AI-Powered Bike Fits Promise Perfection. Do They Deliver?

A camera watched me pedal while algorithms calculated my optimal position. Twenty minutes later, the AI handed me coordinates for saddle height, setback, reach, and handlebar drop. The promise: professional-level bike fitting without the professional-level price. Here’s what actually happened when I tested three AI fitting platforms.

How AI Fitting Works

Modern AI fitting uses computer vision to track joint angles during pedaling. Smartphone cameras or dedicated setups capture your position, software identifies key body points, and algorithms compare your geometry against databases of efficient positions.

MyVeloFit, Bike Fast Fit, and similar platforms claim to replicate the analysis of professional fitters. Some integrate with smart trainers for load analysis. All promise accessible fitting without appointment scheduling or premium pricing.

The Testing Process

I used three AI platforms, then had a professional retul fit for comparison. Same bike, same kit, same fitness level. The goal: determine whether AI recommendations matched professional analysis and whether the resulting positions actually improved performance.

Where AI Got It Right

Basic geometry matched surprisingly well. Saddle height recommendations from all three platforms fell within 5mm of the professional fitter’s final position. For a starting point, that’s genuinely useful.

Reach and stack recommendations showed more variance but remained reasonable. The AI identified obvious position problems accurately: my saddle was too far forward, my bars too low for my flexibility.

Where AI Falls Short

Professional fitters do more than measure angles. They assess flexibility dynamically, watch for compensation patterns, and adjust based on injury history and riding goals. AI captures a snapshot; fitters understand context.

Cleat position recommendations varied wildly between platforms. One suggested moving my cleats 8mm forward, another 4mm back. The professional fitter explained how my knee tracking under load required a specific compromise neither AI identified.

Saddle choice, which affects every other measurement, fell outside AI analysis entirely. The professional fitter identified pressure issues my AI sessions never detected.

The Real Value Proposition

AI fitting costs $20-50 for software access. Professional fitting runs $200-400. The price difference is substantial, and AI delivers legitimate value as a starting point or diagnostic tool.

For riders making initial adjustments or confirming basic setup, AI fitting provides useful guidance at accessible pricing. For riders with injuries, unusual proportions, or performance goals, professional fitting remains worth the investment.

My Recommendation

Use AI fitting for your first pass, especially if professional fitting isn’t accessible. The recommendations will improve upon guessing or generic formulas. Then consider professional fitting once you’ve ridden enough to identify persistent issues.

The technology improves constantly. Today’s AI fitting beats last year’s. But human expertise, particularly the ability to understand goals and adapt to individual needs, remains irreplaceable for serious cyclists.

AI fitting delivers on accessibility and price. It doesn’t yet deliver perfection. Know what you’re buying, and you won’t be disappointed.