bar problem

[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.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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.

Well, as Xeney kind of suggested, I too suspect your husband is not going to like a drop bar position no matter what. He might well be happier all around on a hybrid. Hybrids are generally not as heavy these days as they used to be, and have more nice features. It would be good if he'd be willing to test ride some bikes.

[elk]

He is interested in drop bars... I think they just need to be at least the same height as his saddle....

If it doesn't work out...we'lll go from there...

and I agree about the "elk"horns....I've almost got him ready to take it to the LBS....

[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.