Thinking of a road bike, steel? Touring?

I've got to chime in here about carbon.
Our tandem AL had a steel fork- DH hated it. Lots of vibrations.

We swapped in a carbon fork and he couldn't believe how much it changed.

I don't think you should discount carbon totally- the build and geometry of the bike does affect vibration as well.

Thgere's other things that can help vibration- gloves, gel bar tape, carbon handlebars, having flatter tops and the shape. Also riding position (being more upright so less weight on the hands).

I guess it's a case ot try, try try and don't discount something because it might just work for you.

Agreed. My Al bike isn't great, but I've ridden an aluminum bike that felt much better than the single carbon bike I've tried. I've never ridden steel (no one has my size!), but they're supposed to be relatively comfortably (Jamis, Surly).

Also, +1 on the fit. I think the carbon bike was a size too big (also a unisex bike so somewhat overbuilt for my weight), and now that my Giant is more properly fitted, it feels loads better.

Not too much to add except to say I'm also pretty short and certainly have short arms but have a LHT. It is the smallest frame they have - (my LBS worked closely with Surly and they all decided smallest was better even though I normally ride around a 48 or 50). The reach on my LHT is better than my road bike - which is WSF. With a Brookes Saddles it is the most comfortable bike I've ever had and I road it across NY state (of course, I don't have a carbon bike so can't compare). The frame size comes with 26" tires and so they are normally wider than road tires.

Thank you again everyone! I'm so glad to read about differing experiences. Please bear with me and my long post! :)

Hi Ho Silver, interesting on the two bikes and the tires. Your post and Kiwi Stoker's helps in not discounting carbon.

Trek 420 and Savra, thanks for the info on the LHT. One LBS said to consider that if I felt way too stretched out on the 46 I might still feel stretched out on the 42 because the difference on the top tube is only about a half inch. Then again, the employee at the LBS where I tried the 46 was not too helpful and acted like he couldn't be bothered. He didn't go any further about the fit and how it could be helped.

Something I didn't think about until now was the Fuji I tried. When I first tested it, the bike felt pretty good. However my leg wasn't extended as much so the employee adjusted the saddle higher. The bad part was that I no longer felt as comfortable in the cockpit. Any thoughts on that?

I recently tried the Cannondale Quick (53.5 TT). It felt upright and comfortable. I really liked it. However, if I had to be a little nitpicky I would say that it felt maybe a hair slow. The comfort factor was there except for the saddle. That would be the first thing I'd change. The employee noticed that the nose of it was a little wide.

I can't totally discount the Synapse. By numbers it doesn't look like it should fit me (so why does it seem to seem to when the Surly shouldn't?). Also drop bars might not be best for me as a recreational/possible commuter, but I sure enjoyed that initial test ride.

Everyone and Owlie, I think ultimately it's try everything, aluminum, carbon, steel, flat bar, drop bar and find what's the most comfortable!

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Originally Posted by molasses85

Everyone and Owlie, I think ultimately it's try everything, aluminum, carbon, steel, flat bar, drop bar and find what's the most comfortable!

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There you go! Find what works for you. You will know it when you find it and shopping for a new bike is so much fun.

PS. I have a Jamis Coda and really like the bike.

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Originally Posted by molasses85

... thanks for the info on the LHT. One LBS said to consider that if I felt way too stretched out on the 46 I might still feel stretched out on the 42 because the difference on the top tube is only about a half inch.

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That half an inch is a big difference in bike fit, and the standover height is different as well, they should be considered in relationship with each other.. I had a 46cm LHT and the 42cm would have been too small for me. It will be very hard, however, to find a 42cm for you to test ride. The smaller the ride, the harder they are to find to test ride, sadly.

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Originally Posted by molasses85

Something I didn't think about until now was the Fuji I tried. When I first tested it, the bike felt pretty good. However my leg wasn't extended as much so the employee adjusted the saddle higher. The bad part was that I no longer felt as comfortable in the cockpit. Any thoughts on that?

