Thinking of a road bike, steel? Touring?

[molasses85]

First of all, it is so cool to be among all of you! There's such a wealth of knowledge.

My thread might be a little similar to Jaybee's...sorry if it's long!

Currently I'm riding a Specialized Myka HT. I enjoy riding it on my own and with my family, esp. since I just put Ergon grips.

I'm looking into road bikes (I never ever thought I would do that!!!) since I ride mostly pavement. I've tried out a Specialized Vita, Ruby, a Fuji Finest, Trek FX 7.5 WSD and a Surly LHT that was way too big for me (46 cm). None of them really did anything for me and I esp. didn't like the road feel on the Vita and Trek (both carbon forks).

A couple of days ago I tried a Cannondale Quick CX hybrid (not bad) and a Cannondale Synapse size 44 (alloy w/carbon fork). I was very surprised that I liked the Synapse. I was even ok with the drop bars! Standover was the highest (touching) but overall comfort was pretty good (though the parking lot was pretty smooth). The guy at the store said that the top tube might be a hair short. The other drop bar bikes I tried I felt too stretched out, maybe I'm not used to the positioning.

However, considering my riding needs I wonder if I should look into specifically a steel bike instead of carbon. I have tennis elbow from my music hobby and sometimes carpal tunnel (I'm so glad for those Ergon grips).

I want a solid ride that will be comfortable. Not looking for speed but efficiency. I would like a bike that in the future I can bike to my church 8 miles away (and up a pretty steep hill) and handle the rough pavement. I like the idea of being able to put larger tires to handle the rough stuff but don't know if a bike with say 28s can be good for that.

From my research I'm wondering about touring bikes like a well fitting Surly LHT (except I don't like the bar end shifters) or a regular steel road bike like a Jamis Coda or Bianchi Eros Donna that I'm looking into. I've been talking to a shop that may try to get a Jamis Coda Comp for me to try.

I would really appreciate any help!!!

[murielalex]

I don't have much experience with other, but I can say that I'm love my steel bike.

[indysteel]

I have a Bianchi Eros Donna that I love. You might add the Jamis Aurora to your short list, too. Ultimately, fit will have a lot to do with comfort. It's not just a question of frame material, although I do love steel myself. Try as many bikes as you can and give them a solid test ride.

[Hartmame]

I just went through this. I used to ride off road and my Kona Kula 14" was perfect but then I started riding on the road with slick tires, and I could really feel every bump with my Kula. I wanted to find a bike for the right purpose. I went with steel. My LHT fits me very well and is a much better ride. I'm sure you can find a steel bike with STI shifters that will work for you. Good Luck with your search!

[Chicken Little]

There is plenty of steel out there with STI's. Fit, as mentioned, and steel result in the perfect ride. (IMO) Good luck, and have some fun with it.

[BodhiTree]

It is possible to purchase shifters you prefer separately. Then have the bar-end shifters switched for the ones you like better.

[tiva]

I have the Cannondale synapse (feminine 5), which was my first road bike. I love it. I've had it for exactly two years, and the relatively-upright geometry works well for my body and my joint issues. It's actually a lot more comfortable for my elbows than my hybrid bike, oddly enough because my hybrid lets me right much more upright.

I've never tried a steel frame, so I can't compare it.

[tiva]

The other drop bar bikes I tried I felt too stretched out, maybe I'm not used to the positioning.

This has been a huge benefit for me with the Cannondale Synapse as well--it really relieves pressure on the elbow joints, for me anyway. Of all the road bikes I tried, the Synapse felt the best, and 2 years later, I'm still happy with it. Still searching for the perfect seat, however!

[snyderd25]

I have elbow issues too... I know carbon absorbs some shock. I steel better?

[OakLeaf]

In very broad terms, steel can absorb more shock than carbon, but it's also less tuneable, so that it can wind up flexing where you don't want it to.

That's an incredibly broad statement and sure to be inaccurate for particular frames. Each material has a range and there's a lot of overlap. Very much of compliance (shock absorption, flexiness, power transfer, liveliness) depends on the frame construction - specific materials, the way they're put together, and geometry.

Very much of issues that are specific to you will depend on fit, too, and I'm still going to say that that's the #1 consideration. The most compliant frame in the world is still capable of transmitting shock in the wrong direction to a rider who doesn't fit on it. Your body has a great ability to absorb shock in the direction the joints naturally work. It's when fit is off and forces get transmitted across joints instead of through them where the muscles can do their job, that we wind up with problems.

