This is a selection of recent feedback on our bike fitting services.
278 Comments "Feedback"
Mat Whittingham
I’d never ridden a TT bike before I bought one a few weeks ago and found it more than a little uncomfortable.
The fit was a really interesting experience. The data they capture really is fascinating and all done in a relaxed, friendly environment
After my fit I’m comfortable, faster and stronger. I will definitely be visiting again when I’m ready for a new bike.
Mark Pearce
Having done a few miles on my bike since the fitting with Richard I am very pleased with my adjusted position and look forward to a season of efficient, comfortable, injury free and hopefully faster riding.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process and would not hesitate to recommend Freespeed to anyone who enjoys riding a bike.
Kate Driskell
Having had a crash last year and evolved in my cycling experience, style etc. I thought it was a good idea to get my bikes (road and TT) re-fitted for a season of “going quicker”.
The experience at the Freespeed studio was really good. A relaxed, enjoyable fit that resulted in me understanding a bit more about why my last Ironman bike leg was quite so uncomfortable, learning a lot about why stretching is important for me and getting a much more powerful and comfy-feeling fit (my neck, for example, feels a lot less under stress on the TT bike) on both bikes. I always admired how Bradley Wiggins looked like he was hanging from his hip bones when TTing and now, thanks to Jonathan, I feel like I’ve got a similar hang from the hip on my TT bike; and that makes it feel like I can get a lot more of my energy down onto the road. And I can sit on my road bike for more than 20 minutes without excruciating pain in my sit-bones. Good stuff!
Really looking forward to my first proper outing on the TT bike and utterly smashing my PB on the course :o)
Gary Fegan
I’ve recently organised the Freespeed London trip to Edinburgh where over 3 days we had 12 customers, me included, with 16 bike fits in total. This ranged from competitive road cyclists to novice triathletes, some having TT and road fits on a single bike and others bringing in road, TT or both. Jonathan took the whole operation in his stride and despite the very compressed time slots and up to 12 hour days still delivered a first class service to everyone. Despite the huge variety of backgrounds and expectations the feedback from everyone was extremely positive.
Whilst the Retul tool is extremely impressive, it is still just a tool. Whilst it would have been simpler for me to visit a near-by Retul fitter, it was the experience of the Freespeed team I was wanting and this proved to be a wise investment. Jonathan was able to interpret the numbers and know when to deviate from the handbook, for instance as a triathlete I wanted a more aggressive road bike position to ease the transition to my TT bike and this is exactly what I got. It’s this knowledge and experience that makes the Freespeed team standout amongst the emerging Retul market. Everyone left their fitting with more than just a fit, most had stretches or exercises to improve their cycling or product recommendations to help achieve the ideal fit.
To anyone not able to easily make a trip to the London studios, I thoroughly recommend having them come out to you. All you need is a good venue (I used the The Bicycle Works custom build facility sector28) and gather a group of people looking for a fit. This would be a fantastic value add to and cycling or triathlon club.
Leahn Parry
I was lucky enough to have one of the Retul fits at the Bicycle Works in Edinburgh. Jonathan carried out the fit and I have to say I thought my fit was dialled in before on the Speed Concept but this has made a world of difference already.
For me it was the attention to detail and what I had considered minor points in the past that have changed the way I ride. Each change was explained and the fit sheets support this.
It has been a week or so since the fit and still early days but my output from the turbo sets have increased without the huge increase in effort.
I will return for another fit for the road bike and recommend it to others (apart from those I want to smoke this year).
Rob Gordon
I had my Giant TCR Composite – which I use for triathlon, training and commuting – fitted by Jonathan a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier with either the process or the end result.
Jonathan took a great deal of time to understand my requirements, injuries, racing goals and the limitations of my body before setting me up with a position that I can adapt for my varied riding needs. His analysis of my old position was detailed yet clear, and the reasoning behind every adjustment was thoroughly explained.
Although I could feel an immediate difference even on the journey home, I decided to wait until I had clocked up a couple of longer rides before writing this review. I’m happy to say that my knee troubles are now a thing of the past and my setup feels, well, faster. I’m looking forward to the start of the new season.
Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and made my three hours at Freespeed both enjoyable and, more importantly, highly rewarding. I now have a riding position that is pain-free and considerably more efficient. I can’t recommend Freespeed highly enough.
Jamie Scott
I’ve just had my Cervelo TT bike fitted by Richard and I was hugely impressed by the whole process from start to finish. It gave me so much confidence that Richard had competed in triathlon at a high level and had such a good handle on tailoring the bike fit to match my goals within the sport.
The Retul technology was cutting edge and the range of data it produced was comprehensive to say the least. Richard did a great job in explaining the stats. Then when we made the adjustments to the bike by lowering the front end and cutting down the extensions, it was clear to the naked eye my position on the bike was much better and the stats backed this up. I’m very confident my bike is now set up to get the most from my races and we’ve struck a great balance between comfort/power/aero.
Some parts of my fit were quite complicated as we were having to undo and refit the internal wiring on my electronic shifters. Richard’s patience and problem solving in this area were very impressive and he ended up spending way longer than the allotted time making sure everything was perfect with the bike.
I’d thoroughly recommend a Freespeed bike fit to anyone who cycles from beginner to seasoned pro.
Nicholas Sen
I recently had a fitting on my triathlon bike with Richard. I was very impressed with absolutely everything. Ive had my bike for about 6 months now and genuinely regret not having done this sooner.
Richard was very clear and detailed in his explanations of why we were making the changes we did, not only sorting out my position on the bike but helping me understand much more about whats involved.
In addition to sorting out my position on the bike Richard showed me that my pedal stroke isnt as efficient as it could be, and gave me some tips on how to correct it.
I think the retul fitting device is fantastic but its the service and time spent by the guys explaining the meaning behind the data, and how its applied, that really provides value here.
Im now looking forward to setting some blistering bike splits next season.
Thoroughly recommended!
Philip Hatzis
Richard and Freespeed epitomise the concept that bike fitting is an art as well as a science.
