bar problem

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Elk, I didn't know the Volpe was a touring bike, sorry.

I have to say that Volpe does look pretty funny with the upside down bars like that!
Ok here is my first impression from looking at that photo, though I may be wrong....

first notice on the Bleriot the saddle height in comparison to the top tube, and the bars about the same height.
Now look at where your DH;s saddle is- like way up in the sky in comparison. We are assuming he has the saddle height set in the correct place for the length of his legs.
When I see saddles that high up, it says to me that if they had a bigger frame then the saddle could be in a more 'normal' place. On a bigger Volpe his saddle would be the same distance from the ground as now, but the stem and bars would be higher up because of the longer head tube and larger frame in general. The seat would be closer to the top tube even though it would be the same height from the ground.
In summary, getting the next size up frame would probably bring the bars up closer in height to the seat, consequently giving him a more upright riding posture.

i know you said that this was the right sized frame for him, but when I see that photo of the upside-down bars and the saddle looking so very high up in proportion to the frame, it suggests to me that the rider is too tall for the frame. Again, I may be wrong. But something is wrong here, one way or another.
Please don't take this the wrong way- I mean to be helpful- but perhaps your husband, in wanting a smaller frame and super high grips, is seeking a bike that will feel like sitting in his favorite living room recliner? Some people experience initial oddness and discomfort on a new bike as being intolerable for even a minute. Perhaps this is what's going on?
I am thinking he might be happier on a lightweight hybrid for a while.

[rij73]

Why not just use this?

http://aebike.com/page.cfm?action=de...=30&SKU=SM1977

It's an extender for your steering tube. You can raise the bar about 3 inches!

[Flur]

SadieKate - that's a really cool bike. It looks like a lot of fun to ride. Have you ridden it?

[elk]

Yes:
--part of him wants a barcolounger with wheels; the other part is thrilled to be using his body in a more athletic way
--we live in PDX and I got my Jamis at citybikes....we'll head down there today! and to river city
--the Bleriot is LOVELY, but I'm not sure we need to take the set up that far from where we are...because I think
--that steering extension tube is the key...
--probably the larger frame would've been better...but if you look at the stock Bianchi photo, notice the relationship of the seat height to the stem height; it looks very like where his is....which is an odd stock photo for a touring bike, doncha think!
this bike is a wee bit bigger than his hybrid and the geometry is similiar, so I think once we raise the bars, he'll be comfortable and will want to adjust to a more aerodynamic position.
I do believe he wants to be able to use the drop bars...we just have to get them level with the seat, or a little higher.

your observations and suggestions are always helpful..

now i want to go look at the Aurora stock photo and see what they have going in the seat stem relationship department...even on my 47 aurora the stem is quite a few inches longer than on the 58 volpe

[elk]

SadieKate...thanks for those links to Soma

much less difference in height:

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

SadieKate...thanks for those links to Soma

much less difference in height:

Ok, now imagine you were suddenly 5" taller than you actually are and were trying to ride your same Jamis....you'd have to put the seat way up higher so your legs wouldn't be all bent, right? And then your saddle would be much higher than the handlebars, you'd feel uncomfortable and too bent over, and your LBS might say- hey that frame is too small for you.

[elk]

Ok, now imagine you were suddenly 5" taller than you actually are and were trying to ride your same Jamis....you'd have to put the seat way up higher so your legs wouldn't be all bent, right? And then your saddle would be much higher than the handlebars, you'd feel uncomfortable and too bent over, and your LBS might say- hey that frame is too small for you.

i was comparing the STOCK photos of the volpe and the aurora...if you go back to pg 1 and scroll up you can see the Volpe pic I took off the Bianchi site vs the pic I got off the Jamis site.

[alpinerabbit]

those elkhorn bars really, really need to go.

how about something like this: an ergonomic handlebar -




only pic i found is of one with adjustable angle, there are others out there. the brake levers will have to go as well.

[xeney]

Yeah, I agree, I don't think that's a safe way to ride.

I hate to suggest this, but is your husband really not interested in drop bars? Not everybody is. Many people ride very happily on hybrids and never want to "upgrade." Sadie Kate offered a really good compromise, I think, but maybe it is just not his bike.

[SadieKate]

SadieKate - that's a really cool bike. It looks like a lot of fun to ride. Have you ridden it?

No, it's owned by someone on another forum. I remembered it and thought it would be a good example of the Albatross bar.