[Sky King]

It is possible to purchase shifters you prefer separately. Then have the bar-end shifters switched for the ones you like better.

yes, as long as you stay with drop bars, shimano only comes in 9 and 10 speeds. sunrace makes an 8 speed and we have been very happy with the quality.

[Sky King]

I have elbow issues too... I know carbon absorbs some shock. I steel better?

Remember a wider tire is going to assist with absorbing road vibration. Consider going with at least a 28 if you are riding a 700C tire.

Also if elbow problems are severe don't rule out a slightly more upright riding position with an albatross or a moustache bar. One of my riding partners has rods in her back and rides a LHT with Albatross bars, she zips along a nice pace, even sitting more upright. Another riding partner is missing a finger and the moustache bars give her a better hand position that doesn't put pressure on her knuckle.

[molasses85]

Wow! Thanks for all the input and shopping well wishes! There's so much to think about!

Sorry if my responses don't include quotes, being a newbie I might mess it up!

tiva, glad you like your Synapse. I know I need to try it again on a little more rough pavement because it might not take a 28 tire as Sky King mentioned. To add, the nice part is with that one I didn't feel any pressure on the nose of the saddle like the others.

Oakleaf, I love your description of how a good fit and joints work the right way. Thankfully my elbow isn't too severe, it will take time though.

I talked with an owner of a local LBS who happens to know someone in the family. He had some concerns on the reach of the LHT with drop bars (flat bars better). He is short and has custom bikes so he understands my size issues (I'm 5'0"). He also was concerned with what I want and the gearing with the 26" wheels (I don't remember exactly, I'll clarify with him).

We talked about the Giant Dash, which has a carbon seatpost and fork which may help with vibrations. It has a high standover but I do the tilt thing at a stop. We had me check out a similarly sized bike and flatfooted was a no go but with the tilt it worked. The Dash comes with 25c tires but was not in stock to try out.

Being still new I'm not crazy about spending the money and building something like a LHT without knowing how it would feel, yet with my size issues it's hard to find one in stock!

It's so nice to see how you and your friends make things work, I know I'll get there, especially with all this help!

[Hi Ho Silver]

The original poster said:
"However, considering my riding needs I wonder if I should look into specifically a steel bike instead of carbon. I have tennis elbow from my music hobby and sometimes carpal tunnel (I'm so glad for those Ergon grips)."

I know that a lot of people are going to recommend steel bikes - the "steel is real" belief is alive and well. But my personal experience differs.

I have a CrMo steel road bike with a steel fork. It is roughly equivalent to Surly bikes in quality. The bike has 23mm wide tires on it. I determined my personal "optimal" tire pressures by slowly increasing the psi in each tire until the vibration and jolts were definitely uncomfortable. I found that the highest pressures I can use are 72psi (front) & 96 psi (rear). Even at these lowish pressures, the bike is sometimes uncomfortable on really rough roads.

I also have a Specialized Ruby** carbon fiber bike that has a carbon fiber fork. It too has 23mm wide tires. I can easily and comfortably ride with 95 psi (front) & 115 psi (rear) on any road. Actually, I could increase the pressures even more, but I see no point in pushing it to the edge.

So based on my experience, the Ruby's carbon fiber frame and fork absorb so much more vibration and shock versus the steel bike that I can increase the tire inflation by 20% to 30% to achieve much lower rolling resistance and, at the same time, I enjoy a much smoother ride. Poorly designed carbon fiber frames and forks may not be able to achieve this level of comfort. But those bikes marketed as "road endurance" bikes probably should be as comfy (or nearly as comfy) as my Ruby.

(Note: ** The frame and fork both have "Zertz" inserts.)

[Trek420]

I talked with an owner of a local LBS who happens to know someone in the family. He had some concerns on the reach of the LHT with drop bars (flat bars better). He is short and has custom bikes so he understands my size issues (I'm 5'0"). He also was concerned with what I want and the gearing with the 26" wheels (I don't remember exactly, I'll clarify with him).

I'm 4'11. My custom steel road bike's a 47 cm. I test rode the LHT in a 42 cm. Standover height was great! Read the ride report here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ighlight=surly