Richard spent a long morning fixing my bike position at a time when he was tired from looking after his new children and his other fitter had just taken his paternity leave! Nonetheless, he took his time to make some adjustments to my position. The second fit is always the hardest as the differences are always smaller and it is hard to tell if by moving the athlete something a few millimetres makes a significant difference to comfort or power. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
Nevertheless, I could see from the initial angles that i had let things slip a little bit since my previous fit, so maybe I could have still stuck with Sam Baxter on a couple of occasions when he flew past me…?
The two reasons I would use Freespeed again are:
1) They know what they are doing
2) They are personable, honest and genuinely nice people.
As a coach as well as an athlete, I have sent and will continue to send athletes to see Richard and will always recommend him to a friend.
Have a great Christmas with your new family Richard,
Philip
John Solomon
All Retul fits are NOT equal…..
My first Retul fit, which I should stress was not with Freespeed, was on my first tri bike in Spring 2011. There was no testing of my flexibility to start and a very robotic approach to the whole session. I spent the 2011 season feeling pretty uncomfortable on the bike but thinking that perhaps that was as good as it gets.
For 2012 I changed to another tri bike and was convinced by my coach to give Retul another go but this time with Freespeed. I’m glad I took his advice. The key difference here was Richard’s knowledge which he employed in combination with the Retul data to produce my position.
The point is that anyone can go and learn to operate the Retul system but to get the best from the data that it produces it must by interpreted by someone who has experience. Richard has this in truck loads together with an equal amount of desire to get the best result possible.
My Retul fit at Freespeed was in June so I’ve done some miles on the bike before writing this. The result is greater comfort, more power and better running of the bike (I’m a triathlete).
Many thanks Richard.
Nigel Hood
I had a fitting by Jonathan a couple of months ago, but although I was immediately delighted with how friendly, helpful and informative Jonathan was, I thought I would delay writing to see how the new position worked.
It took a couple of weeks or so for my left leg to get used to doing the same work as my right leg (which is exactly what Jonathan had said would be the case). Jonathan quickly established that my one leg was longer than the other and this was also borne out by the measurements that showed there was some over-extension/dropping of one heel.
Jonathan also changed my saddle and while that also took a couple of weeks of getting used to, it is now a vast improvement over my previous set-up.
My ride now feels far smoother and more efficient as well as more enjoyable. It has significantly increased my average speed as well. What’s more, my back/shoulder ache has now also disappeared.
This was money very well spent – thanks Jonathan.
Andy Wall
Just got fitted by Jonathan today. Went straight to Richmond Park afterwards for a test drive and I have to say, I shouldn’t have waited so long to get fitted.
I would highly recommend any one who reads this and has been trying to decide if they should get fitted to stop reading and email the guys at Freespeed and book a fitting. I feel more comfortable on both my bikes and Jonathan was very clear during the process on the changes he was making and the effects on my riding position.
Thanks,
Andy
Tom O'Driscoll
Hi Richard,
First, let me say that I liked your approach; it was very thorough, focused and you were more than generous with your time.
The main problem I experienced when I met you, was pain in my left glute which manifested itself after a long or hard ride on the bike. Although the alterations that you made to my positioning were relatively minor; I have not experienced that pain since the bike fit.
What impressed me, was that your analysis found that my pelvis was skewed while I sat on the saddle which caused my left leg to overextend.
This insight combined with the cleat, saddle and stem adjustments have also given me a feeling of delivering more power in addition to comfort.
This was a great service and one of the best value for money upgrades I have had to improve my performance. I will be recommending you to other cyclists without hesitation.
All the best
Tom
Mark Offord
I had a fit on my TT bike with Jonathan back at the end of June in an effort to improve comfort ahead of the Henley half middle distance race in September.
Having previously been plagued by piriformis syndrome and a general feelin of discomfort I was keen to see if a proper fit would help.
The fit experience was excellent and the results are amazing, my TT bike has never been such a pleasure to ride and it has only helped my all round performance as is evidenced by training and race performances.
Thoroughly recommended!
Damien
I had my triathlon and road bikes fitted by Richard, and have been pleased with the process and the results.
The new position feels massively more comfortable, and that is not only due to the new saddle they recommended for the triathlon bike.
A bit early to see the results on my time, but I was certainly pleased with the experience and would recommend that to anyone!
Richard was very clear and patient with his explanations, which meant that these 3 hours were equally instructive as they were useful.
5 stars rating
Ben Jackson
I had a fitting with Richard on my road bike, and a fitting on the jig to establish which TT frames would suit me. It was a real eye-opener to see the difference in positions between the TT position and my old road bike with clip-ons set up. I’m now confident I can choose the right TT bike for me – and hopefully set some faster times!
Great service, Richard couldn’t have been more helpful, more thorough or more patient.
Tom Topham
I was extremely impressed with my 3 hour session, getting my road bike fitted by Jonathan.
I recently suffered from an injury to my ITB band on my right leg. Jonathan pointed out that my saddle was slightly leaning to the right side, which was not helping the injury.
I bought a new saddle and had my position slightly altered to achieve a more even balance between left and right leg.
My times are now steadily improving and more importantly the pain in my right knee is virtually non existant.
I am extremely happy with the service and would recommend it to anyone!
Lewis Preson
I recently had a bike fit with Jonathan.
The fit has proved extremely good for me. My times and speed have significantly improved since, almost meeting my primary aim after 2 rides in the new position.
I have no pain since being fitted and Jonathan really helped me understand how I should be positioned on the bike.
I would recommend this service to anyone of any level.
Lawrence Prinsloo
Firstly, riding multiple bikes, it’s a nightmare to keep them “feeling” the same when you move between bikes. The detailed measurements Freespeed provided after the session has made it easy to transfer their recommendations between bikes.
I’ve ridden for many years and I’ve taken time researching the setup of my bike and hours trying to get the optimum fit and comfort, while trying to transfer max power and improve aerodynamics.
Richard pointed out a couple of small changes which didn’t impact my power (probably improved it), or my aerodynamic position on the bike. It did improve the comfort factor significantly – which I thought was always a trade off for speed and aero position.
Very glad to have gone through the process and appreciate the time and effort Richard put in (to the setup and answering all my questions through the process) 🙂
Would recommend as a must to anyone who uses their bike for more than a trip to the shops.
