Hi [MENTION=391685]Andrew R Stewart[/MENTION] -

I understand what you say, and I'm the first to admit that I don't understand frame design. I parrot what I've read, but no, there's no true understanding. Nor do I want to invest the time and effort to get there.

To use a phrase - "I want to learn to tell time - not how to build clocks."

My current bike is not an easy or comfortable ride. Since often a "test ride" doesn't reveal as much as one might like, and since a new bike IS such a substantial investment, I'm trying to learn what to look for in order to avoid past mistakes.

The best bike I've ever owned was an actual racing bike (?!) that I'd bought from a gent at a yard sale. On that bike, my body was so balanced that I could ride comfortably with my hands an inch above the brake hoods. The bike had been custom-painted for his team, and I never knew the actual brand. I could easily ride for long distances and around gentle curves without the need to place my hands on the handlebars. Despite this, I'm not sure that the original owner and I were the same height or leg length, so the "fit" may have been fortuitous.

I'm now older and heavier, and want substantially-wider, more-durable tires than what were on the road bike. I do, however, want to return to that comfortable ride and fit. I've had subsequent bikes "fit" to me at the bike shop using "knee over the pedal spindle" thought, and the result was far from satisfactory. I don't want to race, I just want a comfortable bike that I can ride for long distances and ride without hands.

I believe that one factor in such a ride will be a longer wheelbase (possibly starting with longer chain stays). A more relaxed head tube angle with more trail should also (theoretically) help. Of course, I may be wrong... What characteristics in a bike SHOULD I look for that will provide the comfort and fit that I'm looking for?

PS: Please don't recommend the local bike shop. The kids who work there are interested in racing, and have no clue how to even communicate with me about the characteristics I'm looking for (and I'm a fair communicator).

Cordially - FH