New bicycle advice

[Autigirl]

Hi Everyone!

I am new to the group and have a question about bicycle fit. After 20 years of not cycling about a year ago I bought a comfort bike. Until I started riding again I had forgotten how much I love riding. We ride almost daily and average at least 60 miles per week and 20 on the weekend. I definitely needed to get a bike more appropriate for long rides.

Last weekend I bought a road bike. I am almost 5' 10" and the salesperson at the bike store told me I was too tall for a WSD. I ended up riding 3 different bikes and liked the Specialized Allez the best. I wanted to shop around some more, but my dh convinced me this was the bike for me so we bought it. Almost immediately I had regret.

The next day we went on a long ride and while the new bike handles well, I was so uncomfortable. My main problem is neck/upper back pain.

I have had the bike one week and have ridden every day for at least 30 minutes. I wanted to make sure that it wasn't just my body not being used to the new position, but each day it gets worse.

It is so disappointing because I usually ride for at least an hour a day on my comfort bike and now with the new bike I don't even want to ride 30 minutes.

I really like the upright position of a comfort bike and have no desire to race. The comfort bike is just not good for long rides so I needed to get a different bike. I don't know if I made a bad choice, if it is a bad fit or if my posture is the problem.

I don't know what to do now. I called the bike shop and our salesman is on vacation. They said I can bring the bike in for a fit, but not sure if that will help. I was fitted when I bought it.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kat

[Biciclista]

It sounds like the fit doesn't fit!
I'd talk to the manager of the shop. I know they probably don't want that bike back, but it sounds like they fit the bike to your legs and neglected the fact that you have a shorter torso and now you're overstretched.
Good luck.

[Grits]

Go in for the fit. They can probably change the stem to one with a less aggressive angle so you are more upright. I had to do that with my first road bike.

[ny biker]

I would bring the bike back to the shop and tell them exactly what hurts and under what conditions. They should be able to make adjustments to help you.

Good luck.

[wildeny]

Autigirl, before going to your LBS for a fit, you can measure yourself up and input those quantities in this Fit Calculator. It will give you three bicycle frame settings. Check them with your current road bike. This way you can have some idea about what went wrong. Then check with what your LBS will say about your bike.

If your bike geometry is within the ranges of these three, then the problems may be others (for instance, riding positions etc).

[Zen]

What Biciclista said.
WSD fit isn't dependent upon height alone, it's mostly for women with a short torso.
Either the salesperson doesn't understand WSD bikes or he didn't want to be bothered explaining the fit to you.

[Autigirl]

Thanks for all of the advice. With the help of my dh I put my measurements into the fit calculator. Surprisingly I was a bit shorter than I thought. I must be shrinking! <grin> My bike is a 54, which is right with the French Fit.

What I really would like to know is if I would be more comfortable on a WSD. When I went to the store the salesman said I was too tall for a WSD. Of course they didn't have any in my size...

My problem is that I am leaning way to far forward and have to stretch my neck up to see what is in front of me. Today one of my friends sent me several pictures of her racing in the Hotter than Hell last year and she has her road bike set up so she is in an upright position. Her handlebars are higher than her seat and she rides a Trek Pilot WSD. Ironically we are the same height.

In retrospect I feel like the salesman told me that I wouldn't fit on a WSD because he wanted to sell what was on the floor. <sigh> I honestly just want a bike that is comfy. I just want to ride!

I guess I need to take the bike back to see what they can do for me. I thought getting a new bike would be so much fun! It has been such a headache for me.

Kat