fit institute slowtwich
f.i.s.t.
Triathlon Fit Coordinates
Whether you’re thinking about racing your first Triathlon or you’ve been racing for years, a professional and proper triathlon bike fit will pay huge dividends to you. Comfort, power, aerodynamics and optimizing muscle groups while saving others for the run all contribute to a successful bike and run leg of a triathlon and are the result of a professional bike fit.
Do you own a triathlon bike? If so, were you properly fit? Or maybe you have a road bike and want to buy a triathlon bike. What size and what brand should you buy? Certainly walking into any bike shop will afford you an opportunity to receive a plethora of recommendations – most of which probably revolve around what bikes that particular store sells.
But what if you could team up with a professional and together discover your optimal triathlon fit coordinates? Could you then convert these measurements and determine which bikes and which sizes fit your optimal triathlon position? You bet! And once armed with this information, you will then know which brands and what size in those brands fit.
The System and Tools
F.I.S.T. (Fit Institute Slow Twitch) is the standard in the triathlon and time-trial community by which all other fit systems are measured. Dan Empfield, the inventor of the modern triathlon bicycle and founder of Quintana Roo, and his crew developed the F.I.S.T. system after years of studying the science of triathlon bike building and fitting. I have been personally fit and trained in this system by Dan at F.I.S.T. headquarters at Xantusia, California, and adhere to those fit axioms that make this system so successful.
I use the F.I.S.T. preferred fit tool, the Exit Cycling Fit Bike developed by Ves Mandaric - former master frame builder for Quintana Roo. Unlike other fit simulators, the Exit Fit Bike allows me to make multiple adjustments to the “bike” while the rider is actually cycling. This ability to get immediate rider feedback in this dynamic system sets the Exit Fit Bike apart from other fitting tools. Combined with the F.I.S.T. system, the Exit Fit Bike is simply the best triathlon and time-trial fitting tool. With my extensive triathlon training and racing experience, you wont get a better or more professional fit from anyone else.
Fit Coordinates
Not all triathlon bikes are measured the same. A 58cm Cervelo P4 is a completely different sized frame than a 58cm Cannondale Slice. So Dan Empfield and his team came up with a universal way to measure frame sizes with his F.I.S.T. system. By measuring the center of the BB to the center of the top of the head tube in a vertical plan, one could determine the “Stack” measurement of that frame. And with the same points, one can then measure the horizontal length of the frame called the “Reach”. By getting the Stack and Reach for every tri bike make and model (which Dan and his team have done), one now can match a rider’s Stack and Reach fit coordinates to specific makes and models of bikes.
For example, my fit coordinates match me up to 56cm Felt DA, a 58cm Cervelo P3/P4 and 58cm Kuota Queen K to name a few. But I can’t fit on a Cannondale Slice, Scott Plasma or a Trek Equinox TTX. They don’t have any frames that would fit me. Now, if you’re going to spend $2000-$6000+ on a new Tri Bike, wouldn’t this be good information for you to know? Absolutely!
And this is the information you will have after working together with me on the Exit Fit Bike within the F.I.S.T. system. It simply is THE best.
The Fit Expert
After racing over 25 triathlons – 7 of which were Ironmans (including 2009 Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hi) - I have gained valuable experience in the sport. My thirst for all things triathlon never seems to wane as I constantly look to improve training, nutrition and race execution in order to continually achieve my ever rising goals. Over time, I was able to narrow down a proper triathlon position on the bike – or so I thought. Not until I was trained by Dan and fit by him did I realize the “why” and “how” of a proper triathlon bike fitting. The skills I’ve learned and developed from Dan, the tens of thousands of miles I’ve put on the road and the passion I have for this sport has inspired me to teach others. The difference between myself and some other “fitter” is my training, passion and experience. You wont get a better fit anywhere else!
Contact me at: mark.sortino@triathlonforlife.com
