Issuu

INTERNATIONAL

BIKE FITTER I B F I

M A G A Z I N E

DECEMBER 2023 • ISSUE SIX

THE TECHNOLOGY ISSUE Comparing fitting systems

THE VERY LATEST NEW TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION

PLUS: IS YOUR CARBON FIBRE SAFE?

The World’s First 3D Video System in Bike Fitting • New time-of-flight cameras offering depth measurements, giving fitters 3D data from 2D images • Synchronised duel-sided captures • Exclusive new partnerships with Trek bikes and Cyclologic Education

Velogic Studio version 4 is available to buy from 4 January 2024. For more details visit www.velogicfit.com

OUR PARTNERS:

Of cial technology partners of Trek bikes

Of cial education partners

Contents

AI AND BIKE FITTING

KOPS: A PHYSIO’S

VIDEO ANALYSIS THREE

PERSPECTIVE

WAYS

President’s letter

Café stop

Presidential elections

New products

Membership fee reminder

Tried and Tested

Is your carbon safe?

Upcoming courses

AI on AI: Chat GTP on how AI can help bike fitting

2023 DECEMBER ISSUE 6

PRESIDENT’S LETTER i all, and welcome to our sixth issue of

that process, we’d like to take the opportunity to

International Bike Fitter Magazine.

bring some fresh blood into the organization and

It’s been another busy period for

launch our first ever election. The current role as

everyone in the industry, especially the various

President will be split into two roles, one as

volunteers responsible for pulling together this

President and one as CEO. I’ll continue to carry

magazine. So, my first note should be a huge

out some day-to-day tasks in the CEO role and

thank you to them. It’s difficult enough to run your

we’ll be opening a formal process to elect a new

own business during uncertain times, but to also

President next year. If you’d like to know more

find time to write and edit a magazine (without

about what the role entails and put your name

being paid) is truly impressive. Thank you!

forward, then please get in touch.

In the last issue, we talked about the process of

After more than 10 years running the IBFI, I think

applying to become a charity. That’s slowly

it’s time to hand over the reigns to someone else

ticking along and hopefully we’ll have more news

for a while and see what fresh ideas they can

for you ready for the next issue. But as part of

bring. As I’ve always said, the IBFI is a member’s

organization and we’ve always been open to

continued innovations to stay abreast of. Others, like

hearing ideas and input from our members, but

non-destructive testing, might be new to you, so our

this is a huge opportunity to get involved and

introduction to ultrasound offers a potential solution to

take a hands-on role in shaping the future of bike

the age-old question ‘how do I know if my crashed

fitting.

bike needs replacing?’.

A big part of ensuring

Alongside our regular

we’re in a good position for this transition is the hard work going on behind the scenes to update and automate our website and

“this is a huge opportunity to get involved and take a hands-on role in shaping the future of bike fitting”

features you’ll also find a new course calendar showing all the courses currently announced for the next 6 months. This fits in with our new proposed

membership

timetable for the release of

management software.

our next issue. Our original

I know that hasn’t been a smooth process but the

target of producing a quarterly magazine proved …a

early bugs seem to be behind us and automating

little optimistic, so we’re shifting to just two issues per

most of the membership application and mapping

year, one in Spring and another in Autumn. Hopefully

processes will ensure the new President takes on

this will allow us to be much more consistent in our

a much more manageable role than I undertook

publication dates.

all those years ago. Please stay patient with us

If you’d like to contribute any content to the next

and let us know if you’re having any problems

issue, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

migrating over to the new payment system – remember, you don’t need Stripe to make

Andy Brooke

payments, that’s just the system we use to

IBFI President

receive them: you just need a bank card! In this issue of International Bike Fitter, we take a look at technology. Some, like AI and video capture, you’ll already be familiar with, but even then, there are some exciting developments and

International Bike Fitter is published by the International Bike Fitting Institute (IBFI) Unit 9, Hatton Technology Park, Dark Lane, Warwickshire, CV35 8XB, England Contacts: Andy Brooke (IBFI President): andy@ibfi-certification.com Lee Prescott (IBFI Vice President): lee@ibfi-certification.com Designed and produced by Caroline Stocks Communications • www.carolinestocks.co.uk

NEW PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION For the first Time since the foundation of the IBFI, there will be a democratic election held to select the next president.

s the process of becoming a charity progresses, we’re switching to a new corporate structure and my role as IBFI President will split into two. I’ll continue with some of the financial tasks, along with strategic planning, in a new CEO role, but this will free up the role of President for someone new. As soon as the process of becoming a charity is complete, we’ll hold an election to choose a new President. The President’s role will become a representative of the membership, with the responsibility of engaging with our members, organising conferences, overseeing the communication strategy (both on social media and this magazine), and generally supervising the three arms of the organisation – marketing, membership, and education standards. If you’d like to get more involved with the IBFI and shaping the future of bike fitting, please get in touch and we’ll set up a call to answer any of your questions. It’s a great opportunity for someone to bring a new energy and excitement to the organisation, and I’ll still be involved and available to help you at every step.

