Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[tulip]

$3-5k is alot of money to spend on a nice bike. Check out Luna's site, as well as Waterford. You can easily push a Seven, IF, or Serotta to $7k, but there are plenty of awesome custom builders, and many bikes in your range. Go custom.

[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...