How the the nine-step process of a Hoy Bike fit works

http://ift.tt/1XZDndH

Many retailers offer a bike fit service, but Evans Cycles is making bike fit more accessible by offering a free fit with its Hoy range of bikes. There’s even the option to swap between components such as stems, handlebars and saddles as part of the process.

• Best bike: what type of bike should I buy?
• Best road bike 2016 - how to choose the right one for you

Bike seller Evans Cycles already offers a bike fit service which is open to anyone for £45 – but if you buy a Hoy bike from the store, the fit is free. This is because Sir Chris Hoy, with whom the range has been developed, is keen to ensure all riders get a bike that fits them. Since getting the right frame size is only the first part of the process, a fit is done to determine the correct saddle height, fore/aft position, reach, handlebar and stem length, and more.

The bikes themselves are also available in a bigger range of sizes than most equivalent bikes, allowing smaller incremental changes between frame sizes which allows for a much better fit of frame to rider. There are seven adult sizes, from XXS to XXL.

ADVERTISEMENT

To this end, the range also includes a selection of seat posts, stems and handlebars of varying sizes. If the bike fitter determines that the customer would benefit from narrower bars or a different stem length, these parts are swapped over, without any additional cost on top of the price of the bike.

The downside, however, is that to make use of the fit service you'll need to visit one of the stores that offer the service. Currently, that's just Waterloo Cut, Wimbledon, Guildford and Mortimer Street, with Manchester Deansgate, Chester and Cambridge following shortly. 

• Guru Fit: a new approach to bike fitting - video

About Hoy bikes

Developed with the close involvement of Sir Chris Hoy, the multiple Olympic Gold medallist, the Hoy range of bikes at Evans Cycles consists of road, track and hybrid models for adults, and an extensive junior and children’s bike range including junior cyclocross and track bikes. There’s even a balance bike for smaller kids. However, the bike fit only applies to the adult models. 

How the Hoy bike fit process works

Step 1 – Interview

Step 2 – Measurement and Flexibility

Step 3 – Shoe set up

• Five of the most desirable road bike shoes of 2016

Step 4 – Bike set up in turbo trainer

• Buyers guide to women's saddles

Step 5 – Video capture

Step 6 – Lower body setup

Step 7 – Upper body setup

Step 8 – Position assessment

Step 9 – Measurements and recommendations

Bike fit availability and booking

• From unisex to female-friendly: 6 tweaks for better bike fit

Why no women’s specific bikes in the Hoy range?

If it’s caught your attention that there aren’t women’s specific Hoy bikes available, then you’ll probably want to know the reason for this. There are differing opinions between bike brands as to whether women need a bike with specific geometry, or whether a good fit with specific contact points is more important. 

It’s certainly true that many women ride unisex bikes or non-women’s specific bikes and find the fit excellent, while others find women's specific bikes work better for them. Sir Chris Hoy believes, according to Evans Cycles, that getting the right size and correct contact points is the most important element of ensuring a bike fits, and cites that the GB cycling squad always rode unisex bikes, with some of the male and female cyclists using nearly identical set ups. 

Therefore, Hoy bikes has opted to produce one unisex frame design per model. Combined with the smaller sizes on offer, smaller incremental changes between sizes and the interchangeable parts, which includes narrower and shallower drop handlebars for those that need it, plus adapting elements like the brake reach, will – the company feels – ensure the bike will fit and fit well.

You can read more at BikeRadar.com

via BikeRadar All the latest from BikeRadar.com http://ift.tt/25tDEI7