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In the late ‘90’s, having worked in a wide variety of positions in the cycling industry, Fit Werx founder Ian Buchanan found himself at a crossroads. While he still found the products and technology exciting and progressive, the industry seemed stuck. Bikes were getting more expensive and technical in the ‘90’s, yet most bicycle product engineers were not focusing beyond making things lighter and stiffer. Likewise, equally few people were viewing the retail bicycle industry as a long-term career path.
The result for the end consumer was high tech products that really didn’t take their needs into account very well and a retail experience that was often watered down to the lowest common denominator (a less than commited shop employee). Riders were often not ending up on the best products for their use or needs and the fundamentals of what makes riding a bike such a great experience (using your body to efficiently propel yourself) were frequently getting lost.
Fit Werx was born in 2001 out of a commitment to bridge the knowledge and skills of the best bicycle fitting studios with the product selection and mechanical skills of the best bicycle shops. Our goal was to help encourage bike equipment manufacturers to think more about their end users while making a clear commitment to our clients and athletes that when they work with Fit Werx they will be working with dedicated professionals; people who are passionate while also being knowledgable, conscientious and caring.
In the early years of Fit Werx, we spent a lot of time explaining to people what a bike fitting was as there just was not much being offered at the time. Today, the range of shops and individuals offering bike fittings has increased hundred-fold as major bike manufacturers pour millions of dollars annually into bike fit training centers and bike fit tools. We are proud to have been a part of this growth in awareness and technology. However, while you can give a great carpenter a hammer and you will get a great piece of furniture, that same hammer can result in an out of alignment birdhouse in less skilled hands. This range of fit providers has frequently led to riders becoming disenchanted with bike fit in general after a fitting experience that was lacking or ineffective. Yet, many years later, Fit Werx still serves people from all over the country and beyond. Why? Our people and our process are not like what is readily available most places.
Computers and tools don’t fit people – people fit people. Fit Werx employs career based professional bike fitters – our owners and bike fitters are often one in the same. A Fit Werx fitter must complete at least a year of apprenticeship with a master fitter before working on their own with riders. A good bike fitter has to ask the right questions and be willing to listen to the answers. Regardless of what you ride or why you ride, we remain committed to both the science and the art of bike fitting. This is what makes a Fit Werx fitting well worth the trip.
While a lot has changed in bike fitting, bikes and components and in the bike industry in general, some things have not. Today, Fit Werx remains as committed to the core tenets of Rider First Bike Fitting and Rider Matched Bike Sales as we were in 2001. We continue to drive forward with innovations in approch and technology by offering the best services and products that we can – products and services that enhance your road biking, mountain biking or TT/triathlon experience with every turn of the pedals. At Fit Werx, we are all about helping you become a better bike rider, however you define that or what road or trail it takes you.
Fit Werx had many people travelling from around the region (and around the world) to our original Vermont location and in 2007, Marty Miserandino and Dean Phillips were added to the management/ownership team when they partnered with Ian to create Fit Werx in Peabody, MA. The location rapidly grew and continues to serve athletes from all over New England and beyond. In late 2014 we Fit Werx was brought to the NYC Metro area in partnership with Joe LoPorto, who had trained with Ian, Marty and Dean in the preceeding year and we further expanded in Massachusetts by opening Fit Werx – Lexington. We are pleased to offer greater convenience and access to the Fit Werx approach and the products we represent than ever. We look forward to helping you become the rider you have always wanted to be. Just let us know how we can help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row fullwidth=”false”][vc_column width=”1/1″][callout button_skin=”dark_gray” title=”Contact us to schedule a bike fitting or to discuss your new bike.” button_text=”Contact Us Here” url=”/contact-fit-werx”][/vc_column][/vc_row]