The role would suit someone with good teamworking skills, listening and communication skills, and a desire to collaborate with the varied and broad members of the bike fitting industry. I’ve really enjoyed this element of the role over the last 10 year, engaging with bike fitters around the world, both on the various committees and in the wider IBFI membership. It’s been really rewarding, and I’d like to think I’ve gained lifelong friendships from the people I’ve met. You won’t need to be someone that’s already got a global reputation in bike fitting – I certainly didn’t when I started the IBFI. Someone with a passion for fitting and helping other people would be ideal. We’re not looking for just one candidate either. The election process will allow the membership to choose from a number of different candidates, based on their ideas for the future and what they’d like to achieve. If English isn’t your first language, then we can provide some assistance to help with translations and ensure we have a fair and representative election process. Register your interest today and become a candidate for IBFI President.

As a reminder for those who haven’t yet switched their payments over, our updated membership and mapping so ware requires you to set up new subscrip on payments. We no longer support PayPal but to keep things as easy as possible, you can now pay with a bank card and manage your own subscrip ons through the IBFI website. I don’t have Stripe, how do I pay for my membership? You don’t need Stripe, that’s just the system we use to process your card payments. You just need a bank card or credit card. I can’t see my lis ng on the map. How do I login? Drag to the bo om of the homepage on the IBFI website and click on the orange Member Login bu on in the bo om right. From there, you’ll be able to login or reset your password in case you’ve forgo en it.

How do I set up my payment? Once you’re logged in, select My Account from the blue banner at the very top of the page, and then Subscrip ons from the menu that appears on the right. If you don’t have an ac ve subscrip on then it’ll suggest browsing relevant products, which will bring up the IBFI membership. From there, you process the order like any other online purchase and

MEMBERSHIP FEE REMINDER & FAQs your map lis ng will become live once the rst payment is processed. I’m not receiving the password reset email. How can I reset my password? Firstly, try a di erent email address if the email isn’t recognised. We might have a di erent one on le for you. If you’ve changed your email address or don’t know which one was used, just get in touch and we’ll help sort it for you. I used to pay £10 a month, why is it £12 a month now? As with everything, our costs have gone up with in a on. We’ve charged £10 per month for nearly 10 years, so just increasing inline with in a on would put us closer to £17, but we’ve increased it as li le as possible to help support our members. I’ve set up my subscrip on, but why do I get two emails per month? The system only takes one payment per month (unless you’ve done it twice), but it sends two emails. One con rms the renewal order and the other is a receipt once the payment has gone through. If you have any other problems, or want to discuss anything else about your membership, please get in touch and we’ll do our best to help.

Simplifying the ‘dark art’ of Ultrasound NDT for the bike industry

egardless of the industry, defects to carbon bre structures during manufacturing and damage during use (or ‘in-service damage’) can occur - reducing strength and sti ness and increasing risk in a variety of ways. To ensure the integrity of the composite structure, such issues (whether originating from manufacturing, design, accidental damage, in-service use) need to be found and accurately evaluated.

Globally, the carbon bre market continues to grow. 59m new carbon bre bikes are set to hit roads between 2021-25, with demand surging among the pre-owned bicycle industry also. Global production is pegged to hit 135,000 tons and, as a result of continued growth across a range of industries, the global carbon bre production market is projected to

IS YOUR CARBON FIBRE SAFE?

increase from USD 3.7 billion (2020) to USD 8.9 billion by 2031 (Source: www.marketsandmarkets.com). So, with carbon frame and component demand driving increased ownership and usage, surely those with the skills, knowledge, and technology to conduct structural safety inspections to ensure their safety have increased also, right? Wrong. Simply put, the need for accurate, consistent, and cost-e ective solutions for reputable bike businesses to identify and assess damage, whilst determining ‘repair-ability’, has never been more important. Cyclists place their trust in their LBS to ensure both roadworthiness and performance, however the de nition of what is considered ‘roadworthy’ is starting to shift. No longer is a mechanical service, visual inspection

So, in what ways can in-house inspection services bene t customers whilst contributing to workshop revenue?

1. Encourage customers to be proactive

There is almost no limit to the ways in which damage can be sustained to a carbon frame or component, from minor or major crashes through to drops, bumping sharp items, or even objects such as rocks being icked by other cyclists’ wheels or passing vehicles. Some bicycles may even contain manufacturing anomalies that could ‘propagate’ (travel through the material) over time.

When this results in signi cant surface damage that is noticed by a cyclist, it is an obvious and urgent signal to have an inspection performed. However, the problem with carbon bre parts is that the damage may propagate internally, leaving the surface seemingly intact and giving the cyclist (and even untrained mechanics) a false sense of security. The lesson

of whether a bike is considered ‘brand new’ or not) should be considered an opportunity to ‘look under the hood’. Damage can of course be identi ed and repaired, but issues can and should also be logged and monitored to prevent issues down the road. If the #RightToRepair movement has taught us anything, it is that the emphasis needs to be on ensuring equipment longevity and avoiding premature obsolescence through repair.

