Flat bar or drops?

[shootingstar]

I broke my neck in 2001 and have chronic issues with nerve pain and radiculopathy in my left arm and hand. I have to use a towel roll to support my head on long car drives or the pain becomes unbearable. I'm concerned about getting a bike with drop handles and having to hold my head up in a stretched out position for riding( I ride between 20 and 36 miles a day when the weather allows). Specialized makes a flat-bar road bike (the Vita) that intrigues me. I'm looking at the Dolce as well. I'm not a racer. Any words of advice or caution regarding choice of handle bars? Would adjusting the stem higher even with drop handles make a difference? Any help will be appreciated.

Perhaps it may be worth renting a bike to try it out for a few hrs. Don't know what options in terms of LBS in your area. Given that type of serious injury you did have and your chronic pain in relation to head positioning (which sounds serious), you really need to try certain bikes before purchasing.

Have you recently seen a physiotherapist for their advice/exercises? I know for myself, I must do all over stretching for back and neck on a regular basis, to relax my neck muscles, back, etc. No, I never had dropped handlebars and I've been riding for last 17 yrs.

At this time, I have no interest.

[FlyingScot]

You guys have been great. Although I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a "plush" bike ( I like to give the impression of being a little more hard core ) my LBS is building a Sequioa for me to test ride on Saturday. I think the Dolce's top tube is going to be too short, even in the largest frame size. I looked at the Allez but the stance is too aggressive. Does anybody know what other brand bikes might be similar to the Sequoia?
As far as a recumbent. Not sure I have to go that route...yet. Thanks for putting the thought in my head for the future.

[aicabsolut]

Specialized Roubaix.

Cervelo RS.

These are still pro tour level bikes but a little more relaxed to satisfy things like certain riders' geometry needs, reducing rider fatigue on rough terrain, etc.

Some Treks will also have slightly taller head tubes and maybe the Orbea Orca (I think).

[featuretile]

I also bought a Specialized Globe (comfort hybrid) after not riding for about 20 years. Thought it was just the best thing ever until I started a beginners class with a cycling club and was always in the back. I wanted to know if it was me or the bike. I went back to the bike store where I bought the bike and asked if I changed to road bike tires, would it go faster? The answer was that the Globe was not designed for speed. So, I tested a Specialized Vita Sport. They asked me what it would take to get me to buy it. I told them it would take more than just riding around the parking lot to see if it really was better than the Globe. They lent it to me and I took the same 20 mile club ride that I had taken with the first bike the week before. I flew on the Vita. I did buy it and now have to sell the Globe (they wouldn't take it back). The Vita is great. It is so much lighter (22 lbs.) and I can keep up with the road bikes. I just felt kind of bad that I had finally bought a new bike and now needed to replace it after 3 months. I just never anticipated that I would get so into cycling. It still has some of the features of the comfort bike that I did not want to give up. I like the flat bars. I can still reach the ground with my toe. It has trigger shifters and the numbers are shown so I know what gear I am in. It is just as comfortable (no pain anywhere) and so much faster. So, I would really recommend it! Janet

[Zen]

Take a look at the Trek FX series, 7.5 or 7.6

[sundial]

You guys have been great. Although I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a "plush" bike ( I like to give the impression of being a little more hard core ) my LBS is building a Sequioa for me to test ride on Saturday. I think the Dolce's top tube is going to be too short, even in the largest frame size. I looked at the Allez but the stance is too aggressive. Does anybody know what other brand bikes might be similar to the Sequoia?
As far as a recumbent. Not sure I have to go that route...yet. Thanks for putting the thought in my head for the future.

The newer Sequoias are really borrowing design concepts from the pro race bike geometry from a few years previously so I wouldn't be too concerned with looking like you are on a "mature" rider's bike. I have a Roubaix and other cyclists in our little group have bikes with more aggressive geometry. Guess who complains of numbness in the hands and wrists while battling sore shoulders and back?

I am more comfortable on a unisex bike but I almost always have to change out the stock 100mm stem for a 80mm stem and change out the seatpost as well.

By the way, I have a Globe too and it made me slower because of the weight of the bike paired with the 18T sprocket which was geared too high for me (I have an internal geared hub). I like riding it because it helps me to focus on the ride and enjoy life at a more leisurely pace.

[Geonz]

HEre's another vote to check out those 7.5 FX bikes.

When I was ready to keep up better, I told my bike shop guy that I would be willing to try drop bars since the previous attempts that just didn't distribute my weight happily ... but really I wanted lighter and with bigger gears... faster.

They swapped out the tyres from the get-go for skinny ones; the wheels are fast ones and I really feel it when I'm going 16-18 and up from that. It's aluminum (which means on long tours I still go for my steel bike and just go slower, 'cause by the third day I'm making up bawdy songs about how badly I want to be straddlin' a carbon fibre frame), and *very* peppy.

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Ride 'em.

[Zen]

Potential disadvantages are that there are fewer ways to place your hands; perhaps my piano lessons or swimming have meant that's never been an issue for me.

Not an issue for me with these

[Photoflygirl]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

[HillSlugger]

I just bought a Trek 7.5 FX WSD and love it. It is very comfortable, the grips are awesomely comfy. The gears are fast, not that I can keep up with faster riders, but my hubby has ridden it and is amazed at how fast it will go with little effort.

Congrats on the new bike! The site rules say you have to post a picture of your new steed!

[FlyingScot]

Thanks for the replies so far. They've been really helpful. Unfortunately I haven't had time to test ride the bikes I'm looking at. Hopefully this Saturday will work out (I'm in the middle of a big restoration). I'm leaning toward the Sequoia as I really do love my Globe. I have figured out that a women's specific design is probably not going to work because I have an extremely long torso and short legs/arms (you should see my flightsuit...it's ridiculous). I'll update you when I get a chance to actually ride something.

[SportySam]

I would ask your lbs. I spoke to mine because my trainer did not want me to get a racing road bike since I am new to road biking and wanted me to sit a bit upright. I bought the Specialized Dolce and love it and that is what the lbs suggested. Tell him/her about your neck issues and test ride to see how you feel. I know that I feel more upright on my dolce and love it!

[FlyingScot]

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

[HillSlugger]

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

Congrats! I loved my Sequoia. I remember thinking that the tires were so narrow and being a bit shaky on my maiden ride. Have fun together!

[uforgot]

Well, I did it! I bought the Specialized Sequoia Elite. What a difference!!!!!! Compared to my Globe this bike is a rocket. I even found myself naturally getting into the drops and it felt fine (the drops on this bike are very shallow). I'm taking it out on it's maiden voyage tomorrow. 28 mile ride with a group of friends. I can't believe how comfortable this bike is. I just wish she was as pretty as the Dolce which unfortunately did not fit me at all!!

Did you get the 2009? The black and silver? Just think, you can add anything you want to it, accessorize accessorize! I think those bikes look great when people add color.

Congrats! We want pics.