cyclinfool: Yes, most people think I am nuts. (I won't even go into my Mountain Climbing, Rock Climbing and Mountain Biking exploits except to say road biking is my mild activity) Also, I did purchase this bike specifically because it has 30 speeds and a real good granny gear. Apparently you didn't read my first post. I have already ridden 3 of the passes for the Death Ride as a prep ride and twice recently I have ridden Monitor pass both ways. And in both cases I would have gone further if it weren't for the butt pain. Also, like I said previously, the new seat Serfas EG-800 Cruiser E-Gel 216mm width (even has it's own springs) worked better on the 100 mile prep ride I did two days ago. I'll check with a couple of my local Bike Shops today and see if they can rent me a larger bike or provide adjustment advice. Like I said on my first post, I did go to my LBS a month ago and had a "Professional" adjust my bike for me with the purpose of reducing butt pain but that didn't help at all so I am skeptical of the experts. Any advice along the lines of finding a good person to fit me in my local area (Sacramento) would be appreciated. Time is running out. I am planning on doing my last big practice ride either tomorrow or monday. I will do 4 of the passes. (the 5th pass is less steep than the others but entails a much longer ride, probably 50 miles) I figure is I can do the 4 difficult passes I should be able to put my brain in neutral and suck it up to complete the last 50 miles, at least that is the plan.

John,

Did read the first post but after I looked up wha tthe ride was I forgot you said you road a few of the passes before. Riding this as an endurance ride is different than what I have done, riding these types of climbs as a race. But I would think with your strenght you would to well racing on these types of hills. We have a series here caller Bumps which entails mountains like Mt. Washington in NH, a brutal ride. I would think you would do very well. Ride strong - and let us know how it goes. You are inspiring me to get the 20lbs I have gained since being in climbing shape as well as getting back out there and doing a few races. Right now the only serious climbing I do is on foot as I drag my daughter (or she drags me) up the High Peaks in the Adirondack park.

Good luck - you have my deepest respect for your effort.

I called Specialized and they told me they had a program that trains people in how to fit properly. They told me a Bike Shop in Davis, Ca had a specialist, Joe so I went to see him. He watched me ride a bit and said the only recommendation he would make is for me to turn my goose-neck around which I did. He wasn't impressed with the seat I purchased but said, if it works better, stay with it. He recommended I not make any more adjustments to the bike this close to the Death Ride. Will do a short mountain bike run tomorrow and then on Monday will do a big training run and try to do 4 of the passes on the Death Ride.

Looks like the interest in this post is waining probably because it looks like my problems are solved but I'll give a report anyway. Yesterday, Saturday, I did a training ride on the Death Ride Circuit instead of the short mountain bike ride I was planning. I was able to complete 4 passes which is 75 miles and it took me 9.5 hours. I believe I had enough gas in the tank to be able to complete the entire course next Saturday. My butt was much better thanks to the new seat and I think the fact that I stood up more than I have in the past, was helpful. If there is any interest in a full report for next Saturday, let me know, otherwise, thanks everyone for your recommendations.

I'm having some saddle fit problems and was thinking about going to my nearest Specialized shop because they do the fitting you mentioned. Just wondering what it cost you to have them critique your position.

Let's hear the report! It was smart to do that bit of a test. I know for myself, if I lay off riding for two days prior to a big event it really helps me. I'm not sure I've ever tackled anything as challenging as your upcoming ride so good luck and give a report.
With regard to the saddle question, there shouldn't be a cost to do the saddle test thing. It's just a foam board that you sit on to see how far apart your butt bones are. You can do the same thing at home with thick cardboard or a backpacking pad or something. I would note that the test recommends a 143 for me but I find a 155 saddle to be better so even in this kind of thing the recommendation should take a backseat to reality. Specialized has a program to let you keep a saddle and return it if you don't like it if you buy it online. If the shop doesn't want to loan a saddle for a few days, just let them know you'll just order it online from Specialized that WILL let you use it and then return it. If your credit card can take the hit, you can order the same saddle in all three sizes and find out which really seems best. You can order a whole gaggle of saddles.