Simon Burden
I had a bike fitting with Jonathan which provided invaluable insights into my bike setting and riding technique.
Having a low back injury I was looking to get a position that was good for my back and performance. Jonathan provided detailed technical input and a new position that enabled me to ride 80 miles yesterday for the first time in a long time.
Neil Hardwick
After spending good money on a new bike it just made perfect sense to get it properly fitted. Nothing major was learned, but some significant tweaks really did make a big difference.
And the results – one very hard Etape du Tour completed in comfort.
Given the cost of the bike, the Etape and everything else – this was money well spent.
David McGlynn
A very useful fitting service that helped me to identify the need to change my handlebars to improve my position on my bike. Further, I got advice on improving my riding style by take care to correctly position my knees.
More importantly I got excellent data on my bike setup and can use this information for buying a new bike and setting up any of my bikes correctly for a perfect fit every time.
A truly great service.
Emily Trant
I had a fit in March, just a few weeks before an ironman, to set up my road bike as a TT bike.
Credit to Richard for being able to make both set ups work on the same bike. I was super comfortable during my ride, and managed to stay relaxed in my aero bars even with a 60kmh head wind.
Highly recommended.
Belinda Moffett
I recently bought a new road bike so I arranged a bike fit 2 weeks ago with Richard.
After a week of cycling in France, I can now report that the bike fit worked a treat.
With just a few minor tweaks, I can’t believe how comfortable I feel on my bike.
Thanks very much Richard – much appreciated!
Andy Birtwhistle
I had a fit a couple of months back and then went a bought one of the bikes recommended by Jonathon. What a difference. I am able to ride around 5km/hr quicker over a measured distance and feel really great on the run off the bike. Off to Antwerp in July to do the 70.3 and then Wales in September.
Really worth the money spent. Thanks
rob mcritchie
Just completed my first race since my bike fit, and did 6 hrs at IM Lanza. Felt confortable the whole way, and was really strong for the last 2 hours.
However I was blown away by the fact I felt soooo fresh for the marathon. (even nursing a knee cartilage injury I was trotting past people I felt so good)
I think the fit made a big difference to my comfort and speed on the day – thanks
Michael Collins
I had my one and only bike fit about 2 months ago and wanted to test the difference before I posted any feedback….it works!!!! I have been on the TT mostly since the fit and the position that I am riding in has allowed me to run off the bike to my running potential and feeling hugely less fatigued in the legs….
Thanks Jonathan and sure to chat soon.
ps-had a great race at Mallorca 70.3
Patrick Howarth
Honestly I wasn’t expecting
much from the fit but i was struggling with a couple of niggley injuries. I blown away at how different it felt.
I was much more comfortable and felt a lot more efficient at getting the power down. I
was averaging speeds 1-2 mph more than usual which is great!
Also felt more comfortable in aero which meant I was able to get down into it more.
Thanks again, really useful session… I highly reccomend a visit especially if you are on the fence about spending the money…
Craig Toh
I had an enjoyable fitting session with Richard, who was very friendly and clearly explained the numbers generated from the Retul capturing system and what they meant.
I was able to achieve a very comfortable riding position, and the aches and strains that I experienced on my previous riding position were gone. My cleats were adjusted and insoles were recommended to tackle the numbness in my feet. Richard also recommended on the bikes that were suitable for me based on the findings.
The session was well worth the time and money spent, and I highly recommend a visit.
Ian MacDonald
I had a very pleasant, professional and extremely informative and beneficial session with Jonathan. The session was well conducted, friendly with no time pressures.
The measurement process was enlightening and identified a number of erstwhile unknown physiological and biometrical issues which were corrected ensuring a much more efficient and comfortable riding position. Power transmission was also greatly improved by correcting my riding mechanics, saddle position and height and cleats.
Everything was clearly explained and the output metrics and measurements have given me confidence that my new bike has been correctly sized. Adjustments made to my riding position have also made a significant positive impact on ride comfort and power transfer.
I came away with a much better understanding of my riding style, the mechanics of my body and machine. There were some interesting surprises but they all made sense after Jonathan explained the what and the why and, more importantly, the fix.
I would recommend investing in this process to anyone who wants to ensure their bike is set up correctly and riding experience and/or performance is significantly improved for the better.
Well worth the time and money.
James
This, in my opinion, is definitely worth doing. Jonathan shared valuable insights into physiology as well as the mechanics of cycling and bike fit and was very good at explaining everything throughout the session. In the end he changed the position of my saddle, cleats, bar and even dipped the angle of the stem. The results so far are really good – it feels like I am in a much better and more powerful position on the bike.
Andrew
Richard and Jonathan run a very friendly and informative session. The results are already noticeable on my long rides and I would never have expected to feel comfortable in the aero position.
Well worth the money if you are fine tuning an existing bike or measuring yourself up to buy a new one.
Thanks guys.
Milan
Very valuable session and whilst it is not cheap, the fit process is excellent value for money.
Quite astonishing (from a layman’s point of view) what a few tweaks here and there can do to your overall performance and comfort on the bike!
We were particularly looking to improve my running off a long bike ride and Jonathan explained what changes would have what impact and why in an easy to follow manner.
Highly recommended!
Christian
I had a great fitting session with Richard. He is very knowledgeable and as I am still a novice to the sport, I found it very informative. I appreciated how he was able to clearly explain the fitting process every step of the way. I was very happy with the fit result and eager to test it out on the race course.
I would highly recommend.
Thanks again!
Natarsha
I didnt know what to expect when I went in to get my fit, all I knew was that everyone that had recommended me told me this was the place to go and get it done. Well they were not wrong.
I learnt so much from my bike fit and since being repositioned, understanding my strengths etc on the last two long rides that I have been on, I have never felt so strong and powerful.
If anyone is considering getting a bike fit, see Jonathan Morrison, he was awesome. Well worth the money and time!
Gavin Spurling
A really enjoyable 3hrs spent in the pursuit of the perfect position for me on what is perhaps not the best fitting frame for my dimensions.
Nevertheless, the result is brilliant – a huge increase in comfort and a much more powerful feel – all backed up by a myriad of metrics from the Retul system which are part science and part black-art to interpret but that are all explained in an easy to understand way.
