Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

relaxed geometry bikes

Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

relaxed geometry bikes

Old 09-04-10, 07:55 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
relaxed geometry bikes

I did a quick search using the phrase "relaxed geometry" but didn't come up with anything.
I was wondering if ya'll could help me compile a list of bikes that fall under the relaxed geometry category. I'll probably be switching from my Allez Elite in the next year or so, so I'm trying to narrow down my choices. Having been pretty pleased with Specialized, I was going to go with the Roubaix, but I figured I should look at other brands as well.
Any assistance is much appreciated.
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 08:22 PM
  #2  
Maximus
 
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,846
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Look also for "plush" or "endurance" road bikes. Among them:

Cannondale Synapse.
Giant Defy.
Specialized Roubaix.
Gluteus is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 08:30 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
 
kwakster928's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Blue Bell, PA
Posts: 114

Bikes: Cervelo R3

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
bicycling magazine has reviews on plush or endurance bikes. They are not comprehensive, but should give you types of bikes you are looking for.
kwakster928 is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 09:00 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
mwbarker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Swannanoa, NC
Posts: 87

Bikes: 2011 Felt Z85, 1986 Fuji Del Rey

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Specialized Secteur and Felt Z Series are worth a look.
mwbarker is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 09:09 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Seattle Forrest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18883 Post(s)
Liked 10,644 Times in 6,053 Posts
Cervelo RS. It's expensive, but fun.
Seattle Forrest is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 10:37 PM
  #6  
Senior Member
 
oldbobcat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Boulder County, CO
Posts: 4,361

Bikes: '80 Masi Gran Criterium, '12 Trek Madone, early '60s Frejus track

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 502 Post(s)
Liked 431 Times in 328 Posts
Look 566. Giant Defy. I'm sure we've left a few more out.
oldbobcat is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 10:40 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
mtalinm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Posts: 2,215

Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
big thumbs up on the Spec Roubaix from an owner
mtalinm is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 10:41 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 94
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I currently got a Felt Z series and it has worked well for me thus far. Nice and comfortable. I do have to mention I'm new to cycling and on the shorter side
xqwisit is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 10:45 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
BengeBoy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Seattle, Washington, USA
Posts: 6,955

Bikes: 2009 Chris Boedeker custom; 2007 Bill Davidson custom; 2021 Bill Davidson custom gravel bike; 2022 Specialized Turbo Vado e-bike

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 9 Times in 8 Posts
Jamis Xenith Endura 1 &2
BengeBoy is offline  
Old 09-04-10, 10:46 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Aurora, CO
Posts: 1,306

Bikes: CAAD9-1, Windsor Cliff 29er

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Jamis Endura line.
cooleric1234 is offline  
Old 09-05-10, 05:23 AM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
KoYak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: loudoun County, VA
Posts: 243

Bikes: Iron Horse Warrior Expert, Dahon MU P8, Bacchetta Giro 26, HP Velotechnik Grasshopper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
SCOTT Cr1 and Speedster.
KoYak is offline  
Old 09-05-10, 05:37 AM
  #12  
Medicinal Cyclist
 
Daytrip's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS
Posts: 2,807

Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have a Giant OCR-1, which I think is now the Defy. Yes, it's a comfortable (if Fredly) ride. I like it a lot.

The faster I get, the more I yearn for a racing frame, even though I have no intention of racing any thing or anyone, and all I do is ride around the countryside. But I'm starting to think that BF is like the Borg--you will be assimilated.
Daytrip is offline  
Old 09-05-10, 06:32 AM
  #13  
Hump, what hump?
 
horatio's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: SC midlands
Posts: 1,937

Bikes: See signature

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 337 Post(s)
Liked 227 Times in 145 Posts
Specialized Secteur has same geometry as the Roubaix, arguably for greater comfort on long rides. Test riding one with the Apex group this weekend. Will try to post a ride report soon. Great ride so far.
__________________
2010 AB T1X ** 2010 Cannondale SIX-5 ** 1993 Cannondale RS900 ** 1988 Bottecchia Team Record ** 1989 Bianchi Brava ** 1988 Nishiki Olympic ** 1987 Centurion Ironman Expert(2) ** 1985 DeRosa Professional SLX ** 1982 Colnago Super ** 1982 Basso Gap ** 198? Ciocc Competition SL ** 19?? Roberts Audax ** 198? Brian Rourke ** 1982 Mercian Olympic ** 1970 Raleigh Professional MK I ** 1952 Raleigh Sports


horatio is offline  
Old 09-05-10, 01:24 PM
  #14  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Cool, thanks for the recommendations.
A little background as to where I'm coming from. The Allez was my first real road bike and I was so starry eyed while looking, I didn't really look into the various types of road bikes. Last season, I did complete a century and an MS150 on consecutive weekends. I didn't have any problems, but I just feel like my Allez geometry is a bit too aggressive for my needs. (read: long rides vs racing). I've had a professional fit done, but even with it, I still feel a bit too forward and stretched out.
I completely forgot that Specialized was coming out with the Secteur, although since this'll be my second road bike, I think I deserved to move up a step monetarily. Now if only I can convince my wife.
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-05-10, 07:42 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 108

Bikes: Giant Defy Advanced 1 (2011), Santa Cruz Superlight (2000), Jamis Coda Comp (2009)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
A couple more:
- Bianchi Infinito series
- LaPierre Sensium series
- Trek Pilot series - non-CF (I think they dropped the "Pilot" name and call it '2' Series and '1' Series)

I'm kind of in the same boat as you - looking to step up to an Ultegra CF plush road bike. After a lot of research I have it narrowed down to -- Giant Defy Advanced 1, Felt Z4, and Specialized Robaix Expert/Comp.

