Geared bike for a fixed gear rider, where to start?
04-27-13, 01:01 PM
#26
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Ride was good. Was impressed with the bike. Aluminum was much better than other aluminum bikes I've ridden, still a little jarring on road irregularities but overall a nice bike and good fit for me. Wouldn't have thought I was a 56 but it fit well. Did about 35 miles and felt much less abused than the last time I did the same on my fixed. Those geared riders really are on to something on hills.
I didn't love the Shimano 105 set up, but it could be due more to the fact that it just wasn't adjusted properly than any inherent flaw in the system. In the lower gears I kept encountering a situation where the back derailleur wouldn't upshift and then I'd hit it again and go up two gears.
Was riding a popular route (9w in New Jersey) and was just much more aware of the different types of road bikes and I don't think I saw a single one that didn't have a huge logo on it. Amazing the lack of variety in the branding of modern road bikes considering the diversity of brands etc. Guess there is just no market for subtlety. You'd think as the frames are inherently sexy looking that someone would want to call attention to the curves and lines by keeping the branding to a minimum and letting the minimal look be the brand as you have in lots of other arenas, but I guess not here.
Would like to try something carbon to see the difference in ride between the two materials and also ride a modern steel road bike to see how it goes.
I didn't love the Shimano 105 set up, but it could be due more to the fact that it just wasn't adjusted properly than any inherent flaw in the system. In the lower gears I kept encountering a situation where the back derailleur wouldn't upshift and then I'd hit it again and go up two gears.
Was riding a popular route (9w in New Jersey) and was just much more aware of the different types of road bikes and I don't think I saw a single one that didn't have a huge logo on it. Amazing the lack of variety in the branding of modern road bikes considering the diversity of brands etc. Guess there is just no market for subtlety. You'd think as the frames are inherently sexy looking that someone would want to call attention to the curves and lines by keeping the branding to a minimum and letting the minimal look be the brand as you have in lots of other arenas, but I guess not here.
Would like to try something carbon to see the difference in ride between the two materials and also ride a modern steel road bike to see how it goes.
04-30-13, 05:29 AM
#27
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Update- made the mistake of trying a bunch of bikes and ended up ordering a Specialized Roubaix with SRAM Apex. Damn Specialized spring sale. FYI- don't ride a nice bike unless you are planning on actually buying.
04-30-13, 04:59 PM
#29
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Bikes: 2014 Specialized Allez, Trek Farley, Trek Crockett, Deluxe Team dirt jump BMX, SE Draft, S&M ATF, S&M L.A.M.F., S&M PBR, BSD TrailOrPark, SE Vans PK Ripper
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I was going to say check out Specialized they make an excellent bike. My father-in-law has two Roubaix's, one for home and one for Nantucket he loves them. I ride an Allez my wife and mother-in-law both ride dolce's, and my brother-in-law rides a Secteur.
07-26-13, 05:42 AM
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Follow up to this. Bought a Specialized Roubaix and just couldn't get it to fit right. Had a pro fitting from the shop where I bought it from and kept getting strange shoulder and back pains. Guy at the shop was super cool and took it back and ordered me a comparable Felt as I had ridden a Z85 with no problems. Geometry of the Felt was more low and long where the Specialized felt high and short. They measured very similar but the feel was very different.
Anyway, the comparable Felt was the Z4, which wasn't too offensive looking and was set up with Shimano 105. I guess they ran out of the 2013 so after a few weeks of waiting, I ended up with a 2014 Z4, which is although unfortunately colored (lots of red and white), a sick bike. The frame feels a pound lighter than the 2013 and they went from Shimano 105 to an SRAM Rival/Apex mix.
Just got back from a ride and it feel like having a very expensive sports car, super light, super responsive and everything just feels great. I know Felt is sorta associated with Tri gear but they make a very nice road bike. Highly recommended. If only they would tame the graphics and colors...
Anyway, the comparable Felt was the Z4, which wasn't too offensive looking and was set up with Shimano 105. I guess they ran out of the 2013 so after a few weeks of waiting, I ended up with a 2014 Z4, which is although unfortunately colored (lots of red and white), a sick bike. The frame feels a pound lighter than the 2013 and they went from Shimano 105 to an SRAM Rival/Apex mix.
Just got back from a ride and it feel like having a very expensive sports car, super light, super responsive and everything just feels great. I know Felt is sorta associated with Tri gear but they make a very nice road bike. Highly recommended. If only they would tame the graphics and colors...
