About BC Bike Fit

Dave Howells Bio

I have always taken an interest in bike fit. When driving around the city I noticed other cyclists with the seat too high or too low and I wanted to help them - and now I can!

For my bio I considered writing about 25 years of racing both road and mountain bikes but my passion for cycling goes well beyond the start line. I remember the first time I rode a bike. I was 7 years old when I wandered over to the neighbor’s house, grabbed his mid-sized “department store special” and off I went. Since that day I’ve never stopped loving bikes. I currently own 8 bicycles and if they could talk each one would have a great story to tell!

I am proud of the fact that I have not only ridden and raced both road and mountain bikes in a competitive environment but I have also bike toured New Zealand, Nepal, the Canadian Rockies and parts of Australia… and nothing makes me happier than rolling around the Sea Wall on my 1958 Shelby Airflow cruiser bike with my family.

BC Bike Fit provides a valuable service to cyclists of all abilities. Looking forward to meeting you, sharing some riding stories and getting your bike dialed just right!

Studio

Benefits of the BC Bike Fit Studio

The BC Bike Fit Studio provides a professional, private, one-on-one setting that allows for great results – both fitter and rider can focus on the task at hand without interruptions. As owner of BC Bike Fit I will always be the one doing your fit and follow up. I have no staff turnover and I plan on doing this for a long time. I don’t repair bikes, I don’t sell bikes all I do is fit bikes. This is my focus and I am continuing to educate myself and grow as a professional bike fitter.

If new components need to be installed on your bike to improve your comfort and position, BC Bike Fit can provide these products. My pricing is the recommended retail for all item’s plus I will include professional installation at no additional cost. And speaking of cost, I have minimal overhead working from my home-based Studio. This allows me to set a very fair competitive price for a Bike Fit.

The BC Bike Fit studio has the best possible equipment for the best possible results. Video analysis which includes motion capture dynamic measurement, Purely Custom Size Cycle, Switchit rapid seat changer, plus the best selection of saddles in the Lower Mainland and Semi-custom Professional insoles from Germany.

My hours are flexible and accommodating, my location is central and easy to find with parking right out back. We can always find a time to schedule a fit session that works for you. I look forward to hearing from you!

Ride strong, feel good and have fun!

Qualifications

CYCLING BACKGROUND

In his 30-year history with cycling Dave has amassed an enormous amount of knowledge about the dynamics that surround this great sport. Dave has experienced the cycling industry from the ground-up working in bike shops, coaching road and mountain biking and instructing spin cycling. He has raced mountain bike, road bike and triathlon as well as other multi-sport events including Xterra and adventure racing. Dave has been on the other side of the start line working as a Race Director for many different events over the years.

INTERNATIONAL BIKE FITTING INSTITUTE

IBFI Certification Level 3 is reserved for the best educated and most experienced fitters. Reserved for fitters at the top of their profession, with the highest knowledge base expected to be one of the best in the world. Level 3 certified fitters can act as mentors to other candidates to help them through their path to accreditation.

BIKE FITTING QUALIFICATIONS

Dave first completed the Level 1 Bike Fit course in 2009. He has since gone on to finish the Level 2 Bike Fit course in 2010 with Bike Fit Systems which qualifies him as a Pro Fitter. Dave has also completed his Black Level teaching certificate and is the only certified Bike Fit instructor in Canada.

Dave is F.I.S.T certified in Tri Bike Fit with a keen interest to work more with the triathlon community in order to bring the best to triathlon time trial style riding.

CERTIFIED BIKE FIT INSTRUCTOR

Dave has also completed his Black Level teaching certificate and is the only certified Bike Fit Systems instructor in Canada. If you own or work in a bike shop or you are a physiotherapist interested in learning more please enquire about Bike Fit Systems education with Dave.

It has been very rewarding helping riders learn more about their sport and keeping people from getting frustrated with potential bike discomfort has been extremely satisfying. I look forward to working with you this season so that you can ride strong, feel good and have fun!”

Dave Howells, BC Bike Fit

Education

The sport of cycling continues to grow here in Canada and around the world. As BikeFit Canada we believe that this service, is an integral part of the future of cycling. Learn more about education or find a BikeFit Pro in your area.

Testimonials

Hey Dave, The fit worked out great and we got a ton of riding done in NZ - magic! I'd like to get my road bike feeling the same way, plus get another set of insoles/shims off you for my second set of mtn shoes. When are you free? Thanks again for the first fit by the way. It really saved our trip!

John D.

