Bike Fit Experience – Rob Vandermark

I was asked a number of times at the International Cyclefit Symposium about my background.  Some people were surprised at my – and Seven’s – bike fitting experience.  Here are a few items that came up in conversation, and that Cyclefit expressed an interest:

• 1988:  Worked on a four-year intense project focused on performance wheelchair ergonomics.  This was formative in my bicycle fit thinking.
• 1991:  Began learning fitting from Tom Kellogg while I worked at Merlin Metalworks.  At that time the idea of remote fittings took hold at Merlin.
• More than 25,000 fits at Seven Cycles; I review and sign-off on more than 95% of those fits and designs.  We’re fairly certain that no individual has performed more fits than this.
• 1999:  Began running fit clinics all over the world for Seven Cycles retailers and distributors.
• Developed a 1,000+ page training manual for Seven Cycles performance design and fit team.  This is not just about fitting; it’s about performance, holistic fit, and bike design philosophy.
• I do about a dozen in-person, hands on bike fits each week.
• I’m not a fit tool user – lasers, goniometers, etc.  My tools are ears, hands, and sometimes eyes.