Need some guidance....(long)

[nscrbug]

Hi ladies...I could really use some help here. I'm in the midst of having a major cycling "meltdown". First some background info - this is my 3rd solid year of cycling. Bought my first "real" road bike in the spring of 2008 in preparation for my first triathlon (actually ended up doing 2 tris that year). I ended up with a 2007 Trek 2100 WSD (54cm) that a LBS had on "closeout". It was a great bike, and I rode it for a full year...but never really felt 100% comfortable on it. Turns out that it was too big for me (but I still have the bike).

In the meantime, I had (foolishly) signed myself up for a Half Ironman tri to be held in July of 2009. Since my Trek was too big and uncomfortable, I had decided it was time to buy something that fit me better and was better suited for triathlon. But I didn't want a tri-specific bike...since most of the riding I do is in suburban stop-n-go traffic. I settled on a Cervelo Soloist Carbon, a dual-purpose aero road bike. I was professionally fitted onto a 51cm frame and had it built up with full Ultegra SL components. It's a gorgeous bike...sleek, fast, aggressive and VERY expensive (more than I really wanted to spend). But my (rather hasty) decision to buy it, was jaded by sheer excitement of something "new and shiny".

So, over the next few months, I happily rode my Cervelo...afterall, this WAS the bike I had chosen for myself, so I had better be happy with it...right? Ummm...wrong. Firstly, I never did do that Half Ironman race that I had signed up (and paid) for, due to ongoing running injuries. Infact, I haven't done ANY triathlons since the 2 races that I did back in 2008...and to be honest, I don't really have the desire to do any more of them at this time. What I really want to do, is focus more on riding longer distances. And sadly, my Cervelo is no longer the bike that suits my needs and wants right now. It has taken me over a year to admit it, but I bought the wrong bike for myself. It's way too aggressive and racy for my 44-year old body. It's twitchy and stiff, and although it is full carbon...it's an extremely harsh and bone-jarring ride. I feel so beat up and exhausted when I get off that thing...that I sometimes feel like just collapsing to the ground. Riding this bike makes me LOATHE cycling on some days...and it shouldn't have to be like that. I shouldn't have to ride in agony, yet I force myself to do it (I've put on about 5,200 miles on this bike since I bought it a little less than a year ago) because I spent SO much money on this damn bike.

So...the bottom line is...I NEED to find myself a new bike. I've been concentrating on "plush" geometry bikes. My only requirement at this time, is that I would like full Ultegra 6700 or SRAM Force components. So far, my list consists of Giant Avail Advanced 1, Scott Contessa CR1 Pro, and the BH Cristal (droooool!!!). Of course, I've also looked at Trek and Specialized...but those 2 options are more of a last resort since I'm not too keen on the dealers in my area (past history with both). Are there any other bikes I should consider that I might be missing? Thanks for your help...and thanks for reading.

Linda

[Veronica]

Thom (my husband) just got a Giant Defy Advance 2. As I understand it, the only difference in the line is the level of components. Anyway, he took it out on his first ride on Saturday and we did 42 miles with 4800 feet of climbing. He was thrilled with the bike. His other road bike is a Rivendelll Rambouillet. With all the stuff he has on that, it weighs in at 29 pounds! He had horrendous bike envy after buying me my Cervelo S3 - which I love. He puts the bikes in the truck, so every time we rode he noticed just how heavy his Riv was.

Only trouble is, it's not so easy to drop him now.

Good luck in your search.

Veronica

[pumpkinpony]

How about a Lemond? I have a Tourmalet. They have a more 'relaxed' geometry compare to the racing style. I find it very comfortable.

[moderncyclista]

You probably know what I'm going to say. Steel. Bike.
Steel is one smooth ride. Check out - Surly LHT, Surly Pacer, Surly Cross Check, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora, Jamis Quest, Jamis Satellite, Jamis Eclipse, Raleigh Clubman, Raleigh Sojourn, Specialized Allez Steel Double, etc, etc. Or any steel framed bike. (Maybe a used Mixte if you're into those.) A touring bike would have a less aggressive posture. Jamis Auroras have an adjustable height stem. So you can ride more upright if you like. Well, I wish you luck.

(You could always upgrade any of these to your specs.)

[indysteel]

I agree that steel is worth trying. Worry less about componentry and more about fit and ride quality.

I'm sort of going through something similar. My first bike was a steel Binchi. I put 12k miles in it in less than three years. Then I had a custom ti bike made for me. As you might assume, it cost me big bucks.

On paper, it should fit. Several fitters have worked with me. We've addressed just about every variable we can think of, yet the bike remains painful to ride. My upper body just isn't comfortable. It's a lovely bike, and there's nothing weird about geometry. Still, I'm thinking of finding a new home for it, and going back to my Bianchi.

Good luck with your search.

[MartianDestiny]

How about a Lemond? I have a Tourmalet. They have a more 'relaxed' geometry compare to the racing style. I find it very comfortable.

