need your expert advise again

[eclectic]

Trisk makes a really good point. While everyone has different body mechanics and coordination, the bike is a HUGE factor. And not just fit, either. From what I gather, the Bianchi 928 is a race bike. Words I've seen to describe it center on responsive, tight, quick...these words can also be translated into twitchy, wobbly and difficult to ride. While I'm not saying that you should buy a new bike (hardly!), because of the bike that you have, it might take more time than usual to get confidence on it. Don't sell yourself short, it might not be you!

A bike that is designed to be 'responsive' means that the slightest movement, and you are off your line. This may make learning to look behind you while on the road exceedingly difficult and frustrating. Does it mean that you can't? No, not at all. But it may take more time working on it and working on building balance muscles than just 'riding more' would do. Skills courses, core work, balance work (lifting weights while standing on wobble boards, etc) all contribute to building all the small muscles that often get neglected and that would be critical to getting confident on this bike.

I had a similiar experience. When I first started riding, I was convinced that my balance sucked because I was so uncoordinated on the bike. Funny thing was, I had excellent balance in other areas (gymnastics, ice skating, skiing, etc). I even did well and had much more confidence on my mountain bike. It wasn't until I got a different road bike that I realized that it wasn't me, it was that my bike wasn't the right one for me. I actually switched to a much more stable bike and while having the right fit made a huge difference, having confidence in my ability to control it, made biking fun again.

Very interesting read on all the views and opinions, I can relate to a lot of them.

when I decided to upgrade to an entry level road bike from a fat tired, leisure bike I tried the Specialized Dolce - it TERRIFIED ME it was quick and twitchy . . . I didn't feel stable or balanced on it at all.
I ended up buying a Specialized Sequoia. Solid and firm.

THEN we got to all the fit issues exactly how Bleeker St. girl described. I am a female who is very out of proportion, I can wear petite tops but need medium tall pants. I had to argue w/ my LBS guy to change out my stem to the shortest one available. Many problems solved.
I would go 43 mph down hills on it before reason would rule and I would start thinking about the worst case scenarios and slow down.

But it still took me over 1000 miles, a century and a week long tour on the Sequoia to feel truly comfortable.

But THEN I wanted an over all faster bike so I switched to the Specialize Ruby Expert last year. The bike fits me well but the learning curve has gone up.
I no longer go down hill at 43 mph but only at about 32 because the bike feels so light under me. I use a glasses mirror at all times because I don't trust myself to turn around and look. I can still reach down for water. I love the bike but I have less than 1000 miles on it and I just know it is going to take time for me to truly get comfortable with it. So for now I ride in my comfort zone and I don't draft too close.

You mentioned balance problems, just going from fat tire to skinny tire made a huge difference to me and took awhile to get used to.

My most stable postion is riding on the hoods. I go into the drops only when it is really windy out. I go on top when I want to stretch my back or ride w/ one hand.

I put aero bars on and although I love them they present whole new balance issues.

So to make a long story longer. IMHO if the bike fits properly , is set up properly, and is a fast road bike just by virtue of model, modify what you aren't comfortable w/ (helmet or handle bar mirrors instead of shoulder checking, camelback hydration instead of water bottle, etc) and ride w/i your comfort zone.

Putting a lot of miles on and riding w/ riders who push but not beyond your ability helps greatly.

moving from paths to streets - well that is a whole different ball game, I only ride in town long enough to get out of town. I have good skills, good balance, but I HATE riding in town where there are so many variables, kids, dogs on long, expandable leashes, drivers on cell phones, sun in their eyes . . .

Good luck and blessings that you can sort all the advice and find what works for you.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Good points from everyone!

We are all different and we all have our particular fortes and fears.

For myself, I am most comfortable on highways and in town on the streets. I have ridden once in a while on 'bike paths' and find them very scary! People walking, dogs, strollers and kids all every which way....I'll take the street traffic any day, thanks!

I know Crankin's problems have nothing to do with her getting better as she rides more....that gal has ridden a GAZILLION miles under all kinds of conditions!
She's little but she's tough. She gives her fears the respect they deserve, yet she doesn't let them take over her life. And the fact that no one who rode with her would ever guess she has any fears or balance issues says a lot I think.
I have my own demons while riding my bike too- don't we all? And I guess if one has no demons or fears- then I'd be afraid of that in itself!

[Triskeliongirl]

I only know what I know the hard way, from having so much damn trouble finding a bike that fit, which for me was a custom bike friday. After it was stolen, I was prepared to go purchase a carbon fiber racing bike, and the more bikes I rode the more I realized what a big problem I had. So, I had to learn about bike geometry to solve the problem (granted my brain likes techie things too).

