Stratman351

Just joined today. I'm 57 years old, started riding a flat-bar road bike in 2006 when I bought a Specialized Sirrus Comp (rode a Giant mountain bike for a few years before that). As I got into it, I began doing most of my own work, acquiring a maintenance stand and a pretty good set of tools in the process. I've replaced/upgraded most of the components on the Specialized at this point; it came with a 105 drive-train, and I've stuck with that except for replacing the front derailleur with a newer 105 model. But the wheels, crankset, shifters, brakes, etc. have all been upgraded.

I originally went for a flat-bar because I have cervical spinal stenosis, and thus wanted an upright position to avoid having to tilt my head back to see ahead, as it aggravates the condition. But I began to experience hand pain recently from constantly resting my hands on the flat-bar in more-or-less a standard position, so I decided to get a "real" road bike.

I bought a new Felt Z5 on Friday, after also considering a Cannondale Synapse (would have liked to try a Specialized Roubaix but couldn't find one locally in my size). I've only logged 50 miles on it so far - and am happy with it - but I'm convinced I need to raise the seat, and am thinking I'm going to have to get a longer stem to keep the bars in the same position relative to the seat once I raised it (any thoughts are that are appreciated). I bought it at a very highly rated LBS in Rockville, MD - Revolution Cycles - and had it professionally fitted, but I'm pretty certain my riding style demands more leg extension.

I ride mostly on back roads in upper Montgomery County, MD, in what's been designated the Agricultural Reserve (limited future construction allowed, very rural). Short weekday trip for me is 20 - 25 miles; on weekends I typically do a couple of 30 - 40 mile rides. I got in 2,500 miles last year and am shooting for 3,500 this year. The topography has a lot of diversity, with plenty of hills.

Anyway, that's my story, and I'm looking forward to participating here.

steve85

Welcome to the forums Stratman.

10 Wheels

Welcome to Bike Forums.

Changing your Fit ( raising the seat post) can cause inside knee pain and saddle sores.

Nice bike. I have 31,000 miles on my Felt.

GeoBigJon

Howdy and welcome to the forums! Congrats on the new bike!

Stratman351

I hear you on the fit, but in my first two outings on the bike I'm coming in a half-a-mile an hour slower than I do on the Sirrus (over the same course), and I'm just not feeling the same power transfer to the pedals. My purchase includes a follow-up fitting where they put me on a trainer to observe my riding characteristics and make necessary adjustments - the idea is to ride the bike for a week or two to get acclimated and then go in for the final fitting. So I'll only make the changes in conjunction with that process.

Nice to know the Felt is a good bike, as I'd been pretty much focused on Trek, Cannondale and Specialized, and was surprised to end up with a bike I'd never even heard of.

10 Wheels

Cool...the second fit should help much.