Vancouver

Hi Dave, Just back from a quick spin on the Vitali. Brilliant feel to it. It's like a new bike. Was a great experience and very much appreciated. Will reconnect I'm sure. Cheers

Hey Dave, I missed you in Whistler, I hope you enjoyed the weekend. Just wanted to drop you a line to say how pleased I am with the fitting service you did for me a week ago on my new Venge. I rode the next day and (despite your advice not to) rode to Whistler on Saturday morning. Other than the predicted settling pains in my muscles, the bike feels fantastic and I actually feel like a proper roadie. I'm blown away by how little tweaks can result in such gains. Really really appreciate the extra time you took with me, the fitting in the evening, and the setup we ended up with. Anyway enough blathering - I just wanted to extend my thanks!!! Thanks my man!

Hi Dave, I apologize that it has taken me so long to get back to you about my fit. In summary, I love it. Thank you. In detail: The numb feet. Gone. Only a tiny trace going down Mt seymour (which is inevitable considering how long i am standing on the pedals). I can't believe I didn't get even a touch of numbness all the way to whistler (a 5 hour ride!). The numb hands. Only a fraction of previously experienced and while on bumpy roads. The sore butt. Much much improved with the new seat! I could sit after my long rides! The tires - not sure if I could notice the tire changes in isolation but I shaved 5 minutes of my cypress uphill time so I don't think it's hurting! The handlebar and stem changes. It feels really good. and comfortable. My balance and stability are improved (which feels so paradoxical cause i am bent over more) and I can signal with both arms (aka - I can ride with only one hand now on each side!). Also, I do believe it helps with my climbing since I am way more balanced and can ride with my hands on top of the bars as opposed to only on my hoods so seem to be able to geneeate more sustained power. All in all, you took quite a bit of time but you obviously know your stuff. Thank you!!!! It was worth every minute spent and every cent! With happier biking body parts, Linda

Linda

Vancouver

Hey Dave - This morning was my first ride since the bike fit on Tuesday night, and it went REALLY well! It was a casual spin, so nothing intense, but I could still tell how much better it felt. I did the Prospect Point hill and, again, while casual so I didn't set any kind of land speed record, I felt far stronger going up the hill. No back issues and felt comfortable, so I would say it's a victory! I'll be going out for a harder, longer ride on Saturday morning, but I'm more confident in it now after this morning's ride! Thanks again!

Dave, Thank you so much for your time and attention to detail last night. This morning's ride to work actually felt like that - it felt like I was riding the bike and not just hanging onto it. The legs felt free to spin, I felt more precise in the corners and getting in and out the saddle was much snappier. I'm even more thrilled with my bike now. And those lizard skins are worth every penny, I'm going to have to hit you up for some for my Ridley now too. Thanks again, you did an amazing job.

"Dave! Finally got time to get out on the bike for a few rides Wanted to pass along some "very positive" feedback on the bike fitting Huge improvement on the ride (and being able to walk up stairs the next day) Many thanks"

"Thanks, Dave, I've got my new stem and have been out riding a few times - rain and all! My bike feels SO MUCH better. I have more power and control and the comfort level is greatly improved. Thanks for helping us get through 16 hours on a bike this June! Cheers!"

"Dave, Did a 65 km ride 3200 ft climbing this afternoon usually takes 2hr 20 did it in 2 hrs. Had seriously 25-30 % more power and was sat way more and when standing had more power. Front end felt high at first but I soon settled into it the bike felt fast and comfortable. Think Edwin will be calling you shortly. Thanks again was amazing."

"Hi Dave, Bike is working out great since the fit. Covered about 130 km since Wednesday and my knee is pain free! Thanks"

"Hi Dave, The bike fit is wonderful. I have been meaning to stop by and talk to you about it for ages. I really appreciate all the changes you made. My friend Micheline has been raving about her fitting as well. She is very happy."

"Hi Dave, Yes I rode the bike to work twice and no problems with the knee {just feels like it's getting better every day} and overall very comfortable. Thank you for the great job, and I'll keep in touch for any minor things in the future."

"Hey Dave Was a hoot! Had a great time. I raced in the Giro and stayed with the pack til half way up Furry, then got dropped. Rode by myself til the Chek Canyon when the first Fondo riders came up and I jumped in with them to finish. Great event. Bike was awesome! Thanks again! Feels really good! Well, we made it... in fact we loved it! Mark was much faster than me, but considering our lack of previous experience and MY advanced age, we did respectfully well. In fact I think Mark surprised even himself. The other good news is there were no mechanical issues and the benefits of our last-minute bike fits were HUGE. We both noticed much more comfort and efficiency in our riding. I can't thank you enough for forcing me to buy new shoes and that compact handlebar. They took no getting used to and felt so much better than the old setup. No next day pain either! It was not a cake-walk by any means. There were some INSANE hills that just never ended. Thank goodness I had no idea what I was in for…ignorance is bliss, for sure. I'd do it again though..." Big Thanks, Dave, from both of us. We’ll be in touch soon.