Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[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.

[emily_in_nc]

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.

The only other option I can think of for you would be a full-suspension mountain bike with slick tires! It would be very comfy but slower than a road bike, obviously!

[Miranda]

The only other option I can think of for you would be a full-suspension mountain bike with slick tires! It would be very comfy but slower than a road bike, obviously!

HA! That would be one cushy ride, Emily. I almost did that with my mtb bike, but it's not full susp. Then I found some good dirt to ride her in like she was intended for so life with that bike is good now. I did however learn from TE that I should run a bit less tire pressure for more comfort. I was running them at the max fill. When researching tires here, I got the advice to run less for comfort. So, got that on the list too.

[Cataboo]

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.[/QUOTE]


I had 700x23c's on the carbon frame yesterday - I do put gel under my handlebar tape, but I yanked the pads out of my gloves 'cause they hurt my wrists. I still feel a big bump on the carbon bike.

If you don't get full carbon, at least get carbon seat stays.

The craigslist find was a basically new carbon frame for cheap enough that I wasn't going to care too much if I wrecked it or it broke... I've kept my old frame around for just in case.

[fidlfreek]

If you're looking for a smooth ride they I would say the Look Elle is a great option. It is just beautiful. I feel like I could ride a long long way. And I ride on chipseal too, it makes a huge huge difference. It sounds like you're looking for a high end bike with a more "plush" fit - aka the RS or the Elle.

Remember if you find a bike you like at another shop but want the another more local shop to build it you can always buy the frame online, or from the far away shop, and then have it built to your exact specs at your local shop. If you buy all the shiny bits etc from them and pay them to build it they will likely give you excellent service for years to come. Just an idea. Also remember that bike fitting is an art and everyone will have a different opinion.

[celerystalksme]

What's your budget?

I skimmed your post...I remember bad back...I remember you want to go fast...I remember you've avoided aggressive bikes in the past.

I say either Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, Cervelo RS or custom. End of thread. The three stock bikes I mentioned are fast fast fast...comfy as a cadillac...and have slightly relaxed geometry. If you know exactly what you want, you could just have the customer maker of your choice just make your dream bike for you!

[Miranda]

What's your budget?

I skimmed your post...I remember bad back...I remember you want to go fast...I remember you've avoided aggressive bikes in the past.

I say either Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, Cervelo RS or custom. End of thread. The three stock bikes I mentioned are fast fast fast...comfy as a cadillac...and have slightly relaxed geometry. If you know exactly what you want, you could just have the customer maker of your choice just make your dream bike for you!

I had expected a nice carbon would be $3-5K. Though, I had not really planned on buying it this season.

Thanks for the tip about the Roubaix and Synapse. We do have dealers for those locally.

Specialized is new in town. Last at the shop, they did not have any small sized frames on hand. Their sales peeps are not so great on fit stuff, but the shop in general is ok. I'd buy there if it was what I wanted/needed.

I don't know about Cannodale. One dealer is where my current bike came from. I would not waste my spit on their shop door mat after the things that happened post taking my $.

The other shop dealer is not good post sale either. If you order anything that is not on their shop floor you are stuck with it. Sorry, I can't forsee the future if I will like something if I have never laid eyes on it in person, or tried it at all.

They ordered something wrong once and I was still stuck with it. It makes me feel uncomfortable spending $ on a whole bike there.

The Cervelo RS is a nice bike also, but the smallest frame available SO height is above or right at my short 29" inseam *sigh of drats*. Or, that would be a good bike too.

I HATE THESE SHORT LEGS OF MINE!!! & a Boo Hoo

[tulip]

With that budget, why not go custom? Luna bikes are amazingly smooth steel (with carbon fork and seat stays if you want them) bikes. There are other custom bikes out there, too, but I have a Luna and can only speak to that: my Luna is wonderful! Bleeker also has one. Margo the framebuilder is a poster here on TE, too.

[Miranda]

If you're looking for a smooth ride they I would say the Look Elle is a great option. It is just beautiful. I feel like I could ride a long long way. And I ride on chipseal too, it makes a huge huge difference. It sounds like you're looking for a high end bike with a more "plush" fit - aka the RS or the Elle.

Remember if you find a bike you like at another shop but want the another more local shop to build it you can always buy the frame online, or from the far away shop, and then have it built to your exact specs at your local shop. If you buy all the shiny bits etc from them and pay them to build it they will likely give you excellent service for years to come. Just an idea. Also remember that bike fitting is an art and everyone will have a different opinion.

Thanks! When I asked the owner about Look, he had to think a long minute. I'm sure he was processing if there was any dealer territory in our area (which I already knew the answer was "no" per Mr. Google). Then, he said if he could get one as a dealer without having to buy a mass, he'd get it and do it.

I didn't say anything at the time, but I thought "I know I can get it... via click the web for one". Of course the lbs is vially opposed to you buying anything from the web. Which, I know they do need our support, and I try to give it when applicable. But, I mean really... if they can't get it, no one sells it, etc.--give it up already.

I had thought exactly as you say. Get the frameset myself, and let the shop that fit me, build her up to suit.

Of course, I'll need to make sure the fitting advice goes with the bike geometry. I'd take the Look specs in and let the fitter/owner compare.

I'd have to geek out some more where one was to test ride. They are not a common bike here. Trek is really big in our area, and Specialized has just come in too. No 'Look', though. I don't know why that is.

[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.

[Becky]

+eleventy on the recommendation to look into steel. My steel Bianchi is a racer at heart (and geometry) and lightweight, but she's plenty compliant on rough roads and comfortable for hours at a time.

If you just need a frame and fork, a custom might be in your budget after all...

[Miranda]

Thx to you all. That does give me more things to think about. I did a small amount of lurking looking at some steele on line. I need to find some to ride. Besides the heavy 25+yr old girl hanging in my garage. I will mention this to the fitter when I go also.

Back to brain explosion clean up on aisle #4 lol...

[fidlfreek]

Ok, so I went and rode on chipseal today just for Miranda.

It was very good at slower speeds and very very much better than my old aluminum bianchi. However, at higher speeds (like 25+) it was still bone jarring. I like that feeling but realize that w/ degenerative disk issues you may not. So thats my honest opinion.

Regarding the whole "buying something I can't try first". It feels a little mail order bride, but thats exactly what I did. A close friend was very passionate about his Look and thats why I got it. Remember that anything in this price range is going to be kickass - like comparing a BMW to a Mercedes.

Price range wise my Elle as built would maybe fit. maybe. I spent around $3300 but bought a deeply discounted frame, a few gently loved Dura Ace parts (and all the new DA parts from ebay) and my not-super-spendy wheelset on a pretty darn good deal from Performance. And then my BF built it for me. If I bought this all retail from a dealer I think the final price tag would have been more than 5k. And I didn't even go 7900. Thats not to say you couldn't build it for less by going w/ Ultegra level components etc. However, the standover height on my small is between 28 and 29 inches.

I think the ladies talking about custom steel is great! Serotta makes a Coeur de Acier that would fit into your price range and be built to your exact geometry. The frameset weighs a bit more, maybe a pound, than the high end CF framsets but that really doesn't matter if you end up w/ a bike that feels great and fits you like a glove!