About CYCLE INSPECT Cycle Inspect are aiming to provide the first independent standard in bicycle inspection and data-driven risk assessment using NDT and machine learning, through training of a network of trusted mechanics. They provide industry training and insights that the entire global cycling community can benefit from.

or even the infamous ‘tap test’ considered enough, with more objective and data-driven methods of assessment needed. As cyclist’s awareness of the risks in riding or buying damaged or defective carbon bikes increases, so too will their expectations of mechanics, biketters, pre-owned bicycle re-sellers and manufacturers to proactively ensure safety and equipment longevity. To address this properly, no solution should be considered complete without a holistic approach to training, practical experience, standardised processes, and appropriate technology. Australian start up Cycle Inspect deliver on this, with the addition of the industry’s rst accreditation, and a patent-protected web-based assessment tool that guides technicians and reduces the ‘guess-work’. As trusted professionals, every engagement with cyclists (regardless

for cyclists? Incorporate structural safety inspections by accredited technicians into your existing bicycle maintenance routine.

accredited technician, using evidencebased and standardised procedures and technologies such as those provided by Cycle Inspect.

2. Pre-purchase and pre-sale inspections

Most buyers will become sellers at some stage, so protecting ensuring safety and protecting your investment are two sides of the same coin. Buying ‘pre-owned’ doesn’t need to involve unnecessary risk but until structural safety inspections become widespread, there is no ‘roadworthiness certi cation’ that cyclists could or should trust.

It is no secret that buying pre-owned carbon frames and components comes with risks of hidden damage. In many cases, such damage was not even known to the seller, because they and their local mechanics lacked the skills, knowledge, and technology to provide this certainty.

Ideally, every carbon bicycle should be inspected prior to sale by an

The most common and obvious justi cation for structural safety inspections is when visible signs of impact damage (resulting from crash, drop, bump) can be seen. Worryingly, due to a lack in accredited technicians, many cyclists (almost 1 in 2 according to Cycle Inspect) do not have their bicycle inspected properly - even after an incident - due to the anticipated costs and e ort in having their bicycle 'stripped and shipped'. Unfortunately, it seems that inspections are only pursued if the incident has resulted in signi cant and obvious damage. What is deemed ‘signi cant’ is clearly subjective, which highlights two important points: •Industry professionals such as mechanics and biketters, as the ‘trusted ally’ of every bike owner, serve a critical function to call out issues when they see them. The duty of care is clear, but currently cannot be responsibly enforced without the proper training and technology •Standardised training and procedures ensure every technician is operating from the same rule book, ensuring consistency in inspection methods and outcomes – thereby reducing subjectivity.

4. Inspection for warranty and insurance

What happens, then, when new bikes don’t meet expectations?

3. Post-impact inspection

In most cases, manufacturers o er limited warranties that extend to the rst (original) owner only. Whilst the terminology di ers from manufacturer to manufacturer, these warranties typically cover processing or material faults and manufacturing defects in materials or workmanship. In other words, a fault which was already present at the time of purchase (also referred to as, worryingly, a ‘risk transfer’). The length of the warranties varies and, in some cases, does so by component and typically need to be returned to an authorised dealer in a suitable condition to be considered for a replacement or repair. If a frame or fork has undergone a repair the warranty is void. Often, we hear bike shops prefer to remain “neutral” in this regard by avoiding any e orts to classify anything as a potential manufacturing aw. The solution here is to simply “strip and ship” and hope the customers receives a good outcome. Not only does this negatively impact the customer experience, but it does adequately address an evolving customer need and expectation. Structural safety inspections using Ultrasound NDT that are powered by standardised processes and datadriven assessment algorithms provide a sense of certainty for both customer and business owner; whilst providing instant access to objective inspection data for the bene t of manufacturers and insurers.

Courtesy Cycle Inspect www.cycleinspect.com

AI on AI We thought it would be an interesting experiment to ask AI to write an article about the use of AI in Bike fitting. Here is what was generated with no editing:

Precision Tailoring: A Marriage of Data and Ergonomics Bike tting, once reliant on manual measurements and subjective assessments, has found a new partner in AI. Advanced algorithms now process a vast array of data points, including body dimensions, joint angles, and biomechanical metrics, to create a digital portrait of each rider. This dynamic pro le serves as the foundation for personalized adjustments that cater to unique physiology and riding style, ensuring a harmony between rider and machine. Leading bike manufacturers and tting studios are leveraging AI-powered software to design bikes that are extensions of the rider's body. These systems analyze motion capture data, pressure distribution, and even pedal stroke dynamics to ne-tune saddle height, handlebar reach, and cleat positioning. By integrating realtime feedback into the tting process, riders experience enhanced comfort, reduced fatigue, and maximized power output. Data-Driven Insights: Enhancing Performance

Revolutionizing the Cycling Experience: The Surging Role of AI in Bike Fitting Enhancing Comfort, Performance, and Accessibility on Two Wheels Introduction

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In the realm of cycling, where comfort, e ciency, and performance converge, the advent of arti cial intelligence (AI) has sparked a transformative shift in the age-old practice of bike tting. As riders of all levels seek to extract the utmost from their twowheeled companions, AI technology has emerged as an indispensable tool, revolutionizing the way bicycles are customized for individual riders. This fusion of human expertise and technological innovation is not only elevating cycling experiences but also making the sport more accessible to a broader range of enthusiasts.

