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 postcard from beijing Olympics!
Nicole Cooke writes to CycleFit Nicole rode a gutsy race in the Women's Olympic Road Race to win Olympic Gold with two Bikefit System Wedges under each shoe prescribed and fitted by Cyclefit.
'Since riding with the wedges fitted by Cyclefit my pedal stroke is more powerful, driving the bike forward. I really believe that I will be using the Wedges for the rest of my cycling career; the benefits are so big for what is such a simple but very effective piece of equipment'.
Click on the postcard to read the message
15.7.10 - Martin Makes 2nd Cat!Phil,
Its been a few weeks since I bored you with my sporting history and you managed to stay awake long enough to size me up and pack me off back to Dorset.
So here's some feedback.
Saddle position, height and fore/aft including the shorter cranks means that I am pedalling a much smoother “circle” now, without the dead clunk at the top of the pedal stroke when tired. All good.
The bars are excellent and my forearms don't foul on the bars anymore, although the shortened reach felt a little compact to start with.
I,ve had no real aches or pains, apart from a few adjustment niggles for the first couple of weeks. The cleat positions feel fine and my knees seem to be tracking well compared to before.
So, you might ask if it has had any effect on my performance? Well, following last nights first ever win! and the 5 weeks of top 5 places prior to this, I,ve made 2nd cat. Now for a whole world of pain with the scratch group, thanks very much!
Best wishes
Martin.
Chris C
Hi guys,
I just wanted to say a big thanks to Julian for the time and patience in my cyclefit session last Thursday. I found the experience to be very interesting indeed. I would certainly have never thought to set up my road or TT bike as they now are. They are both really comfy and I feel like I'm able to put down more power than before - partly due to the inserts under the cleats and correcting my saddle height. I also managed to go 5 minutes faster in a 15 mile hilly time trial than in the corresponding event last year - so well chuffed.
David P
Hi Phil,
Just a quick thank you for Friday the 13th-from the cup of tea as I walked through the door to leaving the shop I had a really positive experience and I will continue to recommend your services widely. And if you do do a maintenance course, then my wife said she would love to come along, so Warwick already has someone signed up!
Yours truly,
David
Andrew D - Glider GPM (Colnago C50 custom, Serotta Legend GS)
Hi Julian,
I'm riding my Glider GPM on a training camp in Spain. It handles beautifully. With Zipp 303s on it seems to carve its way down the mountains. It's comfy yet responsive too. Nice job!
Hope all is well
Chad B
Hi Julian,
I got the tri bike out for the first ride on the weekend. Its amazing. The position feels fantastic, comfortable and very fast. I’m easily cruising along at a much higher pace than on my road bike. I would not have fit it like that without your help and advice. I also got the same saddle you recommended and it’s the best I’ve used.
Thanks.
Nick G - HSG Custom
Hope your well.
Just wanted to give you some feedback on my new Serrotta.
It's absolutely fantastic, I was so impressed by the bikes handling, look and feel at the weekend that it feels as if I'm a pro rider now!!
Seriously, it's great and I want to say a big thanks for pointing down this route and for all the precision setup that you've done.
A.M. - Meivici SE
What can I say....stunning!! I wish I had done it years ago!! Every time I want to put my hands where it is comfortable, guess what I find the handlebars. Can't speak highly enough. The SRAM is great as well. I have given up trying to work out how it works bcs am sure intuitively it shouldn't work that well...but it does. Very pleased with the SRAM and pleased I made the switch. The bike is due for its 200km service will call to check it in for next week. Only downside is I have no excuse for the etape now!!
Martin R
Phil, you will recall that you kindly spent a couple of hours with me earlier today with my shoe problems.
Thought I'd let you know the results of today's session. I had a really hard 1 hour session, powering through the whole time, which would normally have caused me considerable pain both during the exercise and for the rest of the evening. As it is, pain during exercise was minimal (and I'd have hardly have noticed it had I not been looking for it) and pain post-exercise is also very modest (when normally I'd be, literally, hobbling). Already, pre-orthotics, a huge improvement.
Alan B
Hi Phil,
Thought I'd give you an update on my progress since the fitting session. I had my second fitness test this weekend and on the first 8 minute time trial I'd improved average power output by a whopping 41 watts over the previous test in January. This is almost entirely down to the new position, though I've also been concentrating on diet, rest etc. Was great to see such a leap in performance :)
James L
Hello Cyclefit,
Today I bought some Sidi shoes and some FSA bars for my girlfriend.
