Amitoj

Hi

So, last year I bought a Specialized Sirrus Sport bike from my LBS's bike swap. At that time, I was not sure what my usage would be but I was certain that mountain bike was not what I wanted. So, the Sirrus Sport kind of bike made more sense since it was closer to a road bike that I could take on packed dirt trails as well (there is one where I live, which I have done for total of ONE times)

I have been using this bike on roads primarily since i got it. I am averaging 17-18 mph on the bike for trips ranging around 25-26 miles, with elevation gains 800 to 1000 ft. I have not got the bike fitted. I recently got clipless pedals and shoes though.

I should also mention a few things about me. I am 6'3" tall, weigh around 194 lbs, and have abnormally long arms. I have to look for sleeve size 36/37. And the bike is XL. When I am sitting on the bike, my toes barely touch the ground. FWIW, the 25 mile rides don't cause any sort of unusual pain. So, I am still undecided about spending $250 for a bike fit at my LBS. The shop says its a "Body Geometry with 3D motion capture".

Now, I would like to take my bike on longer rides. I hope to ride the bike in the White Mountains area in the summer. And also Vermont. I would like to know from you all experienced riders what all should i do? Short of selling my bike and getting a proper road bike. Or am I being too optimistic thinking that these kind of trips can be done on a hybrid. Also, do you guys still think the bike fit would be a worthwhile investment?

Thanks for all your help in advance.
Amitoj

TenSpeedV2

That trip can be done on any bike to be honest. If you don't want to pay for the fitting, start reading up on the internet and checking out what you need to get the fit right. This forum has several knowledgable people on here that are more than willing to help. Your best bet to start, post a side/profile picture of you sitting on the bike with either someone holding it or slightly leaning against a wall with the outer leg on the pedal in the six o clock position. Have your gear on like shoes and the pedals you will be using. That will be a good start for those here willing to help you get the fit nailed down.

deapee

$250 for a bike fit is ridiculous (at your level)...you should be able to get your saddle height and set back dialed in no problem whatsoever within 2-3 rides. In the first ride you should be able to be 90% there just with youtube videos (look up GCN's saddle video).

Your bike needs to be adjusted for comfort, aero, and power -- and a balance of all 3...which is easy to achieve.

If I were brand new to cycling, I wouldn't even consider buying a bike from anywhere that didn't throw in somewhat of a bike fit when buying it, heck even before test riding it, which should get you 90% to where you need to be.

--

Honestly though, I couldn't imagine riding more than 8 miles on a flat bar bike. I just couldn't do it. Drop bars are that good.

techsensei

I've ridden flat bars on longer rides. I agree that drop bars are better, or at least they are for me. If I had a flat bar bike and didn't want to spend $$$ on another bike, I'd install trekking/butterfly bars.

Amitoj

Thanks! I will do that as soon as possible!


Thanks for that video. It was one of the many videos I saw some time back.
To be fair to my LBS, they do offer a basic sizing without all the bells and whistles for $60.

That's a suggestion worth exploring as well!

no motor?

Most changes made in bike fitting are pretty small fine tuning adjustments, have you tried some of those?

MRT2

How do you feel after 40 miles? Any pain in your hands, wrists, neck, shoulders, butt, back, knees or feet? If not, then it sounds like you are more or less dialed in.

IK_biker

The lack of pain after a 40-miler is hardly the best indicator of a proper bike fit.
What about maximizing the comfort?
Or maximizing the efficiency?

Or, as the famous philosopher said it, "you'd never know how much is enough - until you first learn how much is too much"...

fietsbob

Nothing keeps you from breaking up the ride in comfortable 25 mile 2 hour segments and getting off the bike for a Little while .

jen_turnbull

$250 for a fitting is ridiculous.

I'd suggest you find another LBS. It should be free from wherever you bought the bike from. You don't pay extra for fitting a pair of shoes or spectacles, it's just part of the service.

In terms of longer rides, get a decent pair of bibs and jersey. Santini do some good ones and also the Adidas Adistar cd.zero3 range is really nice.

