1 minute read
Tried and tested
New bike fit products come to the market all the time, but how do you know which ones are worth the investment? Lee Prescott shares his thoughts on a product he’s been using in his own bike fit studio.
Purely Custom X/Y Tool
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When I was first deciding how to measure rider positions, I was trying to work out the quickest and most accurate way to collect the dimensions I wanted. I settled on using a hanging rule in conjunction with a laser cross level on the BB centre. This works fine in the studio where I have wheel jacks and my custom saddle gauge, but when I was travelling it was not so great.
Then I discovered Purley Custom’s X/Y tool. I bought mine from the European distributor, Gebiomized, and it’s been in constant use ever since. The machined aluminium construction has proven to be tough and reliable even in the rain in a field in Belgium. For such a simple concept it’s amazing how many uses we have put this to.
It’s great for comparing bikes, like-for-like, in the studio and provides client with a really selfevident visual of how a bike might work with their position in real life rather than on a screen. Being able to simply set it to a stack and reach and then use it to explain the differences between different bikes they may have is invaluable.
The quality of construction is excellent and the machined in gauges ensure that even if the paint wear out, the tool is still just as accurate. The spirit levels are a little inaccurate if you want to get into really fine detail work, but with the simple addition of a digital inclinometer you can get within 1-2mm. I would say this tool qualifies as one of those must-haves, which is evident by the long back order list Purely Custom seem to have for them.
RRP $295 www.purelycustomfit.com/product/xy-tool
Lee’s X/Y tool has been in constant use since buying it.
Opinions expressed in these reviews are personal and are not endorsements by the IBFI. Products in this article were purchased by the reviewer. If you are a bike fitter and have been using a new product you’d like to review, or if you are a company and you’d like to submit a product for a long-term review by qualified bike fitters, email lee@ibfi-certification.com
