Bike Fit Training

 

Bike Science founder Andy Sexton offers bike fit training on a small group basis throughout the year. Andy has over 14 years of practical bike fit experience having worked with thousands of riders across a wide range of cycling disciplines and abilities from novice to professional. Bike fit courses are aimed at bike fitters, bike shop employees, cycle/triathlon coaches and medical practitioners.  Bike fit training is open to all, subject to the entry requirements detailed for each individual course. Individuals are welcome to attend any course or group bookings for shops, physio practices or clubs can be made by arrangement.

It is the intention to align each Level of fitting course with the new International Bike Fitting Institute framework. We are currently in discussions with the IBFI to determine which IBFI modules will be covered by each Bike Science Course. Details to follow.

For all booking enquiries, please use the CONTACT US tab at the bottom right corner of this page.

 

Level 1 Road. Bike Fitting Fundamentals

 

The “Bike Fitting Fundamentals” course offers attendees the opportunity to establish a solid foundation of bike fitting skills. Focusing primarily on road bike positioning, this course is an ideal start for those looking to introduce bike fitting into their business (whether this be in retail, coaching or medical) or those who simply wish to develop an interest in the subject. Techniques taught during the course involve use of simple hand tools and observations. No investment in electronic fitting “Systems” is the required. No prior bike fitting or mechanical knowledge is required, although an enthusiasm for cycling is of course beneficial.

  • Duration : 1 day (approx 8 hours)
  • Location : Dursley, Gloucestershire
  • Cost : £250 + VAT per person
  • Maximum teaching group size : 4 people
  • Entry requirement : None
  • Minimum age : 18
  • Next course date - Tuesday 2nd April 2024 

Course Aims and Content

  • What is bike fitting?
  • Aims of a professional bike fit
  • Essential anatomical definitions
  • Development of a fitting process
  • Pre fit rider assessment
  • Simple assessment and measurement of rider posture and movement
  • Cleat positioning
  • Saddle selection and positioning
  • Handlebar positioning
  • Post fit reporting
  • The mechanics of bicycle adjustment
  • Providing pre-purchase sizing and geometry advice

  

 

Level 1 Aero. Tri/TT Fitting Fundamentals

 

The “Tri/TT Fitting Fundamentals” course offers attendees the opportunity to understand the underlying principles of successful triathlon and time trial bike fitting. Extending on the skills learned in the Level 1 Road course, we learn the differences between bikes fitted with drop handlebars and Tri/TT bikes fitted with either clip on or fully integrated aero bars.

This course is intended to be combined with the L1 Road course to offer an ideal start for those looking to introduce bike fitting into their business (whether this be in retail, coaching or medical) or those who simply wish to develop an interest in the subject.

Techniques taught during the course involve use of simple hand tools and observations. No investment in electronic fitting “Systems” is the required. No prior bike fitting or mechanical knowledge is required, although an enthusiasm for cycling is of course beneficial.

  • Duration : 1 day (approx 8 hours)
  • Location : Dursley, Gloucestershire
  • Cost : £250 + VAT per person
  • Maximum teaching group size : 4 people
  • Entry requirement : None
  • Minimum age : 18
  • Next course date - Wednesday 3rd April 2024

Course Aims and Content

  • How does aero position differ from road position?
  • Aims of a Tri/TT bike fit
  • Understanding the fundamentals of rider aerodynamics
  • Adaptation of the road bike fitting process to Tri/TT positions
  • Simple assessment and measurement of rider posture and movement
  • Saddle selection and positioning
  • Handlebar positioning
  • Post fit reporting
  • The mechanics of bicycle adjustment
  • Providing pre-purchase sizing and geometry advice

 

 

 The Cyclists' Foot (In Association with Sidas UK) 

 

The "Cyclists' Foot" course, in conjunction with Sidas UK is an in depth and detailed look at cycling shoes, cleats and the all important contact of the foot with the pedal. Course attendees will learn the entire process of shoe and cleat selection, cleat fitting and appropriate support of the foot using custom and off the shelf insoles and a wide range of wedging techniques. Students will learn the process of fitting and manufacturing custom insoles using Sidas Custom Fit technology. This detailed course will covers in detail the essential processes and techniques needed to take your bike fitting skills to the next level.

  • Duration : 1 day (approx 8 hours)
  • Location : Dursley, Gloucestershire
  • Cost : £250 + VAT per person
  • Maximum teaching group size : 6 people
  • Entry requirement : None
  • Minimum age : 18
  • Next course date - Friday 12th April 2024

Course Aims and Content

  • Anatomy of the foot
  • Assessment of the riders foot
  • Shoe fit. What shoes for what rider (size, shape, width, volume)
  • Cleat Positioning (fore/aft, stance width, yaw angle. wedging)
  • Cleat Selection (pedal types, cleat choices, adjusting float)
  • Wedging (appropriate use of wedges, what type of wedge when)
  • Insoles (off the shelf, custom made, manufacture of custom insoles, equipment and process)
  • Leg length differences (identification, functional and anatomical, correction strategies, benefits and pitfalls)
  • Dealing with common foot problems

 

 

Level 2 Road. Advanced Fitting Skills

 

The "Advanced Fitting Skills" course builds on the skills leant in "Bike Fit Fundamentals" with the aim of developing bike fitters towards a professional level. Appropriate for bike shop staff, cycling/triathlon coaches and medical professionals who are intending on bike fit being a key part of their business. Learn advanced rider physical assessment skills and implications of the limits of rider mobility on bike fitting. Identification of rider asymmetry is covered in detail along with common rider patterns of compensation and bike fit correction strategies. "Live" bike fit clients are used to give fitters vital hands on experience. Road, triathlon and MTB bike fitting implications are studied.

Introduction of advanced fitting tools (Retül, Leomo, sEMG, gebiomized) with explanation of the advantages and limitations of each technology. Rider foot assessment is introduced along with shoe/cleat wedging techniques and production of custom footbeds. 

  • Duration : 2 days (approx 16 hours)
  • Location : Dursley, Gloucestershire 
  • Cost : £480 +VAT per person
  • Maximum teaching group size : 2 people
  • Entry requirement : Completion of Course 1. Bike Fitting Fundamentals (or equivalent IBFI Certified course)
  • Minimum age : 18
  • Next course dates - Thursday/Friday 4th and 5th of April 2024

Course Aims and Content

  • Advanced pre-fit assessment
  • Implications of rider mobility issues on bike fitting
  • Rider asymmetry and associated fitting strategies
  • Long term development of rider position
  • Implications of crank length changes
  • Use of advanced bike fitting tools. Advantages and limitations
  • In the shoe and external cleat wedging techniques
  • Manufacture of custom cycling footbeds
  • Rider stance width assessment and bike fit actions
  • "Live" client practice