OPTheory

Here in Utah, road bikes are getting extremely popular. I can't drive without seeing one or two every couple of blocks. Rising gas prices is causing people to consider other, more efficient forms of transportation - myself included. I always thought road bikers were crazy with their spandex, jerseys, and odd positioning until I actually rode one. I loved the efficiency of the narrow bike and high gearing right away, so on an impulse I bought this: https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2008-ROAD-RA...QQcmdZViewItem

I didn't buy from eBay - it was a local listing and I got that exact bike for $550. I looked up "Bottechia USA" on this forum, and I only read bad things about it. I think it's a pretty neat bike, but then again, with this being my first bike I'm a complete rookie. Here's the main problem though: I'm 5'11.5", and the bike is a 60 CM. When I rode it around at first, I felt quite stretched out but overall it was tolerable - I just wanted an awesome bike at that moment. So I rationalized against my better judgment and bought it from the starving college student (who was 6'4"). Obviously today was go-time with the bike so I rode around for about an hour. I had lowered the seat until there was about an *inch* of room from the very bottom position. I still felt stretched out and rather uncomfortable, but this being my first ride, maybe I need to get used to it.

What I really wanted was a hybrid commuter bike - particularly a higher end bike from the Jamis Coda line. I hear nothing but GREAT things about the sport, comp, and elite. Beautiful looking bikes they are. I'm not sure I want to be a roadie. My coworker told me about etiquette among other bikers, and how you really should wear a jersey, bike shorts *without* wearing socially acceptable shorts over them, and the works. I thought it was somewhat ridiculous. I just want to get from point A to point B as quick as possible without following any sort of fashion code.

I guess I'm just looking for advice. Reselling the bike shouldn't be a problem considering the huge demand in the area... But, I've had second thoughts considering the brand of the bike as well as the size (again I'm 5'11.5", the bike is a 60 CM) PLUS the fact that I hear amazing things about Jamis.

Any thoughts on this? Should I really not be riding a 60 CM bike? I've been suggested a 56 CM, and 58 at most. So obviously 60 CM is pushing it.

Feedback would be greatly appreciated! Just looking for some other opinions... Oh, and by the way, I'm glad to be here!

stevo9er

No gives a crap about jerseys, bike shorts, fashion. Go to a couple LBS to get fitted for bikes. Sell the big bike, get a new one.

TeamRoundBoys

If you plan on riding with a club, that's their fashion. To get to work or whatever get some wicking clothes from the sportswear section. My commuting rig is a classic Raleigh coverted singlespeed, campy group, brooks saddle. I bunny hop it over cracks, wear basketball shorts, wicking shirt. If I rode with a pack I'd wear the lycra kit but I don't so no tights for me.

dynaryder

You should be riding a bike that fits. Take it to a local shop and ask them to help you make adjustments. It's possible that with proper setup and maybe a stem swap you can ride it,but if they say it's to big,then get a bike that fits you.

As for the fashion advice,do what you want. I let the weather determine what I wear more than anything else.

bsyptak

Could just be too long of a stem on it. Maybe swap it out for a 90 and flip it so it angles up instead of horizontal. Also, on saddle height, your leg should be just short of fully extended (knee not locked) when you are in the saddle and your crank is at it's lowest position. If you can make the above changes/adjustments and it works, there is a benefit to a slightly large frame. The benefit is that the saddle to handlebar drop is close to even. This gives you a more comfortable riding position, especially in traffic. If it's still too big, it'll never be right.

You can probably get $550 for it again. It's got decent components on it. If nobody bites, you could always part it out and probably get over $550 total.

If your commute is over 10 miles each way, I'd stick to a road type bike. Under 10, either way. I have both flat bar and drop bar commuters for my 18RT commute. In good weather, I always choose the drop bar bike. Coda has rack, fenders and panniers on it. That has something to do with it's second string status...

thdave

Bike clothes? That advice is ridiculous. Wear what you want! I never wear bike shorts and no cyclist has ever said anything about it. In fact, I rarely wear a bike shirt.

Regarding the bike--I'd give try it out but if the geometry has you stretching too much then I'd sell it and get one of the right size.

