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I changed my Roll

Old 08-15-20, 12:14 PM
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I changed my Roll

I changed the stem and bars on my Roll this morning. I don’t feel cramped anymore and have more hand positions .
I also swapped out the chainring for a 32 tooth aluminum oval ring . My knees seem to like the oval rings on some of my other bikes , so I thought I’d try one on my Roll .
Probably should have gone with a 34 tooth , but if I ever find some gravel tires I like for it , the 32 will help me on hills I believe.
Someday I’d like to buy a new rear wheel and go with a 9 or 10 speed cassette.
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Old 08-21-20, 02:46 PM
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Nice changes. I’m all for doing whatever makes you like your bike and get you riding more.

Both me and my wife also have a Roll. I’m curious to think that maybe your frame is too small if you felt cramped because my Roll is one of the most comfortable bikes I’ve ever ridden.
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Old 08-21-20, 03:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Jagamov
Nice changes. I’m all for doing whatever makes you like your bike and get you riding more.

Both me and my wife also have a Roll. I’m curious to think that maybe your frame is too small if you felt cramped because my Roll is one of the most comfortable bikes I’ve ever ridden.
According to my height , I should have bought a large , but I don’t know why they size bikes to people on height .
I’m 5’11” but have short legs , long torso , so I went with a medium.
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Old 08-21-20, 03:15 PM
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Yeah, it’s not an exact science. I rode both sizes just to be sure. I’m 6’ and definitely needed the large. Sounds like you needed a large too.

My wife is 5’6” and they tried to put her on a large, but she rides a medium and that is what she got...of course after riding both.

I never listen to the shop guys. Reminds me of my last Stumpjumper FS. They insisted I get a large, but the medium felt and rode perfect to me. I bought the medium.
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Old 08-21-20, 10:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Jagamov
Yeah, it’s not an exact science. I rode both sizes just to be sure. I’m 6’ and definitely needed the large. Sounds like you needed a large too.

My wife is 5’6” and they tried to put her on a large, but she rides a medium and that is what she got...of course after riding both.

I never listen to the shop guys. Reminds me of my last Stumpjumper FS. They insisted I get a large, but the medium felt and rode perfect to me. I bought the medium.
I had to order mine online, wait almost two weeks , then drive over an hour to pick it up .
I bought a Rockhopper the same way . Same place .The shop guy kept insisting the bike , a medium , fit me perfect . With the saddle bottomed out , I was about on my tiptoes to reach the pedals and with the new MTB geometry I felt like I was standing on my head . When I mentioned, when I mentioned raising the bars , I was told it’d never work , that I would ruin the handling of the bike .
After over a year of playing around with different stems, extenders, and bars , I finally got the bike to fit me and it rides great .
BTW , I had to cut 4” off the seatpost to get it where I have some adjustability.
Basically made a hybrid out of it , which was my plan . I didn’t realize Specialized made the Crosstrail which would have been closer to what I was looking for .
The bike shop is no longer a Specialized dealer .
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Old 08-29-20, 09:37 PM
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I’ve added Trekking bars to my Roll . And swapped out the freewheel to a 11-30 ( yep, freewheel , hate it , wish it was a cassette ) and swapped the chainring for a 32 tooth . Somehow during my work , the axle shifted on the rear freehub screwing everything up .
Wound up with an off centered wheel which messed up the rear brake alignment, and derailleur alignment. Took a couple of 17mm wrenches and tightened up the wheel , but the wrong side tightened up throwing everything out .
A little trail and error and finally got my alignment straitened out .
This bike has been a headache .
I’ll post a pic tomorrow after my after church ride .
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Old 08-30-20, 12:12 PM
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With the trekking handlebars.
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Old 04-17-21, 04:51 AM
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Best of luck in your quest. I had a Roll a few years back and just like you, I could never find the sweet spot on the bike. I enjoyed riding it, but never felt accomplished after my rides. So I experimented with a few drop bar gravel bikes and ended up with a Sirrus X 5.0.


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Old 04-17-21, 05:15 AM
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FM1178, nice Sirrus !
I’ve finally gotten my Rockhopper where it feels and rides the way I want . If it weighed a few pounds less , my quest for the best bike would be over .

