Road Cycling - I'm worse than a woman at Nordstoms...here is my new bike

Should I keep it, should I take it back?????

As you remember in another thread I wrote on taking my R800 back to the LBS because the geometry of the bike was killing my back...after some comfort and consultation from my LBS (Cyclo Path in Fresno...Great Great Bike store btw) I have returned home with the bike and have the new pics to show all of it.

We changed to a Serfas Cosmos saddle (for my *ss comfort) and installed a Look Ergostem to give me some more rise (I told Rich and Mike - at the LBS - this is like Viagra for bikes!) and I ditched the 545's for 515's.

So far so good and feels a lot better with the seat and new stem. Now I can ride like the wind! Oh yeah, I decided to keep the Trek for those day's when I feel like riding different. Gosh, 2 bikes??? I think I like this cycling stuff!

-Wynn

Here's the seat

Here's the crank and pedals

And the 105 DR

If you ask me, I think the frame is way too small for you. The seatpost on traditional frames usually only show up a little bit (about an inch or two). Also I think it's dangerous to ride fast with the stem raised like that.

i'd be a bit more careful about how i title my threads; there are lots of women reading these forums.

i'm not sure what women are supposed to behave like at nordstrom's, but it doesn't look like a constructive statement, figure of speech or otherwise.

my $0.02

I was referring to my wife who bows to the Half Yearly Sale and can't decide what to do with her purchases....there was no malitious intent against woman, men, children or pets intended in the title of the thread.

Sorry for the inconvience.

just for my own info/justification, how long have you had your Trek 7500 before getting your Roadie?

I have never, ever seen a stem that goes virtually straight up like that. It kind of defeat's the whole purpose of being on a road bike. But, if it works for you...

Congrats on your new bike. I hope it works out for you.

No, dude, No. I am fairly new to this whole road biking deal, but I have that same bike and your version just looks un-safe. The bars are soooo high! Can't you just get your back stretched out or get used to it or something? On my stock headset when I grab the top bar, I am not even hunched over very much. I know eveybody's style and comfort is different, but that just ain't right.

With the Look Ergostem, Wynn can adjust the handlebars further down as he gains more experience on the bike. Until then, do what fits you and makes you most comfortable on the bike, nothing is more important.

I agree with a few of the above comments, overall, the bike sounds a bit small for you. Did the bike shop fit the bike to you, or you to the bike?

sorry i can't help it...

This is by far the most interesting stem I have ever seen.. What is the stem angle again?

Wow it looks like I've started an interesting thread here....

I am interested to know

Why you think the frame looks to small for me

Why is it unsafe to have the bars up so high

What is wrong with the seat post being the way it is

I've gotten great information from you guy's on this forum and I don't want to ride something that might be unsafe.....

I've had the Trek 7500 for about three months now, by the way.

Thanks

Wynn

As long as you fit fine on it, no need to worry about how other people think it looks to them...

The handle bar, on sport, racing, touring and so on bikes, is usually below the seat, or at least on the same level, yours is even a little higher, that really looks unusual, but if you feel good, then nothing to worry about.
To me, it seems as that position is upright, for something like comfort bike...

I'm guessing that you are not used to riding a road bike compared to your Trek 7500...and depending on your flexibilty you may never get as flat as other roadies. But hey whatever works for you. If they measured you correctly at your LBS the frame size should be correct. The extension of your seatpost may be a bit high - you may have been able to ride a frame one or two sizes up, but even then it shouldn't affect the amount of rise of the stem by as much as you have it with the Look stem. Personally, the extension of your seatpost looks fine.

As you ride more with the c'dale you'll be able to gradually lower the stem rise. But don't expect it to ride like the Trek. They are 2 completely different bikes.

Originally posted by talkdj
Why is it unsafe to have the bars up so high

What is wrong with the seat post being the way it is

I've gotten great information from you guy's on this forum and I don't want to ride something that might be unsafe.....

I've had the Trek 7500 for about three months now, by the way.

Thanks

Wynn


IMHO,

Because you raise the stem up 90 degree, your stem length (the distance from head-tube to handle bar) is virtually closer to 0. The shorter the stem, the twitchier the steering. You could loose control of the bike on high speed.

By going up in size, you'll get a taller head-tube so you don't need to raise the stem that high to achieve the same level of comfort. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

About the seat post: I think some people intentionally go with a smaller frame so that they can sit way higher than the handle bar, to achieve better aerodynamic position.

What a beauty! I'm ready to trade in my 1985 32 pound Ross! :D

As Joe said the Look ErgoStem is fully adjustable thru a wide range of positions both for height and reach. They're expensive but nothing else has that kind of versatility. Hopefully your LBS set the bike up with enough cable slack so that you can use some of that adjustability.

I see Firebolt's point about what is essentially shorter reach than actual bar height but unless you're doing some scorching descents don't think it's a factor. I'd recommend slowly getting that bar a little lower and a little farther out in front of you. Take your time but make use of that adjustable and very expensive stem. I ride my bars just a tad lower than my seat. I can usually get there with a normal quill stem but on my Colnago had to use a Nitto Technomic (reaaally looonng quill).

this is a joke right. Please tell me it's joke.

why not justput road wheels on your MTB if thats the only position you're comforatble in? Would have saved a lot of money and had discs to show for it.

Originally posted by firebolt
IMHO,

Because you raise the stem up 90 degree, your stem length (the distance from head-tube to handle bar) is virtually closer to 0. The shorter the stem, the twitchier the steering. You could loose control of the bike on high speed.

