I took my first ride on a road bike today. The bike is an 80's Cannondale owned by my friend and bike mentor the blogger "Uncadan." Dan's blog is here:
http://uncledanbiking.blogspot.com/
We tried to make adjustments to The Beast, as Dan calls the bike. I'm slightly taller than Dan, and have a longer inseam, so we raised the saddle. Since I don't ride with Look cleats, we put flat pedals on. Dan didn't have the tools to change the stem height, so I rode in a VERY aggressive position for a bit more than two miles. Dan insisted we not change the saddle, so I rode on a narrow one.
I was surprised how well I fitted into a road bike position. I suspect any problems I had with the bike were a matter of fit - the frame size was perhaps slightly small for me, and I definitely needed the stem raised. With a greater amount of my weight supported on my legs and arms, the saddle was much less painful than I feared. The problem of my stomach pressing on my groin didn't recur on The Beast, which leads me to believe it's a saddle height issue on the Trek hybrid I rode on Thursday. The hand positions on a road bike will take some getting used to. And if I'm going to ride in the drops, I'll need to get a road bike helmet. My visor blocked my vision.
The Beast isn't for sale, and I wouldn't buy it anyway. But now I have a feel for a road bike, and I eventually know I'll get one. So now the question is, do I get a road bike now (the direct approach), or get a hybrid and later a road bike (the transitional approach?) Money and time are limiting factors: I want to ride this new bike in the MS City to Shore September 29 and 30th, and I need time to get comfortable on it and with it, and have any alterations to it I need made.
Mr. Beanz
07-21-07, 06:44 AM
Told ya ypou would get used to the position. Just a matter of setting up the bike correctly.
Why not just pop the visor off your current helmet? All the helmets I've had have removeable and replaceable visors. Maybe yours is different?
Tom Stormcrowe
07-21-07, 06:47 AM
It's entirely up to you, Neil, but 'twere me, I'd be seriously looking at finding a road bike! Something with a relaxed geometry, perhaps, like a touring bike and get better performance than a Hybrid and more comfort as well.;) I took my first ride on a road bike today. The bike is an 80's Cannondale owned by my friend and bike mentor the blogger "Uncadan." Dan's blog is here:
http://uncledanbiking.blogspot.com/
We tried to make adjustments to The Beast, as Dan calls the bike. I'm slightly taller than Dan, and have a longer inseam, so we raised the saddle. Since I don't ride with Look cleats, we put flat pedals on. Dan didn't have the tools to change the stem height, so I rode in a VERY aggressive position for a bit more than two miles. Dan insisted we not change the saddle, so I rode on a narrow one.
I was surprised how well I fitted into a road bike position. I suspect any problems I had with the bike were a matter of fit - the frame size was perhaps slightly small for me, and I definitely needed the stem raised. With a greater amount of my weight supported on my legs and arms, the saddle was much less painful than I feared. The problem of my stomach pressing on my groin didn't recur on The Beast, which leads me to believe it's a saddle height issue on the Trek hybrid I rode on Thursday. The hand positions on a road bike will take some getting used to. And if I'm going to ride in the drops, I'll need to get a road bike helmet. My visor blocked my vision.
The Beast isn't for sale, and I wouldn't buy it anyway. But now I have a feel for a road bike, and I eventually know I'll get one. So now the question is, do I get a road bike now (the direct approach), or get a hybrid and later a road bike (the transitional approach?) Money and time are limiting factors: I want to ride this new bike in the MS City to Shore September 29 and 30th, and I need time to get comfortable on it and with it, and have any alterations to it I need made.
JumboRider
07-21-07, 06:52 AM
I am the big believer in road bike baby. From my prejudicial point of view, if you are not jumping felled trees flying down what might be called a trail, might not, through the woods at full speed, go with a road bike. Heck, even then consider a road bike.
I know you have said no to bents before, but you should go try one out. The only reason I didn't go with a bent in the first place was that I wanted a long wheel base and that would be cumbersome in some comuting situations or a lowrider trike which would have the same problem.
The Historian
07-21-07, 06:59 AM
I am the big believer in road bike baby. From my prejudicial point of view, if you are not jumping felled trees flying down what might be called a trail, might not, through the woods at full speed, go with a road bike. Heck, even then consider a road bike.
I know you have said no to bents before, but you should go try one out. The only reason I didn't go with a bent in the first place was that I wanted a long wheel base and that would be cumbersome in some comuting situations or a lowrider trike which would have the same problem.
A recumbent will be fine in the right situation. The rolling hills of Chester County is not the right situation. I have an 8% grade on my four mile ride to church. Also, I wasn't ready to ditch my investment in a diamond framed bike. And I'm still not.
bdinger
07-21-07, 08:56 AM
Neil -
Sounds like you found out how amazingly comfy a road bike can be! If you liked the 7.5FX, I suspect you'd also like the Pilot series. They are more relaxed than your traditional roadie, yet aggressive enough to be a lot of fun. The downside is that even the entry level Pilots are higher than the price of the 7.5FX. The Trek 1000 and other related entry level road bikes are also FUN. I rode a 1000 and kept having to slow myself down, those things FLY. I wasn't a fan of the Sora brifters, but I've heard some folks like them a lot.
Now, I'd suggest trying out roadies. If you find you really like them, that might just be the way to go for you. Sure you can convert a FX series to drops, and then have a Pilot, but the cost is probably $200-250 using Tiagra brifters and assuming you already have a 9 speed drivetrain. Soo.. if you figure that in, you are already at the price of a Pilot 1.2.
Finally, I can say all that, but you might find something you like even better. I'd suggest riding the gamut - even rides way out of your price range - so you can get a good idea of what you really want. Generally I find within the first 100 feet if I'm going to like a bike, so that's a very quick process of elimination. Find a couple you really want, then ask to take them on a decent distance - 2 to 5 miles is good. Eventually you'll get that "one".
Great to hear that you like roadies, and soon you'll be known as the "rocket powered chess dude" among your local roadie crew! :D
v1k1ng1001
07-21-07, 01:50 PM
If you know you are eventually going to get a road bike, just get it.
Btw, I thought being a philosopher was an obscure enterprise. How does one become a "chess historian"???
The Historian
07-21-07, 06:06 PM
Btw, I thought being a philosopher was an obscure enterprise. How does one become a "chess historian"???
By writing and researching chess history. One piece I'm particularly proud of is "The Caged Bird", a biography of the first African-American chessplayer of note. Thompson has never received proper attention from chess historians before my article.
I'm riding a Surly Cross-Check at 6'2" and 250ish pounds. The great advantage of the Surly bikes is that you can spec them out pretty much however you want. If you want something that's more capable than a hybrid but less aggressive than a "racing bike" the Cross-Check and Long Haul Trucker both come in around $1K for a pre-specced kit, or you can have your LBS upgrade specific components.
v1k1ng1001
07-21-07, 07:17 PM
By writing and researching chess history. One piece I'm particularly proud of is "The Caged Bird", a biography of the first African-American chessplayer of note. Thompson has never received proper attention from chess historians before my article.