Have you ever tried to set up a demo or loaner bike to your fit specs and had a terrible time doing so? Even the most experienced riders have trouble dialing in the perfect fit on a new bike. Plus, it’s hard to get a plumb bob, a level, and some other fitting tools through TSA or in your luggage (without breaking them). Thats why I was so excited to see the new Ergon TF1 saddle tool at Sea Otter Classic last weekend. The TF1 is slim, plastic, covered in actionable data points, and small enough to tuck into a carry-on.
The idea behind the TF1 is pretty straightforward. It works off Ergon’s BMR, or Biomechanical Reference Point. It uses the 75mm-wide point on the saddle as the consistent reference instead of the saddle nose. That matters because saddle noses are wildly inconsistent from one model to the next. Short-nose saddles, odd shell shapes, dropped profiles, all of it makes measuring from the tip a pretty sloppy way to keep a fit consistent. Using the same point every time makes it much easier to repeat saddle height, setback, tilt, and even reach to the bars.
There are reference points notched into the tool for a blumb bob, a small level, and other fitting tools. However, the most basic fitting can be done with a small measuring tape and a level app on a cell phone. So you don’t need to bring the Fit Studio on vacation.
The Ergon TF1 retails for around $25, and it’s also the kind of thing that feels easy to justify. It’s plastic, sure, so it’s not indestructible, but it also isn’t some precious carbon trinket you’ll be afraid to throw in a travel bag.
Travel Time Buddy
The TF1 feels like the sort of tool that would be especially useful for travel, events, and quick fixes. Flying to a race? Toss it in the bag. Trying to get a rental bike or demo bike close to your normal setup? Boom.
It’s not listed on the Ergon site just yet, but we’re told that it will be available for purchase soon, so keep an eye on the fitting section here.