Bruce19: Sounds like digibud gave you the correct information. Specialized has a program that trains people to fit people properly and they become certified. Some LBS (Local bike shops) include this fitting with every new bike they sell. This fitting usually costs $150 or so. When I went to the shop in Davis the fitter didn't do any of the things that normally are included in the fit package #1 because I was an emergency case, with the Death Ride coming up so soon, so he just fit me in and #2 I had already had a fitting from another shop. The fitter in Davis actually spent a half hour with me giving me good ideas about how to ride long distances and what to expect (I've only been at this road biking for about 5 months so I need all the help I can get) He did turn my Goose Neck over so I was sitting more upright and when I did the 4 pass training ride yesterday I noticed it really reduced hands going numb and reduced shoulder pain I was experiencing. He didn't charge me anything but I bught a new hydration system that goes under my seat and works well. (In this thread I never discussed another problem I was having that was going to prohibit me from completing the Death Ride which was something I have had from my youth whenever I am in climbing, skiing, hiking, running shoes/boots too long and that is Second Toe Capsulitis. I resolved this problem by doing two things #1 I had a podiatrist give me a cortisone shot in the joint and #2 I got rid of the clips on my pedals and wear bigger shoes, this allows me to move my feet into different positions while I am pedaling) I think I explained in my first post that the fitting from "another shop" didn't resolve my butt pain problem (I discovered in a ride after the fitting) and I believe I give a good history of why I came to the saddle I currently have. Like I said previously, my saddle is totally out of line with what the fitters, bike sales people tell you but when I went with their conventional wisdom, my but was way too sore to be able to finish the Death Ride. In a previous post I gave the name and model number of the saddle that works best for me and if you Google it you will see that it is intended for a Beach Cruiser even with springs under it. (It's name even has Cruiser in it)

I did make it. 129 miles and 15,000 vertical feet and 14 hours in the saddle (with a few short breaks). My butt was sore but I was able to tolerate it thanks to my too big and too soft saddle.

That is impressive to me. FWIW I seem to have resolved my saddle issue on my own. I did some measuring and discovered that my LBS (new mechanic) had raised my seat and not lowered it to where it was originally. After talking to a friend/ex-racer I started thinking that my original saddle height was too high and the LBS left it higher still. So, I lowered it and did a 50 mi. club ride yesterday. This ride included about 3800 ft. of climbing. The soreness pretty much disappeared and I even found climbing easier.

Glad you resolved your problem. What kind of saddle is it?

I was using a Specialized Avatar but, thinking the saddle might be the problem, just installed a Selle Italia Max Flite Gel.

That bike is too small as has been mentioned, you will never be happy on that bike, sorry. You likely need something with an EFFECTIVE top tube length, c/c of approximately 56cm.

I also am 5-10(.5) with an 86cm cycling inseam, long arms (I am a swimmer) and I fit fine on bikes with a 56 to even 57 cm top tube length. The effective top tube length is the most important sizing variable, not that the others are not important as well. Example, my Pinerello 56 size is 56cm top and seat tubes, fit is lovely, my Surly CC is a 54 size (Surly sizing) but has a 56.5cm top tube and it fits perfect but I am an aggressive cyclist, if I wanted a grandpa (Rivendale) fit I could see a 56 in the Surly CC but it would feel like a boat to me.

You might try the Specialized Avatar saddles. They come in three widths. I use the medium width. Actually, it is the most comfortable saddle I have EVER used. I bought three of them. I just put a Brooks B17N on my Surly CC, see how that goes. For a cheap saddle, the WTB SST actually is not half bad.

LC

I find that inspiring. Congratulations.

I have now had 3 LBS look at my bike for correct size and they all think it is fine. They don't like my saddle cause it's Too Big and Too Soft. The opinions expressed on this forum are all based on a picture I took so, sorry, but I am going with the opinions of the LBS's but like I said before I do appreciate all the help an encouragement given here. I did learn one thing from the Death Ride, 6 months of road biking experience isn't enough to prepare for a ride like the Death Ride also it would be nice to use the clipin pedals to gain progress on the up as well as the down stroke but, as I explained earlier, my toe issue probably would have prevented me from finishing the ride.

You finished the DR, so something is working! Nice job- that is quite an accomplishment. Good luck on your saddle quest- I suspect it is not quite over yet. On the pedals- if you want to be able to use the "up stroke", but not go with clipless, look into Power Grips. They are quite amazing for riding in athletic or street shoes, and will allow quite a bit of foot movement.

No, while the photos are telling, so is the fact that you stated you were 5-10 and then gave the frame size. Bike shops tend to put people on tiny frames. It is too small. And, I worked at a shop and fitting was what I did but I admit, I am far from an expert but in agreement with the number of posts that commented likewise.

Good luck.

LC

Loose Chain: I did say I was 5'10" and the frame size seat tube size is 53.5 cm but if you look at the link I posted for the bike you will see that they call it a compact frame and the "Equivalent Traditional Frame Size" is 57 to 59 cm

@johnr9q,

So, what saddle are the LBS's saying is too soft? You keep stating this but I'm not following which saddle you mean the shops state is too squishy and soft.

Something is working for you.

Bikey Mikey: You need to read post #21 .

There had been so many posts(pages in fact) since then and I did try re-reading, which is rather a lot to wade through to get that short statement. Thanks for posting where I could find it, but you didn't have to go through the work and find the post--you could've just named it again. If that works for you that's great.