For anyone ‘umming’ and ‘arring’ about going for a proper fit – go for it.
Graeme Porteous
Excellent session. Afterwards I got on the bike and felt a lot more comfortable. No back or neck pain, no nagging strain on my hips, more power up hills, boosted my average speed on long rides and feel able to manage the longer rides planned in the coming weeks.
Many thanks Jonathan.
David Allen
I would never have believed I could be so comfortable on a TT bike.
After 3 hours with Richard I was able to make a much better informed decision re. purchasing a new bike, and buy one that was the correct fit for me.
I should’ve done this years ago!
Neil Hutchinson
Really professional and friendly service. I don’t know so much about the mechanics of cycling but everything was explained in simple terms and made loads of sense. After a few rides I can safely say the bike feels great and much improved.
Nick Leyhane
I had a very thorough and detailed 3 hour session with Jonathan with immediate performance results. Jonathan has a lot of knowledge to impart, not only around bike technique but triathlon racing in general. I learned a lot about optimal cadence, seat position, wheel selection and tri-bars in addition to a multitude of adjustments to my seat, bars, stem and cleats backed up by real-time technical and visual data. I feel much stronger and more comfortable on the bike and the next race out produced a new PB by a decent margin!
Chris Slemeck
Revolutionary!
These guys really know what they are doing – the impact has been immediate, I feel more powerful, my average speed on known rides is faster and the back pain has gone.
This was much more than just a bike fitting session – the 3 hours one on one with Jonathan was great and has given me several good pointers that will make riding so much more enjoyable.
As others have said – the BEST INVESTMENT IN my Hobby ever.
Nick Gill
A highly valuable session which was also very enjoyable. 3 hours of one on one, let alone two on one, attention for the price is a rarity these days and very happy to report that the impact has been immediate and noticeable. I seem to be able to ride with more power, more easily (tho no empirical data to back this up) and certainly more comfort. It’s amazing what a large impact a collection of small changes makes (in my case, cleats, stem and saddle height). And no more back pain! Thoroughly recommended. Thanks Freespeed.
Richard Pace
My session with Richard at Freedspeed has, quite simply, made me a better, more efficient and more effective rider. In my case the changes were small but critical. In addition to the technical data Richard collected he provided valuable advice on technique, obtained from a wealth of experience of enabling riders to be better. I spent 5k on my bike four years ago, it didn’t fit me properly until I spent £195 with Freespeed. The best investment in my hobby I have ever made.
Marco De Leo
The Freespeed fitting session is a thoroughly professional and detailed session. Richard has great expertise and I was really impressed by his knowledge. He spent a lot of time and put all his expertise to find out my best position on a TT bike, and I am extremely thankful to him for all he did during the session.
This was not my first fitting session, and I have to admit that the level and professionally of Freespeed is, by far, the best one!
Highly recommended to anyone and well worth the money. If you want to get the best from your bike, you must go to Freespeed!
Gareth Redmond
I really enjoyed this! More importantly, it has changed my riding position and eased some nagging strains on both knees and hips.
Jonathan was great. Explained everything as we went along, which was why it was so interesting. He made adjustments to the bike and advised on the way I was positioning my feet and moving my knees. He also fitted cleats and new pedals for me and adjusted those to the right position. And, as I hadn’t used them before, advised on how to avoid falling over. Happily, the only time I did fall over was walking in the shoes across the room!
Jonathan’s knowledge, experience and enthusiasm has changed the experience of riding my road bike – a couple of months before I ride to Paris on it! I can’t believe I didn’t know to get this done before. I can’t recommend these guys highly enough, not least because of the really helpful stuff that they’ll send you afterwards to make sure that you can maintain the set-up of your bike and, in my case, to offer advice on stretching and conditioning exercises.
Thank you!
Daniel Goldsmith
I had found it difficult to get a good set up on my Specialized Allez Elite just working with a tape measure and information from the internet so I was very pleased to find a specialist bike fitter near my house in Chiswick.
Not only did Richard optimise my cleat position, put the saddle at the right height and fine tune the position of the stem and handlebars but he was also able to help with my pedalling technique and give general advice which will help with my training. He obviously has a huge amount of knowledge and experience.
I am now looking forward to my first Sportive this weekend rather than worrying about my bike set-up. A couple of rides in Richmond Park have confirmed that I am more comfortable and feel more powerful on my bike.
Thanks again!
Fiona Hunter Johnston
I saw Richard yesterday, and I was surprised at how much difference even just small adjustments in position can have on comfort and performance whilst on the bike. Each adjustment was made carefully and explained thoroughly to me, which meant I left with a much better grasp of how important a good bike set up is.
I had a knee injury earlier in the season, which was down to a poor saddle position- and I am fully confident that my new fit will enable me to train and race without pain.
Richard also adjusted my cleats, putting a bit of padding under one cleat to prevent my knee from tracking inwards during the pedal stroke, which will also prevent further injury as I increase the training volume for race season.
I would fully recommend Freespeed to anyone who is unsure of their bike position, especially if you have injuries!
Bring on Wimbleball!
James Ogilvie
After having a fit done by Jonny on my TT bike last year, I relaised how important it was to get your position on the bike right for comfort and power.
When I got my new Specialized Shiv I went straight to Jonny at Freespeed.
You come away with not only the best position for you on the bike but also some great information on being more aero and where your weaknesses are on the bike, ultimately making you a faster rider.
A great service!
Samuel Best
Well what can i say i had a fit with Jonathan what a professional and great job, really like the Retul system but its not all numbers its customized to your flexibility and future goals in mind.
When i got home i went straight out and did an hour and half on the bike, a good mix of steady tempo and some flat out parts the position feels so much more powerful i swear he has given me 50 watts more. Did a section of a 10 miler tt i regularly do, this section is a long up hill drag i can normally only hold 19-20mph up it, did 22-23mph this afternoon was surprised at the difference and didnt feel like i was giving it everything so thankyou very much – freespeed has been unleashed!
Mark Sempers
I admit it took me a while to reconcile spending money on a bike fit, but moving up to a tri bike, it seemed reasonable ‘insurance’ against spending a lot of cash on the wrong frame.
