A fitting and a little secret

[hebe]

I hope the changes work well for you

The Cannondale does sound like your next bike!

[Owlie]

I just have a strange q-angle, I think, because my knee will move inward even without pedaling (the test that the BG Fit uses is standing on one leg, then bending that knee--both knees will cross the center line). So he recommended a compact double partly for that reason, especially if I find that SPD-SLs or Speedplays don't work for me, and partly because 1) it's getting harder and harder to find a triple anyway on a complete bike anyway, and 2) the shifting is nicer and cross-chaining isn't as big an issue.

Miranda, it's interesting to hear you say that you want to switch to a standard double. On both bikes I've tested with compact doubles (the CAAD10 and the carbon Synapse), I've ended up in the really high end of the cassette on flat ground (using the smaller ring). It seems kind of silly.

[emily_in_nc]

I just have a strange q-angle, I think, because my knee will move inward even without pedaling (the test that the BG Fit uses is standing on one leg, then bending that knee--both knees will cross the center line).

Mine too, Owlie. I think a lot of women have this issue because our hips are wider than a man's. I've seen pictures showing how women have a tendency to be a bit knock-kneed.

Agree with you on all the reasons for a compact double other than this too! I really enjoyed mine when I had it. I tended to ride in the 50t most of the time, but I appreciated the 34t when I hit a big hill, that's for sure!

[Artista]

One of the things that I learned from my physical therapy is that weak inner thigh muscles are a factor that can influence our knees to collapse inward while riding and performing exercises like lunges and squats. I'm sure that there are other influencing factors as well but doing a gazillion lunges and squats with proper form, (knees over toes), has strengthened my inner thighs so that my knees no longer collapse inward as easily.

[Jo-n-NY]

I am glad to hear your fitting went well. I am also a firm believe of them. I just want to clarify the Cannondale CAAD 10 and the Ruby. I believe the CAAD 10 is Aluminum and the Ruby is all Carbon. That is the reason for the price difference. The CAAD also sounds like a more aggressive fit where the Ruby you will get a more upright comfortable fit. The comparison in the 2 rides will probably be quite different.

[zoom-zoom]

I am glad to hear your fitting went well. I am also a firm believe of them. I just want to clarify the Cannondale CAAD 10 and the Ruby. I believe the CAAD 10 is Aluminum and the Ruby is all Carbon. That is the reason for the price difference. The CAAD also sounds like a more aggressive fit where the Ruby you will get a more upright comfortable fit. The comparison in the 2 rides will probably be quite different.

Yes. The CAAD 10 has the same geometry as the SuperSix, but the SS is carbon. The Ruby appears to fall sort of between the SuperSix/CAAD and Synapse. I really wish our LBS carried Specialized, since I think the Ruby would really be the most ideal bike for me, at least on paper. The Synapse was too relaxed, but there are days when my SS is too aggressive...especially on really long rides.

[Owlie]

Yes. The CAAD 10 has the same geometry as the SuperSix, but the SS is carbon. The Ruby appears to fall sort of between the SuperSix/CAAD and Synapse. I really wish our LBS carried Specialized, since I think the Ruby would really be the most ideal bike for me, at least on paper. The Synapse was too relaxed, but there are days when my SS is too aggressive...especially on really long rides.

The Specialized rep I talked to back in August told me that while it's "endurance" geometry, it's not exactly relaxed. It would be a nice compromise, and Spec's geometry fits me quite nicely with a shorter stem. It's interesting that you say the SuperSix can be too aggressive. I'd have to see if I could give both a longer test ride.

Edit:
So maybe I lied. It looks like they tweaked the Ruby to be a truly "plush" ride since the Amira was introduced. The top tube's even shorter than that on the Dolce. (In my size, 52.4 cm vs. 53.2.) The numbers for my sizes in each (51 for the CAAD10, 54 for the Ruby) are quite close (reach, seat tube angle, top tube length), so at least fit-wise, either of these is a viable option. The biggest thing is the head tube height. I'd be very interested in comparing how they climb (well, I fail at that, so...) and corner, as well as road feel.

[goldfinch]

FWIW, my fitter had me get Speedplay pedals that were special ordered to have an extra short spindle.

[Owlie]

I've had some chances to take her out to get used to her (series of 15-mile rides), and I got a long ride in over the weekend.

My neck and shoulders don't hurt anymore. Well, my right shoulder started complaining a little around mile 30 or so of a 40-mile ride. The more aggressive position is a lot friendlier to my lower back, oddly enough. I need to keep up my core work, though--that should help my shoulder. The handling is twitchier with the shorter stem, but was much better on Saturday's long ride with two full water bottles.

I'm still getting a touch of pain in my right knee, though this seems to sort itself out after a few miles. I'm still getting a hot spot on my left foot, so it's probably pedal-switching time (or will be), but it's not as bad as it was.

The one thing that has actually changed for the worse is the saddle. I can't tell if it's just a matter of adjusting to the new position, because every ride is a little different. The thinner-chamoised shorts are much better, but I'm getting pain and chafing in a pattern similar that from my old Selle Italia, minus the bulk of the back-of-the-leg chafing. This does not bode well...

[Roadtrip]

Excellent you had your fitting!!! I too found my bike twitchy after the shorter stem was installed. I'm hoping you get the issues resolved soon!

[kmehrzad]

Check out this Craigslist post for a Canondale.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/n...952782315.html

Didn't know if you'd have any interest. Looks like a nice bike.

The Specialized rep I talked to back in August told me that while it's "endurance" geometry, it's not exactly relaxed. It would be a nice compromise, and Spec's geometry fits me quite nicely with a shorter stem. It's interesting that you say the SuperSix can be too aggressive. I'd have to see if I could give both a longer test ride.

Edit:
So maybe I lied. It looks like they tweaked the Ruby to be a truly "plush" ride since the Amira was introduced. The top tube's even shorter than that on the Dolce. (In my size, 52.4 cm vs. 53.2.) The numbers for my sizes in each (51 for the CAAD10, 54 for the Ruby) are quite close (reach, seat tube angle, top tube length), so at least fit-wise, either of these is a viable option. The biggest thing is the head tube height. I'd be very interested in comparing how they climb (well, I fail at that, so...) and corner, as well as road feel.