Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[alpinerabbit]

3) the aluminum frame is so ruff on chip seal (my main riding roads), I dread riding

Ever thought of something like a suspension seatpost?

I'm just thinking.... I love my aluminium frame. I've had carbon, I wouldn't know if I can tell the difference.

[Miranda]

Ever thought of something like a suspension seatpost?

I'm just thinking.... I love my aluminium frame. I've had carbon, I wouldn't know if I can tell the difference.

That's an interesting point. I'll keep in in mind. That's something I love about this board. Two TE heads work much better than my one alone.

[Crankin]

I am also old and slow and I have a somewhat esoteric race bike that might have some people making fun of me.
But, I don't care. I am pretty fit for my age and if some think I'm a wanna be, let them. I actually have received more c**p from people my age who have been riding for years that are just too cheap to buy a bike like mine. It's a particular brand of reverse snobbism that is somewhat common here in New England. So while they ride around with their bikes literally taped together, they make fun of me...
The moral is, don't let others decide for you.

[Miranda]

Cervelo also makes the RS, which has a taller top tube...

Terry's Fast Woman is steel and has more aggressive geometry and a longer top tube...

I hope you have a great fitting!

Thx! I didn't realize that about the Terry Fast Woman. I'll geek out the specs and a dealer. I had written it off as a brand since it's wsd in nature.

The fitting shop did have a Cervelo RS on display (again, big size). I geeked out the geometry and I think the stand over would be if-y. I'm 29" inseam so metric that's 736mm. The xs size RS is 732mm. If I do the Lemond 2/3 of your inseam as a starting point, that's about a 48cm bike. I'm 5 4 1/2" (used to be 5'5" until I shrunk). With most of my height being upper body, I could take the longer top tube... and/or stem. Which ever way it works out to fit.

I am kinda excited about the fitting. I hope it gives me some answers I need.

I am also old and slow and I have a somewhat esoteric race bike that might have some people making fun of me...
It's a particular brand of reverse snobbism...

I appreciate your sharing that. I would agree. OK, yes, the price of the bike is high. But, if I weigh that out to what my bike does for me, it's so worth it! Physical health and mental well being--plus just joy. Gheez, if I added up all the unhealthy doctor bills, shrink bills, and anti-depressants... hmm, I think the snob group would have a hard time arguing that. Well... OK, they would still probably argue.

[Cataboo]

I have some chip seal roads around me... and they're absolutely miserable on an aluminum frame, even if I've got a carbon fork & gel padding on the handlebars... it just ends up hurting my wrists and having them go numb, and then not being able to ride for a week while I tried to let them recover. In my experience carbon fiber seat stays and switching to a carbon fiber handlebar does make a huge difference...

So now I tend to avoid the chip sealed roads (which is annoying 'cause it was one of my favorite roads previous to the chip sealing)....

However, I did invest (well, craigslist invest) in a full carbon frame, carbon fiber wheels, and handlebars... I went down the chip seal road yesterday, and all my carbon fiber absorbed the annoyance of the chipseal... It was noisier, but my wrists didn't suffer for it.

The carbon fiber frame I bought off craigslist, is actually an effective 54 cm, but I'm pretty much using it as a more upright ride... It had a 46" seattube, and about a 540 mm top tube... so it's a longer top tube than my other bike, so I guess it stretches me out a bit more... but I'd say my seat is about even with the height of my handlebars.

I also love how stiff/responsive the bike is... I'm in no way a racer...

[emily_in_nc]

Another suggestion for chip-seal (we have a bit of it out this way too) is wider tires. 25c and up are going to absorb more road chatter than the typical 23c. If I were in your position I'd get a full-carbon frame, carbon seatpost, saddle with ti rails, GOOD padded gloves, and run 25c tires.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Miranda]

I have some chip seal roads around me... and they're absolutely miserable on an aluminum frame...
So now I tend to avoid the chip sealed roads (which is annoying 'cause it was one of my favorite roads previous to the chip sealing)....

However, I did invest (well, craigslist invest) in a full carbon frame
I also love how stiff/responsive the bike is... I'm in no way a racer...

I had my bike traveling once and found a club's route I tried out. Omg, WORST chip and seal... but dead quite no traffic. The scenery was beautiful too. At the end of the route I felt like my teeth had chattered out of my head from the aluminum frame. Sad, because I'd go back to the route otherwise. The end of that ride was the moment I made my mind up that carbon was in my future. Good for you on the carbon find.