In my case I was measured on the fit bike, and left with a list of suitable frames – and perhaps more importantly eliminated a couple of frames I might have bought that would not have worked for me given my (in)flexibility – all part of the assessment.
When you see the time and expertise that goes into the process, it starts to look like a bit of a bargain. This isn’t all about numbers either; the Retul system gives an absolute ton of data, which needs intelligent analysis and consideration specific to the individual. I was very impressed, and somewhat reassured by the process. The new frame is bought and will shortly be visiting again to transfer the settings found on the fit bike to it. Can’t wait.
I’d never ridden a TT bike before I bought one a few weeks ago and found it more than a little uncomfortable.
The fit was a really interesting experience. The data they capture really is fascinating and all done in a relaxed, friendly environment
After my fit I’m comfortable, faster and stronger. I will definitely be visiting again when I’m ready for a new bike.
Having done a few miles on my bike since the fitting with Richard I am very pleased with my adjusted position and look forward to a season of efficient, comfortable, injury free and hopefully faster riding.
I thoroughly enjoyed the whole process and would not hesitate to recommend Freespeed to anyone who enjoys riding a bike.
Having had a crash last year and evolved in my cycling experience, style etc. I thought it was a good idea to get my bikes (road and TT) re-fitted for a season of “going quicker”.
The experience at the Freespeed studio was really good. A relaxed, enjoyable fit that resulted in me understanding a bit more about why my last Ironman bike leg was quite so uncomfortable, learning a lot about why stretching is important for me and getting a much more powerful and comfy-feeling fit (my neck, for example, feels a lot less under stress on the TT bike) on both bikes. I always admired how Bradley Wiggins looked like he was hanging from his hip bones when TTing and now, thanks to Jonathan, I feel like I’ve got a similar hang from the hip on my TT bike; and that makes it feel like I can get a lot more of my energy down onto the road. And I can sit on my road bike for more than 20 minutes without excruciating pain in my sit-bones. Good stuff!
Really looking forward to my first proper outing on the TT bike and utterly smashing my PB on the course :o)
I’ve recently organised the Freespeed London trip to Edinburgh where over 3 days we had 12 customers, me included, with 16 bike fits in total. This ranged from competitive road cyclists to novice triathletes, some having TT and road fits on a single bike and others bringing in road, TT or both. Jonathan took the whole operation in his stride and despite the very compressed time slots and up to 12 hour days still delivered a first class service to everyone. Despite the huge variety of backgrounds and expectations the feedback from everyone was extremely positive.
Whilst the Retul tool is extremely impressive, it is still just a tool. Whilst it would have been simpler for me to visit a near-by Retul fitter, it was the experience of the Freespeed team I was wanting and this proved to be a wise investment. Jonathan was able to interpret the numbers and know when to deviate from the handbook, for instance as a triathlete I wanted a more aggressive road bike position to ease the transition to my TT bike and this is exactly what I got. It’s this knowledge and experience that makes the Freespeed team standout amongst the emerging Retul market. Everyone left their fitting with more than just a fit, most had stretches or exercises to improve their cycling or product recommendations to help achieve the ideal fit.
To anyone not able to easily make a trip to the London studios, I thoroughly recommend having them come out to you. All you need is a good venue (I used the The Bicycle Works custom build facility sector28) and gather a group of people looking for a fit. This would be a fantastic value add to and cycling or triathlon club.
I was lucky enough to have one of the Retul fits at the Bicycle Works in Edinburgh. Jonathan carried out the fit and I have to say I thought my fit was dialled in before on the Speed Concept but this has made a world of difference already.
For me it was the attention to detail and what I had considered minor points in the past that have changed the way I ride. Each change was explained and the fit sheets support this.
It has been a week or so since the fit and still early days but my output from the turbo sets have increased without the huge increase in effort.
I will return for another fit for the road bike and recommend it to others (apart from those I want to smoke this year).
I had my Giant TCR Composite – which I use for triathlon, training and commuting – fitted by Jonathan a couple of weeks ago, and I couldn’t be happier with either the process or the end result.
Jonathan took a great deal of time to understand my requirements, injuries, racing goals and the limitations of my body before setting me up with a position that I can adapt for my varied riding needs. His analysis of my old position was detailed yet clear, and the reasoning behind every adjustment was thoroughly explained.
Although I could feel an immediate difference even on the journey home, I decided to wait until I had clocked up a couple of longer rides before writing this review. I’m happy to say that my knee troubles are now a thing of the past and my setup feels, well, faster. I’m looking forward to the start of the new season.
Jonathan is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and made my three hours at Freespeed both enjoyable and, more importantly, highly rewarding. I now have a riding position that is pain-free and considerably more efficient. I can’t recommend Freespeed highly enough.
I’ve just had my Cervelo TT bike fitted by Richard and I was hugely impressed by the whole process from start to finish. It gave me so much confidence that Richard had competed in triathlon at a high level and had such a good handle on tailoring the bike fit to match my goals within the sport.
The Retul technology was cutting edge and the range of data it produced was comprehensive to say the least. Richard did a great job in explaining the stats. Then when we made the adjustments to the bike by lowering the front end and cutting down the extensions, it was clear to the naked eye my position on the bike was much better and the stats backed this up. I’m very confident my bike is now set up to get the most from my races and we’ve struck a great balance between comfort/power/aero.
Some parts of my fit were quite complicated as we were having to undo and refit the internal wiring on my electronic shifters. Richard’s patience and problem solving in this area were very impressive and he ended up spending way longer than the allotted time making sure everything was perfect with the bike.
I’d thoroughly recommend a Freespeed bike fit to anyone who cycles from beginner to seasoned pro.
I recently had a fitting on my triathlon bike with Richard. I was very impressed with absolutely everything. Ive had my bike for about 6 months now and genuinely regret not having done this sooner.
Richard was very clear and detailed in his explanations of why we were making the changes we did, not only sorting out my position on the bike but helping me understand much more about whats involved.
In addition to sorting out my position on the bike Richard showed me that my pedal stroke isnt as efficient as it could be, and gave me some tips on how to correct it.
I think the retul fitting device is fantastic but its the service and time spent by the guys explaining the meaning behind the data, and how its applied, that really provides value here.