JeffS

1) The bike's probably slightly too small. I say it's probably close enough that a shorter stem could fix it. Other will go on about "perfect fit" and insist that a short stem is the work of the devil.

2) I doubt many people get on a drop bar bike and are comfortable right away. Even if the bike fit perfectly, you're still going to have an adjustment period.

3) If you don't like the bike and are really wanting something else, sell it.

Berniebikes

no way at 5'11 you will get a decent fit on a 60 cm bike. More than likely you will ride a 55 or 57, at most a 58, depending on your measurements. Sell the bike, you should be able to get what you have in it if in decent shape. Buy something that fits you.

As for clothing fashion wear what pleases you. I wear bike shorts and jersey cause it is comfortable, practical for my riding, and suitable for my needs. Most of my jerseys are plain, without a bunch of crap all over them. For comfort sake you might want to get a pair of baggy mountain bike shorts with a Chamois if you don't like the look of tighter fitting lycra. My Local Bike Shop also has some messenger pants (knicker type) and several other styles. If you don't caare about having a chamois, then wear what you want.

Regarding fashion of the bike, again, ride what pleases you. Drop bar road bikes probably are the most efficient at going faster. You sacrifice comfort (and maybe durability) for the efficiency. A number of manufacturers have road/commuter bikes, that is a road frame with flat bars and trigger shifters or some variation thereof. Try a number out and buy what you like. Adjust your position to something comfortable for you that seems efficient enough for your needs.

My last bit of advice, if you really enjoy cycling and get hooked on the benefits, quit sweating the small stuff. Trust me, if you do get hooked this will not be the last or only bike you end up owning. I have a bike set up and suited for commuting (an old 80s vintage steel fuji), road bikes (one aluminum and one carbon) and mountain bikes (one hard tail and one suspension) that I all ride at different times for different reasons which all have different traits and advantages. Just find something you like right now, and go from there.

e0richt

the crap about the jersey and shorts is goofy... nobody worries about that. Now if you were racing or trying to keep up in a pack then yeah, you might want to get those things for comfort/speed, not for "etiquette" or because of "fashion"...

I ride a low end road bike for my commute and I wear spandex shorts but I don't wear a jersey, I wear a high vis vest over a shirt (work shirt, t-shirt whatever depending on distance and sweat factor)...
I like the road bike for its efficiency to get from point a to point b, but if you prefer a hybrid, then you get one. But don't think that because you are commuting on a road bike you have to wear special clothes...
Oh and earlier, I was commuting in work pants with a strap to keep my pants out of the chain...
I would wear the cycling shorts underneath for comfort though...

Bikepacker67

Before you give up on this bike for being too big, you should see if switching out the handlebar stem for something shorter and more upright, to see if that solves that "stretched out" feeling.

Personally, I'd much rather a bicycle a bit too large for me, than a bit too small.

toThinkistoBe

Sounds like you have a good grasp of reality. If you want to wear jerseys and biking shorts for comfort, by all means go for it. To do it just to be fashionable or whatever is quite ridiculous. Most of the time I just wear whatever I would normally wear; however, if I'm going to go for a long ride, I will wear something similar to a pair of umbros. Personally, I have never had any comfort issues with such attire.

I have ridden with the local cycling club in regular shorts and a tshirt while everyone else was wearing full kits (I also rode my commuter with a rack bag, lights, frame pump, lock attached to the frame, etc and everyone else had racing bikes with nothing more than a water bottle -- Amidst our casual conversation I told them that this is my only bike and I dont have a car so I use it for everything - I got some "that's great!" or similar responses and that was that ). I had no problems and found everyone that I talked to to be very friendly and wasn't made to feel out of place at all. I even stayed at the front of the pack for the first 10-15 miles until an unavoidable event that caused me to stop and turn around. I had to go about 30mph for a while (over some crazy, but fun, rolling hills) to catch up to the "slow" group and just didn't have it in me after that to try to catch up to the leading group.

About the size/fit of your bike... as another poster pointed out, go to your LBS and get fitted.

e0richt

I believe that I have a 60 cm Trek 1220 bike that I bought used... my lbs told me that it was too big for me but I enjoy riding it. I had to swap out the stem to bring it up and closer to me and fits fine...
Im 5'9'' and I normally would take a 56 cm bike...

sean000

Fit is a personal thing, and our overall height doesn't tell the whole story. Measuring pubic bone height is useful for figuring out the saddle height you need, but it's certainly not the only important measurement... just a more useful place to start than your overall height.

