Gyeswho

I'm going to try and pursuade you based on the sage advice about your back. The Surly Crosscheck is a great buy since you can switch it up. It's a CX and a fixed all in one and can fit 50mm tires on it





50mm Big Apple tires

palladio

Thanks for all the great advice. I'm learning a lot here and really appreciate it.

My original thought was to use the Soma for errands, short trips, and sightseeing and to keep the CX for longer weekend rides. The problem with the CX is that I don't really like the drop bars. I've got them about as high as I can with a shorter angled stem, but they are still about 2" below the seat. This is good for aerodynamics but I still find it uncomfortable due to my lack of neck extension. I end up looking more at the ground than what's around me, and I find it disconcerting in traffic (which is unavoidable in NYC since I have to go down crazy crowded streets just to get to the bike trails or Central Park).

Maybe I should try riser bars on the CX, and just have both bikes configured that way. The disadvantage here is the lack of multiple hand positions on longer rides.

Oh, and I did have a professional fit person go through both bikes with me and after a little tweaking he thought both bikes fit me pretty well. The Soma a bit better than the CX overall, which I'd agree with given how it feels to me so far.

palladio

I've never ridden a carbon bike. Do these frames really make a big difference in terms of shock/vibration absorption? Are they better in this respect than steel frames like the Soma?

I really like the light weight (19.5 pounds) and quick handling of the Soma. It's great for accelerating from stoplights (which is necessary in NYC all the time) and the handling is good for dodging the inevitable car door opening or cab cutting me off.

So in the long run, should I maybe look at getting rid of both bikes and trying to find a used carbon frame/fork to build up with risers and comfortable tires for my city bike?

Cynikal 

Why don't you just get one of these.

https://www.thudbuster.com/

palladio

Gyeswho,
That all black Surly is BAD! Who's bike is that?

If Darth Vader had I bike, I think that would be it.

Gyeswho

yes it IS. it's a random flickr guy i found

sunburst

Re: carbon vs steel. It depends on the design of the carbon. Giant's OCR C series (I've got the OCR C1) and Specialized's Roubaix, and Trek's Pilot series are designed with compact, more upright frames. And the carbon is designed specifically to absorb vibration/shock. Racing frames, on the other hand, emphasis weight, stiffness and handling. So basically, not every carbon frame is going to give you what you need. I'm 54 and was having some back issues on prolonged climbs. Two years ago, I was just getting back into cycling after a long layoff, so I started investigating this back thing.

My first step was to make my 80s steel Trek work, with max extension of the stem for example, bigger tires (the Gatorskins were the first I tried), and misc fit adjustments. Then I found my OCR C1 on a closeout sale. I never got the Trek anywhere close to as comfy as the Giant.

Bicycling mag has been raving about "plush" bikes for years, and their perennial favorite is the Specialized Roubaix, especially this year's high-end model, one of their favorite bikes ever. Specialized even puts some "zertz" dampeners in the forks and seat stays, seatpost and handlebars. They seem to have gone the furthest, as far as design. Giant says they lay the carbon in such a way as to accomplish the same thing. All these brands have more than one bike in the plush lineup. With Giant for example, be sure that "C" is part of the model #, otherwise you may get an aluminum frame. These bikes have been around long enough for some used ones to show up on the market. Or maybe you can find a NOS in a shop. Mine was an '06 model bought in the last days of '07, at a 40% markdown. And I could have purchased a C3 for about half of that if they had my size. Giant got props from Bicycling for using the same hi-quality frame across their OCR Cx lineup. The C3 has 105 components (which are great), to bring the price down.

sunburst

Btw, if you want a comfy saddle for cheap try this Perf Forte Contour for $35 (sometimes marked down to $29):
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...slisearch=true

I put upright bars on my Trek recently for fun - immediately killed my back. I thought I'd have to take them off. Then I bought a shock seatpost and this saddle. The saddle worked so well, I returned the seatpost.

Any hey, it's cheaper than a new bike!

10 Wheels

28's are taller and have more give when you hit a bump.

10 Wheels

Having Gears that allow you to Spin would help your back.
Mashing hard on the pedals transfers to your back and butt.
I also have two bad disc's.

schnee

Get a sprung Brooks saddle.

clink83

DON'T PUT RISER BARS ON A ROAD BIKE! If you don't want to raise your bars with a new stem, you can get mustache bars or bullhorns, which give you the upright position you want with more hand positions. Heres a good read about handlebar choices:
https://www.rivbike.com/article/components/bars_and_tape

bigbris1

I didn't take the time to read responses but you can:

1. go to 28s where the max pressure is 80-85
2. go tubular & run the pressure you like

schnee

I see plenty of CX bikes with steep stems and Midge bars that have the bar as high as the saddle or even higher. You either have too small of a frame, a steerer tube that's been trimmed too short, too flat of a stem, or a combo of all three.

palladio

The frame fits me well, I couldn't go much bigger and have any standover height. Not sure about the steering tube being cut down. The stem has some rise, but I may try one of those Ritchie adjustable stems at some point to see what it would be like with the bars slightly higher than the seat.

Since switching the crappy racing saddle out for a Specialized Sonoma gel last week, things are much better. The combination of the gell paddding and the Zertz dampeners really seams to help absorb vibration. I may go up to 28 tires and/or get some carbon bars to help out a bit more when my budget permits.

Thanks for all the advice.

Cadd

I like the fenders of this bike!! Any pics of how it attaches to the frame/fork? Any idea who makes it?

fuzz2050

Those look like just the SKS Racer Blade mounts. They pretty much rubber band on
https://www.competitivecyclist.com/za...RODUCT.ID=2882
Just done up with cool wood fenders, that I'd be a little sad to ruin in the rain, and wouldn't actually stop me from getting wet.

FresnoFresyes

OP: I have severe back issues too and i have some advice that helped me and may help you (no particular order).
1. Padded gloves such as specialized gel BG gloves.
2. Specialized Roubaix Pro tires are cushy as they come and are still pretty fast rolling.
3. Fit.
4. Continually change hand position so your back does not get stressed.
I have never tried the thudbuster but i hear great things about it if you can get over the fact it was a ton. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to pm me.

ch0mb0

lmao

"this is how low you can go on tire pressure!" *posts pics of bikes*


OP, I switched over to 28's a while back and the ride is definitely a little softer, but I don't know how much it will help your back. It hasn't helped out my back pains anyway....