I’m looking to have an updated bike fit to try do deal with some niggles after surgery and ageing ailments.
I’m based in Cheshire in the North West of the UK, can anyone give any recommendations of good fitter they have experience with? I do suffer with foot pain in my right foot after around 90 minutes, even with wide Lake shoes that have gone up half a size.
I’m happy to travel, I noticed on the IBFI website that there is a level 4 fitter near Warwick, just under 2 hours away from me, there’s also Phil Burt in Manchester, about 45 minutes away, phyio’s that do bike fits and various other bike fitters near by.
Is there a benefit of going to someone who is IBFI certified, does the equipment someone has (assuming they are familiar with using it properly) give a better fit? I’m thinking of fitters that have jigs that are adjustable on the fly, rather than having to swap components in and out. Does a more expensive fit result in a better fit.
I’ve had fits previously, some have given big changes others have been very minor. I would like to find a saddle that is comfortable on longer rides, remove the pins and needles feeling I get in my left hand on my road bikes after 60-90 minutes, and sort out the foot pain I previously mentioned, so possible try some different makes of wide fit shoes.
So the IBFI is the global body that just sets the global syllabus for educational standards for bike fitting. They don’t set an individual standard for -how- a bike fit should occur, more that being registered and then accredited is a demonstration of Continuing Professional Development and learning in the world of bike fit.
The reason to choose an IBFI-accredited fitter is that they are those people who have chosen to pay annual fees to demonstrate to the world their choice to focus on ongoing eduction and understanding of changes and trends. It doesn’t guarantee a good bike fit or fitter, but it is a very good indicator that that fitter will be better prepared than someone who isn’t registered or accredited.
The fitter in Warwick you mention is one of the best in the world - Lee Prescott of Velo Atelier. He is also the President of the IBFI, and has been appointed to the UCI Equipment and New Technologies Commission this year, to help guard and advise against such things as the entire debacle of the UCI handlebar width last year.
Phil Burt is also one of the wise heads of the fitting industry, but to answer you other question, IBFI members tend to be those sorts of people who do spend money on education, research, conferences (such as the upcoming 2026 IBFI Global Conference at Silverstone next month) and - ultimately - bike fit kit and technology.
Hi there, I used Dave Mellor Cycles in Shrewsbury, they were excellent, and use the IDmatch system. I’ve only ever done a bike fit once so whilst I can’t really compare, I found it amazingly useful for the geometry/ dimensions of the bike / rig to alter as you’re riding! I could genuinely feel the pedal efficiency coming into and then out of a sweet spot as it moved, I’m not sure I would have got that if I’d have had to get on and off the bike repeatedly and wait for parts to be swapped!
It also resulted in me buying a bike from them, which was a different size to what I would have ordered online.
As I bought a bike the fit costs was reduced to £100 which for me was money very well spent.
Pete is a former pro and a physio, so he’s got both medical and technical knowledge. Not based in a shop either, so no biases or incentive to sell you something.
I’ve had lots of fits over the last 20 years, and Pete is the only fitter I now use.
Ryan Morley Cycle Centre in Wrexham is very good. And is IBFI certified. He also is a Lake dealer too. I am also not convinced that Phil Burt’s cost is worth the output, he’s not the only physio qualified bike fitter out there. Pedal Precision in Manchester Velodrome is also another good one.