GARY Ewing, of Inspiral Cycles in Bishop Auckland, swapped a council career for running his own bike shop. He explains why getting a bike that is right for you is the key to happy cycling.

Why should cyclists be fitted for a bike?

If your bike doesn't fit or your bike is set up poorly, you could find cycling uncomfortable or even painful and it could put you off for life! Things that can be adjusted include saddle height, saddle angle, saddle fore/aft position, handlebar height, position of the brake levers and gear shifters and more besides.

Some people are happy to tinker with their bike set-up, to find some good advice for themselves, to experiment, and to go with what feels right. Also, if you're riding in a group, then your mates might have that knowledge and help you out. However, we also know that some riders have put up with some pain or uncomfortable riding positions for years and have been astonished when we've made a small adjustment or change to their bike.

What are the most common mistakes people make when buying a bike?

There is a bewildering choice of bikes nowadays. It is possible to find the bike that is exactly right for you, but it's also easier than ever before to be seduced by the marketing and buy something that is flashier and racier - if you're not a super-fast racer, is a super-fast race bike the best thing for you?

Whatever type of cyclist you are, on whatever type of terrain, over whatever kind of distance, with whatever emphasis on speed, efficiency, comfort and practicality there is a bike that is exactly right for you. But it would be a boring world if cyclists just bought one bike according to a "best bike for me" checklist.

Owning, upgrading, repairing, buying and selling bikes, getting the right kit, using it to go faster, go further, see more. This is all part of the experience, the learning. Cycling is about the journey, not the destination, after all!

What do you look for when someone asks to be fitted?

The most important thing of all is to listen to the customer. It's pointless recommending an adjustment that improves aerodynamics if a customer values comfort over speed! We don't currently offer a highly technical 'bike fit' service, but we are able to put someone onto a turbo trainer, watch them pedalling for a while, and make adjustments and recommendations. A technical 'bike fit' service is likely to be of most use to a road cyclist with a specific ailment they're looking to fix, or someone who is looking to improve their race times.

What is the most rewarding aspect of this service for you as an independent cycling retailer?

Providing a service for the customer that helps them to enjoy cycling more and more.

I'm glad I made the career change to open Inspiral Cycles.

I've been maintaining my own bikes for well over 20 years, and I've always just taken this for granted. I also enjoy watching, tweaking, experimenting - and getting things "just right". This includes getting your gears or suspension set up perfectly, getting your on-bike position right, or helping people to learn techniques that enable them to carry more speed, be more in control - and be safer.

Making people smile gives me a buzz. Seeing people come back into the shop over and over again means that we must be doing something right!

The Northern Echo:

Matt's helmet before visiting Gary and afterwards. Pictures: Sarah Caldecott

IT started with a message on Facebook.

A photo of myself for a shoot in some new cycling gear was picked up on by Gary from Inspiral Cycles.

In a nutshell, questions were asked about my outfit and some aspects of my bike and an invitation was extended to come along for a chat.

Having developed a thick skin during my 30 years as a journalist, I readily accepted. After all, anything that might increase my enjoyment of cycling had to be good.

The folk at Inspiral Cycles are a friendly bunch and despite my faux pas they didn't hold them against me.

After helping adjust my shoes - I swear I can put them on myself usually - Gary turned to my helmet. My default position on buying anything is 'medium', but clearly my head does not follow the rest of my body in this regard.

All set to cast it aside and look for a new one, Gary made a few tweaks here and there and, whereas before, the skid lid was offering little or no protection to my frontal lobe, it now offered at last some protection. 

Within a few minutes I had my bike mounted on the rollers.

It turns out that despite having bought it with little or no thought beforehand, I had done alright.

My Giant was at least the correct size.

It wasn't, however, set up correctly for my riding style.

Gary inquired about how it made me feel, I told him my arms ached after a while and a broken shoulder from an argument with a lamppost regularly plagued me.

Alterations were made to the angle of my handlebars and the position of my seat was moved. Not only did there seem to be less weight being pushed down onto my wrists, but my legs were able to apply more power to the pedals.

More than happy to chat about my other riding idiosyncrasies, it was time to see if Gary's work bore fruit.

Out that night the difference was immediate.

It would be easy to say that psychology played a part, but the results on Strava do not lie.

Without really trying my times were up pretty much across the board, my bike felt smoother and at the end of a quick ten-miler I felt fresher to boot.

If only I'd posted the unflattering picture of myself sooner.