AI's ability to process and interpret complex data sets is proving invaluable in unlocking a cyclist's full potential. Fitted with sensors and cameras, riders can now capture intricate biomechanical details during training sessions. AI algorithms then dissect this information, identifying areas for improvement in real-time. From re ning pedal strokes to optimizing aerodynamics, these insights empower cyclists to make informed decisions that enhance e ciency and boost performance. In competitive cycling, marginal gains often separate champions from contenders. AI-driven performance analysis o ers coaches and athletes a strategic edge by highlighting incremental improvements that aggregate into signi cant advantages. As AI systems evolve, they promise to bring predictive modeling and machine learning into the realm of cycling, enabling athletes to anticipate fatigue, prevent injuries, and strategize their race tactics more e ectively. Democratizing Access: From Professionals to Enthusiasts The integration of AI into bike tting not only bene ts elite athletes but also democratizes access to professional-level customization. Traditional bike tting services often required inperson consultations, limiting accessibility for cyclists residing outside major urban centers. However, with AI-powered virtual tting platforms,

Moreover, AI-powered bike tting apps and tools have made it possible for everyday cyclists to ne-tune their rides without the need for specialized expertise. These user-friendly applications provide step-by-step instructions for adjusting key parameters, ensuring that cyclists of all skill levels can optimize their comfort and performance. Challenges and Future Prospects While AI's role in bike tting o ers transformative bene ts, it is not without challenges. Data privacy concerns, algorithm bias, and the need for accurate initial data input are important considerations. Additionally, the integration of AI into the cycling experience must strike a balance between technological innovation and the inherent joy of riding.

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Looking ahead, the trajectory of AI in bike tting appears promising. As technology continues to evolve, AI systems are poised to become even more adept at interpreting complex physiological data and delivering actionable insights. Collaborations between AI developers,

riders can now receive expert guidance remotely, eliminating geographical barriers and expanding the reach of personalized tting services.

biomechanics experts, and cycling enthusiasts will likely lead to even more sophisticated and user-friendly solutions that further enhance the cycling experience. Conclusion In the ever-evolving landscape of cycling, AI's transformative in uence on bike tting is a testament to the potential of human-technology partnerships. By merging the precision of data analysis with the art of ergonomic customization, AI is reshaping the way cyclists interact with their bicycles. From professionals seeking a competitive edge to enthusiasts seeking enhanced comfort, the integration of AI is poised to make cycling more personalized, e cient, and accessible than ever before. As this symbiotic relationship between man and machine continues to evolve, cyclists around the world can look forward to a future where every pedal stroke is optimized for maximum joy and performance.

AI & Bike Fitting:

An interview with Pedro A. Favuzzi Can you tell us about yourself and how you came into AI research?

What are the current limitations of AI technology?

I like to say that I am a scientist at heart. I did my PhD in physics what now seems like a life ago, after which I founded a few small startups and worked in IT consulting on the side, always working with small projects which I find more challenging and interesting. I have been fascinated with computer vision and deep learning pretty much since the moment I learned about it. A couple of years ago I was thinking about what to do next and I just decided to shift from software development to AI.

Resource requirements and data dependency. Most AI development has been towards increasing accuracy, by using huge amounts of data, and a lot more computation. ChatGPT was trained on 570 Gigabites of data, that is about 25 wikipedia's worth of textual data GPT4 requires probably (there no official number) a few terabytes of vram (memory in the graphic card). This means that a person would have to buy several hundreds of the latest graphic cards to run chatGPT4 on their device. This problem is even worse for computer vision. But I am very positive about future developments, I believe these challenges will be significantly smaller in the next 3 to 5 years.

Can you tell us about the project you have been working on and how it relates to cycling analysis? The mission of Kineticlab lab is to remove all the attrition in the bikefitting job and just help bikefitters be in the zone with the clients. You won’t need to waste your time behind a screen, putting markers, etc, and doing all of this will be done without the need for special equipment, cameras or expensive computers. That is KineticLab’s long term vision, for now, I have built a markerless joint tracking system, integrated in a video analysis tool.

How do you see AI transforming the way bike fitting is done? I don’t think AI will change the way bikefitting is done, rather AI will smooth out the process, imagine if the only thing you had to do to measure the bike was to bring it into your studio, your clients will start pedaling and AI will detect and measure all the information you need. Do you change the seat height? Great, the AI will detect what change has been done, by how much, and keep track and organize the measurements. Finally I think AI will make communication with clients much more impactful and clear, enabling new visualizations that can translate what bikefitters have learned to see after years of practice to riders.

Should people be fearful or excited about AI coming into their work? That is a complex question. I don’t think we should be afraid of AI, and I really don’t think the terminator vision of AI is realistic. However we should definitely be afraid of how we (humans) will use AI. People should be afraid or at the very least concerned about how their employers will use AI. AI can either lead us to a Star Trek like future or an Elysium future. It's up to us to choose how we want to use AI, whether it will be for the well being of all or to make very very few feel superior to all the rest.

