and knowledge to find the correct fit. By adjusting our sizer, whilst monitoring your body posture with our eyes, not an app.

We'll guide you through the sizing, to give you a better understanding of the changes we are making to sizer and what they will affect.

Adjustable top tube length

Adjustable handle bar angle & height

Adjustable seat angle & height

Adjustable Cranks

Ajustable stem length

Cycling resistance

  • Adjustable top tube length

  • Adjustable handle bar angle & height

  • Adjustable seat angle & height

  • Adjustable Cranks

  • Ajustable stem length

  • Cycling resistance

Our sizer

We use a Calfee “Sizer” (shown in the photo above) which is a fully-adjustable bike to the exact millimetre and angle to replicate the frame geometry, and can also set the seat-post, saddle, handlebar stem and crank length. Even the right type of handle bars and pedals can be added.

Once it is set up, you can feel what it is like to ride and we can fine tune anything to make sure that you get the perfect fit. For tandems we do this for both riders.

Sizing

[sahy-zing]

Using our “Sizer” and a humble tape measure, we will take various measurements throughout the sizing session, that represent your optimal size.

Fitting

[fit-ing]

Using the sizing data we fit you to a bicycle or tandem, by using CAD to alter a frames dimensions, crank height, and seat & handle bar position.

Watch one of our sizing sessions

Compare our bike fits

The tales of bad sizing

Maybe you can remember your first ‘real’ bike, bought with hard-earned pocket money or by loving parents.

You were at an age when you might suddenly grow, so the advice from the man in the bike shop was to go up a size: “you’ll grow into it”. The saddle and handlebars were set as low as they could go and you had to stretch to reach the brakes, teetering on ‘tippy toes’ to balance when you stopped.

Or maybe there was that irresistible bargain bought on-line that after a few rides gave you neck pains, knee pains, back pains and turned out to be such a pain it now languishes in the shed or garage.

Fortunately most bikes can be adjusted to fit you

Providing that you have the correct frame size: it just takes some time, skill and knowledge. As part of our service, we make sure that you are measured correctly, either in the shop (preferable) or over the phone/email, and then we ensure that the bike is set up to fit you. If you are ‘sized’, but do not place an order for a bike on the day, a charge for the service is made that is refunded when you do place an order with us.

The old
Sizing myth's

“Some shops offer computer aided sizing and fit sessions, surely this must be better?”

Reality: a lot of shops just do not have the experience that we have in making frame and bikes that fit real people and a computer programme can go some way to make up for that. Unless you are an elite rider or Cat 1 or 2 who may benefit from a full biomechanical and power output test, you can trust our combined 70+ years of bike building experience to get you the right fit.

When positioned correctly: the handle bars should be in a line with the front hub so that you cannot see it.

Reality: that just shows the relationship between your eyes, the handlebars and the front hub and has no bearing on if your hands, arms, back or neck/head or saddle are in the best position for riding and comfort.

Placing your elbow on the front tip of the saddle and extending your arm and fingers in line with top tube and where the tip of your middle finger is, will be where you should have your handlebars, give or take a bit.

Reality: This shows how long your forearm is compared to your top tube and obviously does not take into consideration, full arm and body dimensions.

“I’ve always ridden a 56cm road bike and they always fit me well, so that’s the size I would like”

Reality: That’s a good starting point. However, strange as it may seem, not all manufacturers ‘size’ their bikes the same and as quite a few frames are compact designs, the actual frame size you require may differ from what you have had in the past.

We offer four bike fits

Virtual Fit, no store visit required

Our most popular sizing option, as it does not require a visit to our store. We'll size and fit your bike virtually, taking all the necessary information from you, using an easy to use data form.

Download our editable bike sizing form and email it over to us.

This information is then transposed onto a BikeCAD drawing and is used when building your bike in our workshop.

Download sizing form
20-40 minutes

Standard Bike-Fit

The standard Bike-Fit which ensures that your existing saddle, handlebars and pedals are all in the correct position for you on your existing bike.

Price
£20
40-60 minutes

Semi-Pro-Fit

Semi-Pro-Fit is aimed at the sportive and touring rider or triathlete with an existing bike that needs to get a comfortable and efficient position. It extends the Bike-Fit to include adjusting your cleats, sti/ergo shifters, tri-bar position, a more detailed analysis of your riding style and advice on replacement equipment if needed.

Price
£40
60-120 minutes

Pro Bike-Fit

The Pro-Fit is based around how we measure you for a custom bike or tandem (£95 for the two of you by the way) either starting with a blank sheet of paper and our sizing jig as a custom sizing. Or by setting the jig to your existing frame geometry and working around that to get the best fit. Your existing bike can then be made to fit you by adjusting or changing stems, bars, saddle and even cranks if need be. We’ll also ensure that your cleats are set up correctly. Includes detailed drawings for you and as mentioned the fee is refunded when you place your order with us for an applicable bike or frame. If you order at the time of the fitting then no charge is made.

Price
£95

If you proceed to buy a bicycle or a tandem from us,
we’ll refund you the cost of the bike-fit.

Book your bike fit

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Bicycles by Design,
The John Rose Building,
High Street,
Coalport, Shropshire,
TF8 7HT

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Bicycles by Design is a Trading Name of PS Leisure Limited - Company number: 6164577 - VAT GB873 8500 03
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