I analysed the geometries of the bikes that worked for me in the past, and those that didn't. I noticed the ones that worked all had slack STAs, short top tubes, small front wheels, and a medium amount of trail. So, I scoured the published geometries of all the bikes out there, and that was why I ended up going back to terry (I had a classic before buying my custom bike friday), this time for a titanium isis. I too am not that short, 5 ft 4.5", and I have this problem. I didn't even trust a custom frame builder to get it, what if I ordered a custom bike and hated it? I only ordered the terry cuz they gave me a 30 day return guarantee and I've never looked back. Then I loved it so much I picked up a steel isis on ebay for a song, and had a framebuilder install s/s couplers to solve my travel problem.

Maybe someday I'll let Margo build me a bike. I think its so great she is now an active member of TE. I think she gets it too, judging by how happy Lisa is with her bike, and it would be great if I could have 650 c wheels, but right now I am putting 2 kids through college, and I LOVE MY TERRY BIKES, even with their funny small front wheels! And to be honest, if I got another bike it would to go superlight and sleek, i.e. carbon, and I think Margo only works in steel. So, my terry isis bikes are probably it, but I love them so much I really don't get bike lust all that much anymore. Sure, I like how the modern bikes LOOK, but I know they won't work for my body.

[Triskeliongirl]

Trisk, I understand what you are saying about the geometry, but frankly, all that technical stuff gives me a headache. I do not feel competent enough to go into a shop and talk about it on more than a superficial level. i've read up on all of it, but I'll never be entering into a long discussion about it. I do know that I've never had toe overlap, though and I've always wondered what the deal was about it.

The problem isn't toe overlap, the problem are the things they often do to prevent it. Bottom line, in simple non-techie terms, its a distinct possibility that you do not feel balanced on your bike because the frame is too long for you, so too much of your body weight is shifted too far back on the bike, making it difficult to control the front end.

[RolliePollie]

Very interesting thread! I'm glad I read it...like Crankin and Zen, I have balance issues in general. Last year I had to go to PT for an ankle injury and the therapist told me I have about the worst balance of any patient he's ever treated

A lot of my problem is in my head though. I can't stand up to pedal and at this point, I know it's only because I'm scared as I can easily do it on the trainer. Same with stopping...I have developed quite a complex about it. So I try to either avoid stopping whenever possible, or I'll look for a very slight side slope to the right so my left foot will be closer to the ground when I stop. Luckily there aren't any intersections with stop lights around here...just stop signs, and I run them whenever possible

Just like Crankin, most people probably don't notice me compensating for these things. But I know my balance and coordination issues are not getting better and I don't think it has anything to do with my bike's fit. I'm still somewhat of a newbie with just two seasons under my belt, but I've ridden 6,000 miles in those two seasons so I should be doing better on the basics. I think some people (i.e. me) are just uncoordinated by nature and can't do much about it.

I have never had a professional fit and I didn't get to test ride a WSD Madone in my size before I bought my new bike. But I am extremely comfortable on the new bike and I'm not having any pain issues. It feels SO much better than my old bike, which was too small and cramped. I'm all for changing things out if it makes a difference. If road handlebars were not comfortable for me, I'd change them. Why not try different things and find what works best!

[OakLeaf]

I think some people (i.e. me) are just uncoordinated by nature and can't do much about it.

Well some people are uncoordinated by nature, but balance comes from muscles and nerves, and it CAN be improved the same way strength and cardio fitness can be improved: by working on it in a focused way. I hope your PT gave you plenty of balance exercises and that you HAVE been able and continue to work on it!

This doesn't have a whole lot to do with this thread... but I always make sure to incorporate balance drills into my aerobics classes at least once a week. Start with your basic one-legged drills, with a handhold if necessary (google "senior fitness" or "fall prevention") and work up from there... I don't know if I'll ever be able to do squats standing on a stability ball as I've seen people do, but it certainly is a goal!

Balance is only beginning to be recognized in fitness culture. So often people neglect it until their lack of balance is actually life-threatening to them (which is why there's so much about it in senior fitness circles). I just read that Americans are the only people who sit down to put on our shoes! Once I read that I stopped doing it, for sure.

[Crankin]

OK, I'm breaking my statement with another post. Yes, balance can be improved. If mine hadn't improved, I wouldn't be doing what I am doing now. But it's still pretty awful compared to most people. In the course of my PT for other things, she did give me balance things to do, and I also did them with a trainer a few years go. I continue to do them at home. Yoga has helped, too.
This just brings up lots of bad childhood memories. I can't play any sport that requires eye hand coordination and I was always picked last for teams. Then, when I was 15, I flunked the physical fitness test which was basically balance and eye hand stuff, they put me in "flab lab." Nice name, huh? Especially since I weighed about 90 pounds. But, this is where I discovered that I was good at endurance activities because they had us run and do calisthenics instead of stupid basketball shots. Of course, I aced the running "test" which got me out of the class and then promptly flunked the skills test again, that had put me in remedial gym to begin with! My former gym teachers are rolling in their graves, because I doubt they could ever think I was an aerobics instructor and a ride leader.
I can put my shoes on standing up, but it's not easy...
PS. Thanks for the kind words, Lisa. I am pretty tough now, mostly because of cycling!