HELP! COMFORT first HELP!
 

Any and ALL sugeestions would be appreciated as to the MOST comfortable road bikes. ALSO, suggestions would be appreciated as to you made your bike (mods) more comfortable.

Need a bit more info- How old?- how fit? what type of riding? and how much?

For comfort, I strongly prefer either a road touring bike or a very old road racing bike designed for cobblestone streets.

A carbon bike provides a smooth ride.

S/He's 47. Also posted in Road Cycling.

Correct, 47yo male, 5'11, 205 lbs, getting back into riding, currently 120 +- miles a week, not in too bad of shape. Road riding. I figure you Old Farts in the 50+ group would be a GREAT source of info.

You'd better start of with an apology.

My 1974 steel Raleigh Super Course with a Brooks saddle is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. My CF Specialized Roubaix Expert is more comfortable than my 1999 Cannondale aluminum R600. My aluminum $78 Sette frame from Pricepoint, a Performance brand $77 fork along with parts and pieces from the workbench is the quickest bike I have ever owned.

And that says it all!!:D

You don't need to drop $20K to be comfortable or fast - only for the bragging rights.
My $150 1995 used steel Simoncini frame/fork is the most comfortable bike I have every ridden and I dare say it is just as fast as my CF Tarmac - but maybe not as fast when the grade gets over 6%.:D

Amazing!

Heck! That almost describes me to a "T", except he forgot bald headed!

We're a bunch of old farts. Deal with it. Next problem...

Questions for the OP.

What kind of bike do you ride now?
What do you find uncomfortable about what you are riding now?

Comfort? Good bike fit and good shorts.

I am kand of in the same boat as you it sounds like. After years of no or little cycling, I am getting back into it. I got the old Bianchi built up. Went with 700x28 Specialized Armadillo tires hoping to soften the ride. the ride is fine, my body is what needs firming up.
As for a cushy ride, I had a Vitus for awhile when I was riding. It soaked up about everything with the small aluminum tubes. A little spooky on the down hills. I recently rode it at 180 lbs, but use to hammer the mountains around Glenwood Springs Colorado back in the day when I was about 160.
i have a Cannondale mtn bike with 2.0 Kenda slicks. Pretty decent ride. I had tried some narrow Specialized slicks, but they were too rough for me. Worked fine a few pounds ago.

I feel like I am totally addicted again, just need to get the old bod back in shape. Did a metric century this past weekend and I was a feeling it. Woo hoo!!

Now if you are into road riding- then two choices. A hybrid that is a Road bike with straight bars- OR a road bike. On the Hybrid- most manufacturers have a model- Specialised Sirrus- Giant FCR-just to name a couple.

On the road bike and problems start- Do you need a relaxed geometry bike? Do you like riding with the body stretched out? Are you planning on just doing flat riding or will hills be involved?

Competition- race- comfort geometry. The choice is yours.

A few sites to link into below

http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-US/bikes/road/

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=34081

My Litespeed rides like a dream. I guess that means it's comfortable. :rolleyes:

If you want comfort, get a Long Wheelbase Recumbent. bk

Or a short wheel base recumbent.

Can't believe someone would come begging with an insult!

Never the less; there is one and only one answer to what makes a comfortable bike: Lots of miles so you have enough experience to know what "fits and feels right" to you. I doubt you are going to get any consensus here on what brand or model, or even what construction material, is the "most comfortable".

No short cuts. Get out and ride. Over time you find "the bike"; assuming someone doesn't react violently to your lip.

When I got my Jamis it fit me pretty well. I rode it till I got used to the saddle and only then started looking for a new one so I knew when I had just the one I needed. I upgraded the wheels and it was more comfortable and responsive still. A tweak here and a tweak there a reposition of the hoods a flip of the stem and I had a very comfortable long distance bike, did my first century on it. A year and a few months later I bought a Lapierre Xlite with a lot more race geometry. Built it up and put my old saddle on it and took it for a test ride. When I pulled back into the garage and moved the seat post up about ½ inch I took it out again and it was done. Now it is every bit as comfortable as my Jamis and the geometry is different.

The point is my Jamis is still comfortable but my body has adjusted to the point where the Lapierrre feels just as comfortable. And yes carbon fiber does absorb some of the road shock.

So as others have suggested get a bike that fits you well, find a saddle you like, get good wheels and ride. Good bike shorts or bibs, good gloves, and good bike shoes go a long way in making the bike feel more comfortable.

So what did you get?

Rans Stratus LE. Forget the road bikes, you'll never find real comfort there if it is already an issue. bk