PINK BIKE 2008 IS ALMOST OVER!
 by Chris
Tomorrow is the big day! First, a huge thank you to everyone who'd donated to this year's Pink Bike raffle. We'll be closing the raffle this evening at midnight UTC--yes, because so many of you have donated from all around the world, we just went with the good, old atomic clock. That works out to 8:00pm Eastern daylight savings time here.

When will you know if you won? We'll make that major announcement tomorrow evening, right on our home page.

We'd like to thank our fantastic sponsors of this year's event one last time as well. We're happy to announce that our new Jet 9 frame is going to be shipping with brand new, indestructible Niner rockers. Thanks go out to Fox, Hope, Industry Nine and NoTubes, Ritchey, and 2wheeler Customs.

If you haven't entered yet, there's still a few hours left, so keep an eye on that atomic clock.


 more...

Why Choose our Fit System?

When we chose to develop our Rider Profile on-line fit system, we entered into the project with a few core beliefs. Fit is the most important aspect of any bicycle purchase. That, above all else guides us. Equally important, though, is our belief that proper bicycle fit involves communication between individuals. Regardless of the technology brought to bare in the fitting process, the truth is that accurate and comprehensive bicycle fit demands a motivated individual to conduct the fit and offer analysis, and a motivated individual determined to find the best fitting new bicycle. Together, these two individuals can elevate the entire concept of "fit" to a comprehensive process, involving analysis of the physical dimensions of the customer, but also much more. Our personal approach to each rider's fit needs involves a detailed analysis of all elements of the bicycle--not just the size of the frame and components, but the intended use of the bicycle, and the unique riding style of the individual.
When we set out to develop our Rider Profile on-line fit system, we realized the magnitude of the task at hand: to properly fit a wide variety of individuals to a wide variety of bicycles with the highest possible degree of precision--without having the benefit of a rider here in the store. Creating a successful solution involved admitting that there is no automated form currently available with which to determine bicycle fit with any degree of accuracy, and approaching the fit process from the customer's point of view. Our Rider Profile fit systems has successfully fit over a thousand riders based on our simple and reliable formula: we spend time communicating personally with you. When you complete a Rider Profile from Speedgoat, you receive a personal typed analysis and a CAD-based drawing of your dimensions set over those of the bike you are considering. In an increasingly automated world, we're well aware that our method here is not designed to be the most efficient means of "processing" and individual, but we never set out to process people in the first place. Our goal has always been to match each rider with the perfect bike.

CREATE YOUR RIDER PROFILE


















SAMPLE 1: Speedgoat Rider Profile Sample Drawing

Speedgoat, like most finer framebuilders, uses graphic analysis software from The Bicycle Forest  |  Close Samples
SAMPLE 2: Speedgoat Rider Profile Sample Analysis Email Response:


Hello [Name],

Thanks again for completing a Rider Profile with us, and sorry for the delay. New BLT frame geometry had to be entered into our system. First, let's take a look at your general fit needs and from there we can look more closely at your specific fit requirements on the new BLT. As a reminder, you've been issued a Gift Certificate for the full amount of your Rider Profile purchase price. This Gift Certfificate is good toward the purchase of a bicycle of frame at Speedgoat.com. The Gift Certificate Number is E10456-GTA.

First, here's what our sizing algorithm had to say about your physical dimensions: your body dimensions suggest a 56-58cm road frame (subtract 1 to 2cm for a cyclocross frame) and a 17.5-19 inch mountain frame. Calculations based on classic true inseam (pubic bone height) sizing techniques suggest optimal traditional road frame size is calculated at 55.5cm. Optimal saddle height is calculated at 73cm or 29-inches. Based on this cumulative information, your optimal mountain frame size would be 18.5-inches, accurate to within one inch.

But that's all the general preamble stuff. Let's get to your primary concern: yep, you're definitely right on the cusp between the Medium and Large frame sizes. That being the case, I doubled up the analysis to include both sizes, and creating drawings for you for each, so that you'll have a visual reference between the two. Basically, the Medium is slightly short and the Large is slightly large for you. At first, I was concerned that the Medium would be too small for you, but after a more detailed look at your leg dimensions, I believe that one of the things you like about the feel of slightly smaller bikes might be the position of your upper legs relative to the crankset. You have a slightly shorter femur length, so it makes sense that you'd be realizing better alignment with the slightly shorter frame.

That said, I don't feel the Large is out of the question. You have the reach and torso length for the Large, but I do feel your legs would keep you from being able to use a setback seatpost or take other steps to move your center of gravity rearward on the Large, and those are options you would have on the Medium. One other note: stem length here is going to be extremely subjective. I created a Medium BLT with a stem length that'd be capable of positioning you for XC use, but would not put an excess of your weight over the front of the bike. As an experienced rider, you may find you want to experiment with stem length, as you fine tune the frame to your preferred center of gravity.

Here, then, are my specific recommendations for your bike:

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Frame: Santa Cruz Blur LT (2008), Medium
Stem: 110mm x 5-deg. (100mm also acceptable for less XC/racing uses, more slow-speed trail riding--see notes above)
Initial Stem Spacers: 20-25mm (25mm shown; we default high on bar position during assembly, as you can always lower, but once fork is cut, you can not easily add more bar height; you also would want to pick up some height in this area by using 25mm of spacers)
Seatpost Style: Straight to minimal offset (no more than 15mm offset recommended, even on the Medium frame)
Crank Arm Length: 175mm
Handlebar Style: Low-rise bar: (15mm to 25mm recommended; bike shown with 25mm rise; but shorter rises are available)
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Hope this analyis is helpful, and please feel free to let me know if you have any thoughts or questions about these recommendations. I know one of our sales representatives is already working on a customized package kit for you, and that you two will be working out the bike details, but I'll be here if you need any further consultation. You can always reach me at:

support@speedgoat.com.

Thanks again, and please let us know if you have any other questions, or if there's anything else we can do to help,

Chris
Speedgoat Support
support@speedgoat.com

We offer our personalized Rider Profile analysis for a fee of $150.
This fee is refunded from the purchase price of any frame or bicycle you order from Speedgoat.

To complete the Rider Profile, you'll need a tape measure (inches or  centimeters), a flat, hard surface to stand on, two hardback books about an inch thick, a pencil, and someone to help you take the measurements. You should also have access to your current bike(s) so that you can take measurements off of them.



If you don't have time to sit and complete the Rider Profile, you may download the questions as a PDF file and complete them at your leisure. To get the file, simply click the link below:

Download Speedgoat Rider Profile PDF file.





 
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