I have know Husam since I was a young junior rider just getting into the sport. I believe his love of cycling and excitement in juniors who were eager to learn about and excel in the sport led him to help my brothers and I, back before we were really involved with any club or had many resources to support us in our cycling endeavors.
Since that time I have been on several different teams worked my way up to a cat 2 and am now working toward my cat 1 upgrade. This year our team is having custom built frames, obviously we really wanted to make sure they absolutely fit us correctly. Having recently heard about Husam having this fitlab at his ATA location in Concord, we decided to investigate and do some research about it. It sounded good but I was still skeptical about the whole idea. Over the years I have been fit by so many different people or so called ""experts"" in so many different places, with all kinds of the latest and greatest fit equipment including the retul lazer fit sytem. But I've never really been completely satisfied or confident that I was really in the best position possible or even the position that was really right for me. Husam's fitlab sounded like something different and the team thought it would be a good fit with the fact that we were getting custom frames. So even though I trust Husam I couldn't help but be skeptical going into my fit session after all my previous experiences at other places.
When I entered the fitlab room I Immediately could see that Husam takes his fitting to a whole other level. Still not sure about it though, he took all my measurements which was a much more precise procedure than any I have experienced before. He set me up on the fitlab adjustable bike and I began warming up watching the power meter, slowing increasing up to about 220 watts just cruising long at a very consistent comfortable pace. Husam then began adjusting the bike hydraulically as I was riding, he was observing me and pointing out poor habits I had from my past position that was clearly not right for me. As he changed the bike beneath me I told him when it felt better or worse.
Now this is where it began to get impressive, he was able to recreate the position close to what I had been riding and was used to, I said it felt good, he turned the wattage meter away so that I couldn't see it as I was still going along at 220 and then he changed the bike I felt the change but couldn't quite tell what was moving but as I was riding it clearly felt more comfortable and I felt as though it was as if I had a bit more leverage on the pedals and they moved more effortlessly, I was almost afraid I wasn't pushing as hard. Very impressed I told him that this was much more comfortable and he then turned the wattage meter so I could see it again and I was amazed to see it at 255, I just couldn't believe it, it felt no different than the 220 i had been pushing a few minutes before almost easier and certainly more comfortable. My entire body felt engaged and in line as one working unit.
I personally have always despised riding trainers, I'd rather go out for 4 hours in 16 degrees in the winter than 2 hours on the trainer... But I didn't want to get off this bike, it was definitely the most comfortable I had ever felt on a bicycle. I played around on it for a while pushing pretty hard and was very happy to see the numbers I was putting out compared to my effort.
I am very excited for the new bikes to be finished now and to start the 2010 racing season. Already with the adjustments to my current bike I notice a big difference, I simply enjoy being on my bike more, I feel better about it, I'm more motivated day in and day out to ride. Its been almost a month now since the fit.
I'll probably do a follow up review after I get my new bike and do my first race on it.
As far as I'm concerned this fit is worth the price of your bicycle. It was so far superior to any fit I have done in the past, I was truly amazed.
Pros: Lots- see details
Cons: Other riders may accuse you of doping...
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