OldTryGuy

I just searched a Sirrus Sport to compare it to my Target Magna 7 speed $100.00 Hybrid bought in 2002 to use as a grocery grabber and knock around bike when camping. I have taken that bike out on solo flat 60 mile rides, A club rides of 40 miles, and plenty of shopping, even brought home a potted fruit bearing lemon tree from Home Depot around Christmas in the front basket.

I would love to have that bike for my riding and for what you have intended. Fit the bike to yourself a little better using available information and enjoy. I have flip/flop SPD pedals usable for cleats or sandals.

leob1

Statements like this are usually said by someone that has little saddle time on a bike with flat bars, if any.
I have a Trek 7.5 FX, a flat bar road bike, or hybrid. It's comfortable for me on long rides of 60 plus miles. You can always change the bar height buy moving spacers around, or getting a shorter, or longer stem. I would suggest that you get narrower tires, no bigger than 28's. And clipless pedals and shoes will help too.
Enjoy the ride.

badger1

1. No, you don't "need" a different bike for what you want to do. What you have is a version of what is referred to (often derisively) on these boards as a "hybrid" that is oriented toward road cycling. You can ride as far as you want on what you have, efficiently and comfortably. This is contingent on bike fit, not on the 'type' of road bicycle you have. You should try out some drop-bar road bikes. You might prefer them; if so, by all means change to one -- but you don't "need" to.

2. Flat bars are perfectly suitable for what you want to do, unless for some reason you find them uncomfortable -- some people do, just as some people don't like drop bars. Absent your finding flat bars uncomfortable, you do not "need" drop bars to ride distance efficiently and comfortably; those who make assertions to the contrary are falsely framing what is either a simple personal preference or a stupid prejudice that is unfounded in fact as an absolute, objective 'truth' that is universally applicable.

3. That said, two suggestions.

i) Optimize your fit on the bike. You do not need to spend a lot -- or even any -- money to do this. As a few have suggested, you can find anything you need on the interwebz to fit your bike to yourself to achieve a balanced, comfortable, and efficient position. Here's one very good example: How to Fit a Bicycle

ii) Consider adding bar ends to your bars. This is an inexpensive way of providing yourself with the ability to vary your hand position should you find yourself wanting to do so; in effect, the same change in position afforded by moving between the tops and hoods of a drop bar. Doing so provides variation of both hand/forearm and torso position. Bar ends are also useful when climbing 'out of the saddle'. There are other options short of buying a new bike; you could try 'trekking' bars as one poster suggested, or even 'alt' bars like a Jones H-bar.

FWIW, I've never found plain old flat bars w/bar ends to be in any way limiting on long rides, to and including 'century' (100 miles in a day) rides. Here's an example (mine) of a "hybrid" set up for road cycling:

MRT2

The reason I mention 40 miles is, 40 miles was about my limit back when I used to ride a flat bar hybrid. (independent of my ability physically to do more) 25 miles generally felt pretty good, but after that, and especially after 35 miles, my neck ,shoulders, and knees started to get a little sore. If OP can ride 2 hours 20 minutes on the bike continuously without pain, I think he should be OK, and for sure, doesn't need an expensive fitting.

deapee

I've road flat bar for up to 8 mile stints on a towpath...and I make ample use of my drop bars on my road bike...I just can't imagine not having the benefits that drop bars offer on anything longer than a few miles. There's a reason that bikes set up for longer riding (road bikes, touring bikes, endurance bikes, race bikes, etc) come with drop bars. That reason is so that the rider can make use of them.

Amitoj

I think I will end up doing that anyway!

Thanks! Will look into those.

Thanks! I got SPD pedals recently. They make a lot of difference! I just need to keep reminding myself that i should not be mashing the pedals.

And statements like these give me comfort! I go on group rides that start from our LBS and I am the only one with a hybrid.

Thanks! These are some very encouraging words! Really appreciate that.

