The Bike Whisperer is run by Scherrit and Corinne Knoesen, with the help of Fettle the workshop dog, and Tika the Hungarian rescue dog. They started the business seven years ago because they couldn’t find anyone they trusted to work on our large stable of bikes. Since then Scherrit’s expertise in bike fitting has lead to this becoming the major focus of the business. He is one of the few bike fitters in the world trained by the Australian bike fitting guru Steve Hogg.
Scherrit Knoesen
Scherrit is originally from South Africa where he was involved in cycling for 10 years, starting a racing club at university and racing on both the road and the track.
More recently he has trained with Steve Hogg – the Australian bike fitting guru.
Experience
Track racing, road racing, fixed wheel commuting, tandeming
Qualifications
- City & Guilds qualified bike mechanic
- British Cycling Coach Level 2
- BC Track Coach Level 2
Special interests
Bike fitting, Coaching & sports nutrition, wheel-building
Corinne Knoesen
Corinne is from the UK, and has been involved in mountain biking and touring for over 20 years. She has cycled in India, USA, Sri Lanka, Costa Rica, France, Holland and Sardinia
Experience
Track cycling, road cycling, commuting, tandeming, touring
Qualifications
- City & Guilds qualified bike mechanic
- British Cycling Coach
Special interests
Womens cycling, womens bike fitting, touring
Fettle
Fettle is a four-year old Hungarian Vizsla. She is a very special dog, and although she doesn’t help out much during fittings we think many people come back just to see her again. She loves all cyclists unconditionally . . .
Thank you for your interest in a fitting from The Bike Whisperer. Below are some things you should know if you are considering a fitting, or if you have already made an appointment:
Fitting Options:
Complete Fitting is designed for anyone who has issues of injury, discomfort or lack of performance on their existing bike. The session will typically last five hours, including rider interview, off bike assessment, on bike assessment, changes to position, measurements of pre and post bike fitting positional parameters, cleat and shoe positioning, foot correction, and post fitting discussion.
Ideally we want to see you again within eight weeks of the original session to check how you are adapting. There is no charge for this second appointment.
There is also no charge for any post fit tweaking that may be necessary within 90 days of a fitting session.
Cost of a Complete Fitting is 265 Pounds plus any parts required.
A New Bike Consultation is appropriate if you are:
Not keeping your existing bike and want informed advice on what is the most appropriate bike for you to purchase.
OR
If you are looking for a custom frame to be purchased from us or elsewhere. If the latter we are happy to liaise with the builder of your choice to help ensure the best possible result.
Cost of a New Bike Consultation is 75 Pounds plus any parts required.
Additional Fitting Work is conducted on an hourly rate. Examples can be a past fit client (less than five years prior) who has a new bike, new shoes that they want dialed in OR a new client who only wants their shoes and cleat position sorted out. If you have an request of this type, contact us for more information.
Payment:
Due at the time the fitting session is completed. Cash, PayPal, direct debit or credit cards are acceptable forms of payment. We prefer cash or direct debit because we take a hit on other payment methods.
Guarantee:
If you are not satisfied with the results of your fitting and I am unable to resolve your on bike issues with a subsequent follow up, I will refund your money. You are paying for a result, not an attempt. Bike fitting is expensive and I hear many stories of riders who have a ‘professional’ fitting and then change their position back to the way it was within a couple of weeks without complaint. The general standard of the bike fitting industry is low and I find this unacceptable. I work to achieve a much higher level of customer satisfaction than that.
Mechanical Services:
We have a comprehensively equipped work shop so any cutting of fork steerer tubes, seat masts, modifications to shoes, etc. is no problem.
Off The Bike vs On The Bike:
Even with the best bike position in the world it takes a certain minimum level of physical functionality to ride a bike effectively. I do not expect to see ‘perfect’ clients; they don’t exist. If I think that your issues are too severe to be dealt with by changing your position on the bike alone, I will tell you at the earliest possible moment and refer you to others with the expertise to allow you to achieve the necessary degree of functionality to ride effectively.
