What Tools Do Bike Fitters Need?

A common question we get at Fit Kit Systems is “what tools do I need to get started in bike fitting?”, or “I’m ready to take my bike fitting up a level. What tools do you recommend?”  Many people expect a ready made “bike fit starter kit” that gives them everything they need to wow the world with their fitting prowess, but despite such things being offered by some, it doesn’t quite work that way.

At a glance, you would think these questions for guidance could be answered quickly, but as with most things in bike fitting, there is more nuance to it than that, and a lot of “it depends….”

Factors to Consider When Assessing What Tools You Need for Bike Fitting

• what you already have
• what you think you need, or are aware of needing
• what bike fit training, education, and mentoring you have had and intend to have
• your philosophical approach to bike fitting
• how much you think you want to invest – in both tools and technical training
• are you operating out of a bike shop with existing resources at hand, or not?
• is this a fixed location or mobile fit operation?

As a beginner bike fitter in a retail (bicycle) store, I had access to all the mechanics tools as well as retail supplies of stems, bars, saddle, cleats, etc. Bike fits were relatively short and simple, and access to specialty fitting tools was limited.

When I started an independent bike fit studio, none of those store resources were available, so that meant investing in both mechanical tools to work on bikes, as well as retail components relevant for bike fitting.  Further education, conferences, tradeshows, newsletter subscriptions, and trawling social media and YouTube led to a deeper awareness of what other fitters used or recommended, and all of this led to the creation of a “wish list” of products that I was able to check off over time.  Some things I bought I no longer use, as my bike fit process and understanding progressed and evolved. Some things I would buy and try out, and then decide they weren’t aiding my process and outcomes in the way I thought they were. Some were solutions looking for a problem to solve and ended up causing more problems than solving anything.  So expect your tool collection to change over time.

One of the recommendations I received and implemented was not to take on more than one advanced “fit technology” per year.  Spending big initially on equipment doesn’t automatically make for a better bike fitter or better fit outcomes. Take time to get grounded and familiar with using the basic tools and following a simple process, and then gradually add in more tools and skills.  This spreads out both the expense and the learning journey.  Too many bike shops and fitters have spent big on a technology only to find it did not align well with their own skills, process or customers, but far too many are at the other end of the spectrum and have not invested in any equipment or education for a long time, and yet still think they are providing a decent service.  I recommend an annual review and evaluation of what tools you are using and not using; what is serving you well; what needs replacing or upgrading; and what might you add to your toolkit.

The Most Important Tool of all is the Bike Fitter’s Brain

This needs to be open to ideas and options, as well as to be able to evaluate, decide, and implement.  This applies to tool and product selection as well as doing bike fits.

Keep in mind that there are two types of skills required when using more advanced tools, be they digital or analog.

1. How to technically operate the equipment
2. How to make use of it for bike fitting

This is particularly relevant for things like Body Measurement, Fit Bikes, Pressure Mapping, Motion capture, Video analysis, and Aero Testing.  The first thing is to learn how to use the equipment accurately, quickly and efficiently, and the second thing is to know what to do with the data or information generated.

Categories of Tools for Professional Bike Fitters

In broad categories, the equipment needed for a professional bike fitting operation falls under the following categories.

• The Fitting Area
• Cyclist Assessment and Measurement (off and on bike)
• Bike Support
• Position and Equipment Testing
• Bike Measurement
• Mechanics Tools to: loosen, tighten, push, pull, hold, cut
• Fit Components
• Supplies and consumables

For a list of low tech / unplugged suggestions for each area, click here to download an Equipment List

This topic is fleshed out in more depth in our online course, Fundamentals of Bike Fitting – Module 3 – Tools of the Trade.

It is worth noting that missing from the above categories and downloadable list is anything to do with the business of bike fitting – be it administration, marketing, client scheduling, staffing, payment processors, inventory management and so on.  That is a whole other topic with its own equipment and resource needs, knowledge, experience, and expertise.

Setting up or advancing a bike fit service takes some time and dollars, although not as much as many professions. Although the fitter’s skill and experience is more important than the tools used, the right tools in the right hands make for a better experience for both the fitter and the cyclist.  A practicing fitter should be active in periodically reviewing their existing tools, being aware of new tools, casting aside worn out or outdated tools, repairing or replacing tools as well as evaluating and adding new tools.