By going up in size, you'll get a taller head-tube so you don't need to raise the stem that high to achieve the same level of comfort. The only way to know for sure is to try it.

About the seat post: I think some people intentionally go with a smaller frame so that they can sit way higher than the handle bar, to achieve better aerodynamic position.

Then how do you explain Giants small frame style for big riders?

Originally posted by William Karsten
Then how do you explain Giants small frame style for big riders?

You mean this? Beloki could easily fit on a large frame but he used a small frame for this purpose. Why? So that he could sit more aerodynamically (he also got a stiffer frame). See how the seat is way higher than the bar. On a large frame, he would be more upright because of the higher head-tube. I also use a small Compact frame because I am a relatively short guy compared to him. So, my riding position on my bike is going to be like his on a large frame. BTW, I bet he was using a stock TCR Aero frame, not custom.

http://ciclista.once.es/fotos/800/jbeloki-tour-01.jpg

Mine :)
http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?postid=242312

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?postid=242310

I'm a total hybrid riding noob at the moment but everything I've read lurking here seems to tell me that FIT is the most important thing when it comes to riding a bike. Seems like if you need to do that much jerry-rigging of the stem you might be able to find a bike with a better fit or more suitable/upright geometry the this one.

That is what I would be considering if I were in your position.

But once again I'm a noob. Most of the people here probably know better then I.

Good Luck

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
With the Look Ergostem, Wynn can adjust the handlebars further down as he gains more experience on the bike. Until then, do what fits you and makes you most comfortable on the bike, nothing is more important.

Indeed, those look stems came out about a year ago if I remember, and there was a thread posted here about them (search anyone?) I figured they would only be used for bike fitting in shops, but I guess there is a good use for one here. As he gets more used to the more 'areo' position he can adjust the stem accordingly.


Originally posted by Joe Gardner
I agree with a few of the above comments, overall, the bike sounds a bit small for you. Did the bike shop fit the bike to you, or you to the bike?

I'm not so quick to say the bike is not the correct size, but let us know your height and inseam... And of course the size of the frame (looks like a 55-56 cm no?) also did anyone help you fit the bike before you purchased it?

Originally posted by trmcgeehan
What a beauty! I'm ready to trade in my 1985 32 pound Ross! :D

was that one of the chrome ones?

Originally posted by VegasCyclist

I'm not so quick to say the bike is not the correct size, but let us know your height and inseam... And of course the size of the frame (looks like a 55-56 cm no?) also did anyone help you fit the bike before you purchased it?


I'm 5' 9" with a 29" inseam. The LBS spent a lot of time fitting the bike to me. I believe it's a 50 cm frame.

-Wynn

How are you measuring your inseam? You may want to try a few bike fit "calculators" on the internet to see if the bike is a bit small. I would guess at 5'9" tall, a 55 cm bike would be much better for you. Here are a few bikefit links:

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/fitting.htm
http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp
http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/sizing_worksheet.cfm

More important then seat tube, is top tube length. Cannondale says there 50cm frame has a 52.5 cm top tube. Without all your measurements, that still sounds a few cm too short.

And lastly, do you feel comfortable on the bike? How many miles so far? How long have you owned it?

Just for the sake of comparison...

I'm 5'10" with an inseam of 30". I ride a 55cm Bianchi XL Boron, top tube length is 540mm (actual) and 550mm (virtual). I can't remember off hand if my stem (millenium) is 110 or 115. Standover height is 31.0 inches. It fits me very well after several hundred miles.

Originally posted by multisport4life
Just for the sake of comparison...

I'm 5'10" with an inseam of 30". I ride a 55cm Bianchi XL Boron, top tube length is 540mm (actual) and 550mm (virtual). I can't remember off hand if my stem (millenium) is 110 or 115. Standover height is 31.0 inches. It fits me very well after several hundred miles.

I'm 6 ' even with a 33 inch inseam and I ride a 56 CM (C-T) I used to ride a 58 but I found that the top tube reach was too far for me even with a shortened stem.... everyone is different :rolleyes:

I must tell you that on my ride home from work tonight the bike rode great! Great except for the fact that I had a flat on my last leg home on the front tire! Thank goodness one of my co workers called me on my cell as i pondered what kind of walk home this was going to be. He picked me up and took me home in his car...the bike fit great in it and what a pleasure to get it in too, as it was sooooo light.

Having said that, tomorrow I take the bike in for a new front tire and while I'm there I am going to give the Giant TCR2 a try based on Firebolts recomendation. My LBS has them there and will give it a try, but I must tell you with the changes I made to the C'dale it is very nice bike to ride...even with the ergostem.

I'm sure you will all wait with baited breath to see what happens next, huh?

thanks to everyone giving me the advice and help too.

-Wynn

As we get ready to close this thread out......

I took the C'dale in to have it checked out and have the front tube replaced. They told me they put in liners on both tires and that should help with the flats. I got on a Giant TCR1 and liked the bike very much but I couldn't really tell the difference between it and the R800 (I did see a difference in the price though..$2200 for the TCR1.

So I am keeping the R800 and once the rest of the weight that I still have to get rid of issue is taken care of we can start lowering the bar back to normal. For now, I'm very happy. After the Trek7500, the R800 is like driving a Corvette (the Trek being an Impala). What a difference.

Have a great weekend and ride like the wind!!!

-Wynn