Recommendations for a small touring bike

[Crankin]

OK, well, I am not so technical, but from my ignorant standpoint, both the seat tube and head tube on the Guru are taller than on my carbon bike, which is because on the carbon bike, they were essentially making the bike fit me, if that makes sense. I have hardly any stem showing on the carbon bike, and on the Guru, it looks, well, normal. I have my bars exactly even with my saddle on my carbon bike. They are a little above the saddle on the Guru, which I need to change. When I had the fitting (very extensive, on the Guru fitting system), he started out with it very upright; I kept saying "no, lower," until it felt OK. Then, after the bike arrived, I still had him change the position, based on being on the trainer. I think the fact that I said this bike is going to be used for long, hilly rides on tours/trips and my age made him want to put me more upright, but we compromised.
One of my issues is that while my Kuota may not be exactly right for me, I am used to it. I have a lot of issues with changing to anything new and I am not particularly adept at handling these changes, despite years of riding. In fact, what really made me want a custom bike with couplers was my experience with my rented Orbea in Spain, on a tour. It was a 48 cm unisex frame, with a triple, just like my Kuota, but the bars were too wide and it didn't have the short reach brifters. I could barely ride the thing and it caused quite a lot of anxiety the first 2 days. On previous tours, I either had my own bike or a Trek Madone exactly like the one I had.
My first 10-15 or so rides on the Guru were hell, starting with just starting off to get on the saddle. I definitely have to push myself up higher to get on the saddle (realized that after the first ride when I alost impaled myself by catching my shorts and bum on the saddle), as the bike just feels "higher up" and bigger, even though it fits perfectly. It is the different geometry that felt weird to me, if this makes sense, and I don't do well with differences. I found myself shaking and often feeling like I was having difficulty keeping a straight line in the beginning of rides. But, one day it just "clicked," and as long I remember that I have to think about getting on the saddle and pushing off, I absolutely love the feel of this bike. If you put my 2 bikes next to each other, the Kuota looks little compared the Guru, but both fit me.

[Kathi]

I'm not that technical either so when someone talks "relaxed" vs "aggressive" geometry I'm not sure what it means. I suppose the wheelbase determines some of that too. I remember reading about sta having to do with it but your body is what it is and I don't see that changing much. I suppose larger riders have more options than smaller riders.

When I got my custom frame I had an ahhhhh feeling, my body just settled right in. I had been on poor fitting bikes for so long I really had no idea what a good fit was all about. At first I thought I was too stretched out but the handling was so much better and the ride was so smooth. The fit was so perfect I changed nothing for several years. Due to back and hip pain I changed to the Specialized Ruby saddle and got rid of my orthotics which meant smaller shoes and an adjustment on the saddle, but nothing has been changed with handlebar height, etc.

I recently took my Aegis CF to my fitter to have the fit adjusted and he told me the cockpit was too small for me. I only use this bike on the trainer, haven't ridden it outside since I've had my Serotta so my fitter thinks I should sell it.

I don't remember much about my fitting but my fitter used the Serotta size cycle. He started with the setup of my Aegis and then made adjustments until I felt right. When I saw him last month he told me I had the perfect riding position on the bike and he wished all his riders sat as well as I do.

I don't consider the geometry on my bike relaxed or aggressive. Probably neutral or "me" geometry which is why I asked.

[Crankin]

After all of my experiences with bikes, I have come to the conclusion that I will never have that "aha" moment. I have never felt "at one" with any bike, but I suspect that part of it is my own issues of balance and coordination. My fitting was very similar to what you describe, except on the Guru simulator. We were close to going with Serotta, since they are local, but our shop started working with Guru, so we did that. My DS has a steel Serotta, from 2001, that was originally my other son's racing bike. It is a beautiful bike and he often gets compliments on it.
Yes, the difference between my 2 bikes is the longer wheelbase on the Guru. I am sure that I might be told that the cockpit on my Kuota is too small, but I love that feeling!

[Kathi]

Does your shop still sell Serotta's? I hear that due to Serotta's restructuring there are only 30 shops in the country that now carry them. My fitter is the head Serotta trainer for the Serotta SICI fit school. My fitter in Cincy is also an SICI fit trainer.

BTW, I just got a nasty chip on the TT. Six years and no scratches. I'm devasted but trying not to think about it.

You can also see why I insisted on 650c wheels. The frame is an Ottrott (carbon/ti) and for what I paid for it I didn't want any compromises.

[Crankin]

It wasn't the shop that I bought both of my bikes from that we were going to use for the Serottas. It's a shop in a neighboring town that sells Serottas and a weird mix of townie and commuter bikes. It was started by former Serotta employees, I think. Our son's Serotta came from one of the largest shops in the area, but I don't think they sell them anymore. His was not custom, though.
Funny, I don't get upset about scratches on my bikes. My Kuota has a few from crashes or getting shoved into the back of my last car. They aren't highly visible, but I just figure it's wear and tear.
However, I did just buy a station wagon so the Guru fits nicely in the back.

[eofelis]

I'm 5'2" and I ride a 42cm LHT. It's not light (mine is 29lbs with XT components) and fast, but it's comfortable and bombproof and will carry anything that you can strap onto it.


Here is mine on a 2008 tour, outside of Silverton, Colorado.

[mandymoo]

Hi, I am 1.52m and also have a 42" LHT and LOVE it! My only suggestion would be to try and get it fitted for you - I didn't have a clue about how the bike should be set up and had a fitting done which made a big difference.



Here is a photo of my bike on our first day of our trip

moo