EVENT: LAKE CYCLING

FIND YOUR FIT ROADSHOW

ollowing on from Rouleur Live 2023, this November, Chris an, Richard and the Lake team will be travelling the U.K., with a series of specialist events for their retail partners and customers. These road shows will bring the Lake shoe ng exper se directly to the cycling consumer. They’ll also be showing the very latest range of Lake road cycling and o -road shoe models and ensuring that the U.K. based Lake Cycling shoe ng centres have the most up-to-date training

than 25 countries throughout the world and is the perfect complement to a Lake cycle shoe ng session. In every bike ng, gebioMized strives for the best possible unity of rider and bike. Central in this regard is the individually perfect balance of performance, comfort and aerodynamics. And, of course, when comfort comes into the equa on, then everybody’s own unique feet become ultra-important too. To book a trade place please contact either Richard or Lauren at www.lakecycling.co.uk

The new CX/MX 333 will be available to try and feel, bringing the best in cycling performance and t, as they talk through the importance of properly ed bikes and cycling footwear.

The Evolution of the Cycling Shoe These events will enable The Lake team to showcase the very latest road and o -road cycling shoes from their development team and designers. Lake have been at the forefront of shoe design for over 40 years, and the new 3 series range of cycling shoes is the evolu on of that long partnership between Lake and the global cycling community. Along with the new winter cycling boot for commuters, these events are an opportunity to try out Lake and to see why they’re regarded as the most comfortable, high-performance cycling shoes in the world. On 21st/22nd It will be trade in the morning and the public will be able to a end from midday onwards which will be a great opportunity to hear about their own cycling shoe issues.

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On the 23rd of November at U.K. Bike Fit, Derby it will be a trade only and the Bike Fit will be experts from www.Gebiomized.de/en will be showing the latest in bike- ng technology, Their unique dynamic bike ng concept is now used in more

Key dates & venues 21st November

with Ben Wright at Ben E Fit in Orpington, for our London roadshow.

22nd November

with Lee Prescott at Velo Atelier in Warwick for our Midlands, Southwest and South Wales Road show.

23rd November

with U.K. Bike Fit, Matlock where the gebioMized team will be present for our Northern Road show.

International Bike Fitter decides to take a look at three of the latest video analysis systems

ne of the corner stones of modern bike fitting is video analysis of a dynamic riding position. In years gone bye we used to use simple goniometers to measure joint angles. Obviously this could only be done while the rider was static., which I’m sure all of you all have witnessed is very different to the position of adopt while putting effort into the pedals. Hence, having the ability to video a rider, and then analyse their position walls,

dynamic leads to a much more accurate and real life analysis. There’s been lots of systems over the years, and the technology is always changing and evolving. We decided it was about time that we took a look at the latest and greatest video analysis tools on the market. So we reached out to 3 companies that are developing systems that can be used for BikeFit analysis. This test is by no means exhaustive or comprehensive, as there are many other systems also on the market, but we thought that these three systems offered

VIDEO ANALYSIS 3 WAYS Left: all of the systems use adhesive markers of varying types.

a interesting overview of how the development in this market is progressing. TESTING PROTOCOL The testing consisted of setting up each system in our fit studio and running our subject through a normal BikeFit protocol using each of the software systems. This way they were all given the same requirements and used under the same environmental conditions. The three key Workflow components to most video analysis systems is firstly, video capture, followed by analysis of

the video, and finally some form of report creation. In each of the tests we will compare the systems based on these key attributes in terms of ease of use accuracy and usability. We selected a diverse range of systems from a comprehensive bikefit specific software system, to a flexible video analysis platform and complete hardware and software package to get a studio up and running. It’s important to say that each company supplied us with the software and hardware for the testing free of charge, and all of the systems have been sent back to the brands.

Many of you will be aware that Dart sh has been at

only two. The length and quality of these

the forefront of video analysis within bike tting for

catchers can be set up to suit your

many years. This is remarkable, especially because

requirements, and once collected, they now

Dart sh is not a bike tting speci c software.

automa cally go into what they call a montage.,

What made it so popular in years past, was its

previously the meline.

exibility, ease-of-use and low hardware cost

You can then analyse the video clips in any way you

requirements.

choose. You can step forward to a speci c key frame

None of that has changed with the new release. It

and measure angles or measurements can be made

can be used with expensive WebCams for instance

to track body markers, which are not speci c to the

and can capture at 720P at 60 frames a second.

so ware. All it needs is a high contrast point to

Dart sh, recently totally upgraded and re-wrote the

follow..

base code of all of its software to maintain

What’s interes ng about Dar ish is the fact that it is

compatibility and stability on the latest Windows

not prescrip ve in terms of what you measure so if

operating systems.

you are an advanced bike

The work ow is slightly di erent to the older

research, then the full exibility provided by the

versions, mostly around the video capture element.

so ware is very useful.

You can now capture from multiple cameras

instantaneously where is before you were limited to

DARTFISH PRO

er or someone doing

The capture process takes a little getting used to but enables simultaneous capture of multiple cameras.

The analysis screens allow total exibiily, which enables new processes or theories to be developed.

Once analysis is complete, you can then export everything into images or videos, which can then be downloaded or shared via Dar ish‘s own online cloud storage pla orm. The software tested here was the pro version, but there are several other options available for lower monthly fees

$94/month for the PRO suite used hereThe analysis screens allow total exibiily, which

IVER VISION IVER VISION is a relative newcomer to the world

Once the rider is marked up and peddling.

of bike tting systems, having only started in

You move to the capture page in the software

2020 put already have a number of Fitters using

and click a button to trigger a video capture.

the system in its native Italy.