Another suggestion for chip-seal (we have a bit of it out this way too) is wider tires. 25c and up are going to absorb more road chatter than the typical 23c. If I were in your position I'd get a full-carbon frame, carbon seatpost, saddle with ti rails, GOOD padded gloves, and run 25c tires.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thx Emily... On the teeth chattering ride I mentioned above I had some 25s on my bike (just switched to 23s)--good to know it was helping me some. I have a carbon seat post and fork now. I can't wait to test ride something that's all carbon. AND... I know exactly which road (aka story above) I am going to put it to the test on. Plus, it has a killer hill that is the only time I have ever felt like I needed (& used) my triple. We'll see how I do with a compact or standard as well. I guess it's the "do or die" test ride route lol.

[Andrea]

Another suggestion for chip-seal (we have a bit of it out this way too) is wider tires. 25c and up are going to absorb more road chatter than the typical 23c. If I were in your position I'd get a full-carbon frame, carbon seatpost, saddle with ti rails, GOOD padded gloves, and run 25c tires.

Good luck and keep us posted!

I was going to make the same suggestion about moving up in tire size. You could even try a 28c if your brakes/frame will clear them.

[Thorn]

OK, yes, the price of the bike is high. But, if I weigh that out to what my bike does for me, it's so worth it! Physical health and mental well being--plus just joy.

Yep....and then calculate how much time you spend on the bike...you want it to fit well and you want to enjoy it, but now that we know your price range...I agree with Tulip (again--she's a wise woman). Go custom.

My bike is custom steel and it is wonderful.....smooths the bumps but still has that get up and go. I happen to live 20 minutes from Waterford, WI so I ride a Waterford. Luna was my second choice, but if I have the chance to be fit directly by the builder, I went Waterford (but, Margo, I still have dreams of a scream orange cyclocross beauty).

A custom builder can tweak that frame just for you, not just in fit, but also in how it handles (twitchiness), performs (kicks), and rides (smooth). If you have the money, you cannot spend it better. Call Margo.

[Miranda]

... why not go custom?

...I agree with Tulip (again--she's a wise woman). Go custom.

A custom builder can tweak that frame just for you, not just in fit, but also in how it handles (twitchiness), performs (kicks), and rides (smooth). ...Call Margo.

I really had not considered that at all. I was thinking a custom build would be much much more than a stock carbon bike. I just totally put the idea out of my head. I don't really know that much about the process. (I am familiar with Margo's post though).

The price range is pushing it, but when I look at some lesser priced carbons, I think would this keep me happy? Or would I have wished I had just upgraded on this bike and be settled. But, when you start talking about the bike being built for you, well... that's a whole different ball game.

One of my gym pals from spin class, who is a very good cyclists, has a custom steele. I didn't know this. After class this w/e I asked her about her frame size because we are pretty close build (same height, same inseam with short legs, long torso, etc.). I just figured she rode a nice carbon. I don't know who built the steele for her.

Steele was something I had not considered as light, fast, or smooth. Well, I still have my old steele 10 speed from being a kid hanging on hooks in my garage. Of course she's dead heavy. Was just a cheap bike. But, I do actually feel what little I've ridden her in recent past she is smoother over bumps than my aluminum. Hmmm--my brain kinda hurts now. Btw, thx though... I post here because of getting advice I'd never thought of on my own.

[OakLeaf]

yeah... I spent that much on a custom steel bike from a small unknown framebuilder in 1987 (I mean, I had over $3K in the whole bike by the time it was built). I don't think it would get you custom now. I could be wrong, but definitely price out the whole bike before you commit to a frame.

The Synapse is a decent bike for a very reasonable price. The WSD bike has pretty relaxed geometry, yet it's plenty responsive and I don't notice a lot of wasted energy. I assume you'd be going for the men's version though the way you described your build. I don't know much about that bike, but since Cannondale has racier bikes in men's geometry, the Synapse may be a bit more relaxed.

[Thorn]

Hmmm--my brain kinda hurts now.

Ah, ladies, our job here is done

Steele was something I had not considered as light, fast, or smooth. Well, I still have my old steele 10 speed from being a kid hanging on hooks in my garage. Of course she's dead heavy. Was just a cheap bike.

Seriously, though, today's steel isn't the steel of your childhood. Margo can go through the nitty gritty, but today's steel is lighter and a good builder can work miracles. My steel bike is a few pounds lighter than the Cannondale aluminum it replaced. And I'm big (I ride a 58/60cm frame). I seem to recall you said 29" inseam? There isn't that much frame there. The weight of the frame will not be a huge factor.

But, seriously, if custom steel ends up on your radar, drop over to the Terry website. Not for the bikes (you don't sound like a WSD fit), but because Georgina Terry has two interesting interviews with Richard Schwinn (Waterford Bikes) on the today's steel.