Soften the ride for compact alu frame?
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Hey all...this is my very first post - please forgive me if I am covering a noob topic (did a search first!)
Ok...I have a small Giant OCR-1 compact geometry road frame. Love it, the frame is: stiff, responsive, good climber, cost was reasonably cheap (frame only), and did I say stiff? I have some carbon bits to soften the ride but would like a little more relief from road vibration (live in CNY, which = BAD roads). I currently have a full carbon fork and carbon seat post. I am looking to get a new stem, handlebar, and saddle. I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice...
1) STEM: magnesium or carbon or ti ? Which one provides more vibration dampening? Full carbon monocoque (ie, Easton EC90, ITM Uniko, etc) or carbon over alu wrap (ie, supergo, Easton EC70, etc.) - differences?
2) HANDLEBAR: Shallowest drop and shortest reach available in a full carbon drop bar? The shallowest/shortest combo I've found is the Modolo Curvissima KX Carbon (found here) I currently have the Ritchey BioMax II which sports a reach of 75 and drop of 130.
3) SADDLE: Carbon or mag or ti rails? Again, which provides the best virbration dampening? For the most part, have only used ti railed - so no way to compare to others. I like the looong rails of some of the Fizik models and am considering the Aliante or Arione.
I am 5'4" and prefer a short cockpit (was a messenger and still ride like that around town )....so, outside of getting custom parts made, it is quite difficult to find "high-end" carbon bits that satisfy the needs of those who are vertically challenged (ie, <90mm stems, short and shallow bars, etc.)
Please post any suggestions, links, scientific know-how, tests, reviews, etc...Thanks for looking!
Ok...I have a small Giant OCR-1 compact geometry road frame. Love it, the frame is: stiff, responsive, good climber, cost was reasonably cheap (frame only), and did I say stiff? I have some carbon bits to soften the ride but would like a little more relief from road vibration (live in CNY, which = BAD roads). I currently have a full carbon fork and carbon seat post. I am looking to get a new stem, handlebar, and saddle. I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice...
1) STEM: magnesium or carbon or ti ? Which one provides more vibration dampening? Full carbon monocoque (ie, Easton EC90, ITM Uniko, etc) or carbon over alu wrap (ie, supergo, Easton EC70, etc.) - differences?
2) HANDLEBAR: Shallowest drop and shortest reach available in a full carbon drop bar? The shallowest/shortest combo I've found is the Modolo Curvissima KX Carbon (found here) I currently have the Ritchey BioMax II which sports a reach of 75 and drop of 130.
3) SADDLE: Carbon or mag or ti rails? Again, which provides the best virbration dampening? For the most part, have only used ti railed - so no way to compare to others. I like the looong rails of some of the Fizik models and am considering the Aliante or Arione.
I am 5'4" and prefer a short cockpit (was a messenger and still ride like that around town )....so, outside of getting custom parts made, it is quite difficult to find "high-end" carbon bits that satisfy the needs of those who are vertically challenged (ie, <90mm stems, short and shallow bars, etc.)
Please post any suggestions, links, scientific know-how, tests, reviews, etc...Thanks for looking!
Last edited by twowheelnuts; 02-13-05 at 11:10 PM.
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Originally Posted by LordOpie
"Magnesium vs carbon vs ti...which one provides the best vibration dampening?"
I suppose I'm looking to hear about the nuances that dintinguish the three materials when it comes to long distance riding and "chatter"...and overall ride quality. Something like this from slvoid who posted in that other thread...
"I don't think carbon does anything to absorb shock beyond a certain amplitude and below a certain freq. But for road buzz, it certainly helps."
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Originally Posted by twowheelnuts
Hey all...this is my very first post - please forgive me if I am covering a noob topic (did a search first!)
Ok...I have a small Giant OCR-1 compact geometry road frame. Love it, the frame is: stiff, responsive, good climber, cost was reasonably cheap (frame only), and did I say stiff? I have some carbon bits to soften the ride but would like a little more relief from road vibration (live in CNY, which = BAD roads). I currently have a full carbon fork and carbon seat post. I am looking to get a new stem, handlebar, and saddle. I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice...
1) STEM: magnesium or carbon or ti ? Which one provides more vibration dampening? Full carbon monocoque (ie, Easton EC90, ITM Uniko, etc) or carbon over alu wrap (ie, supergo, Easton EC70, etc.) - differences?