Something that took a little getting used to

The system we had on test was one of the rst

was that prior to capturing a video cannot see

produced. We tested their BIKEFIT 2D system,

the subject live. This simply means setting up

which comes as a package of software, a GoPro

the camera in the perfect view of the bike and

camera., a small, LED light and two tripods, so

rider. Can’t be done until you’ve taken at least

pretty much everything you need to get started.

one capture. However, this takes very little

The system is also available as a multi camera

time.

system if you want to collect data from multiple

Once the video capture has been taken, the

angles.

system automatically analyses, the positions

When you start a session, there is a data

of the body markers, and creates a table of

collection page that allows you to enter details

body angles, and ranges for you to assess,

about the rider and their bike.

including a frontal knee track.

The system requires three-dimensional re ective

You can take mul ple captures as you alter the

body markers, which are supplied with the

riders posi on, and once nished outputs can be

system, along with a roll of self-adhesive Velcro

automa cally populated to a report which you can

dots.

The system allows data capture before and after the ttings have been analysed.

Measurements are made automatically once the video has been captured and the elds can be selected from a long list of options in the settings

then download for your client. Many of the elds on this report are customisable to suit your business model. The price for the hardware and software is a one-o fee, with no recurring software fees.

£3000 single Camera system or £3800 double camera system including shipping and tax

riders position.

we tested used Microsoft connect cameras, but

Once you have completed the tting the

the new version has a proprietary camera which

system can then supply you with a full range of

can capture higher rates more accurately. The

measurements and statistics annotating the

software allows multi camera support, so you

new bike position. This can all be outputted as

can assess symmetry and stability without

a customisable report for your clients, which

having to move cameras or the rider.

include all of the measurements images, your

You start by calibrating the system. This is done

notes, and lots of other information that you

by using a supplied one and which is held on

choose to include.

speci c areas of the bike until the system

What we like the most about this system is that

recognises it. This thing allows the software to

it automatically measures a huge amount of

accurately measure, not only dynamic movement

data speci c to bike tting which allows you to

and angles, but also distances.

make very informed changes to the riders

The 3-D cameras allow the system to measure,

position which can then be assessed using

not only on the sagittal plane, but also any

easily illustrated data.

medial lateral movement of the markers, which

The accuracy of the system was exceptional,

are applied to the rider.

but it does require a well lit studio.

It uses system speci c 3D cameras. The system

as you go through the process of adjusting the

BikeFit speci c system on test.

Multiple captures can be taken, and compared

Diva logic t system is the most comprehensive

VELOGIC FIT

Calibration

Video capture and analysis

Reporting and data capture

Are they is a well thought out and user friendly interface that is easy to use for the Fitter and provides a very professional set of tools. $200/month

A Redundant Absolute Measurement?

Following on from the last issue’s look into the efficacy of the KOP method, Scott Cornish takes a swing at it from a physio perspective

ike many aspects of tting to measurements, we have come to understand that we can’t t everyone nicely into prescribed boxes due to individuals’ variances in movement, anatomy, injury, pain, asymmetry, medical conditions, preexisting notions about what a good t should look like/be. A non-exhaustive list of elements to consider. This is not taking into account riders racing under UCI regulations. During my physiotherapy education, we were taught that humans should have a certain posture, move in a certain way, that asymmetry IS the cause of an individual’s pain and should be corrected. Amongst numerous other aspects within physiotherapy, understanding has since developed and this notion of prescribing the same measurements to every rider just isn’t valid. There are so many more factors to ascertaining an appropriate KOP position than a simple, single measurement. It’s a combination of factors determined from appropriate subjective and objective assessments, on the bike of course, but more essentially o the bike that. Aspects a motion capture machine won’t tell us either. As well as the standard subjective and objective pret assessments, additional ones should be added speci c to the reasons behind the rider seeking a t.

ffi

Age is a factor to consider (but not be taken in isolation) as our tissues unfortunately degenerate. Disc height and elastin levels are elements that can be a ected, so where a rider may demonstrate a high range of exibility, but they may no longer be able to sustain that range for a long period of time. It’s not just about muscular exibility though, assessing neural mobility is key

KOP

too; to add into the overall picture and it’s knowing how to di erentiate between the two. Incidence of LBP or medical conditions, such as scoliosis or disc pathologies are a big factor too. A more forward position is going to o -load these structures in combination with a more ‘neutral’ lower back posture. Simply making the front end higher to open the closed hip angle won’t necessarily change the forces going through the lower back area and it can encourage a more slumped seated posture, especially when fatigue sets in. A rider’s positional proprioception being a key element. KOP as a measurement is certainly redundant for the modern MTB with their more forward geometry. The numbers deliberately put riders in a more forward position over the pedals to balance out the slacker geometry of the headtube and for more e cient climbing over steeper terrain. It would completely throw out the desired handling and balance of the modern MTB if you try to t a rider to the standard KOP measurement. I’ve tried and it’s awful! Without the weight on the front end, both descending and climbing ability is hugely compromised. Some modern gravel bikes are also adopting this longer and slacker geometry philosophy. The standard KOP measurement is simply a starting point and it’s through a thorough subjective and objective (critically o the bike) assessment that will determine the eventual position. There are too many variances to assume that a rider will t into the mould of averages. For a more precise and e cient t, we need to understand the rider in front of us as an individual, both physically as well as psychologically.

