Some References from Cyclists
Reference from Rory Sutherland
Just because you have an expensive, light weight bike with the latest components, it doesn't mean it fits you correctly. I started being set-up (fit) by Chris Soden at Pro Peloton Cyclery last year, and I haven't looked back since.
Frequent changes with bike, shoe and saddle sponsors makes maintaining a proper fit difficult. However, with Chris' eagle eye and wealth of knowledge, you can't go wrong. Testament to this was Chris spending time with me to modify my TT and road bike positions in late 2007. Needless to say, after double podiums at the Australian National Championships, we must be on the right track.
Chris' experience coupled with his flexible ideas make a bike fit for anyone more than just measuring experience. Chris looks at the person, learns what YOU actually need, and designs a plan to make small changes over a period of time.
I have been fitted around the world by Pro-Tour teams, bio-mechanists, seasoned pros and scientists. After all of these experiences, where do I go to be fitted? I go to Chris Soden at Pro Peloton!
Rory Sutherland
Professional Cyclist
Team Health Net/Maxxis
Reference from Kimberly Baldwin
A bike fit from Chris Soden is one of the most essential things you can do for yourself as a cyclist. Chris has helped out my husband, Chris Baldwin, and I for years now with our bike fits. And I wouldn't go to anyone else.
Each year while we've been racing professionally, we are lucky enough to receive a new bike. And with each new bike comes the issue of having the correct fit. One year, my team even flew me out to San Francisco for the day to meet with two bike fit specialists. They made changes to both my road bike and time trial bike. But it just wasn't that comfortable. After all that time and effort, I ended up coming back to Chris. He knows what kind of rider I am, how I function most effectively on the bike, and with his fit, I always feel the most comfortable. And with comfort comes speed!
Honestly, I recommend Chris to all my teammates. He really does a thorough job and will have you setting new personal bests.
Kimberly Baldwin
Professional Cyclist
T-Mobile Womens Professional Cycling Team
Reference from Heather Irmager
Regardless of what athletic activity you enjoy participating in, we've all had one of those days - the day where you feel completely unstoppable. The steep climb feels like a descent, the headwind feels invigorating, or that speedy group behind you just can't seem to "bridge the gap." The reason that this rock-star day has occurred often can't be explained. Was it the quadruple espresso, three spectacular nights of sleep, a huge release of stress from a work project, a good yoga session or massage? Whatever the reason, it feels great - your mood is set to amazingly happy for the rest of the day, you're excited and satisfied and all you know is that you can't wait until the next time you feel that great.
As a cyclist, smart training and quality rest create a large number of carefully calculated and planned great days. While the training, good coffee and peaceful slumber are all things that have brought about some good days, some of my most amazing training rides and races have directly after a bike fit with Chris at Pro Peloton Cyclery. Using advanced fit skills, common sense, and a whole lot of personal attention and intelligent thought, Chris has set up bike after bike, season after season.
Before I started seeing Chris, I had a very long struggle with a nagging knee over-use injury. And while a quick arthroscopic surgery was the main fix, many strange fit issues remained. After a few years of compensation for my injury, my position of the bike was - well special. If I didn't ride with my seat very far back with my legs a bit pigeon-toed, the old-lady knee pain would return. I had a few fancy fits involving doctors, strange "fit" bikes, and computers, and all placed me in a position that was far too extreme for my current needs. The "experts" would say my knee was diving too much, and I was too far back which meant shims under my cleats, moving my saddle two inches in one setting and sending me on my way. Well, after some tight IT bands, a tweaky hamstring strain and a whole lot of knee pain, I went to see Chris.
As long as I've been working with Chris, he has always listened to my comments and carefully considered what my body wanted to be doing verses what it should be doing. Chris' philosophy has always been that he would love to see my position "here" eventually, but until my body was slowly able to adapt we would take baby steps. In the beginning, my seat was very far back to compensate for my knee being weak and wanting to dive in. As we have slowly (over a few seasons) moved my seat forward, my knee has taken less of a dive. With my body has learned to adapt to an ideal, powerful position. While I have felt powerful and amazing with every season's bike fit, the point is that each year has been different. Most bike fits that you will get out there fail to consider that it is not simply your bike that changes, but also your body and riding style. While most bike fits must follow a basic theory about optimal fore-aft, seat height, hip and knee angles, many bike fitters fail to realize that within this theory, individuals have their own set of rules that require modifications to make the fit just right. Chris is the only person I have ever met who has the ability to discover these modifications and tailor the fit to the individual.
Whether you've just purchased a brand new bike and are getting into the sport, or you're a seasoned professional, you can and will benefit from Chris' personal attention and experience. Bike fits aren't just about setting someone up according to a text book position. Regardless of whether or not you are the novice rider, an injured athlete, the experienced and stubborn "I've never had or needed a fit" athlete, or simply just got your new race bike for the season; you want to feel good. If you want to have one of those days where you feel unstoppable, pro, fit, and like a "rock star," get some great rest, grab a quadruple Americano and hope for the best. If you want to be guaranteed to have multiple days like this, get a bike fit with Chris.
Heather Irmager
Professional Moutain Biker
Team Subaru Gary Fisher
Reference from Liz Coker
It’s been about 7 weeks since I got my bike and every day I am thankful I took the “leap” and bought from Pro Peloton.
I always believed I had to test ride a bike before buying and I diligently hit every shop in town riding both low and high-end bicycles on all sorts of frames, noting the differences. If I could only get this bike with that gear set, and those handlebars and if it was just a bit longer or shorter. I struggled with buying a bike where I couldn’t “feel” the ride ahead of time and paying a premium for it to boot. Given that I hadn’t seriously ridden in 25 years I really struggled with decision to buy something “custom”. I could tell the difference between the various gear sets and knew I wanted something I could ride and be happy with for years to come. A good friend who has been riding for about 5 years was passionate about the importance of a good fit and shared his many mistakes (and wasted dollars) on his earlier bikes. He raved about Pro Peloton and Serotta, as with both, finally he found the comfort and performance he’d been seeking for years. I then called you and you took the time with me to explain Pro Peloton’s value, even though you knew there was a good chance I wouldn’t buy my “first” bike from you.
Well, I obviously decided to trust you and Pro Peloton and buy “blind”. My Serotta Fierte IT has everything I was hoping for and more. I love my bike. The ride is smooth, but responsive – the perfect balance of performance and comfort. The fit is amazing, the gearing smooth and of course, it looks incredible. This is the first time in my life that I’ve not gotten a sore neck from riding. This is by far THE BEST bike I’ve ever ridden. The fit process was simple, and enlightening. I was amazed at the difference a few millimeters can make and the opportunity to try different saddles, stems and postures has ended up saving me time and money that I would have surely spent swapping out components had I purchased a stock bike from a chain store. I learned the importance of riding posture and you correctly predicted I’d need a more aggressive posture after putting on a few miles. You watched me during the fit and listened to my needs and concerns. I have NEVER been sore riding this bike.
Every time I stop by the shop, I’m amazed by the level of service and personal attention I receive from you, Ryan, Nick and Megan. No question is too big, too little or too stupid. The team sincerely wants to help in any way they can and they give the same level of service to everyone who comes in. You guys simply rock!
Thank you so much,
Liz Coker
Boulder, CO