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Old 04-25-21, 03:48 PM
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Don’t know why, but I accessorized my Roll again this afternoon.
I want to like this bike .
if it had rear cassette instead of a 7 speed freewheel it would help .
Or if it had 26” or 700c wheels , that would help .
I’m going to give it one more chance.
We’ll see 😱
I may try a 26” rear wheel with a 2.5x26 Maxi Hookworm. The height should be close and I think I can adjust the brakes to fit .
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Old 04-26-21, 11:34 AM
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OK , here it is . All set up for another chance .
I blamed the forward pedal position of the Roll for my knee issues I’ve been having since last fall .
Then I got to thinking of what I did around that time and that was when I swapped out some crank sets on several of my bikes I ride primarily. Three out of four got 175mm cranks because in the crank set I wanted to use , that was all that was available. Thinking that 5mm wouldn’t make that big of a difference.
I got to researching and found that the extra 5mm could cause knee issues as well as lower back and hip problems, all of which I’ve been having .
Two days ago I parked the three bikes that have 175mm crank arms until I can swap them out .
My Roll has 170mm crank arms
Actually using a formula I found , I should be using 165mm cranks with my short inseam .
So far my knees seem to be better .
Check your cranks if you’ve been having knee issues. It’s an overlooked issue most of the time .
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Old 04-26-21, 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by kirby999

OK , here it is . All set up for another chance .
I blamed the forward pedal position of the Roll for my knee issues I’ve been having since last fall .
Then I got to thinking of what I did around that time and that was when I swapped out some crank sets on several of my bikes I ride primarily. Three out of four got 175mm cranks because in the crank set I wanted to use , that was all that was available. Thinking that 5mm wouldn’t make that big of a difference.
I got to researching and found that the extra 5mm could cause knee issues as well as lower back and hip problems, all of which I’ve been having .
Two days ago I parked the three bikes that have 175mm crank arms until I can swap them out .
My Roll has 170mm crank arms
Actually using a formula I found , I should be using 165mm cranks with my short inseam .
So far my knees seem to be better .
Check your cranks if you’ve been having knee issues. It’s an overlooked issue most of the time .
I went from 175 on my Quick to 165 and it has helped my knees tremendously. Looking to change my Topstone from 172.5 to 165 also but am having a problem finding a GRX 2x11 in stock with the 165 cranks. On two waiting lists so hopefully they will be available soon. Good luck with your search.
Frank.
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Old 04-29-21, 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by kirby999
I had to order mine online, wait almost two weeks , then drive over an hour to pick it up .
I bought a Rockhopper the same way . Same place .The shop guy kept insisting the bike , a medium , fit me perfect . With the saddle bottomed out , I was about on my tiptoes to reach the pedals and with the new MTB geometry I felt like I was standing on my head . When I mentioned, when I mentioned raising the bars , I was told it’d never work , that I would ruin the handling of the bike .
After over a year of playing around with different stems, extenders, and bars , I finally got the bike to fit me and it rides great .
BTW , I had to cut 4” off the seatpost to get it where I have some adjustability.
Basically made a hybrid out of it , which was my plan . I didn’t realize Specialized made the Crosstrail which would have been closer to what I was looking for .
The bike shop is no longer a Specialized dealer .
I bought one of this but women frame medium sized I m going to give it to my fiancé somehow it’s very nice ride but something not comfortable how will I know what is missing ? Can u tell me please the upgrades you did the cost
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Old 04-29-21, 09:38 AM
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Originally Posted by FM1178
Best of luck in your quest. I had a Roll a few years back and just like you, I could never find the sweet spot on the bike. I enjoyed riding it, but never felt accomplished after my rides. So I experimented with a few drop bar gravel bikes and ended up with a Sirrus X 5.0.


is this 2021 ? How’s the ride ? Sirrus x5?
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Old 04-29-21, 09:44 AM
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Originally Posted by FM1178
Best of luck in your quest. I had a Roll a few years back and just like you, I could never find the sweet spot on the bike. I enjoyed riding it, but never felt accomplished after my rides. So I experimented with a few drop bar gravel bikes and ended up with a Sirrus X 5.0.


did u change anything ? It looks more upright position then original
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Old 04-29-21, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by utku1985
I bought one of this but women frame medium sized I m going to give it to my fiancé somehow it’s very nice ride but something not comfortable how will I know what is missing ? Can u tell me please the upgrades you did the cost
mainly I changed out the tires for something that roll better on pavement , added mustache handlebars with a riser stem to allow a more upright riding position. New seat, Ergon grips , and platform pedals
Here’s a newer picture of how it is at the moment. Taken while on a ride this past Tuesday .

Last edited by OldCruiser; 04-29-21 at 04:40 PM.
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