This issue we have turned the lens inwards to interview Lee Prescott, of Velo Atelier, Vice President of the IBFI and Editor of this magazine. Why bike fit? It was a natural extension from designing bikes and building frames.

think I drive my guys in the Service Centre crazy about it.

Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met in your job? Ive fitted a few celebs like Zoe Ball and the Cycling GK – Ben Foster along with a bunch of Pro cyclists but the most interesting has to be fitting Eric Min, the founder of Zwift.

What’s the best thing about your job? When you get that email or phone call from a client thanking you for making their trip or riding pain free.

What’s your favourite event in the cycling calendar? Paris Roubaix and/or Redbull Rampage. Describe an average working day for you. On a fitting day I’m normally in early prepping and then into my first fitting by 9am. It will normally be a mixture of Initial Assessments and shorter sessions. I’m normally finished by 6pm and then home to do a couple of hours answering emails, design work or social media stuff. On a non-fit day I’m normally in the frame build workshop or paint booth, on my own all day apart from my dog. It’s a nice balance of hectic and calm. What’s the toughest fit you’ve ever done? Probably working with one of the Paralympic team. Normal rules go out the window and you have to go back to fundamentals whilst also reinventing the wheel a little. How untidy is your fit studio? Not at all. Im a bit anal about keeping everything clean and tidy. I

Espresso time How do you take your coffee? Freshly ground, lightly roasted & as often as possible What was the last book you read? Currently binging the “Y- The last man” graphic novels What pedals do you ride? Road-Speedplay, GravelEggbeaters, BMX/MTB-Flats What saddle do you use? Mostly Gebiomized Sleak in various versions How many bikes do you have and which is your favourite? Honestly I couldn’t say. Current fave is a 1991 Kona Cindercone we renovated

How did you get to where you are today? A huge amount of hard work and a very understanding and savvy business partner/wife. How do you unwind? Cooking or camping or cooking whilst camping. If you had to get a job outside of cycling, what would it be? Ive done design consultancy work in retail ergonomics but that was always more about paying the bills. If I had to choose a different career it would be as a Chef. What’s the best fact you’ve ever learnt while researching/studying bike fit/the human body? I have a congenital spinal issue which means Ive been around health professionals quite a bit over the years and the thing that keeps coming up time and again is that “Movement is Medicine” What advice would you give to someone just starting out in bike fit? Expect to work very hard and don't rest on your laurels, continue to educate yourself. The day you think you know it all, give up.

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IBFI cafe stop: Lee Prescott

NEW PRODUCTS

International Bike Fitter Magazine takes a look at some of the newest tools and tech from across the global bike fit industry.

Redshift Sports Quick Release Aerobars These innovative clip on Aero bars can be fitted and removed in as little as one minute. This means you could allow a client to try extensions during a fit in without any of the time and effort usually required. They're available in L-bend or S-bend and come with all the hardware required. RRP £199

Ryden Bike PRO Measurement & Setup Tool You may remember our review of Darren Ryden’s measurement tool in a previous issue. He has now released a pro version which comes with a more robust aluminium Roll and stainless steel thumbscrews to hold everything in position making it quicker and easier to use. RRP £155

Interested in having your product featured? Send details to lee@ibfi-certification.com Being featured on this page is not an endorsement by the IBFI

WAHOO ROLLR New bike fit products come to the market all the time, but how do you know which ones are worth buying? UK fitter Lee Prescott shares his thoughts on the WAHOO ROLLR after trying it out in his fit studio.

n normal day-to-day at our studio, we use

Imagine my excitement when Wahoo

a Computrainer, which allows us to keep

launched the ROLLR!

the rear wheel on when fitting a clients bike.

This look like it could potentially solve all of

We prefer this to direct drive trainers as we

these problems. So I got on the phone to

don’t need to worry about changing

our Wahoo rep and got one on order.

cassettes and axle types. However, where

I must say we haven’t been disappointed.

this falls down is when someone comes in

Out of the box is very quick and simple to

with a bike that has tires larger than 35C

assemble in less than 20 minutes. From that

which preclude its use on our trainer.

point, it’s easy to break down 2 to easily

To get around this, we keep a black burn

portable halves.

mini roller at the studio. This is however just

Once built, plugged in and connected to the

a dumb roller and does require removal of

computer via ANT+ or Bluetooth you can

the front wheel and is difficult to perfectly

use the Wahoo app to see speed metrics,

level the bike.

and if paired with your clients power meter,

SIMPLE TO USE: set up is a simple as placing your bike onto the roller and dialling the wheel gripper to hold it in place all done in less than 30 seconds!

you can also then control the resistance and measure power and cadence.. That’s not the real beauty of this product though, a lot of the time that we’ve used it, it hasn’t even been plugged in. It just works as a simple set of rollers. No, the real benefit of this set up is that I can

Due to the design, the bike is nearly always

get a clients bike set up and ready to ride in

as close to level as you need. It’s quick and

less than 30 seconds regardless of wheel

simple to set up and actually feels nice to

size, gearing system or type of bike.

ride on and stable.

