How much does the bike really matter?

[Cataboo]

can you get some sort of geometry table from the fitter that you worked with to decide your bike wouldn't work for you? Some ideal geometry for you that you can use to judge these bikes you're test riding? Or take her the geometry of the bikes you're considering to see what she thinks of them?

It sounds like your bike can be made to fit you if the fork hadn't been cut so short - so the felts might work.

[kermit]

I would spend some time with the Jamis bikes, I have heard great things about their new designs.

[zatar]

can you get some sort of geometry table from the fitter that you worked with to decide your bike wouldn't work for you? Some ideal geometry for you that you can use to judge these bikes you're test riding? Or take her the geometry of the bikes you're considering to see what she thinks of them?

It sounds like your bike can be made to fit you if the fork hadn't been cut so short - so the felts might work.

Yes, I think that's a very good idea. I feel a little guilty at this point to be even looking for a new bike, because the fitter last week spent about 3 hours with me and decided to order new (60 and 70mm) stems that we could try. We've talked a little over email about last weekend's races and she still seems pretty committed to trying to make my current bike work for me. I don't know exactly how to tell her that I'm ready to buy a new bike now. I don't want it to seem like I don't appreciate the efforts she has made in making my current bike fit me, or that her time last week was a complete waste. Most of that time was focused on my biomechanical issues, and I definitely plan on using that knowledge in the future, even with a different bike.

I think I've just realized that I would like a lighter, stiffer bike with higher-level components, and (possibly) a shorter top tube. I've realized that racing is way more fun than I even imagined and I'm willing to invest a significant amount in a bike, if it will make the experience more enjoyable...

Off to test-ride a few more bikes (Jamis, Kona, and possibly Cannondale) now!

[aicabsolut]

Keep us updated.

IMO, a 60 or 70mm stem is really really really short for a race bike. A friend of mine moved from 110 to 80 recently and said he couldn't tell a difference other than he nearly smacks his knees on the bars when he sprints now. To me, though, I notice a big difference in handling with short stems. A 60mm stem would be so twitchy!

I also like being stretched out, so take the above comment for what it's worth. The guys at the LBS tried to get me to move from a 54cm to a 52cm when I got my last bike, but I am considering moving from a 110mm stem to a 120mm stem on the 54! I am just not comfortable out of the saddle with this reach a lot of the time. I am holding off, though, due to a shoulder injury that may not resolve itself anytime soon. I guess it's better to be comfortable 90% of the time and then just try to deal with the awkward reach in the sprint or when climbing out of the saddle. I've got some deeper drop bars to help a little with sprinting.

[Aquila]

I'm sorry to be a bit off topic, but... every time I see the header to this thread, I think:

"The bike matters one hundred percent! Without the bike you're just running!"

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

[zatar]

I'm sorry to be a bit off topic, but... every time I see the header to this thread, I think:

"The bike matters one hundred percent! Without the bike you're just running!

Of course it does

Pretty unsuccessful day of bike browsing today. The first shop (Cannondale, Jamis, Kona) dealer didn't have any road bikes. The other shop (Cervelo, Scott, some others) didn't have any that interested me.

I test road a LaPierre S Lite 100, but at 46cm, it felt extremely small to me. Almost like riding a clown bike. And the weirdest part is it made my upper back hurt the worst. I thought that pain had been from reaching too far on my bike (people have said that I look really stretched out), but I'm confused now. The Felt yesterday didn't cause that upper back pain and the top tube was 5mm longer.

Maybe my current bike is fine? I could get a smaller stem (70mm would be the minimum that I'd be comfortable with, I think), lighter wheels, better components, and compact handlebars?

To be continued...

[dianne_1234]

Maybe my current bike is fine?

You could even buy a different fork (new or used) with a longer steerer tube to "undo" your bike's currently-too-short steerer tube.