To go Custom or not...do today's mass-produced OTS bikes allow good enough geometry?

[Kathi]

I looked up your shop. Your fitting was done by SICI (Serotta) trained fitters. That doesn't mean that your fit is geared towards any particular brand of bike, it helps the fitter determine the best geometry for you. Many fitters are SICI trained but sell brands other than Serotta. A 2-3 hr fitting is not unusual, anything less is considered a sizing, not a fitting. I'm sure you paid a good price for the fitting.

I'm not a good one to speak to electronic shifters but I'm in agreement with the others. Learn how to shift on hills first. I think once you get a road bike and get a feel for the shifting you'll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is.

Be aware that if a stock bike has to be fitted with adjustments such as a shorter and higher rise stem or lots of spacers to raise the handlebars, saddle all the way foward, etc. the bike doesn't fit. Such adjustments will affect the handling.

One other thought, when I moved to Colorado from the midwest I wasn't used to the longer downhills and mtn passes we have here. They scared me as I wasn't sure how to handle them. I learned to ride in my drops but my stock frame, with adjustments to improve fit, was twitchy and unpredictable. In comparasion, my custom frame is so stable on downhills that I no longer feel intimidated, even on long mtn passes with switchbacks. I attribute that to the fit but also to the custom built wheels that aren't so stiff that I get bounced all over the place.

[TigerMom]

I forgot to mention that I have a friend who bikes at least 200miles per week and has been biking for over 10 years. He LOVES his electronic shifters.

However, he did have to have his girlfriend pick him up by car when he forgot to charge up his electronic shifter battery because the bike was stuck in only one gear when the battery ran out. Something to think about in regards to electronic shifters.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[SFLiz]

I've read each and every response several times. I'm floored over the excellent advice you have all offered me and I've really taken it all to heart.

I understand the reasoning behind many of the opinions that I'm not at the stage to be riding an expensive bike because I don't know what I don't know yet. I do know that, in the past three years I've been riding a MTB, FlatBar and folding bike, I love going on rides averaging in the 40-50 mile range on a weekend day. I really have taken to cycling and don't foresee losing interest. I tend to keep with a hobby sport. I've been a semi-serious runner since I was 15yo until about 5 years ago when I decided I had to break from the activity due to my knees. I took up golfing ten years ago as a break from the monotony of grad school and it stuck. I still enjoy getting out and playing. In fact, my adoption of that sport parallels my current situation. When I first started learning golf, I had to get a set of clubs. I've always been someone who only buys something after somewhat intense consideration of options and then staying with what I have. (Cars especially.) At the time I picked up golf, I thought about buying a cheap starter type set like AMF to get me going. Without boring you with the details, I decided to buy some nice Callaway VFTs of which at the time I was unworthy at my level (complete beginner). I'll spare you from my decision-making justifications. Point is, I still play with these clubs; have never considered upgrading. Still love the feel of my clubs because neither time nor technology has changed the fact that they are quality clubs. Yeah, I've changed my swing slightly as I've developed as a golfer, but the clubs are forgiving enough that I'm happy with them 10 years later.

Another example is piano. I learned to play starting at around age 11 or so. To this day, I play the same piano my mom could afford when I was a kid (it's not a great piano) but it's still pretty good and good enough that I wouldn't upgrade --- hey, I'm never becoming a concert pianist and I'm fine with that realization. It's all about enjoying your hobbies.

However, from everyone's advice on this forum, my understanding is that with cycling, it might not be the case that quality equals good choice because we change a lot more as cyclists than as golfers let's say. Unless there is someone on this forum who is also a long-time golfer (if so, perhaps she can speak to an analogous evolution in terms of athlete and equipment), I don't think I can apply my general philosophy - that of trying to buy the best my budget allows at the start and then growing into the quality of the equipment as the caliber of my skills improve - to cycling. This is very good to know. Cycling does seem quite unique in this respect. For most other hobbies in my life to which I can apply my experience, I've had positive reinforcement in obtaining the highest quality I could get at the start so that I could grow into it. Not so, maybe, for cycling as we evolve as cyclists.

This is a valuable understanding to arrive at through everyone's comments and advice. Thanks again to everyone who took their precious time out of their days to read, consider and offer thoughtful advice to this newbie. Perhaps someday I'll see one of you out there on the road (mostly likely the back of your head) -

Thanks again.

[SFLiz]

However, he did have to have his girlfriend pick him up by car when he forgot to charge up his electronic shifter battery because the bike was stuck in only one gear when the battery ran out. Something to think about in regards to electronic shifters.

Hilarious, TigerMom - I know because when we rented our Madones, my husband's battery ran out (damn bike shop didn't check before renting to us), and he was spinning like a rat on a wheel. I was laughing hee hee but only because it wasn't me... we had to call to get help.

[indysteel]

I'm not a golfer, so I can't help there, but it's an interesting analogy.

I think some of the push-back you've gotten on going high-end and/or custom from the start is an attitude among many of us that top-of-the-line doesn't necessary translate to a substantially better experience on the road. It's not a question of growing into a $5k bike, but whether the $5k bike is measurably better than, say, a $3k bike. For some, it is. For many though, the distinction, if not totally lost, is not appreciated enough to make up for the price difference.