I had some questions too, and tried some Rocket 7 shoes on.
I had really super service.
Patient, engaged, thoughtfull, knowledgeable.
I ride rather a lot, but still don't look it, as a lapsed 1st Cat racer, I am coming back from being 120 kg to my old 78 kg racing weight.
I've worked a lot in the bike industry, and continue to have a lot of industry friends.
BUT, sadly I am so used to bad service where I have to "prove" I know what I am talking about, or that I ride a bit.
Wonderful to have a much better experience.
Well done!
..and please work hard to keep this up....
I will be back for a bike or two soon!
Rob H - Serotta Ottrott SE
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a bike! It is just so damn good and a joy to behold!
If it's improved my performance by 5%, then it's increased my enjoyment and confidence by 50%!
Andy K
Thanks Guys
I had a fitting with you in december last year. It has been great and partly because of this I decided on a late entry to etape - first ever. I did call into your tent but you were all busy so I am sending this e-mail to thank you.
As you show the weather was crap. I have never felt so cold as I did coming off Tourmalet. But managed a reasonable 7hr 29mins for first etape at age 47, so I am happy.
Thanks for your services and happy to testify to your skills!!
Louise C - Serotta CXII
Hello!
Just to say cheers guys for an amazing experience from the fitting to
collecting my bike - I realised yesterday it's the first time I've had anything
made for me. The bike is still in its box but has taken up pride of place in
the lounge. The lid is open so I can look at it while I watch TV !
James Hewitt
While back in England for the post season, our Bloke James Hewitt went
for a pro bike fit. We’ve been talking a lot about the value of a proper
fit, and here James adds fuel to the fire and power to his position…more
Sqn Ldr Edward MacInnes (RAF Cycling
Club) - Serotta Ottrott ST How many times have you ridden
in races or for pleasure and that pleasure is diminished by the pain you
experience in either your back or knees or some other part of your body? more
Sore knees, feet out of line, can't sort the saddle height out
(Colnago C50)
Thanks for your email - I was going to contact you as I do have a post-visit bone to pick with you.
You forgot to tell me that the immense improvement in my position and cycle efficiency would require an additional fitness program!!! I am for the first time just so comfortable and relaxed on the bike. Consequently enthusiasm gets ahead of reality and I am not as fit at the moment as my brain seems to think I am. But it is such a good position to be in.
Additionally the right calf muscle is working properly again and getting stronger everytime I ride.
I can't thank you enough for how you have sorted in one visit years of dilemma. We will talk in the autumn about that carbon/titanium frame?
Ken Robson - Organiser of Highclere Castle Sportive
Paul came to us with back pain and numb feet (06.06.2007) I thought that I would drop you a line to give you some feedback from the cyclefit session that I had with you on 22nd May.
The custom footbeds have made a significant difference to the comfort of my feet. Instead of going numb after 40 mins of cycling they now get a little 'tingly' after a number of hours but I retain a majority of sensation in my feet...excellent!
I have completed my bike build and using the fitting dimensions in addition to the 4.5 mm Lewedges I have found the bike very comfortable and I feel very strong on both road bikes. I also feel that there is an improvement in my back comfort. The only dimension that I have not achieved due to existing stem lengths/rise angles etc. is the distance from the front of the saddle to the centre of the bars. Instead of the 497mm dimension I have 517mm (20mm longer). This is quite a significant change and was wondering how much of a problem you think this might be? I realise that it will extend my back further but do you think that it will effect any of the leg geometry that we worked so long on? Weight distribution also feels good.
Paul road the Highclere Sportive (06.2007) The Highclere Sportive was superb. Great route and lots of sunshine. Really delighted with my performance, I finished 60th overall (Out of 379) and 31st in my age class, achieving the Gold standard with 40 minutes to spare (Finish time 6Hrs 25mins).
With regards to comfort on my bike, this was very good. No back pain, equal amounts of leg ache as one would expect on such a ride and my upper body, arms and hands all felt good.
After long climbs my toes hurt quite badly, but this is still a definate improvement, as before I wouldn't know that my feet were hurting as they were numb! The pain would clear relatively quickly after each climb
Martin had some footbeds made Wow, what a difference.
Was it my imagination or was there a bit more power there yesterday. I did a hill that I always have to get out of the saddle for but yesterday I just powered up sitting down. I know it wasn't just a good day because I had an awful Saturday night with migraine and very little sleep.?
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