Beyond Guesswork: 3D Motion Capture Bike Fitting
Traditional bike fitting relies heavily on the fitter’s eye and experience. Retul takes it further by using 3D motion capture technology to measure every degree of movement and millimeter of distance as you pedal.
How Retul Works
The fitter places LED markers on 8 anatomical points on your body — ankles, knees, hips, and shoulders. The Retul Vantage sensor (mounted on a tripod) tracks these LEDs using infrared light.
The numbers are impressive:
- Each LED flashes every 2.1 milliseconds — that’s 476 times per second
- A full set of body measurements is taken every 34 milliseconds
- The system captures 29 complete body position datasets per second
- Accuracy is sub-millimeter across three axes (longitudinal, vertical, horizontal)
The software synchronizes all 8 data points across your pedal stroke, averaging the data over multiple revolutions to give a true representation of your riding position — not just a single snapshot.
What Retul Shows That Your Eyes Can’t
The human eye can’t detect a 2mm saddle height difference or a 1-degree cleat rotation. Retul can. Specifically, it reveals:
- Knee tracking — whether your knees move in a straight line or wobble laterally
- Hip rock — excessive side-to-side movement that indicates saddle height issues
- Ankle angle — how your foot engages the pedal through the stroke
- Symmetry — differences between left and right sides that may indicate flexibility imbalances
When Is Retul Worth the Extra Cost?
A Retul fit typically costs RM600–RM800 versus RM250–RM400 for a basic fit. It’s worth the premium if:
- You have persistent pain that a basic fit hasn’t resolved
- You’re a competitive cyclist or triathlete optimizing for performance
- You have biomechanical issues (leg length discrepancy, previous injuries)
- You want objective data rather than subjective assessment
For casual riders doing weekend rides, a comprehensive fit (RM400–RM600) from an experienced fitter is usually sufficient.