need your expert advise again

[CyclChyk]

Ok - so I have a Bianchi 928 which I lloovvveeee but I have balance issues. No matter what I do I am not as confident on it as I am on my way old mountain bike. I am starting to think its the seating posture, that I am more confident siting more upright than laid over.

SO - my question is has anyone here modified their road handlebars to cyclocross or mt.bike bars? Or would a taller riser be a simpler solution? I don't want to give up my Bianchi but I don't want to hack it up either.

I know just ride ride ride and confidence will improve but that does not seem to work as well for me as it does for some.

Thanks for any thoughts.....

[tc1]

I have a road bike, a Rodriguez Adventure, that I ordered with flat bars. This model is a sporty touring bike. The shop tried to convince me to try drop bars, because of the versatility of riding positions. But I insisted on flat bars because of issues with asthma. My breathing is much better when I can sit upright. So they built my bike the way I wanted, and words cannot describe how wonderful the fit and function is for me.

If you do this conversion on your bike, if you don't know much about bike fitting, work with someone who does.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Cyclechik,
Can you be more specific as to what your "balance issues" and confidence problems are? Just what kind of problems are you having- a little more detail please.

[malkin]

Are the balance problems possibly a fit issue?

[CyclChyk]

My balance issues are totally me and lack of confidence in my ability. The bike was professionally fitted for me by the owner of a very reputable bike shop and fits me perfectly. Its all on me.

I was just trying to consider alternatives that would aid in improving my balance. I do know that I just need to ride, and that eventually it will come, but you would think that after two years I would be eager to get out into the roads and off the bike paths, but I am just as hesitant as I was on day one. Bad at looking over my shoulder to see oncoming cars (I have lazy eye), and can't turn tight corners, etc.

Guess I am just a big "fraidycat"

[Jewell]

Really, your balance issue may be more complex than that. BleeckerSt_Girl could really help if you tried to be more specific of what's unbalanced.

I was having a balance issue recently and was about to modify the whole bike until BleekerSt_Girl pointed out to me that my saddle was right above my petals. Something as minute as that! It made a world of difference. Soo... check you saddle, if its above your petals, slide it back!

Even the best of bike masters would have a hard time correcting every single aspect of your comfort.