Im now looking forward to setting some blistering bike splits next season.
Thoroughly recommended!
Richard and Freespeed epitomise the concept that bike fitting is an art as well as a science.
Richard spent a long morning fixing my bike position at a time when he was tired from looking after his new children and his other fitter had just taken his paternity leave! Nonetheless, he took his time to make some adjustments to my position. The second fit is always the hardest as the differences are always smaller and it is hard to tell if by moving the athlete something a few millimetres makes a significant difference to comfort or power. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
Nevertheless, I could see from the initial angles that i had let things slip a little bit since my previous fit, so maybe I could have still stuck with Sam Baxter on a couple of occasions when he flew past me…?
The two reasons I would use Freespeed again are:
1) They know what they are doing
2) They are personable, honest and genuinely nice people.
As a coach as well as an athlete, I have sent and will continue to send athletes to see Richard and will always recommend him to a friend.
Have a great Christmas with your new family Richard,
Philip
All Retul fits are NOT equal…..
My first Retul fit, which I should stress was not with Freespeed, was on my first tri bike in Spring 2011. There was no testing of my flexibility to start and a very robotic approach to the whole session. I spent the 2011 season feeling pretty uncomfortable on the bike but thinking that perhaps that was as good as it gets.
For 2012 I changed to another tri bike and was convinced by my coach to give Retul another go but this time with Freespeed. I’m glad I took his advice. The key difference here was Richard’s knowledge which he employed in combination with the Retul data to produce my position.
The point is that anyone can go and learn to operate the Retul system but to get the best from the data that it produces it must by interpreted by someone who has experience. Richard has this in truck loads together with an equal amount of desire to get the best result possible.
My Retul fit at Freespeed was in June so I’ve done some miles on the bike before writing this. The result is greater comfort, more power and better running of the bike (I’m a triathlete).
Many thanks Richard.
I had a fitting by Jonathan a couple of months ago, but although I was immediately delighted with how friendly, helpful and informative Jonathan was, I thought I would delay writing to see how the new position worked.
It took a couple of weeks or so for my left leg to get used to doing the same work as my right leg (which is exactly what Jonathan had said would be the case). Jonathan quickly established that my one leg was longer than the other and this was also borne out by the measurements that showed there was some over-extension/dropping of one heel.
Jonathan also changed my saddle and while that also took a couple of weeks of getting used to, it is now a vast improvement over my previous set-up.
My ride now feels far smoother and more efficient as well as more enjoyable. It has significantly increased my average speed as well. What’s more, my back/shoulder ache has now also disappeared.
This was money very well spent – thanks Jonathan.
Just got fitted by Jonathan today. Went straight to Richmond Park afterwards for a test drive and I have to say, I shouldn’t have waited so long to get fitted.
I would highly recommend any one who reads this and has been trying to decide if they should get fitted to stop reading and email the guys at Freespeed and book a fitting. I feel more comfortable on both my bikes and Jonathan was very clear during the process on the changes he was making and the effects on my riding position.
Thanks,
Andy
Hi Richard,
First, let me say that I liked your approach; it was very thorough, focused and you were more than generous with your time.
The main problem I experienced when I met you, was pain in my left glute which manifested itself after a long or hard ride on the bike. Although the alterations that you made to my positioning were relatively minor; I have not experienced that pain since the bike fit.
What impressed me, was that your analysis found that my pelvis was skewed while I sat on the saddle which caused my left leg to overextend.
This insight combined with the cleat, saddle and stem adjustments have also given me a feeling of delivering more power in addition to comfort.
This was a great service and one of the best value for money upgrades I have had to improve my performance. I will be recommending you to other cyclists without hesitation.
All the best
Tom
I had a fit on my TT bike with Jonathan back at the end of June in an effort to improve comfort ahead of the Henley half middle distance race in September.
Having previously been plagued by piriformis syndrome and a general feelin of discomfort I was keen to see if a proper fit would help.
The fit experience was excellent and the results are amazing, my TT bike has never been such a pleasure to ride and it has only helped my all round performance as is evidenced by training and race performances.
Thoroughly recommended!
I had my triathlon and road bikes fitted by Richard, and have been pleased with the process and the results.
The new position feels massively more comfortable, and that is not only due to the new saddle they recommended for the triathlon bike.
A bit early to see the results on my time, but I was certainly pleased with the experience and would recommend that to anyone!
Richard was very clear and patient with his explanations, which meant that these 3 hours were equally instructive as they were useful.
5 stars rating
I had a fitting with Richard on my road bike, and a fitting on the jig to establish which TT frames would suit me. It was a real eye-opener to see the difference in positions between the TT position and my old road bike with clip-ons set up. I’m now confident I can choose the right TT bike for me – and hopefully set some faster times!
Great service, Richard couldn’t have been more helpful, more thorough or more patient.
I was extremely impressed with my 3 hour session, getting my road bike fitted by Jonathan.
I recently suffered from an injury to my ITB band on my right leg. Jonathan pointed out that my saddle was slightly leaning to the right side, which was not helping the injury.
I bought a new saddle and had my position slightly altered to achieve a more even balance between left and right leg.
My times are now steadily improving and more importantly the pain in my right knee is virtually non existant.
I am extremely happy with the service and would recommend it to anyone!
I recently had a bike fit with Jonathan.
The fit has proved extremely good for me. My times and speed have significantly improved since, almost meeting my primary aim after 2 rides in the new position.
I have no pain since being fitted and Jonathan really helped me understand how I should be positioned on the bike.
I would recommend this service to anyone of any level.
Firstly, riding multiple bikes, it’s a nightmare to keep them “feeling” the same when you move between bikes. The detailed measurements Freespeed provided after the session has made it easy to transfer their recommendations between bikes.
I’ve ridden for many years and I’ve taken time researching the setup of my bike and hours trying to get the optimum fit and comfort, while trying to transfer max power and improve aerodynamics.
Richard pointed out a couple of small changes which didn’t impact my power (probably improved it), or my aerodynamic position on the bike. It did improve the comfort factor significantly – which I thought was always a trade off for speed and aero position.
Very glad to have gone through the process and appreciate the time and effort Richard put in (to the setup and answering all my questions through the process) 🙂
Would recommend as a must to anyone who uses their bike for more than a trip to the shops.