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Proper leg extension is very important to prevent injury and also to get the most power out of your pedal stroke. Did he only raise the seat? That does change angles, so perhaps once the seat was raised that it needed to be adjusted to assure the proper knee-over-pedal position or perhaps the stem needed adjusting.

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Originally Posted by molasses85

I can't totally discount the Synapse. By numbers it doesn't look like it should fit me (so why does it seem to seem to when the Surly shouldn't?). Also drop bars might not be best for me as a recreational/possible commuter, but I sure enjoyed that initial test ride.

Everyone and Owlie, I think ultimately it's try everything, aluminum, carbon, steel, flat bar, drop bar and find what's the most comfortable!

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The LHT has a touring geometry so they aren't comparing apples and apples. Personally I dislike and cannot use drop bars (arthritic hands can't handle weight) but I can literally ride my flat bars all day long without pain and have been known to do so. Proper fit is so very important, and the important thing is to get what works best and feels best for you.

I am enjoying reading about your search, it reminds me of my most recent one when I was trying to decide between the Jamis Coda or a custom bike. I went custom for specific fit issues I have, but I do like Jamis bikes.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

That half an inch is a big difference in bike fit, and the standover height is different as well, they should be considered in relationship with each other.. I had a 46cm LHT and the 42cm would have been too small for me. It will be very hard, however, to find a 42cm for you to test ride. The smaller the ride, the harder they are to find to test ride, sadly.

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It is sad. I'm not comfortable with just going by numbers and order without trying.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

Did he only raise the seat? That does change angles, so perhaps once the seat was raised that it needed to be adjusted to assure the proper knee-over-pedal position or perhaps the stem needed adjusting.

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He did adjust the handlebar stem as high as it could go. Still it wasn't as comfy as the first time.

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Originally Posted by Catrin

The LHT has a touring geometry so they aren't comparing apples and apples. Personally I dislike and cannot use drop bars (arthritic hands can't handle weight) but I can literally ride my flat bars all day long without pain and have been known to do so. Proper fit is so very important, and the important thing is to get what works best and feels best for you.

I am enjoying reading about your search, it reminds me of my most recent one when I was trying to decide between the Jamis Coda or a custom bike. I went custom for specific fit issues I have, but I do like Jamis bikes.

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I would hate to invest in a drop bar bike if it doesn't work for me. From your experience and my first test of a Specialized Ruby (but not with the Synapse?), it sounds like I would not want all the weight on my hands. I just know with flat bars, I should have bar ends with the Ergon-type grips to help my hands.

Custom sure would be nice...unless there's a windfall, I'll have to wait until after my almost 10-year-old goes to college. :p

P.S. Glad I'm figured out the quote thing!:D

For newer riders core strength often causes an apparent problem with drop bars. Don't give up on them just yet :)

Once you build up your core, drop bars shouldn't be a problem. You don't spend most of your time in the drops anyway. :)

Surly is a great company that makes great bikes. Versatile, comfortable, dependable - spec'd with great level componentry for the price.

Now if I could just get a custom kick-stand-plate for my LHT! Make it, Surly! Make it now! LOL. :D

Between Steel, Aluminum and Carbon - Steel and Carbon will be smoother rides.

Carbon is mostly on race bikes, which have their place but with the streets where I am - I wouldn't commute on. There is a danger, however slim of cracking the frame. I'm not that big of a gambler.

Aluminum transfers more road-buzz to the hands but is cheaper and lightweight. It does have the downside of eventually losing its snappiness due to frame sagging. That takes years though.

Steel is snappy, stiff and can be heavy (depending on the width of tubing/components/etc), but if you're not racing...who cares? I go pretty fast on my LHT. Passed plenty of riders on more expensive rides. LOL!

All of my bikes are steel now, so I'm a wee bit biased! I just feel like more of my power goes to the pedals on steel. No wasted energy. But maybe that's all in my head. :o