Cead_tinne

I'm thinking about replacing my 05 Specialized Transition. I'd like something a little more stiff, and can handle a little wider tires. The bike groans when i really mash. I've been looking at the Salsa vaya 3, Soma ES, and surly pacer. My question is, am i going to notice these being slower? I can barely keep up with the wife right now....

Oh and I'm 6' 2' 240lbs. I also carry up to 10 lbs of cargo on a rear rack from time to time.

stevel610 

Might want to ask in the Tri or Road forums.

ill.clyde

You have a rear rack on your Tri bike?

As far as something stiffer than what you have, you're looking at the wrong bikes. All of those bikes are steel frames ... and while that makes them comfortable, they don't compare in the slightest to what you currently have.

Cead_tinne

I do have a rack. I know it looks odd, and the bike also handles poorly with an extra 5-10 pounds back there. But I still prefer the rack to a backpack.

Do you know of any bikes that might be more appropraite for my weight, and still be pretty quick? The frame is really flexy, and i've replaced quite a few gator skin tires.

Null66

That vaya3 is cool...

Touring bikes seem comfortable to me... I ride a DT...

ill.clyde

Frames in the newer carbon layups would be stiffer ... and chances are today's aluminum frames would be relatively stiffer too.

Black wallnut 

Specialized Bicycle Components
Smartweld E5 Allez, fast and stiff. Great race bike. Reports I have from some, second hand, some riders who also have the Tarmac prefer this Allez. Although not in your list above worth a test ride. No rack mounts though.

ill.clyde

Boy that's a tasty little morsel ... nice!

Ky_Rider

I just purchased a Surly Cross Check and love it. It's similar to the Pacer, but a littler beefier. You can run much larger tires too. I wouldn't call it fast though. I didn't buy it to be fast.

RPK79

That's what she said.

Wilfred Laurier

unless the frame is cracked
there is nothing in the frame that should be groaning

it is much more likely some other moving or clamped part
like cranks or bottom bracket or hub
or stem or handlebar
that are groaning
so a stiffer bike would do nothing

also
i must agree that if you want a stiff frame
then take those steel bikes off your wish list
as steel has earned a reputation for having more flex
when built into a bike frame
than aluminum or carbon

also
if you are riding a triathlon bike
and not keeping up with your riding partner
then it is very unlikely that it is the bikes fault


as for a fast bike that accepts wider tires
take a look at the jamis xenith endura line

Cead_tinne

I do keep up, but It's close. I still beat her on up hills. I'm just worried a differnt bike might be slower, and I might not keep up at that point.

ill.clyde

That's a "motor" problem dude ... not a bike problem

To get faster, ride faster and ride more

It's not the bike's fault.

IBOHUNT

Some call that getting "chick'd" or would throw out the phrase 'rule 5'.

I'll go with @ill.clyde on this one. Not sure it's the bikes fault. Want to make her slower... put the 10 lbs on her ride.

Cead_tinne

There's some truth to that, but
I'd bet dollars to dounuts that I can beat you with my bike if you ride a mountain bike

ill.clyde

Not sure where I said anything about being faster than you or riding a MTB.

Cead_tinne

I'm just saying some bikes are faster than others.

ill.clyde

To be sure ... but if you're looking at a bike to be a panacea for a lack of speed, especially when you're already riding a carbon fiber triathalon bike, there are bigger issues than just the bike.

daviddavieboy

His is a 05' it should be aluminum framed. (according to 2005 Specialized Transition Elite - BikePedia)

If keeping up is difficult now, going to a wider tire will make it harder still. Almost certainly a new carbon frame should be stiffer. I know my new SS is stiffer than my aluminum road or my mountain bike. An easy way to make sure you keep up is buy a new bike for yourself and tell your SO that the rack and extra weight has to go on her bike.

Wilfred Laurier

actually
except for aerodynamics
a fatter tire will not appreciably slow a bike down
all other things being equal
except for on climbs
when the extra weight of the fatter tire
will slow you down the same amount
as the same weight added to the frame

and since the op says his speed is ok on climbs
then that might work out fine for him

also
i wonder if there isnt something else going on
other than less strong rider
or flexy frame

because
time trial bikes are designed to go fast on flat ground
but the op says he has trouble keeping up on flat ground
but does better on hills

I think the problem could either be with
fit
or
some mechanical problem like a broken hub axle

daviddavieboy

Just speaking from personal experience, I must be mistaken.

I see, the 100g or so per tire makes quite a difference I guess. I didn't realize.

What he said is that he can beat her on the hills but not the flats. At least that's what I read.

Given the two options I'll pick fit, last time I broke an axle I almost crashed and was walking.

Cead_tinne

Oh thats good. I joked about her packing some of the stuff once (locks i think) and she told me I'm the one that needs the exercise not her, she's not packing any extra pounds.

Anyway about the possible mechanical issue. I just gave my bike a once over and everything seems ok and adjusted correctly, but I'll take to it a shop for a second opinion in the morning. Riding home I pushed it hard going up a couple hills. I can definitely see the frame twist. I can even got the chainring to touch the derailer when I accelerated up a decent hill. Keep in mind i'm not being nice to my bike and using low gears. Which might be part of the reason i'm on my third bottom bracket with this bike. My issues might be user abuse/error, but I love mash down hard on those petals.

jsigone

well sounds like a valid reason to buy another bike. I'd get a carbon Shiv or Cervelo P bike hummmm either of those will be speedy enough, but they are race bikes and will be limited to 23c tires. Fat tire TT bike defeats the purpose

Wilfred Laurier

no no

i am the one who is mistaken

i forgot that added rotational weight
also affects acceleration
and this is the most significant effect

and when moving faster than say 30 kilometers per hour
or around twenty miles per hour
the aerodynamic penalty is also quite significant

once you get rolling
though
fat tires roll damn near as well
as skinny ones

Cead_tinne

The LBS went through it, and they said it just need cleaned and lubed which they did. It didn't change anything.