philstat

Hello all
I got back into riding after a long long layoff, and immediatel became hooked again. My first new bike purchase in 20 years was an all aluminum frame Fuji with flat bars and ok specs; I rode this for 4 weeks, and went back to LBS, and traded it for basically the same thing, but with carbon stays and fork; much nicer ride. After getting into longer rides, I noticed I couldn't shake the pain in my hands/wrists, and butt.
Back to the LBS, and traded it for a Giant OCR2 Composite/Ultegra. Wonderful ride with all carbon. After 3600 miles on it this year, I'm looking for something different (lighter). I'm being told by the LBS that I don't want a "race" frame, I want another "performance/comfort bike (Trek Pilot, Giant OCR, etc. I'm 57 and not doing any racing soon, but the number if this type of bike is limited in scope, if I look at "race" bikes, there are tons to choose. I have studied the frame geometry of these bikes, and have found little if ANY differances in Angles, wheelbase, top tube length, etc. between the comfort and race frames. Would I being beating up my old body if I were to consider the racing bikes? Are they that much stiffer, that it would affect the ride quality (frame material being equal; carbon)
Any informed opinions would be much appreciated!

Thanks and Happy New Year

Phil

dekindy

IMHO you should keep the OCR Composite with Ultegra. From what I know, it is an ideal selection for your riding style. Unless you have a body that could benefit from custom, you have a bike that fits your needs nicely and could do only slightly marginally better. But I like getting a new/another bike as well as the next guy so go for it if you can afford it. I would do an extended test ride before getting rid of the OCR or you may end up regretting it because you already have a very nice bike.

Have you had a professional fitting? If you have not, that would be the best investment you could make to determine whether to keep your current bike or help you select your "ideal" bike and setup.

merlinextraligh

Sort of depends on how you want to use it,and how flexible you are.

One significant difference in dimensions is the lenght of the head tube, which will affect the drop from the seat to the bars.

If you can set up the racing frame you want with the right drop for you, it's likely to be as close to as comfortable as your OCR.

Frames like the Pilot, Synapse and Roubaix may absorb shock a little better than some purpose built rce bikes. But how much the bike beats you up is also affected by saddle choices, tire size, wheel choices, and tire pressure.

My suggestion would be to try The Roubaix, Synapse, Pilot, and a couple of more race oriented bikes and see what you like.

Another good possiblity would be a high end Ti bike, such as a Merlin extralight, Serotta, Litespeed, Seven etc. Ti bikes tend to be comfortable rides and plenty light and fast enough for anything you may want to do.

bjkeen

The main thing is how high the bars are relative to the saddle. Higher bars and longer top tube (= bigger frame, longer stem) let you get stretched out without putting so much weight on your hands and wrists. You'll wind up with the feeling of a more 'suspended' bike (at the price of catching a little more wind) and you'll also likely be able to climb a bit better.

What non 'race' frames might afford you is a 1) means of getting the bars higher (you want them high enough that you can ride in the drops just casually and not only reserve that for times you want to make a special point) and 2) clearance around the frame and fork for wider tires, like 28mm tires.

Wider tires = lower tire pressure = more forgiving ride, and if the weight bothers you just use extralite tubes. You can get these properties in some race frames but not all, so it's well to take a look. The bar height thing can be addressed in part with a stem.

cosmo starr

thanks for your frivolous spending, indecisiveness and support for the resale market.

Roadplay

I’ve been doing the same kind of comparisons in my quest for my next bike. I currently own a Specialized Roubaix. I’m 48 and still like to hammer on my club rides, so I’m looking for something fast. I’ve decided I like the longer wheelbase of the comfort/performance bikes, not as twitchy. As far as the long head tube, I can drop my bars about 2.5 inches below my seat. I don’t think I’d ever want to go any lower. If I did, I’d probably need to go the race bike route. I’m no expert, but I think there isn’t much different between, say, a Specialized Tarmac “Race Bike” and a Specialized “Roubaix” comfort /performance frame with comparable components. Just my 2 cents. (I’m thinking about the S-Works Roubaix, best of both worlds).

johnny99

For people with normal body dimensions:

Race frame = you like to roll your hips forward, regularly ride on the drops, and hammer on the hills

Comfort frame = you ride with your hips upright, use the drops only on downhills, and use the granny gear on long hills


If you have short legs and long arms or vice versa, the above may not apply to you.

Al1943

Your age should not be the deciding factor. I'm 64 and ride carbon fiber racing frames. There are significant differences in frame geometries. I'm not tall but have long legs and short torso. To avoid getting too stretched out I've learned to avoid a frame with a long top tube, steep head tube, or excessive drop from saddle height to handlebar. My favorite geometry is Colnago's or Specialized, but I don't like sloping top tubes so that eliminates Specialized.

Al

Roadplay

Al, which Colnago do you ride?

philstat

Thanks for your helpful response. I am just sorry that after being out of the market so long that I wasn't able to pick the right bike the first time. If I had (had) your obvious knowledge up front, I probably would have kept my Schwinn Varsity 10 speed I bought in 1973 for about 75.00 bucks.
You are a very smug and cynical man.

Happy New Year
Phil

derath

Stick with the OCR. I have an OCR C3 and it is setup perfectly for me. It is perfectly comfortable over long (100+ miles) and still plenty light for club rides.

-D

merlinextraligh

Allright, let's not exaggerate. Schwinn Varsitys in 1973 went for at least $99. Mine in 1970 cost me $91.

philstat

Check this out Merlin...anybody that bought bikes in this era will be smiling! Be sure and check out the bottom of the page!

https://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/25030.html

philstat

thanks, I fixed it

simplify

D'oh! I deleted my post when I saw that you fixed it. Thank you Phil! Great link, BTW.

Isn't it sad though, how every one of those ads pictures a boy on the bike, and if a girl is pictured at all, it's just to admire the boy's new bike. Only one of the ads even shows a girls' model, if you don't count the *stationary EXERCISE bicycle* for "Mom" in the top ad. In some ways, it's good that those times are behind us.

dekalbSTEEL

And not a helmet in sight! How did we survive?

Al1943

C50