But as Tulip said upthread, there's no one right answer. There's no one right/perfect bike for all of us. Assuming you're not bankrupting yourself to buy the bike you want, then there's really no shame in buying the bike you want. But then we circle back to how to even articulate your wants and needs when you don't have a ton of experience. For me, that's the real rub. Not whether you should buy a bike you can grow into, but whether you know which bike you really want to grow into. There are so many variables. You might choose wisely or with regret. Of course, experience doesn't necessarily shield you from regret, but it often help.

[tulip]

SFLiz, you don't have to justify anything here, let's just get that clear. If you want a $5k+ bike, then go for it. It doesn't affect us one way or the other. Enjoy your bike, whatever it turns out to be. Do learn to change your tubes and do basic maintenance and repairs, though. And if you get the electronic stuff, remember to charge it up. Any chance they come with solar or friction chargers so that they could be charged while you're riding the bike? That would be very cool indeed.

[Catrin]

You may also find, as many of us have, that as we ride longer we find ourselves buying different types of bikes for different types of riding as our interests and experiences change. The important thing is to ride!

[Owlie]

I've read each and every response several times. I'm floored over the excellent advice you have all offered me and I've really taken it all to heart.

I understand the reasoning behind many of the opinions that I'm not at the stage to be riding an expensive bike because I don't know what I don't know yet. I do know that, in the past three years I've been riding a MTB, FlatBar and folding bike, I love going on rides averaging in the 40-50 mile range on a weekend day. I really have taken to cycling and don't foresee losing interest. I tend to keep with a hobby sport. I've been a semi-serious runner since I was 15yo until about 5 years ago when I decided I had to break from the activity due to my knees. I took up golfing ten years ago as a break from the monotony of grad school and it stuck. I still enjoy getting out and playing. In fact, my adoption of that sport parallels my current situation. When I first started learning golf, I had to get a set of clubs. I've always been someone who only buys something after somewhat intense consideration of options and then staying with what I have. (Cars especially.) At the time I picked up golf, I thought about buying a cheap starter type set like AMF to get me going. Without boring you with the details, I decided to buy some nice Callaway VFTs of which at the time I was unworthy at my level (complete beginner). I'll spare you from my decision-making justifications. Point is, I still play with these clubs; have never considered upgrading. Still love the feel of my clubs because neither time nor technology has changed the fact that they are quality clubs. Yeah, I've changed my swing slightly as I've developed as a golfer, but the clubs are forgiving enough that I'm happy with them 10 years later.

Another example is piano. I learned to play starting at around age 11 or so. To this day, I play the same piano my mom could afford when I was a kid (it's not a great piano) but it's still pretty good and good enough that I wouldn't upgrade --- hey, I'm never becoming a concert pianist and I'm fine with that realization. It's all about enjoying your hobbies.

However, from everyone's advice on this forum, my understanding is that with cycling, it might not be the case that quality equals good choice because we change a lot more as cyclists than as golfers let's say. Unless there is someone on this forum who is also a long-time golfer (if so, perhaps she can speak to an analogous evolution in terms of athlete and equipment), I don't think I can apply my general philosophy - that of trying to buy the best my budget allows at the start and then growing into the quality of the equipment as the caliber of my skills improve - to cycling. This is very good to know. Cycling does seem quite unique in this respect. For most other hobbies in my life to which I can apply my experience, I've had positive reinforcement in obtaining the highest quality I could get at the start so that I could grow into it. Not so, maybe, for cycling as we evolve as cyclists.

This is a valuable understanding to arrive at through everyone's comments and advice. Thanks again to everyone who took their precious time out of their days to read, consider and offer thoughtful advice to this newbie. Perhaps someday I'll see one of you out there on the road (mostly likely the back of your head) -

Thanks again.

You should absolutely buy the best bike you can afford that meets your needs. However, in my humble opinion, buying an off-the-rack bike is much better for your budget than going custom unless 1) you have fit issues that cannot be solved with standard (or advanced) after-market fit adjustments, or it would VERY costly to do so and/or 2) can't find what you need off-the-rack (that fits). This is for a few reasons that everyone has covered: you don't know what you don't know, and you change as a cyclist--your riding style changes, your goals change, etc. (I started out thinking that I would never want a go-fast bike. And now I'm looking at aggressive carbon frames.) In addition, the manufacturer gets a far better deal on components than you ever will. You can upgrade parts as you go, provided you get the fit right from the start.

I do understand the desire for a bike that isn't like everyone else's, but it is much harder to get away from if for some reason it doesn't work out. It's much easier to sell a mass-produced bike.
Unless you're racing or have specific fit issues, I'm not sure that the extra money that custom requires is necessary, and the same goes for electronic shifting. If that's what you want and can afford, by all means, get it and post pictures when it arrives. But I strongly recommend that you test-ride several stock bikes.

