WorldIRC

Hi Guys,

Due to a back injury I got a few years ago, I'm looking for a road bike with more relaxed geometry for natural upright positioning. I'm coming from a Madone 5.2 H2 and no matter what we do, we just can't tweak it anymore. It is the right size (54CM) with proper stem and all that, but no matter what, it is just too aggressive.

I was at a couple of my LBS' today checking out the Trek Domane 4.5 Disc and Specialized Roubaix SL4 Comp Disc. I was also checking out the Specialized Sirrus Pro / Expert Carbon Disc. Disc's aren't necessary, but as a "techie", I do find the idea of having disc brakes on the road bike to be a pretty cool thing. Again, not mandatory, and I know there is a premium, but this should not impact the recommendations.

Thoughts? Most common complaints I have on my Madone are lower back pain (injury) and neck strain (again, nothing we can do makes it feel better). Basically sucks the fun out of riding.

Looigi

Do you have a pic of the headset, spacers and stem on your bike? What's limiting going higher and or shorter reach?

Silvercivic27

It's cool. He just wants a new bike. I'd get the roubaix of those choices.

WorldIRC

I don't anymore - I sold the bike before the winter. Too much time between the 2 shops and fitter that I work with. I'd rather get a bike with "comfort" as part of its design instead of taking an aggressive fit frame and trying to make it more comfortable.

rms13

Have you test rode the bikes you were checking out? They are all popular choices. Like most bikes I don't think you'll see huge differences between different manufacturers in their endurance lines. But Giant Defy is popular and I know a few people who are very happy with theirs. Cannondale Synapse is another. I have a friend on a Felt Z3 and he's very happy with that bike

WorldIRC

I have not yet tested them -- still a tad cold up here in Toronto. Right now I'm just at the research phase. I'm also definitely aware that what may be considered comfortable for one person may not be the same for me.

Ben I.

Last year when I was looking at getting a road bike, one of the ones I looked at was the Fuji Gran Fondo. I ended up going with a different bike because the Gran Fondo felt too relaxed for me but might be worth looking into for your back situation. I know it has endurance geometry and a taller headset so might work for you.

rpenmanparker 

Based on your description of the issue, I'm afraid that the severity of your problem will make even an endurance road bike unsuitable for you. They are just not all that different from more aggressive road bikes. Some yes, but it isn't extreme. Seldom is an endurance bike so different from the same size criterium bike that you can't convert one to the other with stem, spacer and bar choices. No matter how bizarre the finished conversion would look, it could be done. Therefore you should definitely look at some flat bar bikes early in your search to learn whether that might be key to your satisfaction. After all it is unlikely you will ever use the drops on a drop bar no matter how high or close they are. Perhaps that is true of the hoods too. Just sayin'.

WorldIRC

This is what I was afraid of. Yes, the geometry's are different, but like you said, how different are they actually...I can tell you that a couple of mm's here or there likely won't fix the issue. I'm never in the drops, if that matters. I'm the type of guy that just likes to take in the sites and bending my neck upwards to see straight irritates it. I'm not an aggressive rider at all.

WorldIRC

Specialized Bicycle Components - Check out the image on the top of the page with the person sitting on the bike. That is the posture I'd like to be in.

Up North

Look at a nice straight bar hybrid. Many are available in carbon with good road wheels.

STRANA

As always in the end the test ride will decide what's right for you. Based on what I have rode I would say the Roubaix though after trying that I also rode a felt Z5 and it spoke to me more then the Roubaix and I'm loving it. I spend way to much time over the winter looking at the new bike porn and find myself wanting something new. but when I stop and think about what I would want to change or upgrade about my bike there isn't anything that I end up saying I must have or really want. We're warming up this week maybe you can get on a few for feel! Good luck in finding your new bike.

Lazyass

Specialized Bicycle Components - Check out the image on the top of the page with the person sitting on the bike. That is the posture I'd like to be in.
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Those bars are lower than the saddle. I can grab the tops and sit upright with my arms extended like that on any road bike.

How upright are you actually wanting to be? Unless you've chopped your steerer tube you should be able to get your bars level with your saddle. If you have chopped it you can get a riser stem. If you need your bars higher than your saddle then maybe you shouldn't be riding. Now, if you're just looking for an excuse to buy a new bike as it sounds then that's another matter.

Looigi

Tough to tell exactly in the pic, but it looks like the bars are level with or a bit below the saddle. Reach is quite short which is why the rider is more upright.

bikemig 

Also I'd look for a bike that can take a fatter tire since that will make the bike more comfortable. I doubt you're looking for a steel bike but rivendell makes bikes designed for more upright riding like this one, Sam Hillborne

Someone must make a more upright carbon bike that can take fat tires. In any case, high quality fatter tires will help smooth out the ride.

WorldIRC

So it looks like that as long as the reach is shorter, I should be able to be more upright without having to have the bars higher than the saddle (which I don't want -- I'm not riding a Harley here).

So I guess the next question is how do I want to shorten that reach? Smaller frame (saddle is higher up, stem remains at an appropriate length so control isn't too twitchy), or do I stick with my normal size frame (54CM) and shorten / raise the stem?

rpenmanparker 

Actually, you should probably have the bars at least level with the saddle. I understand the aesthetic problem, but, "A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do!" Talk to Campag4life who rides very strongly on a setup like that.

rpenmanparker 

Smaller frame will screw you up completely by dropping the head tube and raising the saddle extension, exactly opposite of what you want. No you need an endurance geometry with a tall head tube and short top tube. The question is, are you willing to set it up for comfort instead of looks?

Lazyass

Find a shorter cheap stem like the $10 Easton and just try it.

Easton Ea30 Mountain Bike Stem *Closeout 90mm (100058818) at CambriaBike.com

WorldIRC

Thought I'd bump this thread. Been a year and I never really bit the bullet on anything last year (bought a house and got married).

Campag4life

Same answer as the year before.
Congrats on marriage and new house. Now you really have a reason to get out and ride.
Either try a Roubaix...about the tallest head tube in the industry for a good road bike...or a hybrid.

Your back issue and riding bolt upright may not be a good nexus. The H2 geometry you had is one of the least aggressive out there. All about fit. Many quit before they find their best fit. In my opinion, finding best fit for a given rider takes more time than most are willing to spend. For those that will go down the sometimes arduous road of finding the best fit for them on a road bike, they reap the reward...and they earned it. Can't phone it in.

bikemig 

I'd take a look at the soma san marcos if you're good with steel: Soma San Marcos Frame + Fork Set Tiburon Blue

It can take a really plush tire (up to a 38c) and the bike has a tall headtube.

Lazyass

2015 Fahrlander II Blue or Gray

jtaylor996

Go get a carbon synapse already. It's exactly what you're looking for. I have a hybrid as well, but I MUCH prefer the hand positions that come on a road bike than on hybrids which are now coming with mega wide ass MTB bars.

spdracr39

The new Domane SLR has vibration dampers on both ends now and a relaxed geometry.