Road Cycling - choices

Ok here goes another one of those which is better threads.

Here is the situation: I am getting back into riding more I commute on a trek 7100 all the time but am finding it unsuited to longer rides, plus since it has gotten nicer, I have gone with about 30 lbs more air pressure and am finding that ride a little jarring even with the susp seat post.

I build computers for sale and the lbs mechanic has offered to trade me one of 3 new bikes for a new computer. The candidates are: Trek 1200 and lemond Alpe D' Heuz or tourmalet.

Either way I go I am getting a GREAT deal, the draw back is that I will not get to ride either first. I have ridden a Lemond in the size I am looking at so we have an idea what it will take to fit me. This is to good a deal to pass up so I am going forward Close to $200 U.S. invested on my part..... any thoughts would be awesome!

get the alpe de huez!! steel is real!!! and the slacker seat tube will give you a more leisurely riding position. if you find aluminum jarring, you will really appreciate the forgiving ride of a steel bike.

deliriou5 could not be more correct. Very popular bike and for good reason.

I have about settled on the alpe d' huez, The first bike I bought for commuting was a big honking steel framed x- mart mtn bike, but tough and comfortable despite weighing as much as a small car!!!:)

You are going to find the road bike with 700x23c tires at 110+ psi more "jarring" than a 7100 hybrid with a suspension seatpost and 700x37c tires, no matter what the frame and fork are made of.

What will change this is one part technique, one part weight distribution on the bike, and one part time on the saddle. Being "light in the saddle" -- taking part of your weight on your legs and your hands -- is most of why roadies don't need no steekin' springs on their bikes.

Road bikes by their nature encourage the rider to take some weight on his hands, so the less-upright position will probably help as well.

But don't expect miracles based only on frame material. Aluminum and steel can be different, but not *that* different.

RichC

Yep Rich is correct. I recently set up a triatheletes rig with wider tires and less air pressure. He was riding a Klien QuantumII with 20c tires. I switched him to 28c tires with only 95psi instead of 115psi. He was very pleased and finished in the top 50 out of 450 athletes.

All valid points to consider, but I want a new toy too:))

It can also depend on the type of saddle?

Brendon
:beer:

tell me about saddle I am still getting that sorted on the hybrid....