I’ve had everything in here from standard

Time will tell how durable the set up is, as

road bikes, to full suspension mountain

we have only been using it for four months,

bikes.

but so far he has put up with the abuse we

A testament to its portability and versatility is

put it through.

that I’ve started taking this with me when I do

When our supply of Computrainers is finally

fits outside of the studio, instead of the

exhausted, I know what we will use full time.

smaller Blackburn rollers as it saves me time and effort.

RRP: £699

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

BIKE FITNESS COACH

CYCLEFIT

Bike tting for the medical and bike industry professional Dates - 09-Feb-24 - 26-Apr-24 - 19-Jul-24 25-Oct-24

All about a-symmetry and foot support Dates - 13-Dec-23 - 17-Apr-24

https://bike tnesscoaching.com/education Venue - Online

https://www.cycle t.com/bike t-training Venue - Hamont-Achel, BE

Cycle t Tech Class - grip pressure Dates - 05-Dec-23 Cycle t Tech Class - insole pressure Dates - 05-Dec-23

CONTACT POINT Https://torkecycling.as.me

Contact Point Experiential CPD (in person) Dates - 04-Dec-23 - 19-Feb-24 Venue - Bath, UK Contact Point monthly mentor group (online) Dates - 29-Jan-24 - 26-Feb-24 - 25-Mar-24 29-Apr-24 Venue - Online

Cycle t Tech Class - motion capture Dates - 06-Dec-23 Cycle t Tech Class - saddle pressure Dates - 04-Dec-23 Individual Position Optimisation Dates - 11-Dec-23 - 12-Feb-24 - 5-Apr-24 10-Jun-24 Introduction to Bike Fitting - cycling ergonomics for cycling industry employees Dates - 18-Dec-23 O -Road speci c Dates - 14-Feb-24 - 12-Jun-24

BIKEFIT CANADA

Shoe sizing and basic cleat adjustment Dates - 22-Jan-24

www.bike tcanada.ca Venue - Ontario, Canada

Sizing - frame determination Dates - 15-Feb-24

Mountain Bike/Gravel Bike Fit Dates - 11-Mar-24

Start to Bike Fit Dates - 15-Jan-24 - 18-Mar-24 - 20-May-24 15-Jul-24 Dates (online and in-person) 15-Jan-24 18-Mar-24 - 20-May-24

Road Bike Fit Level 1 Dates - 24-Feb-24 - 09-Mar-24

TT/Tri Speci c Dates - 13-Jun-24

CYCLOLOGIC

https://cyclologiceducation.com/course-dates

Cyclologic Education IBFI level 1

Venue - Warwickshire, UK Dates - 27-Nov-23 - 15-Jan-24 Venue - Taipei, Taiwan Dates - 11-Dec-23 - 10-Mar-24 Venue - Berlin, Germany Dates - 13-Dec-23 - 10-Jan-24 Venue - Arizona, USA Dates - 03-Feb-24 - 06-Apr-24 Venue - Stockholm, Sweden Dates - 26-Feb-24

Cyclologic Education IBFI level 2

Venue - Warwickshire, UK Dates - 29-Jan-24 Venue - Taipei, Taiwan Dates - 13-Mar-24 Venue - Berlin, Germany Dates - 21-Feb-24 - 28-Feb-24 Venue - Arizona, USA Dates - 06-Feb-24 - 09-Apr-24 Venue - Stockholm, Sweden Dates - 29-Feb-24

Cyclologic Education IBFI level 3 Venue - Arizona, USA

Dates - 12-Feb-24

TORKE CYCLING

WH BIKE FIT

Torke Bike Sizing Dates - 17-Jan-24

A bike tting workshop to introduce health and tness specialists to on-and o -bike assessment and interventions. Dates - 03-May-24

https://torkecycling.com Venue - Bristol, UK

Torke Body Positioning Dates - 11-Dec-23 - 05-Feb-24 Dates - 07-Mar-24 - 6 weeks evening online

https://www.whbike t.com/courses Venue - North Carolina, USA

Torke Foot Correction Dates - 04-Mar-24 Torke O Road Dates - 11-Mar-24

THE BIKEFIT PHYSIO https://bike t-training.com/courses Venue - Herts, UK

Torke O Road Dates - 11-Mar-24 Torke Online Start Bike Sizing Dates - 25-Jan-24 - 18-Apr-24 - 6 weeks evening online Torke Start Bike Fitting Dates - 15-Jan-24 - 11-Apr-24

Torke TT/Tri and Aero Testing Dates - 12-Mar-24

Start Bike tting: Healthcare speci c Dates - 03-Feb-24

GET IN LANE WITH THE IBFI

IBFI members gain global recognition, have access to a host of discounts, can participate in our unique mentoring programme, and apply for the annual travel grant, all for just £10 per month.

Find out more at I B F I - C E R T I F I C A T I O N . C O M