scubajim

What does a real road bike that the FCR4 doesn't have? What makes a road bike a roadie?

operator

I'm struggling to make sense of this question. It it a question?

Sprocket Man

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/030...sp?model=11031

Is this a road bike? If you ride it on the road it is. Is it a good road bike? That depends, what are you comparing it to? However, when a bike manufacturer uses the word "fitness bike" to describe the model, most of us on this forum will just chuckle.

scubajim

Aren't they all fitness bikes??


If it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough! -- Red Green

Sprocket Man

Actually, you're right. The FCR4 is a real road bike. In fact, I heard that the T-Mobile team will be riding them in the Tour Day France.

scubajim

Kewwll!!

LordOpie

well, that bike has three rings. Real road bikes have doubles.

sorebutt

bar tape! it's all in the bar tape!

theopowers

Never really thought about it before, but to answer your question seriously...

Hmmm...the short answer is that it is generally designed to go faster and for longer distances than a "fitness" bike.

A longer answer is that:
It has drop handlebars to allow varying hand positions and aerodynamic advantage.
It has skinny tires for less road friction
It has a design that allows a more aerodynamic, less upright body position
It is designed with light weight in mind
It has a firm saddle that is more comfortable over longer rides, not some cushy springy thing
It allows poseurs to spend ridiculous amounts of money
Bike racers ride them because they are the best design for long and fast road riding (sprocketman made this point with considerably more sarcasm )

Did I miss anything, guys?

Serpico

yeah, but can it be used for fitness..?

theopowers

When I was in the infantry we would put sandbags in our rucksacks on road marches to improve our fitness. Perhaps a similar strategy could make road bikes worthwhile...

scubajim

So? So it has flat bars instead of drop bars. Since I am a DAV, I can't get on a drop bar bike.So, I'd like a lil more comfortable seat? Who knows, that might change someday! I'm not a racer, so I'd rather sit more upright than to have a sore back at the end of the day. Other than that it seems more like a road bike to me than my cruiser does!

If it ain't broke. you're not trying hard enough! -- Red Green

scubajim

Is the OCR3 not a road bike? It has a triple ring, does it not??


If it ain't broke, you're not trying hard enough! -- Red Green

theopowers

That was sarcasm. Or irony. Whatever.

Some roadies look down on those who need a third "granny gear" for hills.

We'll break you in yet...if you can take (and recognize) the hazing...

theopowers

Road bikes with flat bars are (were?) popular with bike messengers and other city riders. If the rest of the bike was roadie you might win the acceptance of other roadies.

DAV being a Disabled Veteran? Consider a "sport road" bike with a sloped top tup that allow a more upright position. All the Giant bikes are like this, yes?

No one will disagree with you here. But all the various parts of your FCR add up to a bike that doesn't really do what "roadies" expect of their bikes.

theopowers

I would call this and its brethren road bikes (and Marin does), though not in the classic sense. I want one for commuting, though I'm sure it would be stolen within a month.

https://www.marinbikes.com/bicycles_2...ll_valley.html

EDIT: Ah, I see, this is the same market that Giant is targeting with FCRs. The FCR1 looks pretty racy.

https://www.giantbicycles.com/us/030....sp?model=11028

Slimjim, you may simply be the victim of Giant's marketing. "Fitness" bikes are for Jane Fonda types. Real roadies, male and female, are warriors.

Well, that and the fact that the FCR4 looks very similar to the baby blue Schwinn my dad bought my mom in 1975. (big springy saddle and all).

The answer is simply to ride. If it's the right bike for you, great. If you need to upgrade later, do it. And when you're posting in the road cycling forum, claim that you ride a Colnago or a Merckx or whichever poseur/racer bike you want.

scubajim

Sure I'll be able to take it. just did 10 on my cruiser! lil leg burn!

scubajim

Sure once I get a lil less disabled, I may upgrade, but I think this bike'll do just nicely! LBS said it is a real roadie! So, no worries!

It's good to be the King! - Mel Brooks

catatonic

I always called bikes like this "street bikes" as opposed to road bikes. basically another word for the same end result, a bike made for use on pavement, but it differentiates the two somewhat.

Street bikes are like your MTB w/ 700c conversions, MTB with slicks, cruisers, hybrids, and comfort bikes. All pretty much fit in with made for pavement...it's jsut not in the traditional definition of a road bike.


edit: oh, and keep this in mind: does it work for you? does it do all you want it to? If so, the bike is right.

jlin453

What?? You mean this bike you keep recommending isn't a real road bike??

MrCjolsen

I just looked at the Giant FCR4 on the Giant website. Aside from the flat bars, and poofy seat, it's as much a road bike as any entry level machine offered by Trek or Specialized. Definitely in the same category as the Specialized Sirrus.

All that drop bars will do for you is give you more choice of riding positions. They don't really make you more "aero" - lowering your bars in relation to your seat does that.