Many of you will find that I can work around pre-existing functional issues. Even so, you may still need further help elsewhere. I have developed a network of quality health care professionals in every mainland capital that can help you if necessary. Have confidence that I’m not trying to dodge a bullet here; my intent is work with integrity to aid in you becoming faster and more comfortable on your bike. This requires a holistic approach.
Post Fit Adaptation:
No matter how good or bad your current position you are used to it. Constantly repeating an action like cycling embeds a Motor Pattern (muscle firing sequence appropriate to the task) in your Central Nervous System (brain and spine). This is not going to change just because I optimise your position. It takes time for your nervous system to learn a new way of doing things, typically three weeks of regular (four or more times weekly) riding. The quickest way to adapt is to ride at low to low moderate intensity. At heart rates above 70 to 75 percent of maximum, we unconsciously attempt to fall back into Motor Patterns that we are used to… Which won’t work very well because your physical relationship to the bike has changed. Be sensible, avoid steep hills, avoid fast bunches and smell the roses for three weeks post fitting. After that, resume normal activity.
If your competitive season will be impacted on by following the three week easy period post fitting, please talk to me about this before confirming your booking.
Please bring with you:
- Cycling knicks and top
- Cycling shoes with any footbeds or orthotics if you have them
- Sunglasses or prescription glasses that you ride with
- The tool kit that you ride with
- Any bike lights that you ride with
- Cycling helmet
- Any wallet you carry in your jersey while riding
- The phone that you carry while riding.
- Ladies need to wear a crop top or athletic bra because I need to be able to see as much of your spine as possible.
- Runners and triathletes need to bring their running shoes and any orthotics or footbeds that they use while running.
- Triathletes need to bring their swimming goggles
Food and Drink:
The length of a fitting session means that it is a good idea to bring a healthy snack with you. There is a café close by if more than a snack is required.
Wear and Tear:
- Ensure that your bike is reasonably clean. A dirty bike is not pleasant to work on
- If your cleats or shoes are worn beyond the point where it impacts on performance, I will insist on replacing them.
- If repositioning of brake levers or adjustment of handlebar angle is necessary and your bar tape takes a beating in the process, you may need new bar tape.
- I will make every effort to ensure your bike is ready to ride when you leave, however if we make changes to stems, bars, saddles and posts, it is possible some parts may require additional tightening after the fit. Please know it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure your bike is safe to ride before you ride it.
Thank you for your interest. I look forward to working with you soon.
COMFORT+EFFICIENCY=PERFORMANCE
Address: Fitting Studio
The Bike Whisperer
Unit 30
Greenham Business Park
Newbury
Berkshire
RG19 6HP
Address: Postal
The Bike Whisperer
3 Goddard Drive
Midgham
Reading
Berkshire
RG7 5UW
Phone: (0118) 971 2860
Email: enquiries@thebikewhisperer.co.uk
Directions: Click here
Here there is lovely riding, great coffee and dedicated parking – but alas, no dogs… There are two entrances to Greenham Business Park from the A339 – one with a green sign to the cafe & the other is the main entrance with a Security Office/building on your left. Choose the one with the Security Office and turn right immediately afterwards, signposted “Stuart Tagg Square”. Go over the first road & we are along there on the right – Unit 40 – with a green front) If you think you are going to be late for your appointment please call Scherrit ASAP on (07976) 897 069.
I decided to go all the way to Australia to train with Steve because years of research – reading books (all the way from The Custom Bike in 1986 by Michael Kolin) and internetting led me to believe that Steve was one of the few people with an overall sound approach to bike fitting/rider positioning. His generosity in answering an email from me in June 2008 led to an email dialogue and in Jan 2011 I flew to Sydney. The training was interesting, especially in seeing how another “first principles” fitter has worked out his way of solving the same problems that clients offer us all as fitters. Steve is very clear about desired outcomes and profoundly ethical in making sure that I left knowing what he thought, and why. It was tough time but I left with a good tool kit of methods with which to build on my existing approach to making my clients more functional.
