Our Story
51 SPEEDSHOP
51 Speedshop is born from bike fit.
A bit of my background and the mission behind 51 Speedshop...
I’ve been a lifelong student of human movement, whatever the sport. I’ve always been interested in orthodoxy. It wasn’t until I moved to Boulder, Colorado 11 years ago, that I considered making this passion my profession. I had an eye for bike fit and proper positioning before I ever understood protocol or process. I learned much of the fundamentals of bike fit by attending FIST clinics and my years working at Retul. I’ve been a practicing commercial bike fitter for the past 10 years.
I started 51 Speedshop because through my experience as a fitter, I saw opportunity in the space between product and rider performance. I sought out engineers and manufacturers passionate about high performance cycling with proven industry records within innovative high-quality product to join me.
From over two decades of experience in the science of human performance, we have developed a deep understanding of rider movement and the opportunity of bicycle contact points in supporting a seamless connection between bicycle and body.
With this as our foundation, we strive to create products that bridge the space between product and rider performance through focusing on comfort, positioning, and aerodynamics.
When you interact with something every day, you develop an understanding of what works. 51 SPEEDSHOP has a combined 20+ years of bicycle performance experience. Having worked with a wide range of athlete types and abilities...from Pro Tour riders and Ironman World Champions to club racers and recreational cyclists - We understand the critical elements of bike fit, and how to design products that seamlessly integrate bike with rider.
For over a decade, we/Bike Fitters have been the bridge between manufacturing and client satisfaction. We have mastered the art of conforming cyclists to their machines. This is what makes our products different. We don't need to market that we "took a fit first approach" or interview hundreds of bike fitters....because, we are bike fitters. We care about the subtle details that have a big impact on rider comfort and performance.
BIKE FIT EXPERTS
As professional bike fitters, our passion is for the rider first and foremost. With decades of experience serving everyone from club athletes and recreational cyclists to Pro Tour riders and Ironman World Champions, we understand first hand the critical elements of bike fit across the biomechanical spectrum. It is from this rich understanding for rider comfort, security, aerodynamics, and performance that we develop our products with a focus on the rider.
Mat Steinmetz
Renowned in the cycling and triathlon world Mat Steinmetz is the go-to consultant for bike fitting, coaching, aerodynamics and ergonomic optimization. Steinmetz has worked with some of the biggest hitters in the professional cycling and triathlon worlds. With the likes of pro tour teams AG2R La Mondiale, Team Sky and pro triathletes Heather Jackson, Craig Alexander, Mirinda Carfrae to name a few from a laundry list of some of the best in the sport.
Steinmetz pursued extensive education including a Masters in the field of Exercise Physiology and Human Performance from Ball State University. After completing his education and making the pilgrimage to Boulder Colorado, a mecca of endurance sports in North America, he began to work with Retul advising in the development of their fit systems.
While working with Retul Steinmetz began to foster and develop advisory and moreover coaching relationships with athletes that would go on to win world championship titles under his guidance. It was shortly after this time when Mat was dubbed by Inside Triathlon magazine as the “speed technician” and named one of the top ten most influential people in Triathlon.
While continuing to work with the worlds best, Steinmetz started his own company 51 SPEEDSHOP and opened his coaching, bike fitting and consulting services to age group athleteS. As a pioneer in the bike fitting industry Steinmetz was brought on by Guru Fit Systems to help develop their fit protocol and curriculum for prospective bike fitters.
Most recently Steinmetz delved into the bicycle component business under the 51 SPEEDSHOP brand. Bike fitters are the bridge between manufacturers and consumer satisfaction. With Mat's fit expertise, the 51 SPEEDSHOP product will focus on integrating the bike's contact points with the rider.
In 2017 we saw the proprietary 51 SPEEDSHOP cockpit in the Tour De France aboard the AG2R La-Mondiale team's Factor time trial bikes. There was also an emergence of professional triathletes aboard the 51 SPEEDSHOP aerobar extensions and arm cups.
With everything from coaching to aerodynamic product development under his belt Steinmetz has proven to be a master of his craft and the pinnacle of knowledge in endurance sport.