I want the most comfortable road bike!!
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I want the most comfortable road bike!!
What road bike for comfort? I'm not looking for a race bike, but instead a bike I can ride for long distances with friends etc
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
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The most comfortable road bicycle is one that fits you well.
If your goal is long distances, go have a look in the Long Distance forum in the Your Century Bicycle sticky thread and see what people have used to ride centuries.
If your goal is long distances, go have a look in the Long Distance forum in the Your Century Bicycle sticky thread and see what people have used to ride centuries.
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A grand each for the frame and wheels. Skip the ultegra and go new 105.
Or $800 each for frame and wheels and mix 105 and Tiagra.
So the question is what frame? Comfort comes from materials, geometry, and fit. For geometry, check out top tube (effective top tube) length, head & seat angles, wheel base Check out the Trek offerings. They design for both comfort and quick reflexes.
Or $800 each for frame and wheels and mix 105 and Tiagra.
So the question is what frame? Comfort comes from materials, geometry, and fit. For geometry, check out top tube (effective top tube) length, head & seat angles, wheel base Check out the Trek offerings. They design for both comfort and quick reflexes.
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Get a cyclocross bike, then you can put wider tires on.
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Every manufacturer makes an "endurance" geometry bike. Domane, Synapse, Roubaix, etc. Ride as many as you can find and pick the one that fits you best. Synapse with Ultegra is under 3k. The new 105 is nice and will save a few $. Make sure you have 25mm or 28mm tires. That will make a huge difference in overall comfort.
Last edited by texag; 02-15-15 at 09:44 PM. Reason: added info
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With your budget, it shouldn't be a problem.
S
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It comes down to what is most comfortable for YOU.
I don't race or anything like that, but I find bikes with aggressive race geometry and stiffness to be very comfortable (and I'll soon be an old curmudgeon of 53). My favorite bike is my aluminum Klein Quantum- fits like a glove and feels OH SO GOOD! I had a relaxed-geo bike as my first road bike, and hated it. It fit well, but was very uncomfortable and boring to ride.
It's really hard to tell what kind of bike will be most comfortable for you, unless you've put some time in on different ones. Test rides won't even tell you much, because your body needs time to acclimate to different geometries. I thought my relaxed-geo bike was comfy at first, having not having ridden in over 25 years...wasn't intil I got the Klein (because i always had wanted one) that I discovered that stiff and aggressive geo was actually more comfortable for me. Your mileage may very...literally !
I don't race or anything like that, but I find bikes with aggressive race geometry and stiffness to be very comfortable (and I'll soon be an old curmudgeon of 53). My favorite bike is my aluminum Klein Quantum- fits like a glove and feels OH SO GOOD! I had a relaxed-geo bike as my first road bike, and hated it. It fit well, but was very uncomfortable and boring to ride.
It's really hard to tell what kind of bike will be most comfortable for you, unless you've put some time in on different ones. Test rides won't even tell you much, because your body needs time to acclimate to different geometries. I thought my relaxed-geo bike was comfy at first, having not having ridden in over 25 years...wasn't intil I got the Klein (because i always had wanted one) that I discovered that stiff and aggressive geo was actually more comfortable for me. Your mileage may very...literally !
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Fit is the most important thing.
Past that, frame does make a very big difference as well. I rode around 15 bikes last summer, and I thought the Trek Emonda was the most comfortable bike I could ride for soaking up road vibration, maintaining good handling over bad roads, and not hurting you when hitting fairly large bumps. I ran it over a basketball sized pothole and only barely felt it, it was pretty cool.
Another good suggestion is the "gravel" bikes or cyclocross bikes that take fatter tires as well.
Past that, frame does make a very big difference as well. I rode around 15 bikes last summer, and I thought the Trek Emonda was the most comfortable bike I could ride for soaking up road vibration, maintaining good handling over bad roads, and not hurting you when hitting fairly large bumps. I ran it over a basketball sized pothole and only barely felt it, it was pretty cool.
Another good suggestion is the "gravel" bikes or cyclocross bikes that take fatter tires as well.
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I test rode the "performance endurance" version of all the major brands...the domane 5.2 is the one I liked best...but I have friends who did the same thing, and they each picked a different bike... you try them and pick the one that feels best to you...then get a good fit... and go ride.
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https://calfeedesign.com/products/manta/
Paired shallow 28mm tubulars, you probably won't find a more comfortable road bike
Paired shallow 28mm tubulars, you probably won't find a more comfortable road bike
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I like the Domane 4.5 with the Ultegra. I wonder if the Domane will truly be more comfortable than a Emonda? I know the fit of the Domane is Endurance and the Emonda is blah blah, but all I hear of is how good the Emonda rides and I don't have a Bike shop near by that has both so that I can ride them and see for myself.
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I'm biased...but I'd vote for a carbon Synapse with 5800.
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What road bike for comfort? I'm not looking for a race bike, but instead a bike I can ride for long distances with friends etc
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
https://www.cannondale.com/nam_en/201...e-carbon-5-105
Or if you wanna go a little higher, the SRAM Rival (what I have, and I love it). Add on a Brooks saddle and you should be good to go. I love mine
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What road bike for comfort? I'm not looking for a race bike, but instead a bike I can ride for long distances with friends etc
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
Trek Domane maybe? I want a Carbon frame and Ultegra if possible. I would like to stay under 3 grand. Actually I would like to get a bike under 2 grand if possible, but I'm probably pushing it if I want Ultegra.
Did I mention needing to test ride a bunch of bikes?
FWIW, don't limit yourself to comfort/endurance/sportive bikes. You may find a racing bike or touring bike actually suits you better once you ride them.
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FWIW, The CX recommendation is a good one. A CX bike with two wheelsets (one for road, one for gravel/singletrack/mud/touring/wide/whatever) is a great option. I'm thrilled with my SuperX, and use it as a backup road bike.
Also, if you call around to your LBSs, lots of bike shops will offer clearance deals this time of year on last year's models. I bought my CX bike on a end-of-year-model sale and saved close to a grand on a $2900 bike. That goes a lomg way toward getting a better bike/extrawheelset/nicer pedals/etc.
BB
Also, if you call around to your LBSs, lots of bike shops will offer clearance deals this time of year on last year's models. I bought my CX bike on a end-of-year-model sale and saved close to a grand on a $2900 bike. That goes a lomg way toward getting a better bike/extrawheelset/nicer pedals/etc.
BB
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Disclaimer: I have not ridden a huge number of different DF road bikes.
I have a carbon frame Cannondale Synapse and it is surprisingly comfortable (once I ditched the Prologo seat).
I do have recumbent experience and they can be very comfortable. Though on a long ride, the inability to move around presents some comfort issues. I am still a 'bent fan but happy to be on my new Synapse when I am on the road.
I have a carbon frame Cannondale Synapse and it is surprisingly comfortable (once I ditched the Prologo seat).
I do have recumbent experience and they can be very comfortable. Though on a long ride, the inability to move around presents some comfort issues. I am still a 'bent fan but happy to be on my new Synapse when I am on the road.