Since i am new to these kind of bikes, I think I will spend the $60 and get at least the saddle adjusted. Call it Noob Fees

jefnvk

Is there a reason you think you need a better fit? I've stuck with the philosophy that I don't change things unless I have a reason to, if you are running those numbers it seems to me I'd just keep increasing the distance and seeing if I actually had an issue.

I ride my flat bar, 1-3/4" tire mountain bike more than that on a regular basis, including a 21 mile ride where I got caught up with a bunch of roadies for a few miles and had no issue keeping pace. 8 miles is nothing but the outbound leg on my shorter normal after work ride.

veganbikes

Make sure your saddle is level (pointing down towards the ground means you are fighting to stay on it and pointing up can mean it can cause discomfort downstairs)

Adjust seatpost height (sometimes going up or down just a little bit can rid any pain right away)

Invest in some comfortable grips (Ergon GP5's are a great choice as they come with bar ends to give you more hand positions)

Make sure your arms or knees (in 6 o'clock position) aren't fully locked out if they are get a shorter stem or lower your seat post

Also make sure you have a comfortable and supportive saddle (ie: not heavy padded gel saddle) and a nice pair or cycling shorts or bibs.

Chamois cream can make a big difference (Chamois Glide is like a deodorant stick for your crotch but in a really good way)

Aside from that and normal eat and drink mantra, you should be fine. You can do pretty much any ride on most any bike but some bikes do make it easier to do it.

arfer1

I'm just about your height, and 've taken a comfort bike and hybrid, both with flat bars, for many miles around Vermont's Northeast Kingdom without too much trouble. Going up some of those mountain roads, especially the gravel ones, was taxing, but I took it slow and took time to stop and enjoy the views. It was always fun to stop for a dip in the many beautiful streams and rivers to cool off. Listen to your body and don't worry about how fast you're going, and you should have a great experience.

Pendergast

I prefer drop bars for road riding, but here's the configuration I have on a bike I converted to flat bar. I'm not sure what the longest ride I've done on that bike has been, probably 60 miles or so, but I feel like I could ride comfortably even longer than that. For me the key is being able to vary my hand positions and through the different hand positions being able to vary my body position from time to time.

Gerryattrick

I alternate between flat bar and road bike and, although I probably ride the road bike more these days, I have had no problems with long trips on flat bars. One century and several 40-50 mile rides.

If speed is important to you a road bike is better, but as long as the fit is right for you, you'll be fine with a flat bar.

Amitoj

Thank you everyone for your encouraging words!
I'll soon head over to the Bike Fit section and seek your help there again.
By the way, this is the route I am planning to take over the July 4th weekend, depending on weather:

Burlington, VT: Smugglers Notch Loop | Bicycling in Vermont | by sbarner

Any words of advise are appreciated!

Craptacular8

The drop bar for endurance, touring, etc is mostly a US phenomenon. If you shop for touring bikes in the UK/EU it's more often a flat bar/trekking bar/flat bar with bar ends setup. I ride both, though prefer trekking bars if I'm on a 'flat bar' bike. FWIW, I think I have more hand positions on the trekking than I do on drops, though my drop bike maybe puts me in a little more efficient position for all day rides.

Amitoj

Guys I did it!! Here's the strava link
https://www.strava.com/activities/629088407/

Started with a nice little breakfast of eggs and toast. Drove down to Richmond Park and Ride, which was 40 minutes away and enough time for the breakfast to settle in And then got on the bike and started the ride.

The climb to Smuggler's Notch literally made me weep though! And then the last 10 miles on route 2 when the wind made it look like another climb. At one point during the last 5 miles, I missed a turn. Never have I ever cursed myself so much!!

But in the end, it gave me a nice sense of achievement that I was able to do this.

Thanks to all of you for your words of encouragement!! You guys rock!

fietsbob

The EU market created the Trekking/Butterfly , figure 8 bend handlebar, since so many people ride what we call Hybrids.

Without changing the shift & brake levers the shape offers a lot of hand placement options..

I Have 2 bikes set up with those..

A stem change for reach and height alters placement of the bars relative to the saddle..