AI Bike Fitting vs The Work Experience Kid.

Technology Is A Massive Part Of Bike Fitting, But Will AI Replace The Fitter?

Everywhere we look, AI is here, it's trying to find it's place, no different to a beginner cyclist trying clip-in pedals for the first time. It takes a while to learn, but eventually it's the norm. Even now as I sit down to write this, I have three different buttons all imploring me to use AI instead of waste my time writing something of my own.

If you aren't aware, you can now take a video of yourself riding and upload it to an app, which will provide recommendations on what to fix. This "artificial intelligence" recommends changes to get some simple components such as seat height and handlebar reach into pre-set angle ranges.

So, are AI bike fitting apps or someone conducting a fit via a video coming for my job? Sadly not. And, whilst I would relish the chance to embrace more tech, create an app, spend more time with family, riding my bike and in the shed making chairs, I just can't see it working. Now or ever.

I'm a bike fitter, and I've spent the last 10 years also using this knowledge to help riders buy and build the best bike for them. I have used 3D motion capture since 2012 to help analyse rider positions, so I'm not adverse to using tech, but I have been much more hesitant to embrace AI or offer an online fit service. I'll be blunt here, I think it's a bit of a con.

Precision 3D Measuring Of Bicycle Components.

I don't think online bike fitting (apps or otherwise) that show you a range of angles and make suggestions on what to change are worth it, or work. There are far too many variables, as well as mechanical skills and tools. I think it's a false economy that ultimately can create more work. Bike's will only become more complex and I think the margin for error is too high. Relying on someone with varying abilities on the other end of screen to adjust cleats, a saddle angle and all the touch points, where half a degree matters and can be felt is reasonable or, at times safe.

Most bike fits are initiated to solve a problem, comfort, performance or, lucky you, a new bike. Our purpose as a fitter is to solve that problem, to do so well, you need to be meticulous with your details and here is where the online service really fails people. I have no doubt it can improve people's bike fit, but for me, it's often a shorter term fix. In addition to this, it's also not the way I want to fit people, I can't have peace of mind knowing everything was done correctly. I don't think you get a true sense for the entirety of the problem and how best to solve it, without getting hands on.

A Messy Desk And Speciality Tools

As a fitter, we need to see the contact points, it's part of finding the right solution. When pedal surfaces are worn out or cleats have moved, the list here is endless where being in the same room is useful, but beyond this step, it's at the corrections phase where I have the most issues. The adjustment of cleats or brake levers and saddle tilt can be complex, require alignment tools, torque wrenches and years of experience. I think it's wrong of brands to offer such respite, when it will most likely end with a trip to the bike shop anyway for many. So where do we go from here, if we take our original idea, that a bike fit is trying to solve a problem for the rider, well, I'm left feeling the problem's remain still for Online Bike Fits via Video or using an app. In the long run, I don't think it saves money or time, and on the business side, I don't think it allows fitters to have a wider customer base that will benefit entirely. As a solution, I think we could improve the fitting community by recommending other good fitters in different areas/countries and also offering more mobile services.

Here in Melbourne, I offer "mobile bike fitting" because I think it helps solve as many of the problems Online Bike Fitting is trying to solve, but with a much better outcome for all parties. It help's those that either can't get to a business in normal hours, want to be home due to children or pets, can't travel easily with their bikes, or just the convenience of having it done at home. There are so many reasons it's helpful to people without the issues apps or online fitting services create.

So, it would be amiss of me to not acknowledge you can still have an in-person bike fit that doesn't work for you, we try and counter this by offering a free follow up service, but there are still instances. I think it's also worth saying a bike fit app or video fit can be useful as a rough guide or second opinion, but not as a stand alone service. But without the human element, the intelligence offered in these apps, I don't think is better than a work-experience kid who is a passionate cyclist.

Where will AI or new tech take our industry? Well right now, the thing that excites me most is body scanning technology and hopefully the use of this data to assist people with buying the right size bike or refining or testing aerodynamic positions at home. I also think 3D printing has a big part to play in the future customisation of bikes, but I still think collaboration with an expert and using the tech as a tool to improve outcomes is going to be pivotal, rather than replacing.

Share your own ideas! - Tom