Road Cycling - chosing a new bike

I am new to this forum, but my husband has been posting for a few years. I am searching for a new bike to commute to work, about 10 miles one way. I am currently riding a Trek 800, which i purchased about 5 years ago, when I was just getting back into biking. The problem with the Trek is it is big and bulky and hurts my wrists and arms after riding for about 15 minutes. I herniated a disk in my lower back a few years back and still have pain in the lower back muscles that the siatica nerve runs through (in my case, but should run behind). I am seeing a chiropractor who works with the muscle to reduce the pain. I am 5'4" about 180 pounds and not in very good shape. I currently ride about 6 miles without much trouble. I live in an area that has alot of "rolling hills" (so says my husband, but seems like mountains to me...he rides alot more than I do :D ). I have been looking at bikes for about 2 weeks now and get more confused every time i go into a bike shop. My LBS thinks I need a Trek 7500FX with some adjustments to the handle bars to sit me up straighter, another thinks a Specialized Sequioa adjusting the bars up a little but giving me more hand position choices. :eek:

Any sugestions? :rolleyes:

Where do you live?

Where do you live?


Mid-Hudson Valley in New York.

Well the reason I asked where you live is that I have a Trek7500FX that I would let you borrow for a couple of weeks. I don't really want to sell it, as I may use it on Rail's to Trails. I am also 5'4 to 5'5 and weigh around 180. Although I am overweight, I am healthy and in-shape. Most people find a road bike more comfortable after the initial "break-in" phase. I don't know what to suggest in your situation with back trouble. I know my butt is very happy with a road bike. When the back end gets sore, I am able to take some of the weight off and use my arms. You can slide all over your seat and use different muscles . Hams and hip flexors when you are on the back of the seat, or quads in the middle and different muscles closer to the front of the knee when you side forward. All the moving may be good for your back. My wrists used to get sore and my butt was sore on the Trek7500fx. In addition the handlebar width is wide. The good points are that the bike is fast for a hybrid.

There is nothing wrong with getting a new bike (if you can afford it, obviously), but if your Trek 800 is in good shape, you might get the same results by adjusting the fit of that bike.

For instance, a new stem that has a shorter reach and a higher angle would put your bars higher and closer to you, giving you a more upright position. Or maybe your handlebars are too wide or too straight. I think that having bars curved slightly towards you, like they were on bikes of the 1950s and 1960s, would put your hands and wrists in a better position.
Maybe the shop you have visited could be interested in adapting your bike -- after all, their profit is mostly made from accessories...

One thing that would also help is to build your commuting distance slowly. Start by riding 5-10 miles on Saturday or Sunday, then either find a mid-point where you could ride to (ex.: ride to a friend's house than commute with him/her), or do the morning commute by car with your husband and the evening one on a bike. Or if you can park the bike inside your office, alternate between car and bike for a few days or weeks.

In a nutshell, if you are building up your commuting skills and riding skills in general, I suggest that you do it with your existing bike if possible, because in 3-6 months, you might want a different bike and you may be more fit... which would mean a bike with different set-up anyway.

Regards,

Hi,
getting comfortable on a bike when you're heavy is real tough.
When I say I feel your pain, I ain't kidding. Try a few different bikes, and see what you like.My wife rides a Bianchi Strada. Try a few touring bikes. With a traditional touring position your are bent forward a little, it's a lot like a crouch; so you're leaning forward but without putting a lot of weight on the hands. Drop bars give 3 or 4 places to put your hands, moving them around helps..
Other things you can do is to try different saddles and bars. If you have a big poofy saddle, lose it. You want a medium width saddle with a small to moderate amount of padding. Because everyone is different, that is something you just have to try. I am a big fan of saddles that have a little suspension built into them.

Here's something else to consider. I just ordered a Trek 1200 and I prefer an upright riding position. The LBS where I ordered the bike will swap out the drop handlebars & substitute a flat handlebar (with slight rise), and replace the lever shifters with grip shifts (means they replace the brakes too), and install an adjustable stem (they don't charge extra for doing this). This gives an upright riding position (like on a hybrid), but with the lightweight frame & better components of a road bike. So this bike will be easier & faster to ride than a hybrid (it also has the narrow road bike tires instead of the wider tires with more tread which are better for off road riding). The other thing you can consider, especially with your back problems, is a recumbent bike. I don't know much about them (except I like my stationary one), but they are often recommended for people with back problems.

Thank you all for your suggestions. After much thought and agonizing I decided to buy a Specialized Sequioa. I road my husband's yesterday and it felt great. No pain anywhere after 30 minutes of riding, and none after I was done. I pick it up tomorrow.

Hi,
getting comfortable on a bike when you're heavy is real tough.
When I say I feel your pain, I ain't kidding. Try a few different bikes, and see what you like.My wife rides a Bianchi Strada. Try a few touring bikes. With a traditional touring position your are bent forward a little, it's a lot like a crouch; so you're leaning forward but without putting a lot of weight on the hands. Drop bars give 3 or 4 places to put your hands, moving them around helps..
Other things you can do is to try different saddles and bars. If you have a big poofy saddle, lose it. You want a medium width saddle with a small to moderate amount of padding. Because everyone is different, that is something you just have to try. I am a big fan of saddles that have a little suspension built into them.

Late, How does your wife like the Strada? Is it a 2004 model?

Warren

the wife: i like it very much. it is a 2002 model. i am a short thin woman and this bike works very well for me. i like the handlebars. it has a low bottom bracket which is desirable. i have tried a few different saddles, including the terry butterfly; but the one i have now is a brooks. at first it seemed very hard, but we are getting used to each other now. the shifters are very easy to use. my other bike is a bridgestone xo2, with 26" wheels. i rode that for many years and am very fond of it too.

Late adds- I have seen posts by big guys who had problems with the wheels on the Strada. They are pretty blah wheels in any case. I upgraded hers to Mavic Open Pro rims with Ultegra hubs. It's a nice wheel, but there are are many good wheels out there to chose from. Because of your size I would also get larger, and better, tires. I really like my Rivendell Rufy Tufy tires; they'd be a great choice.

Good choice with the Sequoia...I can relate. I picked a Trek 7500fx for myself and put an adjustable stem and suspension seatpost on it, plus a Serfas saddle. Bars are wide, but with bar ends, I have varied hand positions which helps for comfort. Most wonderful ride, next to my RANS Rocket.

Another suggestion for you would have been a recumbent bike~no pain anywhere and lots of fun...maybe a second bike? :)