I'm just over 5'9 with a PBH of about 85cm and a saddle height of about 75cm. A lot of people would tell me to ride a 55-56cm frame. My main bike is a 58cm. It fits me better than any bike I've owned. I still have my old racing bike... a 56cm, but it feels a bit small to me these days since I now need the handlebars higher to be comfortable on it. My 58cm has more than a fist-full of seatpost showing. From what you've said about your 60cm, I would say that it sounds like a not so good fit. I would also warn you against going the opposite extreme and getting a bike that is too small. That can lead to some very uncomfortable rides. Best to get properly fitted and test-ride if you aren't sure what size you need. Most people can comfortably ride a range of sizes (fine-tuning fit with the right length of stem, handlebar height, seat height, and seat position), so best to get something in the middle of that range...or even towards the larger end. Larger frames make it easier to set the handlebars at a comfortable height... a concept that wasn't very important to me as a young racer, but today (and I'm not that old... 37) is something I consider to be one of the most important aspects of bicycle fit. Of course there is a lot more to it than frame size. Geometry and handlebar height can affect the length of the cockpit, so a 56cm racing bike may not feel like it's the same size as a 56cm touring bike. Don't sweat it too much. I used to be someone who fretted over every millimeter of adjustment when I was a racer and hardcore mountain biker. For most people I think there is a range where you will be comfortable. The more time you spend in the saddle, the more you may want to fine tune things. I can ride my wife's bike comfortably for an hour or so without adjusting the seat height. Any longer and I'll nudge it down a little (she is slightly taller and sets the saddle about an inch higher than I do).

I mostly commute in normal work clothes...dressed for the weather of course. I wear regular shoes on my commute, but have pedals that are platform on one side and SPD on the other so I can clip-in for longer rides. My commute is only 4 miles each way. If it were 10 or 15 miles I might bring a change of clothes for the office depending on the weather. I don't usually wear padded shorts or special cycling wear unless I'm going for a ride longer than two hours. I often ride another 10 or 15 miles after work in my work clothes.

As far as riding with serious roadies... you might find spandex to be more comfortable for long and fast rides, but it is possible to find jerseys that aren't quite so ugly. Personally I can't stand neon colors on jerseys or bicycle frames. It doesn't bother me in the context of a race, but on a training ride (unless it's with your teammates) I'd tone it down. There are plenty of jerseys and shorts that aren't totally busy and ugly. Personally I like lightweight wool jerseys. They come in more classic colors and look more natural, but can be expensive. I think it's pretty dorky to wear a professional team's jersey unless they haven't been around for at least ten years... even then I'd avoid it unless it's a really cool jersey.

Training rides with roadies can be intense, but also a very good workout. Most roadie clubs have some more laid back "social" rides that are moderately paced and end someplace fun like a brewery or a donut shop. Ask your local bike shop about them. If you don't want to get into the roadie scene, there are plenty of group rides frequented by more casual cyclists wearing all types of clothing and riding all types of rigs. These are the rides I tend to go on these days.

Sean

Paul L.

Um yeah, I wear tight revealing shorts for fashion. Hmmm. Fashion? I wear them because they don't balloon in the wind and increase my wind profile more than is necessary. I wear the jersey and shorts because I like to ride over 20mph and my commute is 24 miles one way. If I was riding a 10 mile or less commute and rode under 18mph mostly, I would not worry about the "fashionable" spandex (goes right along with those super short but "fashionable" jogging shorts runners wear). Yeah some people might wear them to look cool but if you ride over a certain speed and distance it really is the most practical. If I am going to be putzing around a lot I leave the spandex at home though.

BroadSTPhilly

I agree with DJ you aren't going to be comfortable on drops right away. Give it some time and see if you still feel uncomfortable. The first time I commuted on my road bike it fealt horrible but now I love it. So I say wait and see. Also to quote my high school wrestiling coach "You can go out there in a Jock strap and a Top Hat for all I care"