I had a bike fitting with Jonathan which provided invaluable insights into my bike setting and riding technique.
Having a low back injury I was looking to get a position that was good for my back and performance. Jonathan provided detailed technical input and a new position that enabled me to ride 80 miles yesterday for the first time in a long time.
After spending good money on a new bike it just made perfect sense to get it properly fitted. Nothing major was learned, but some significant tweaks really did make a big difference.
And the results – one very hard Etape du Tour completed in comfort.
Given the cost of the bike, the Etape and everything else – this was money well spent.
A very useful fitting service that helped me to identify the need to change my handlebars to improve my position on my bike. Further, I got advice on improving my riding style by take care to correctly position my knees.
More importantly I got excellent data on my bike setup and can use this information for buying a new bike and setting up any of my bikes correctly for a perfect fit every time.
A truly great service.
I had a fit in March, just a few weeks before an ironman, to set up my road bike as a TT bike.
Credit to Richard for being able to make both set ups work on the same bike. I was super comfortable during my ride, and managed to stay relaxed in my aero bars even with a 60kmh head wind.
Highly recommended.
I recently bought a new road bike so I arranged a bike fit 2 weeks ago with Richard.
After a week of cycling in France, I can now report that the bike fit worked a treat.
With just a few minor tweaks, I can’t believe how comfortable I feel on my bike.
Thanks very much Richard – much appreciated!
I had a fit a couple of months back and then went a bought one of the bikes recommended by Jonathon. What a difference. I am able to ride around 5km/hr quicker over a measured distance and feel really great on the run off the bike. Off to Antwerp in July to do the 70.3 and then Wales in September.
Really worth the money spent. Thanks
Just completed my first race since my bike fit, and did 6 hrs at IM Lanza. Felt confortable the whole way, and was really strong for the last 2 hours.
However I was blown away by the fact I felt soooo fresh for the marathon. (even nursing a knee cartilage injury I was trotting past people I felt so good)
I think the fit made a big difference to my comfort and speed on the day – thanks
I had my one and only bike fit about 2 months ago and wanted to test the difference before I posted any feedback….it works!!!! I have been on the TT mostly since the fit and the position that I am riding in has allowed me to run off the bike to my running potential and feeling hugely less fatigued in the legs….
Thanks Jonathan and sure to chat soon.
ps-had a great race at Mallorca 70.3
Honestly I wasn’t expecting
much from the fit but i was struggling with a couple of niggley injuries. I blown away at how different it felt.
I was much more comfortable and felt a lot more efficient at getting the power down. I
was averaging speeds 1-2 mph more than usual which is great!
Also felt more comfortable in aero which meant I was able to get down into it more.
Thanks again, really useful session… I highly reccomend a visit especially if you are on the fence about spending the money…
I had an enjoyable fitting session with Richard, who was very friendly and clearly explained the numbers generated from the Retul capturing system and what they meant.
I was able to achieve a very comfortable riding position, and the aches and strains that I experienced on my previous riding position were gone. My cleats were adjusted and insoles were recommended to tackle the numbness in my feet. Richard also recommended on the bikes that were suitable for me based on the findings.
The session was well worth the time and money spent, and I highly recommend a visit.
I had a very pleasant, professional and extremely informative and beneficial session with Jonathan. The session was well conducted, friendly with no time pressures.
The measurement process was enlightening and identified a number of erstwhile unknown physiological and biometrical issues which were corrected ensuring a much more efficient and comfortable riding position. Power transmission was also greatly improved by correcting my riding mechanics, saddle position and height and cleats.
Everything was clearly explained and the output metrics and measurements have given me confidence that my new bike has been correctly sized. Adjustments made to my riding position have also made a significant positive impact on ride comfort and power transfer.
I came away with a much better understanding of my riding style, the mechanics of my body and machine. There were some interesting surprises but they all made sense after Jonathan explained the what and the why and, more importantly, the fix.
I would recommend investing in this process to anyone who wants to ensure their bike is set up correctly and riding experience and/or performance is significantly improved for the better.
Well worth the time and money.
This, in my opinion, is definitely worth doing. Jonathan shared valuable insights into physiology as well as the mechanics of cycling and bike fit and was very good at explaining everything throughout the session. In the end he changed the position of my saddle, cleats, bar and even dipped the angle of the stem. The results so far are really good – it feels like I am in a much better and more powerful position on the bike.
Richard and Jonathan run a very friendly and informative session. The results are already noticeable on my long rides and I would never have expected to feel comfortable in the aero position.
Well worth the money if you are fine tuning an existing bike or measuring yourself up to buy a new one.
Thanks guys.
Very valuable session and whilst it is not cheap, the fit process is excellent value for money.
Quite astonishing (from a layman’s point of view) what a few tweaks here and there can do to your overall performance and comfort on the bike!
We were particularly looking to improve my running off a long bike ride and Jonathan explained what changes would have what impact and why in an easy to follow manner.
Highly recommended!
I had a great fitting session with Richard. He is very knowledgeable and as I am still a novice to the sport, I found it very informative. I appreciated how he was able to clearly explain the fitting process every step of the way. I was very happy with the fit result and eager to test it out on the race course.
I would highly recommend.
Thanks again!
I didnt know what to expect when I went in to get my fit, all I knew was that everyone that had recommended me told me this was the place to go and get it done. Well they were not wrong.
I learnt so much from my bike fit and since being repositioned, understanding my strengths etc on the last two long rides that I have been on, I have never felt so strong and powerful.
If anyone is considering getting a bike fit, see Jonathan Morrison, he was awesome. Well worth the money and time!
A really enjoyable 3hrs spent in the pursuit of the perfect position for me on what is perhaps not the best fitting frame for my dimensions.
Nevertheless, the result is brilliant – a huge increase in comfort and a much more powerful feel – all backed up by a myriad of metrics from the Retul system which are part science and part black-art to interpret but that are all explained in an easy to understand way.
For anyone ‘umming’ and ‘arring’ about going for a proper fit – go for it.
Excellent session. Afterwards I got on the bike and felt a lot more comfortable. No back or neck pain, no nagging strain on my hips, more power up hills, boosted my average speed on long rides and feel able to manage the longer rides planned in the coming weeks.