2) HANDLEBAR: Shallowest drop and shortest reach available in a full carbon drop bar? The shallowest/shortest combo I've found is the Modolo Curvissima KX Carbon (found here) I currently have the Ritchey BioMax II which sports a reach of 75 and drop of 130.
3) SADDLE: Carbon or mag or ti rails? Again, which provides the best virbration dampening? For the most part, have only used ti railed - so no way to compare to others. I like the looong rails of some of the Fizik models and am considering the Aliante or Arione.
I am 5'4" and prefer a short cockpit (was a messenger and still ride like that around town )....so, outside of getting custom parts made, it is quite difficult to find "high-end" carbon bits that satisfy the needs of those who are vertically challenged (ie, <90mm stems, short and shallow bars, etc.)
Please post any suggestions, links, scientific know-how, tests, reviews, etc...Thanks for looking!
Ok...I have a small Giant OCR-1 compact geometry road frame. Love it, the frame is: stiff, responsive, good climber, cost was reasonably cheap (frame only), and did I say stiff? I have some carbon bits to soften the ride but would like a little more relief from road vibration (live in CNY, which = BAD roads). I currently have a full carbon fork and carbon seat post. I am looking to get a new stem, handlebar, and saddle. I was wondering if anyone could provide some advice...
1) STEM: magnesium or carbon or ti ? Which one provides more vibration dampening? Full carbon monocoque (ie, Easton EC90, ITM Uniko, etc) or carbon over alu wrap (ie, supergo, Easton EC70, etc.) - differences?
2) HANDLEBAR: Shallowest drop and shortest reach available in a full carbon drop bar? The shallowest/shortest combo I've found is the Modolo Curvissima KX Carbon (found here) I currently have the Ritchey BioMax II which sports a reach of 75 and drop of 130.
3) SADDLE: Carbon or mag or ti rails? Again, which provides the best virbration dampening? For the most part, have only used ti railed - so no way to compare to others. I like the looong rails of some of the Fizik models and am considering the Aliante or Arione.
I am 5'4" and prefer a short cockpit (was a messenger and still ride like that around town )....so, outside of getting custom parts made, it is quite difficult to find "high-end" carbon bits that satisfy the needs of those who are vertically challenged (ie, <90mm stems, short and shallow bars, etc.)
Please post any suggestions, links, scientific know-how, tests, reviews, etc...Thanks for looking!
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changing you wheels altogether is the only thing I can think of
#7
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Originally Posted by Shorty
changing you wheels altogether is the only thing I can think of
Sounds like wrong bike selection to me. Or maybe just getting used to the new ride. What are the differences in geometry and equipment with the old messenger bike?
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As a CNY'er I've decided to endure my alum frame for one more year, then upgrade. I've never found any real way to make my bike comfortable on long rides.
I envy those who can ride for hours & hours, not gonna happen on my Fuji Newest.
I envy those who can ride for hours & hours, not gonna happen on my Fuji Newest.
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Originally Posted by sydney
You are just wasting your money on 1,2 and 3. Get a cushier saddle,good bar tape,padded gloves and run a few lesss psi in the tires.
I understand that pros use "high-tech" stuff b/c they are sponsor-provided items...and that bike companies need to flex their technological muscles to stay ahead of the game and give their riders every advantage possible over the competition...but I don't think that the use of these materials is completely useless for us "common-folk".
I have an aluminum frame - yes. Steel is cool - yes, but I am not looking to just get rid of my alu ride (yet). I would like to work with what I have already invested my time and money on and was hoping that some of you might have some personal experiences with various carbon, mag, ti saddles, stems or handlebars.
You guys that are telling me not to "waste my money" on 1,2, or 3...do you have some personal experiences that led you to feel that way about 1,2, and 3? Come on...doesn't anyone have anything else to add other than "Get steel, dude" or "Don't waste your time or money on that stuff"
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The carbon fork and seat post both provide good high frequency vibration damping, which you get from running over grains of sand in the road. They do nothing in the way of shock absorption, which you need between you and cracks in badly maintained roads. For shock absorption a thudbuster seat post or a Brooks sprung saddle are what you need. You dont say what your weight is, but since you are 5' 4", I expect you are well under 200 lb, so you could use 90 psi in your 23/25 tires. If you want even more shock absorption go up a size in tires and 80 or 85 psi - I think your frame will take 28s.