Lemond no longer exists as a bike company (at least for the moment). He "royally upset" (read between the lines) the powers that be at Trek and so Trek told him to take his name and take a hike ("Gary Fisher" now makes road bikes, but they aren't really like the Lemonds).

[MartianDestiny]

Ride every bike you can get your hands on, including the Trek and Specialized. Both those bikes were the most comfortable (least amount of road chatter) that I rode; the Trek so much so that I, personally, hated it (couldn't feel the road). If you have to drive somewhere else to get one because you don't like the local dealers so be it.

Also take a look at Ti and/or Steel, both off the shelf, custom, and semi-custom. You could have a frame built and move the components off your Cervelo (or not and just get new ones). Seven and Independent Fabrication both make reasonable, custom Ti and steel frames, as well as many local artisan builders. (and then there is of course Lynesky Ti for production frames)

[MomOnBike]

If you are interested in long distances, consider a recumbent. Bacchetta and Volae are two brands that are known for general sportiness. Bacchetta had a team a few years ago that did RAAM, and did pretty well, so you know they can be ridden long distances.

Both can be spendy, though. . .

[Veronica]

If I remember what I read correctly, the 2007 or 2008 Cervelos had a harsh ride because the seat stays were so thick. It's not so with the 2009s. I've ridden for years on this horrible chip sealed road on my steel Rivendell. The Cervelo totally made that road smooth as butter.

Don't blame the material for the harsh ride, blame the geometry.

Veronica

[roguedog]

I agree with the Ti and Steel comments out of personal preference. I also agree w/ V on the carbon, though it's not my material of choice.

I dunno.. seems to me you should take your time and enjoy the bike shopping process. Think of it more like a quest.. at least in the beginning.

Start from scratch.

I guess what I'm trying to say is.. seems from what you describe you narrowed your choices early on when looking for the Cervelo. Maybe this time, just look for the bike that calls to you.

I'd not blame carbon or Cervelo's or anything so narrow. Try 'em all. Ride 'em all and then begin to figure what you like and don't like (geo, material, model, whatever), then begin narrowing it down. Then take a few out on long rides and see how the "second dates" go.

<shrug> I dunno.. that also sounds more fun anyway

[smilingcat]

Soloist is a very nice bike.

is the front wheel on your soloist radially laced spoke instead of 2x or 3x? 3x cross lacing is slightly heavier and tends to be laterally more stiffer, it tends to be bit softer in terms of the ride. It has bit more give than a radially laced wheel.

Similar thing with the rear wheel. instead of radial lacing on one side with 2x on drive side, again try 3x laced wheels.

Another thing you could try is going to a gel seat instead of light weight bare bone racing seats. The gel padded seats are bit heavier but it does absorb lots of shocks and can make a difference.

I use a padded handle bar tape. It doesn't add much bulk but sure beats the old style bar tapes from the '70s in terms of comfort. And also wear gloves with padding in the palm.

These things may be enough to make it fun for you to ride the soloist.

[yetigooch]

One way to smooth out the ride of a bike is to get a nice compliant wheelset. The Zipp 303's (2010 version) are an awesome choice (they are used in the Paris Roubaix race over the cobbles). If you must have a new bike, stick w/Cervelo and try the R3 line.

[macski]

I've just bought a Specialized Amira Expert and it's a lovely ride. You don't seem to have ruled out another full carbon bike so I'd echo some of the advice others have given and suggest riding lots of different bikes and get the one that you fall in love with. But I'd include the Amira in your possibilities (even if you have to go further afield to get one because of the LBS issues you mentioned)

[ms1]

I think you're missing two very good choices by skipping Trek and Specialized. Both have bikes for just what your looking for - the Ruby and the Madone. Lots of people seem to have issues with buying from a big company like Trek, but at the end of the day, they make great bikes.

I'm 44 and bought a Trek Madone 4.5 and love it. I looked at every possibility of bikes that were stocked in my size in my LBSs. I couldn't justify the price difference, but the Madone 5 series is really nice. The Ruby had an awesome ride (very smooth), but didn't fit as well. I came close to buying a Scott Contessa CR1, but it wasn't nearly as smooth as the Trek and didn't fit quite as well, though had full Ultegra. I think Scott has since come out with a less racy, more comfortable, CR1.

Also, Scott's women's bikes have the same exact geometry as its mens bikes (you can check the website). So, the Contessa CR1s have shorter reach brake levers, different seats and drop bars, etc, but no significant fit differences (except for a shorter stem). If the bike fit me, I wouldn't care, but at the same time, Scott does not seem to put the same effort into the technology of its women's bikes as the other brands.

[Bike Chick]

I would recommend a custom steel-frame Luna http://www.lunacycles.com/. I had a Trek 5.9 Pilot (all carbon with Dura Ace) for five years that just didn't fit and I researched a lot of bikes before I decided to go with a custom Luna. The craftsmanship and fit is superb, the steel ride is so much smoother than carbon and Margo is great to work with.