Fit Kit Systems had its origins in the pioneering bicycle fitting research of William (Bill) Farrell of the New England Cycling Academy, which he founded in 1979. Over the next few years Bill developed the Rotational Adjustment Device (R.A.D) to address injury problems resulting from misaligned cleats, “The Fit Kit” to assist with selecting an appropriate frame size, and seminars to teach the principle and practices of bike fitting.
These developments led to a strong engagement with the cyclists at the US Olympic Training Center and the US National Cycling Team. Having established credentials in the upper echelons of the sport, Bill extended the promotion and use of “The Fit Kit” and “RAD” to bicycle dealers across the country and around the world for use with not only elite level athletes, but recreational and sportive riders.
Innovation didn’t stop there, and by 1990 Fit Kit Systems had introduced the first Fitting Software package, paving the way for today’s digital fitting and frame finder offerings.
For more about the early years of Fit Kit, read The Fit Kit Story 82-94.
In the mid 1990’s, Montana bicycle retail store owner Chris Nurre acquired Fit Kit Systems from Bill. Bringing together his bicycle retail and personal competitive riding experience, a formal education in exercise physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, and a flare for design and innovation, Chris advanced the development of the measuring tools, fitting system and educational offerings to new levels. Chris has had significant influence on many of today’s leading bike fitters and other fitting schools.
In 2015 Fit Kit Systems was acquired by John Higgins, and relocated to Salt Lake City, Utah. John originally trained with Chris in 2007, and got in years of practice using the Fit Kit to size up prospective customers in the bike department at REI. Sizing led to fitting and John established the fitting services in the store, before leaving to set up an independent bike fit studio, BikeFitr. Today Fit Kit Systems is run in conjunction with the bike fitting studio and remains a small and independent supplier to the bicycle industry. John’s focus is on maintaining the integrity and availability of the Fit Kit System while making new tools, software and education available to bicycle retailers, bike fitters and passionate DIY cyclists. John is proactive in networking with other bike fitters and bike fit educators, and attending conferences on bike fitting to keep informed and updated.