(Confession: I absolutely do have fantasies of a custom steel cyclocross/light touring bike in British racing green. Maybe one day. )

[pll]

I would not go custom in a first road bike. Relative to a mountain bike, hybrid or flat bar road bike, the position is more aggressive. So, what you say feels stretched out might be simply the new position. The fitter who took your measurements for a custom bike should be able to recommend a few bikes to try (that is how I decided on mine). My vote would be for experience buying and riding a road bike with reasonable components and then splurge. You will know better what you need.

[Miranda]

I've tried SRAM before and thought it was rough compared to Shimano. So I'm a Shimano girl forever. Just love it. Know how it works. Performs well. However, I would not get the electronic shifting. I haven't tried it. But it just seems things that are electronic in general have glitches that randomly go wrong without reason. The old school is simplier to figure out the obvious. And I like simple.

I had an ill fitting sickening waste of money first road bike. That was stock. But sold to me two frame sizes too large from the LBS. Thus, I really took my time getting my next bike. It's stock. But not a stock size that is common. My lbs told me that my size is about 1 in 1000 customers that walk thru their doors. I had to drive 5hrs round trip to get her. And actually ordered her sight unseen from out of the country. But still a stock brand bike.

The key is finding a good fitter that will give you your ideal geometry to start your search. It will not matter how nice the components, paint job is, etc. if the bikes fit sucks. Out of upgrades I can say that wheels, and the type do make a difference I notice. But that's easy enough to do later. And extra wheels are always a nice thing to have.

Now girlfriend, about that pantry upgrade addtion thing... you should really get that if you want it... most people eat a lot more than they have time to ride their bikes... the bike upgrade dream is always there and waiting.

GOOD LUCK!

[Becky]

You may also find, as many of us have, that as we ride longer we find ourselves buying different types of bikes for different types of riding as our interests and experiences change. The important thing is to ride!

This, for me, sums it up. Both my riding style and my bike fit have changed as I've become more proficient and as I've discovered new types of riding.

[Catrin]

This, for me, sums it up. Both my riding style and my bike fit have changed as I've become more proficient and as I've discovered new types of riding.

Yes, this. The bikes I ride now are quite different from my first bike - I am very glad I didn't go for custom or even very expensive to start with - thought that first bike wasn't cheap. Eventually I did go with custom because of both my size and certain fit related issues, but it would have been a mistake for me to have done that right off the bat.

[Crankin]

I never thought I'd be coveting an around town mixte with a basket.
Of course, this has to wait until I live in a part of town that's flat.
I wonder if there's a townhouse that will have room for 6 bikes?

[SFLiz]

Now girlfriend, about that pantry upgrade addtion thing... you should really get that if you want it... most people eat a lot more than they have time to ride their bikes... the bike upgrade dream is always there and waiting.

GOOD LUCK!

Thanks to all your wise advice, I made the jump and bought a 2013 Ruby Comp Compact yesterday. I test rode it for 20 miles yesterday. Rode very nicely; no digital shifting needed, just as you all advised. I feel like I owe all of you who responded a great big hug of gratitude for talking me off the ledge. After all your responses, I went back to the custom bike shop prepared to let the owner know I was leaning strongly toward off-the-rack; however, they had prepped two shop Seven bikes to fit us very closely (we got our fittings done here so they knew exactly what we needed for geometry) and told us to go out and take however long a ride we wanted. DH's was a pure ti bike and mine was a ti-carbon composite with digital shifters. We took them on a decent ride along the great hwy and up and down some healthy hills, through the Presidio, Golden Gate park and back into the heart of the city. We fell in love with these bikes - they were luxurious rides. There is no doubt about their quality. The rides felt phenomenal. Returning to the shop and after talking to the owner, we (my husband more so than I) again leaned toward custom but somehow now we were looking at each buying an $8k bike. It was getting way too crazy. Yeah, you read right -- we were thinking about plunking down $16k.

Fortunately, I shook myself out of our trances, and returned to this forum and reread the responses, gave serious thought to what we were contemplating and decided to get my and my dh's butts back to the lbs to try and ride a bike many of you would approve as a more-than-sufficient starter road bike. Test riding the Ruby Comp Compact was mind-clearing. I decided mid-ride that this was my first road bike. My dh test rode the Roubaix along with me. We took some decent climbs and descents and both almost simultaneously recognized that these bikes were great for our purposes. He ended up buying a 2013 Roubaix Expert as well. For less than the price of one custom, we got two very good OTR bikes to enjoy together and with which to grow as cyclists.

AND BEST OF ALL, I GET MY KITCHEN PANTRY + SMALL REMODEL! I'm so thrilled. Miranda --- you are ABSOLUTELY RIGHT when you said I use my kitchen way more!!! I am thrilled about getting my pantry and upgrading my cabinetry. The small remodel job costs the same as one custom bike so in effect, we got two bikes that meet our needs nicely AND my kitchen remodel. I am so happy!!! Thanks, Ladies. You are wonderful. Collectively you make this forum an awesome resource. I actually cannot tell you which one I'm more excited about - picking up our new bikes this weekend or having my kitchen improved! Oh, and this includes a small wine cooler.... <happy happy dance>

[emily_in_nc]

Wonderful, awesome news! You are a smart and thoughtful woman, and it sounds like you did exactly the right thing. Enjoy your new bike AND your renovated kitchen. The best of both worlds!