Fitting
How to get started:
I often have a short waitlist to get in, so please make me aware of your desired timeline when filling out the rider interview above. I’ll do my best!
What it costs:
Road, Gravel, Cyclocross, Mountain Bike fitting - $295
Triathlon/Time Trial fitting - $360. If we also need to figure out what bike will work for you before fitting via a fitting bike, I can do that at an additional cost.
Bike buying consult- $75 (provides assessment and specific recommendations on what bikes will work for you based on available databases…this is generally only done for folks that can’t make it for an in person bike fit and also usually done for road, gravel, or mountain bikes.)
Cleat fit without bike fit - $80 (available only for those I have already done a full fit for)
Peloton Bike Fit - $295. Peloton, Wahoo, Stages, etc. I come to you and do a full fit. Bar, seat, cleat adjustment, all of it! No shortcuts!
Phone or email consults to optimize bike setup - $40 per 30 minute block
ALL fits will be booked via a $75 non refundable deposit. This is paid at time of booking and counts toward the fitting cost.
Can’t make it? I NEED to know in 24 hour advance. I have a busy schedule and 3 hours of missed time is problematic.
Cutting seat masts, handlebars or other necessary component modifications – Cahaba Cycles shop rate per hour
Replacing parts such as tires, chain, cassette or other components necessary to complete the fitting – Cahaba Cycles shop rate per hour
Additional adjustments – free for two months after initial fitting
What to expect:
Pre fit interview to outline athletic history, goals, and fit issues.
Thorough evaluation of your strength, biomechanics, and mobility.
Dynamic assessment and adjustment of shoes/cleats, seat position, and bar setup to improve comfort, handling, and power.
Off-the-bike exercise program to improve bike specific strength and mobility.
Detailed position records for future reference.
Expect to be at the shop 2-3 hours. Triathlon/TT may take longer.
What to bring:
Your bike in ready to ride condition. Heavily used bikes often need tune ups and parts replacements.
Cycling shorts, jersey, socks, and shoes.
Clean feet! I’m gonna be real close to them so cut those nails, get a pedicure, or whatever you feel you need to.
Extra stems, saddles, seatposts, or other components that we might swap out.
A list of your goals for the fit. Write them down. This is important!
Where to go:
Cahaba Cycles - Homewood location
1724 27th Court South
Birmingham, AL 35209
Click below for Google Map directions. You can also reference this video for a better idea of the area!
Questions? Click here!
What others are saying
A few years ago I had John fit me on my mountain bike and gravel bike to improve comfort for ultra endurance races. Fancy machines? No. Computer aided fit? Nope. Just years and years of experience riding coupled with a PT background gives John the knowledge of how little changes actually affect the interface with your bike. We spent about 45 minutes just talking and assessing my flexibility before we even got on the bike. Cleat adjustment is another area John goes the extra mile. Two pairs of shoes and 90 minutes later I was feeling spot on. Getting a good quality bike fit is right up there with investing in skills clinics and coaching. {Jason Shearer - Ordinary Epics}
I was skeptical of mountain bike fits. I thought yeah if I were a road biker, then I would invest in one, but not a mountain biker... So glad I didn’t stick to my original conclusion. John has fit me on at least 4 or 5 mountain bikes now. So glad I met him. No longer any doubt when I’m ascending or descending if my bike is set up right. Would highly recommend, partially because he is a great mountain biker, himself. {Lon Cullen - Mountain Bike Skills Instructor}
I've had numerous fittings by John Karrasch as I've obtained different bikes. John also does a flexibility assessment so he can note areas for improvement in how your body moves, and also recommend readings that are focused on your weaknesses. John has experience a cyclist, bike mechanic, and physical therapy assistant, and he brings together all of that knowledge when performing your fit.
One thing of note is that as John is continually educating himself as part of his physical therapy assistant job, he introduces different aspects to his bike fits. Of all the bike fits I've had over the years with him, I don't think any of them have been exactly the same. {Evan Koch}
John has done two bike fits now for my NICA athlete daughter. He is professional, friendly and so very knowledgeable. After her fit, she noticed a big difference in overall comfort and performance. I can not recommend his services highly enough! {Branden Haley}
FlexFit is invaluable. I cannot adequately describe all John has done for me.
Prior to using John’s counsel, I had always questioned my bike setup. I was never really comfortable at all. I ached and had a number of issues, especially on and after extended or hard training rides. On my journey to find comfort, I spent years experimenting with bike setup. I searched for answers: by reading articles; by studying book chapters’; even by questioning, and drilling coaches, and both elite and professional cyclists. Years of uncomfortable, hard training and thousands of miles slipped by me. The traditional bike fit and plumb bob methods just did not work for me.
Then, I came across FlexFit’s ad. John’s guarantee. John’s warranty. It undoubtedly caught my attention! I provided him with a list of problems that would occur during and after training: Could he help me to improve my off-road handling? Could he help me optimize my performance for 3 - 8 hour events? Could he help me to improve both in and out- of- the saddle climbing? Could he help me find comfort pedaling in the drops?
Here is only a fraction of what was achieved for me:
Maximized comfort . . . the longer the ride . . . the better I feel.
Maximized my efficiency and power to help me conquer the climbs.
Improved my off-road handling skills, boosting my confidence to shred the trails or rip through the sand pit.
Assigned me personalized off-the-bike movements that improved my flexibility and core strength. By incorporating the movements into my training, I have been able to increase my saddle height by 15mm since my first fit.
My first Flexfit was on my CX bike. I felt so alive after the CX fit, months later I returned with road and mountain bikes. With each subsequent fit, I was pleasantly surprised to find that John had improved and further fine tuned his bike fit methods.
John makes himself available pre-fit and post-fit for questions and/or concerns. He is very, very, very thorough. I can’t place a high enough value on what John’s expertise has provided for me. I don’t have any doubt about my position on the bike. I am comfortable and confident that I’m in the best position for me!
{Randy Kerr - 4-time National Champion – Marathon Mountain Bike}