All Aluminum Isn't Created Equal

[Catrin]

Interesting discussion, but it makes sense to me that it goes down to the quality of the materials regardless of frame composition. My Gunnar is a full custom, and they have their own custom lightweight steel tubing they use for both Waterford and Gunnar builds (they use two basic types). The ride is very smooth and cushy - the only bike I've ridden that is more comfortable is my fill suspension mountain bike!

My LHT is less comfortable, though far better than my Trek 7.6 was. The steel tubing is much heavier and indeed the smaller LHT sizes could be said to be over-built. Nice ride, but not as sweet as my Gunnar - and I am specifically referring to road vibration/dampening, NOT handling. The Gunnar wins in that department as well but that is another topic.

[rubysoho]

If you see my post above - my husband LOVED his TriCross, despite the aluminum! He actually owned 3 different tricrosses at one point (for other reasons) but felt they all had a ride that felt as smooth as his carbon Roubaix.

Thank you! I missed your post in my haste.

[Caddy]

Hrm... I've had the opposite experience and so has my spouse - we both went bicycle shopping the last three weeks.

I hated, hated the Tricross. I felt everything on the road and acceleration was difficult. The Giant TCX W was a lot more comfortable, but unfortunately a tad too large.

My husband tested about 15 different bicycles, including the Tricross, and concluded that the Cannondale Synapse felt the most comfortable (Jamis Ventura was the second closest and the Caad9 was third). Granted, there is no Redline Conquest near us in his size, so perhaps that's even plushier, but now I'm confused about the differing opinions!

[zoom-zoom]

Hrm... I've had the opposite experience and so has my spouse - we both went bicycle shopping the last three weeks.

I hated, hated the Tricross. I felt everything on the road and acceleration was difficult. The Giant TCX W was a lot more comfortable, but unfortunately a tad too large.

My husband tested about 15 different bicycles, including the Tricross, and concluded that the Cannondale Synapse felt the most comfortable (Jamis Ventura was the second closest and the Caad9 was third). Granted, there is no Redline Conquest near us in his size, so perhaps that's even plushier, but now I'm confused about the differing opinions!

Oh, now this is weird! Perhaps the size of the frame is a factor...? My Synapse was a 48 WSD and my Redline is a 44.

[Catrin]

Hrm... I've had the opposite experience and so has my spouse - we both went bicycle shopping the last three weeks....Granted, there is no Redline Conquest near us in his size, so perhaps that's even plushier, but now I'm confused about the differing opinions!

Some of us are more susceptible to road vibration than others and I think this just makes a difference. I have learned in the almost 2 years since I started riding that at least part of what is related to comfort on a bike is subjective. What makes a dream ride for one person is torture device for another...

So this just means we need to get out there and test ride as much as we can

[Caddy]

So this just means we need to get out there and test ride as much as we can

Very true I also ride 44-48cm bikes. Unfortunately, most places don't have the bikes to test ride in those sizes.

My husband test rode 54-56cm bikes, though, and made sure to go through potholes with each, so maybe that counts for the difference.

As they say, a good aluminum frame is better than a low-end carbon frame.

[Catrin]

Very true I also ride 44-48cm bikes. Unfortunately, most places don't have the bikes to test ride in those sizes.

My husband test rode 54-56cm bikes, though, and made sure to go through potholes with each, so maybe that counts for the difference.

As they say, a good aluminum frame is better than a low-end carbon frame.

I hear you, I ride the same range of sizes. If I didn't need such a blasted short reach I could take a 52cm frame Test riding is still preferable, but it also helps to have a fitter you really trust and who knows his or her stuff.

That being said, learning that Jamis made a hardtail in a "larger" size that had the same dimensions as the "smaller" FS bike I wanted did make it possible to test ride something that was close enough to the real thing. Sometimes we must be creative

[Hi Ho Silver]

What makes a dream ride for one person is torture device for another...

So this just means we need to get out there and test ride as much as we can

I think some of the comfort issue, as far as vibration goes, is also a function of rider position (stretched out versus more upright) and pedalling style (spinning with full weight on saddle versus mashing and partially unweighting off the saddle).

[zoom-zoom]

I think some of the comfort issue, as far as vibration goes, is also a function of rider position (stretched out versus more upright) and pedalling style (spinning with full weight on saddle versus mashing and partially unweighting off the saddle).

That's interesting...I'm generally a relatively aggressive-positioned spinner. I wonder what this means in terms of vibration sensitivity. I was maybe a hair more upright on my aluminum Synapse, relative to my Redline.

[Hi Ho Silver]

That's interesting...I'm generally a relatively aggressive-positioned spinner. I wonder what this means in terms of vibration sensitivity. I was maybe a hair more upright on my aluminum Synapse, relative to my Redline.

My conjecture is based on my limited experience:

When I lived in Houston and Florida, which are both relatively flat, I was predominantly a spinner (a consistent 88 RPM). Because I was only applying medium to low force on the pedals, my butt was fully weighted on the saddle and all the vibration was ultimately transmitted to my butt and girly bits through the saddle. After riding a while, my pain threshold would be reached and the butt/bits would become even more sensitive to subsequent vibration. Here in Austin, I’ve had to change my style to make it up the long and never-ending hills. Now that I’m mashing the pedals almost constantly with near maximum force, my butt is noticeably unweighted from the saddle with each pedal stroke and I’m not even aware of the saddle and the vibration/jolts transmitted to it.

Position-wise, on my old road bike I was really stretched out and my upper body muscles (shoulders, arms) were always working to help support my torso. The vibrations would cause those already-tense muscles to involuntarily react, with the result that after a while they’d get fatigued and become even more sensitive to subsequent vibration. My new road bike has a shorter top tube so I’m not as stretched out. My core muscles provide most of the torso support, and because my upper body muscles do not have to work quite so hard, they can endure a lot more vibration. The result is that I have yet to experience any upper body discomfort on my new bike from vibration and jolts.