When a friend told Adam Francis that he could “buy speed” on a bike, the prospect piqued the Naples triathlete’s interest. For Francis, who competes in Ironman triathlons that include a 112-mile bike ride, every chance to shave a few minutes off his time is helpful.

Francis was surprised to discover that buying speed meant being professionally fitted for his bike, a process that aims to help cyclists ride faster and longer, with more comfort and less chance of injury. Among several popular professional bike-fitting systems is the Body Geometry Fit System, which was developed at the Boulder Center of Sports Medicine, in Colorado, and is available through specialized bike dealers such as Naples Cyclery’s fitting studio at Fit & Fuel Café.

“One of the things that makes the system effective is its pre-fit one-hour interview,” says Peter Marsh, general manager of Naples Cyclery. The interview includes a 20-part flexibility assessment that zeroes in on areas of special concern for cyclists, such as hamstring flexibility, neck flexion and leg length discrepancy. It is also a chance for the cyclist to talk about goals, injury history, cycling experience and other factors that affect their fit. “If a rider has a back injury or a touch of arthritis in their shoulder, it will alter how the bike should be fit,” advises Marsh, who, along with staff members Randall Fox and Mark Trudeau, is a Body Geometry fitter.

A proper fit helps bicyclists alleviate the stress of previous injuries and avoid causing future ones. “Although cycling is considered a low-impact activity, the repetitive movement can create problems. If something’s out of line or if something is wrong—for example, if the seat is too low and there is too much flexion in the knees—then there is a possibility for potential injuries,” explains Marsh, who points out that cycling doesn’t have to be painful.

After the initial interview, cyclists return for their actual fitting session, which can last from three to four hours. They either bring their own bike or use a stationary bike in the fitting studio. Any type of bike can be fit—a triathlon bike, road model or even a beach cruiser.

As the cyclist pedals the bike, the fitting specialist uses two video cameras to capture the way they ride. This helps the specialist diagnose and correct areas of special concern. “Cyclists enjoy seeing exactly how they ride,” notes Marsh.

Francis agrees. “When I saw the visual picture, it made sense to me,” he says.

Changes to the bike might include altering the distance or height of the handlebars or bike seat, lengthening or shortening the crank arm length and helping a cyclist find a new bike saddle or shoes that better suit their physique.

After two professional fittings, a new seat and shoes, as well as a modification in the positioning of his aerobars, Francis feels the difference in his bike and notes that it is a lot more comfortable. “My performance has increased, and I also notice a change in my ability to accelerate,” he remarks.

Location: Pavilion Shopping Center, 819 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples. The studio is located behind Fit & Fuel Café, which serves healthy fare and locally roasted Panther Coffee. For more information, call 239-566-0600 (Naples Cyclery) or 239-514-3333 (Fit & Fuel) or visit FitAndFuelNaples.com.