Many thanks Jonathan.
I would never have believed I could be so comfortable on a TT bike.
After 3 hours with Richard I was able to make a much better informed decision re. purchasing a new bike, and buy one that was the correct fit for me.
I should’ve done this years ago!
Really professional and friendly service. I don’t know so much about the mechanics of cycling but everything was explained in simple terms and made loads of sense. After a few rides I can safely say the bike feels great and much improved.
I had a very thorough and detailed 3 hour session with Jonathan with immediate performance results. Jonathan has a lot of knowledge to impart, not only around bike technique but triathlon racing in general. I learned a lot about optimal cadence, seat position, wheel selection and tri-bars in addition to a multitude of adjustments to my seat, bars, stem and cleats backed up by real-time technical and visual data. I feel much stronger and more comfortable on the bike and the next race out produced a new PB by a decent margin!
Revolutionary!
These guys really know what they are doing – the impact has been immediate, I feel more powerful, my average speed on known rides is faster and the back pain has gone.
This was much more than just a bike fitting session – the 3 hours one on one with Jonathan was great and has given me several good pointers that will make riding so much more enjoyable.
As others have said – the BEST INVESTMENT IN my Hobby ever.
A highly valuable session which was also very enjoyable. 3 hours of one on one, let alone two on one, attention for the price is a rarity these days and very happy to report that the impact has been immediate and noticeable. I seem to be able to ride with more power, more easily (tho no empirical data to back this up) and certainly more comfort. It’s amazing what a large impact a collection of small changes makes (in my case, cleats, stem and saddle height). And no more back pain! Thoroughly recommended. Thanks Freespeed.
My session with Richard at Freedspeed has, quite simply, made me a better, more efficient and more effective rider. In my case the changes were small but critical. In addition to the technical data Richard collected he provided valuable advice on technique, obtained from a wealth of experience of enabling riders to be better. I spent 5k on my bike four years ago, it didn’t fit me properly until I spent £195 with Freespeed. The best investment in my hobby I have ever made.
The Freespeed fitting session is a thoroughly professional and detailed session. Richard has great expertise and I was really impressed by his knowledge. He spent a lot of time and put all his expertise to find out my best position on a TT bike, and I am extremely thankful to him for all he did during the session.
This was not my first fitting session, and I have to admit that the level and professionally of Freespeed is, by far, the best one!
Highly recommended to anyone and well worth the money. If you want to get the best from your bike, you must go to Freespeed!
I really enjoyed this! More importantly, it has changed my riding position and eased some nagging strains on both knees and hips.
Jonathan was great. Explained everything as we went along, which was why it was so interesting. He made adjustments to the bike and advised on the way I was positioning my feet and moving my knees. He also fitted cleats and new pedals for me and adjusted those to the right position. And, as I hadn’t used them before, advised on how to avoid falling over. Happily, the only time I did fall over was walking in the shoes across the room!
Jonathan’s knowledge, experience and enthusiasm has changed the experience of riding my road bike – a couple of months before I ride to Paris on it! I can’t believe I didn’t know to get this done before. I can’t recommend these guys highly enough, not least because of the really helpful stuff that they’ll send you afterwards to make sure that you can maintain the set-up of your bike and, in my case, to offer advice on stretching and conditioning exercises.
Thank you!
I had found it difficult to get a good set up on my Specialized Allez Elite just working with a tape measure and information from the internet so I was very pleased to find a specialist bike fitter near my house in Chiswick.
Not only did Richard optimise my cleat position, put the saddle at the right height and fine tune the position of the stem and handlebars but he was also able to help with my pedalling technique and give general advice which will help with my training. He obviously has a huge amount of knowledge and experience.
I am now looking forward to my first Sportive this weekend rather than worrying about my bike set-up. A couple of rides in Richmond Park have confirmed that I am more comfortable and feel more powerful on my bike.
Thanks again!
I saw Richard yesterday, and I was surprised at how much difference even just small adjustments in position can have on comfort and performance whilst on the bike. Each adjustment was made carefully and explained thoroughly to me, which meant I left with a much better grasp of how important a good bike set up is.
I had a knee injury earlier in the season, which was down to a poor saddle position- and I am fully confident that my new fit will enable me to train and race without pain.
Richard also adjusted my cleats, putting a bit of padding under one cleat to prevent my knee from tracking inwards during the pedal stroke, which will also prevent further injury as I increase the training volume for race season.
I would fully recommend Freespeed to anyone who is unsure of their bike position, especially if you have injuries!
Bring on Wimbleball!
After having a fit done by Jonny on my TT bike last year, I relaised how important it was to get your position on the bike right for comfort and power.
When I got my new Specialized Shiv I went straight to Jonny at Freespeed.
You come away with not only the best position for you on the bike but also some great information on being more aero and where your weaknesses are on the bike, ultimately making you a faster rider.
A great service!
Well what can i say i had a fit with Jonathan what a professional and great job, really like the Retul system but its not all numbers its customized to your flexibility and future goals in mind.
When i got home i went straight out and did an hour and half on the bike, a good mix of steady tempo and some flat out parts the position feels so much more powerful i swear he has given me 50 watts more. Did a section of a 10 miler tt i regularly do, this section is a long up hill drag i can normally only hold 19-20mph up it, did 22-23mph this afternoon was surprised at the difference and didnt feel like i was giving it everything so thankyou very much – freespeed has been unleashed!
I admit it took me a while to reconcile spending money on a bike fit, but moving up to a tri bike, it seemed reasonable ‘insurance’ against spending a lot of cash on the wrong frame.
In my case I was measured on the fit bike, and left with a list of suitable frames – and perhaps more importantly eliminated a couple of frames I might have bought that would not have worked for me given my (in)flexibility – all part of the assessment.
When you see the time and expertise that goes into the process, it starts to look like a bit of a bargain. This isn’t all about numbers either; the Retul system gives an absolute ton of data, which needs intelligent analysis and consideration specific to the individual. I was very impressed, and somewhat reassured by the process. The new frame is bought and will shortly be visiting again to transfer the settings found on the fit bike to it. Can’t wait.