bar problem

[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.

[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.

[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....

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

He might like one of these:
(just pulling your leg now....)

[Flur]

It sounds like the Volpe might not be the right bike for him. The geometry may just be such that the handlebars a too low. Maybe a more compact geometry that allows the same standover clearance and reach but that has a higher headset would work better. Not all touring bikes are built the same - maybe a different maker would be better for him.

[elk]

we took it in to the LBS...the mech. is going to get the stem up and help with fitting....he didn't think the bike was too small. some do some don't...

i left him the aurora to put in the brake shims....

[TsPoet]

I am not DF savvy, but how about the "albatross" or some other Riv bar?

http://www.rivbike.com/products/list...l#product=none

[rij73]

we took it in to the LBS...the mech. is going to get the stem up and help with fitting....he didn't think the bike was too small. some do some don't...

i left him the aurora to put in the brake shims....

How is he going to raise the stem? With that steerer extender I mentioned?

[elk]

rij

maybe use the extender...we did give it a look and it seems like a very useful little dealy!

We might just get a longer stem...as long as the bars are at the same level as the saddle...we'll be good to go...to start.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

we took it in to the LBS...the mech. is going to get the stem up and help with fitting....he didn't think the bike was too small. some do some don't...

i left him the aurora to put in the brake shims....

I'm glad you are taking it to the LBS, hopefully they can figure out what to do.
It's possible they can just raise the stem from where it is now without having to use an extension- perhaps it's set way low right now.

You are going to love those shims.

[rij73]

rij

maybe use the extender...we did give it a look and it seems like a very useful little dealy!

We might just get a longer stem...as long as the bars are at the same level as the saddle...we'll be good to go...to start.

So whatever happened with this? I'm curious to see the solution...