Need some guidance....(long)

[pumpkinpony]

How about a Lemond? I have a Tourmalet. They have a more 'relaxed' geometry compare to the racing style. I find it very comfortable.

[moderncyclista]

You probably know what I'm going to say. Steel. Bike.
Steel is one smooth ride. Check out - Surly LHT, Surly Pacer, Surly Cross Check, Trek 520, Jamis Aurora, Jamis Quest, Jamis Satellite, Jamis Eclipse, Raleigh Clubman, Raleigh Sojourn, Specialized Allez Steel Double, etc, etc. Or any steel framed bike. (Maybe a used Mixte if you're into those.) A touring bike would have a less aggressive posture. Jamis Auroras have an adjustable height stem. So you can ride more upright if you like. Well, I wish you luck.

(You could always upgrade any of these to your specs.)

[indysteel]

I agree that steel is worth trying. Worry less about componentry and more about fit and ride quality.

I'm sort of going through something similar. My first bike was a steel Binchi. I put 12k miles in it in less than three years. Then I had a custom ti bike made for me. As you might assume, it cost me big bucks.

On paper, it should fit. Several fitters have worked with me. We've addressed just about every variable we can think of, yet the bike remains painful to ride. My upper body just isn't comfortable. It's a lovely bike, and there's nothing weird about geometry. Still, I'm thinking of finding a new home for it, and going back to my Bianchi.

Good luck with your search.

[sundial]

Steel. Bike.
Steel is one smooth ride.

I have to agree, Modern.

I have a "plush bike" Roubaix and a Salsa Fargo and between the two bikes the Fargo is more comfie for those big mileage days. Steel rides like velvet and absorbs more road noise, resulting in reduced fatigue of the hands, wrists, and neck if the bike is fitted correctly. And you can often get steel at a better bargain.

Would you want to order a bike frame and build it up to your specs?

[nscrbug]

Ack! My bike shopping has been put "on hold" for awhile...as I came down with the chickenpox over the weekend. I am in total misery right now, so it will be some time before I can get out and test ride some bikes. I am really bummed.

[sundial]

Aw gee, that's a bummer! BUT on the bright side...... you'll have plenty of time to research bikes online.

[marni]

just as a pssing thought- milk of magnesia helps as a topical analgesic for chicken pox, cold sores, and shingles. Experience is the source of the advice.

Spen the time distracting yourself by letting your fingers do the shopping on the internet.

marni

[Bike Chick]

I hope you get some relief from your chicken pox. How miserable.

For what it's worth, don't rule out custom steel because of the price before you check into it. If you don't go crazy with custom paint and components, you could probably get a custom bike for less than a Madone. Even if you decide against custom, at least check out steel. It's such a sweet ride.

[nscrbug]

just as a pssing thought- milk of magnesia helps as a topical analgesic for chicken pox, cold sores, and shingles. Experience is the source of the advice.

Spen the time distracting yourself by letting your fingers do the shopping on the internet.

marni

OMG...thank you so much for this! I just called my husband and told him to stop and pick some up on his way home from work.

[Loraura]

I had the chicken pox last year (at the age of 36!). I feel for ya. I ended up in the hospital for 4 days. Not fun.

Aveeno baths were a bit helpful, but honestly, I can't say anything helped all that much. I slept a lot. I consciously did not scratch my face, no matter how much it itched, to avoid scars there.

I've got a Cannondale Carbon Synapse Feminine with 105. The ride is great, and the relaxed geometry is nice on centuries. I kind of wish it were more race oriented during group rides, though. However, i have a love hate relationship with this bike. Let me explain.

I'm sure I've just got bad luck, but this bike has been the most finiky bike we've owned yet. It seems like I have it in the shop all the time. The bike has less than 3K miles on it, so many of the issues we've had with it should really not be happening yet. It seems to be parts related, rather than frame related, but I'm just frustrated that it seems to always have something going wrong with it every 3 or 4 rides out of the shop. Maybe I got a lemon. Just wanted to let you know my experience with the bike so far.

I'd be conflicted to suggest the bike to anyone just becuase I love the bike, love the ride, love the fit, but hate that it seems to always need repair.

I'd blame it on me, but my husband and I take the same care with our bikes, ride 90% of the same rides, and his is hardly ever in the shop.

[MartianDestiny]

How about a Lemond? I have a Tourmalet. They have a more 'relaxed' geometry compare to the racing style. I find it very comfortable.

Lemond no longer exists as a bike company (at least for the moment). He "royally upset" (read between the lines) the powers that be at Trek and so Trek told him to take his name and take a hike ("Gary Fisher" now makes road bikes, but they aren't really like the Lemonds).