Now that the 2011s are all up on their web sites I have a little more research to do. I'm a little disappointed with the way Specialized positioned their Ultegra CF Robaix's for 2011 - $3.6K for the Expert model made with high quality CF ($3.3K last year). Giant and Felt both offer Ultegra models with high quality CF for around $3K. I guess Specialized wants to compete head-to-head against the Cervelo RS. I would think that a smarter way to do that would be to offer a better bike for less money, especially in this economy. I'm probably going to shift my focus to the Giant and Felt. Though I have not taken a test ride on a Felt yet.

Good luck, and remember - nothing beats a road test, make sure you ride as many as possible.

Last edited by Kylerk; 09-05-10 at 07:55 PM.
Kylerk is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 03:22 AM
  #16  
In Real Life
 
Machka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152

Bikes: Lots

Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 595 Times in 329 Posts
Look for bicycles described as "sport touring", "sportive", "audax", or "randonneuring".

I came up with a list of something like 150 of them when I was looking for my Marinoni Ciclo.
Machka is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 04:53 AM
  #17  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Kylerk
Good luck, and remember - nothing beats a road test, make sure you ride as many as possible.
Oh I'll be doing far more road tests than last time (3).
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 06:57 AM
  #18  
Senior Member
 
Garfield Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,072

Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 86 Times in 66 Posts
Try Bicycle World of Houston. They carry Felt, Giant, and Cervelo. Test ride there. See if the Cervelo RS accelerates just a tad better than the Roubaix.
Garfield Cat is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 06:04 PM
  #19  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I plan on hitting all of the bike shops in Houston and trying every brand I find. Having now ridden a road bike for 2+ years, I know what to look for and don't plan on settling. I'd rather find a bike that fits me and my riding style right out of the box than buy a bike and try to get used to it or adjust it to fit my style.
Now, those of you that have bought a number of bikes, does it make more sense to pay less for a bike with lesser components and upgrade those or just go up to the next level, provided everything else is the same? For example, my Allez has Tiagra components, but I'd like to have 105 or Ultegra. I was planning on upgrading as I found good deals, but I don't know know if I should just save the money now and just buy the mid to upper level model.
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 06:16 PM
  #20  
Senior Member
 
CHAS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Silverthorne, Colorado
Posts: 636

Bikes: Rawlings Drakkar, Specialized Roubaix, Pivot, Challenge Trike, Tandem

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
If you ride a short frame relaxed angles are more difficult to find.
At 52cm the seat angles are more vertical, the head angles are slacked. This is to avoid toe overlap when building a bike over a 700c wheel.
CHAS is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 06:32 PM
  #21  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I'm riding a 54.
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-06-10, 09:10 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
trek2.3bike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Midwest
Posts: 255

Bikes: Trek 5.2 and Trek 2.3 WSD upgraded to full Ultegra.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
The Trek Madones can now (2011) be had in "H3" geometry. That is Trek's secret code for "relaxed."

In their aluminium bikes, the Pilot is relaxed geo, IIRC.
trek2.3bike is offline  
Old 09-07-10, 04:37 AM
  #23  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Sugar Land, TX (outside Houston)
Posts: 259

Bikes: '08 Specialized Allez Elite, Trek 7200, Specialized Hardrock

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I think I'd rather go for an upper level aluminum bike than an entry level carbon. Living in Houston, I don't have the need for the light weight of aluminum and I can probably get more bang for my buck. On the flip side, I could always get an aluminum frame and add components.
alohaboy is offline  
Old 09-07-10, 02:12 PM
  #24  
Senior Member
 
Garfield Cat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Huntington Beach, CA
Posts: 7,072

Bikes: Cervelo Prodigy

Mentioned: 4 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 86 Times in 66 Posts
At a 54 there should be no toe overlap issue. Not even on my 51, do I have toe overlap. If its long rides and no racing, then comfort, vertical compliance is important to you. Compare the comfort levels. The carbon should feel better than the aluminum. But make sure the comparison is with similar tire pressure and tire size.

This is your second bike and you should ask the dealer if you can upgrade as part of the purchase. That's where you will get the "deal". Eventually, you will end up with Ultegra anyways.

For the bike manufacturer, carbon allows the designer to make all kinds of configurations that may not be possible with aluminum, steel, or titanium. Its not just about riding at very high speeds. Its about handling, and the sweet spot. By that I mean the carbon will allow a rider who goes 18 mph to feel the difference. Add aero wheels to that and the bike just wants to go. On your long rides, you will feel a difference.

My budget may be different than yours. My third bike is a 2008 Cervelo RS and later on I had Rob Curtis (PSIMET) make me a carbon wheelset with White Industries hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, etc. Its all enjoyable, race or no race.

Last edited by Garfield Cat; 09-07-10 at 02:24 PM.
Garfield Cat is offline  
Old 09-07-10, 02:20 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,408
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 13 Times in 11 Posts
Gunnar Sport.
schnee is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.