KEYS TO RIDING FASTER
You must be able to sustain your position for the duration or your event. Your position needs to be biochemically sound.
Points of contact need to be placed in a position that promotes power and minimizes the risk of overuse injuries. Your position must be optimized to reduce resistive forces - aerodynamics!
DATA DRIVEN FIT
Bike Fitting is a two way interaction between the rider and the fitter to get a full understanding of the process and a rider’s goals and concerns for a personalized solution. We use some of the best technology in 3D motion capture for a data driven approach to bike fit in order to objectively analyse a rider’s position. Each point in space allow us to see the position and movement of the rider’s anatomical points. These produce accurate movement data in real time to allow us to quantify a rider’s position on the bike.
RETUL 3D MOTION CAPTURE
STT SYSTEMS CYCLING 3D MOTION ANALYSER
KNOWLEDGE-BASED FIT
Our mission is to enrich each rider with a clear understanding of their case by breaking down cycling kinematics into simple terms and presenting the bike fit as it progresses. Knowledge-based fits work across all levels to give each rider an insight into cycling science and physiology, empowering them to understand the connection between rider movement and bicycle contact points. Each session is aligned to a rider’s cycling goals and capacity for knowledge. It is essential to explain our work, for the benefit of the client and clarity of process.
BIKE FIT CASES
AEROBAR FITTING ON ROAD BIKE
AN ENDEAVOUR IN COMFORT AND STABILITY
Although we do not like to encourage tri bars on road set-ups, sometimes we do accommodate special requests. There will be limitations, compromises and the possibility that it may not work. Equipment changes will be needed so an in-depth knowledge of the positional qualities of each product and a good understanding of product ergonomics are critical for such technical work. The goal is to allow the athlete to ride in a sustainable aero position without compromising on comfort. And only specific products may make it possible. So what did we change? Seatpost, saddle, stem and the clip on bars. But not just any.
This aero clip on triathlon position optimisation starts with the Profile Design T4+ clip-on that allows the pads to be place behind the handlebar (highly critical). A shorter stem is needed to bring in the shoulders. Seatpost and saddle are changed to enable rider to be more forward on the bike with maximum comfort and stability in the saddle in an aero position. A massive overhaul but it works out nicely.
CYCLING GOALS AND BIKE FIT
BIKE FIT IS FOR EVERYONE
Cycling for Li Ke is more than just a sport, its a form of uncluttering her mind from her busy work schedule and enjoying the company of her friends outside of work. She is a very successful career woman with businesses in Papua and comes back to Surabaya every weekend.
Our personalized and data driven fit process combines an understanding of a rider’s goals and abilities with sports specific biomechanical knowledge and our own cycling expertise and experience to provide a thorough insight and knowhow to best fit the rider.
No goals are too insiginificant. Cycling should be enjoyable for all sorts of reasons and we are here to help.
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FIT
BINK’S PASSION FOR CYCLING
Bink’s Cycling career start two years ago when we first met and now fast forward two high-end custom bicycles, two high performance carbon steeds later, with improved fitness, strength and experience, he is able to adopt a better position to ride longer and harder for an extended period of time.
We have his three bicycles in to check on the numbers and analysed the data of all his four bikes. We are is able to see his development throughout the years by simply going through his bike numbers and fit data – past and present.
Our data driven process has the precision and consistency required to get the most accurate and dependable data for our work. We are only able to compare across bicycles and positions when we have repeatable and consistent data. Only then we can apply our industry and cycling experience with an understanding of cycling specific biomechanics and kinematics to execute informed fit decisions on the rider.
We cannot be making changes based solely on ‘experience’. Likewise it does not make sense to stare blankly at data and be blindly driven by numbers. We use science to back up our decisions. And its essential to be able to explain how and why – for the benefit of the rider and clarity of process.
WITH COMFORT COMES PERFORMANCE
PRO RIDER BIKE FIT
Pro rider or not, stability and comfort is paramount for optimal performance.
A set of thorough cycling specific range of motion assessments allows us to find out any structural and/or muscular irregularities. We look for the relative – left and right, front to back and not absolutes – to see the body as a whole.
3D kinematic analysis enables us to quantify fit decisions based on joint angles and joint positions – both left and right sides, before and after changes and when to stop. Biomechanical data from ‘live’ motion capture is used to show that cleat wedges are unnecessary, position can be optimised by increasing height and moving closer to the bottom bracket and changing the saddle results in more balanced left-right pedalling.
Rider’s feedback is also a very important component of the fit process. Each change has to be done with experience, backed up by science and feedback from the rider. Sometimes its necessary to move two steps forward and than one step back to arrive at a fitter-data-rider confluence.
Having the experience, right mindset, right tools and adequate space is very important for a quality professional fit.
Choonwei Tay — Retul Master Fitter, Cycling 3DMA Specialist, S.I.C.I Certified
Choonwei has been fitting since 2007. He is an avid cyclist and participates actively in events and races across the region. His cycling career started while working as manager and fitter with The Bike Boutique. He has opened bikes stores, set up fit studios and trained fitters under the The Bike Boutique franchise across three continents. His passion is in cycling and is known for his efforts to ensure that all his clients are thoroughly happy with their rides and bike fits.
Choonwei is an S.I.C.I Certified Bike Fit Professional, Retül University Certified and a Schwinn Cycling Instructor. He is also trained in F.I.S.T principles. He has fitted amateurs, accomplished age-groupers and professional triathletes from teamTBB. His skills and experience have been recognised by Retül USA and Choonwei is part of Retül University's international partnership program as one of Retül University's educator.
RETUL UNIVERSITY & THE BIKE BOUTIQUE
RETUL UNIVERSITY
From 2013 to 2016, we are part of Retul University’s International campus to run Retul bike fit classes with various partner instructors from US, UK and Australia. It has been such a pleasure sharing knowledge, making new friends and business partners and showing our overseas students around town. Most of the Retul Fitters pre-2017 in the region are most likely from one of our classes. They have since adopted Retul as their bike fit technology and opened businesses or fit studios in bike shops and clinics.
Unfortunately, after Retul’s partnership with Specialized Bicycles in 2017, they stopped providing Retul classes outside of their HQ in Boulder. Nonetheless, we are proud to have been part of Retul University’s team sharing knowledge and experiences to the bike fitting and cycling industry!
THE BIKE BOUTIQUE
A blast from the past, in 2010 back to the days of The Bike Boutique Singapore fitting out TBB Pro Rebecca Preston on her Cervelo P4. The pros are on their way to from Europe to Thailand for their training camp and passed by Singapore to collect and fit their bikes for the season. There are probably at least 8 pros that we have to work on.
Retul started in 2007 and by 2009 we are using the very first generation of the dynamic fit system. Fast forward 8 years, 7 software changes, 5 hardware upgrades and over 3000 fits later, we are still very much at work – making riding better, one fit at a time.