Check out this link and then send me some comments.

http://www.generationucanreview.com/

This will be a short and sweet post.
* 93% of the adult population have pelvic malalignment... which causes a functional leg length difference.
* 80% of the adult population pronates which typically causes pelvic malalignment... which causes a functional  lleg length difference.
* nearly 100% bike shops address leg length differences with shims and spacers.
Rather than using shims and spacers to address the majority of these "functional" leg length problems I recommend trying muscle energy technique (MET). So, see your local PT or a someone who understands how to correct for pelvic malalignment. Hey, I know a certain bike fitter who can show clients how to do MET:)
Here is an interesting link regarding pelvic malalignment: 
http://www.atlantotec.com/en/disorders/leg-length-discrepancy-tilted-pelvis-pelvic-obliquity

A Mr. Garcia from Carolina Trace called me the other day to schedule tune-ups for two bikes. He wanted to know the price and I told him "Rather than setting a fee for categorized services, I prefer seeing the bikes first and then give you a quote. I asked if he was from in town?" Mr. Garcia said "No, I live in Carolina Trace." 

I gave Mr. Garcia some options for closer bike shops in his area but he said, "I have already been to these shops and I was not happy with the services and the prices for that matter."  I thought, wow he must be desperate (or very demanding) to come all the way here. So we set a time for Mr. Garcia to drop off the bikes.

Well when I met Mr. and Mrs. Garcia they seemed like very nice people so my concern of them being overly demanding was not an issue. When I looked at the bikes they seemed to be in very good repair. Just a bit dusty and one bike had a flat tire.  I asked if they would like to hang around a bit or go into town to shop, because I felt this was a fairly quick turn around for the bikes.

Long story short... I had the bikes finished under an hour. One bike needed a new tube and the front and rear derailleurs adjusted as well as the front brake adjusted. The second bike needed the tubes stems reset to straight and the front brake adjusted and a couple spokes tightened.  I had this accomplished before a Law & Order episode was over.

Mrs. Garcia called and I said the bikes were ready. When they came to pick up the bikes I gave them the total of $25 and they seemed very pleased.  

By all means I could have advertised $90 for tune ups by why?  If it takes very little time shops would under sell and over deliver, right?  We can only hope so.

For me to advertise $200 for a pro bike fit and $300 for an elite bike fit somewhat falls into this tune-up paradigm. Or does it? Not often do I charge the entire bill. Only if the client and/or the bike need a great deal of time... such as three to four hours or more. Then I charge the entire bill, since I will most likely have a follow up session or two as well. 

I rarely encourage clients to have the elite fit with the Retul system because it is rarely necessary.  Only if I see huge asymmetries and I need to refer the client to a medical practitioner, PT, etc. will I then use the Retul for very detailed data for baseline and follow ups to determine their progress.

I know a lot of bike shops use these bike fitting gadgets and in my opinion they are rarely used correctly. But then again if the client is happy the shops must be doing something right. Right?

It would be interesting to hear some people's experiences. If a bike fit costs $300 is it the same for everyone? Someone that takes up to three hours compared to someone that is about an hour.  I could not look someone straight in the eyes and say "That will be $300." If a client came in and all they needed was a minor change to the bike:)

Right Side Before and After

Left Side Before and After

Ted had excessive hip rocking on his right side, he complained of lower back pain, and shoulder and neck pain. This was due to trying to be aero versus achieving a comfortable, powerful, and efficient position.  Ted also had an inflare on his right side that caused him to have a functional leg difference of more than 1/2″.  His poor bike fit did not allow him to engage his core and have a stable pelvis.  So two major things needed to occur for Ted to overcome the functional leg length problem and discomfort.  First, I showed Ted how to realign his pelvis through self treatment MET and then… I changed his bike setup to allow him to be stable on the bike.

One aspect to consider when getting a bike fit is the “mechanical aspect” this is the type of bike you are riding, the size, geometry and the mechanical adjustments to the bike.  This is the most common aspect of the bike fit process.  However, it is just a small part of the bike fit process when it comes to rider comfort, performance, and efficiency.

Another aspect to consider is the rider’s physical abilities in regards to mobility, stability, range of motion, and asymmetries.  Below is a picture of a client who was not stable on the bike due to a pelvic malalignment.  After an assessment I found his bike was initially set up too aggressive with his aero bars too low (mechanical) and his pelvis was off axis due to a rotational (right forward) and inflare (right side) presentation (asymmetry).

Once I made the bike adjustments and demonstrated a basic muscle energy technique (M.E.T.) for him to perform he was more stable on the bike.  He was also pain free.

This client was getting ready to compete for Ironman Louisville.

  The client’s strategy for the bike was to ride at approx. 19 mph at a heart rate of approx. 140 bpm with a fueling strategy of 300 calories per hour. The client’s strategy changed after seeing the results from their metabolic test. What should this client do at IM Lou?