It’s that time of the year. It’s the end of the racing season and the holidays are approaching quickly. Now is the time you might be considering upgrading your equipment, whether by adding on to your favorite frame or buying a brand-new bike altogether. The blizzard of information, potential or promised benefits, and the wide range of products on the market can leave you confused or frustrated with a purchase that simply isn’t right for you. Today on the Purple Patch Podcast, Ironman Master Coach Matt Dixon welcomes Chris Soden of IOG Bike Fitting to the show. With over 25 years in the cycling industry and an extensive background as a professional bike fitter and industry consultant, Chris shares his in-depth knowledge of custom and high-end bike sales and fittings to help you wade through some of the difficult decisions athletes and fitness enthusiasts of all levels face when considering a bike upgrade. Matt and Chris discuss five key elements and tips if you are contemplating or considering either upgrading your bike, buying a brand new bike, or even thinking about getting a used bike, as well as how you can avoid many of the pitfalls of a new purchase to make sure that you’re investing in the right place. Topics Matt and Chris Cover include: Making the Right Choice: What to consider when choosing a new bike (10:54) "As much as possible, what I try to get people to do is to actually look internally. We all want to watch what athletes just won a race and what athlete is on some new fun products, but really...look internally and be honest with the riding that you're going to do." - Chris Soden Common Mistakes: Elements that lead to a bad fit Best Investment For Your Return: Where to save money and where to spend (23:57) "As with many things in life, audio equipment, and cooking gear, whatever it is, you get to a point where you start spending cubic dollars for kind of marginal gains. And for some athletes, those marginal gains are the make or break." - Chris Soden Saddle Choice: The importance of getting it right (27:06) You can fidget with everything else. If you don't have your saddle dialed in, if your saddle isn't a seven or an eight out of a 1 to 10 scale, frankly, you're just going to be spinning your wheels." - Chris Soden Going Faster: Worthwhile investments for improving speed Used Bikes: The pros and cons of second-hand rides (35:01) So right off the bat, we're not buying the thing that we have the chance to buy new. We're buying this thing that's been altered, changed, and edited...And my question is always, does this bike allow proper bike fit." - Chris Soden The IOG Experience: How to access a good fit with Chris, Ivan, and the team at IOG Bike Fitting (50:09) "We've certainly helped people with new bikes, we've certainly helped people that they've progressed into different products or asked about certain upgrades. And I think the end results for us have been just a continual affirmation that this information and this expertise is very, very valuable. It's very welcome, and we're happy to be a part of it." - Chris Soden Want to connect with Chris and Ivan for consultations and more advice? Email info@purplepatchfitness.com and we will connect you to the IOG team. Episode Timestamps 00:00 - 04:59 - Welcome and Episode Introduction 05:06 - 54:05 - The Meat and Potatoes - Episode 245: Choosing Your Next Bike with Chris Soden of IOG Bike Fitting Purple Patch Video Podcast and More IOG Bike Fitting and Consulting Through Purple Patch Fitness Need More Info on IOG? Email info@purplepatchfitness.com and we can help. The Purple Patch Center is Open - Learn More and Schedule a Visit Free Live Webinar - Free Speed: Essential Strategies to Help You Align Trained Potential with Race-Day Performance Training Camp - 2023 Kona Triathlon Camp Purple Patch Coaching Consultation Purple Patch and Episode Resources This episode is sponsored by our collaboration with INSIDE TRACKER. Inside Tracker and Purple Patch - Receive