General Discussion Triathlon Talk » F.I.S.T. vs. Retul Rss Feed  
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2015-01-21 12:50 PM

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Member
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West Linn, Or
Subject: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul
I bought a new Cannondale Synapse this past November. I have been having some knee issues since then. I skipped the fit when I bought the bike because I had already gone above my allotted budget. There are two shops I am considering having the fit done at. One is F.I.S.T certified and is where I purchased the bike. The second offers a Retul fit but it costs about $80.00 more.

Is there a major advantage with a Retul fit vs F.I.S.T?

Thanks,

Matt


2015-01-21 1:34 PM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Pro
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Camp Hill, Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul

You may get some different opinions, but mine is that the system used for the fit isn't nearly as important as the experience and skill level of the person doing the fit.  Instead of making your decision based on the system, research the experience and references for the fitters.

 

2015-01-21 1:35 PM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Extreme Veteran
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Eden Prairie, MN, Minnesota
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul
Of all the criteria available, fitting technology is one of the last on my list when choosing a fitter. In an article on that other SiTe, someone wrote that choosing a fitter based on the fit system they use is like choosing a carpenter based on the brand of hammers they use. Here are some other questions you may want to ask:

1. Who will be providing the service? How many other cyclists has the fitter worked with? Is it an experienced fitter, or a high school kid working part-time?
2. What's their local reputation? Are they recommended by other cyclists in the area?
2. Do they stand behind their product? Do they offer free or discounted adjustments later on down the road?
3. Does the fitting come with any extras? Do they have discounts for accessories if you need to swap a stem, crank, saddle, etc.?

Congrats on the new wheels and good luck with the fitting!
2015-01-21 2:15 PM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul

Or you could post a pic or two of you on the bike both here and "there" and let folks tell you your seat is too high.

2015-01-21 2:56 PM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Melbourne FL
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Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul

Take a look on the other site NW page for fitters and look at the reviews.  I see two of the five in your area that have 5 stars, one has 23 reviews and the other only 1. Others have no rating or 2 & 3 stars.

2015-01-21 4:54 PM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Member
58
2525
West Linn, Or
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul
Thanks for the feedback. I initially was more concerned about the quality of the fitter as opposed to the system but not really knowing anything about the fitters lead me to looking at the system. The list on ST is very helpful. The fitters at the shop that offer the Ratul fit didn't get very good reviews which is surprising. That shop has a very good reputation and is tri focused.


2015-01-21 10:32 PM
in reply to: #5085715

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MA
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul
I've been fit by 4 people over the years. Experience is more important than tools. Retul is a method of doing fit and had fancy way to determine your position currently, measur angles, and had a ideal for tri fit for each measurement. Therein lies the issue. For me and my multiple retuel fits, they set me up on two different tri bikes to far back when I needed to be rotated forward around bottom bracket. Best two fits were with Todd from ttbikft.com. He spent hours trying different tweaks to find what worked best. Ended up in better postion faster with same watts due to drag reductions. Retuel fitter basically put my bike to what he thought was ideal position using reteul guidelines and go ride it. Bike fit is sort of like religion everyone thinks their way is best.
2015-01-22 12:46 AM
in reply to: mcyork37

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Melon Presser
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Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul

My road bike is a Cannondale Synapse as well

As others have said, the history and breadth of experience of the fitter is what's most important. And for me, it's important that the breadth include a group of riders that have had similar goals/background to mine as well as the fitter being able to anticipate room for growth/development as a rider.

For example, I had a fitting with an extremely experienced and highly recommended fitter--but whose experience didn't include a lot of slow fat 'happy participants not competitors' triathletes, which is what I was at the time. The fit would probably be great for me now, but not then.

Retul and F.I.S.T. aren't mutually exclusive. Retul is a fitting bike/motion capture/measuring tools system but technically you could use any fitting protocol (which is what FIST is) with those tools. Retul (the company) also has a proprietary fitting protocol but like most good fitting systems there's more in common between them than there is different.

2015-01-22 6:17 AM
in reply to: mcyork37

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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: F.I.S.T. vs. Retul
Never buy the tool, buy the fitter. You can have all the shiny tools in the world, but if you don't know how to use them, it's pretty much useless.

Ask the local triathlon community whom they recommend. Most great bike fitters do understand the adjustments needed for triathletes, but not all. Make sure you talk to the fitter about their philosophy, experience, etc. and go with the one YOU feel most comfortable with
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