Originally Posted by
Loose Chain
They are riding utility bikes for transportation and most of them know about as much about bikes as your typical housewife knows about the internal workings of her blender or her soccer van. Does owning a blender or having a van make you an expert on those machines, does riding a POS 50 pound slug through the streets of Bombay like my customer I have in this week does every day make him an expert cyclist, dude, get real.
I have a comfort bike also with a high bar but I am not riding my Pinarello around with the seat down on the top tube and my bars extended with an extender piece either. And you know, I don't have any springs on my saddles either.
We've already noted that you're an elite cyclist. Congratulations.
The OP was asking a general question, and didn't indicate he was looking to optimize his speed. Most folks in the U.S. in the 70's were purely recreational riders, and I suspect that with his "too large" Medici touring bike, the OP is one also. Even C&V'ers who enjoy the sensation of speed on a bike are all over the map with regard to age, power, personal preferences and physical limitations. The sensibility of the Forum here is to be inclusive and welcoming. Feel free to tell us your preferences, and provide historic information about how folks usually set their bikes up. It would be much appreciated though, if belittling remarks directed towards others be kept to yourself.