Race Geometry: Am I crazy?

[Miranda]

I'm pretty sure I am going to be getting a new bike. I'm just not sure about which type of geometry I will be most happy with.

And btw, "no" unfortunately the lbs (s) do not carry my small size in stock to try and ride an assortment *sigh*.

There is a beautiful white Cervelo R3 (not in my size in stock at lbs) at the lbs I'm going for a fitting at next week. It's very agressive race geometry.

Well, I'm not sure I really see myself as a die hard racer. Maybe I would try racing, but I wouldn't be seeking the bike out for that reason.

I do have some back issues (degenerative disk disease) and normally the thought is to steer away from agressive geometry for that reason. But, when I tried some upright styles in the past, it just felt wrong. Maybe it's old school of my steele 10 speed as a kid coming back to me.

I know the first question the lbs folks want to know is: "what type of riding do you want to do?". In theory, if I'm not competing in races, why own a race bike one might say.

Well... my lame answer of what do I like (or would like to do) on my bike: 1) go fast, 2) go far.

What I hate about my bike I have now:
1) hindsight 20/20 wsd geometry is wrong for my short legs, and long torso
2) it's 2 frame sizes too big--trying to make the short wsd top tube fit my torso is how I think this sizing mistake happened (& not great lbs)
3) the aluminum frame is so ruff on chip seal (my main riding roads), I dread riding
4) I feel like when I'm hammering my best power efforts into the bike, I'm still getting no where fast... it's like the bike and I are in a fight (pulling a dog behind you on a leash that doesn't want to properly heel--hope that makes sense to some of you).

Oh course I will tell the bike shop fitter all this next week. Just looking for some thoughts from my TE friends.

[tulip]

I will be blunt. You NEED to try some bikes out. No way around it. A good LBS will accommodate you! Even if you have to travel to a nearby city to try them out, please make that trip.

Get a bike that is comfortable and don't worry about the geometry ("aggressive" or whatever). You will be the fastest and strongest rider you can be if your bike fits YOU properly. Bikes that look fast but don't fit are no fun to ride.

[Thorn]

Get a bike that is comfortable and don't worry about the geometry ("aggressive" or whatever). You will be the fastest and strongest rider you can be if your bike fits YOU properly.

Exactly. I'm old and slow and I ride a race geometry. Why? Because I love the feel and I love the idea of my go-fast machine. Yes, the handlebars are closer to level with the saddle than 4 inches below (again, I'm old), but I love the feel of a bike that responds when I kick (the opposite feeling of your #4). It is like being a kid again.

Do I get poked fun of? All the time, but age has taught me to ignore (and chuckle at) the youngin's who are clearly jealous that the old, slow lady has a screaming race machine that she toodles along on.

Try the bikes and get what feels right. But, remember, when you whittle it down to the final one or two, take the bike out for a long ride over varied terrain. What feels good on a 2 mile ride might have kinks on 20.

[derailed]

It's such a large investment that it's worth a bit of travel to a well stocked shop.
Perhaps you can do some digging online, and make an appointment at a shop with a good stock?

I offered to pay for the service woman's time when she helped me try on bikes knowing I would not buy there due to distance.

[alpinerabbit]

3) the aluminum frame is so ruff on chip seal (my main riding roads), I dread riding

Ever thought of something like a suspension seatpost?

I'm just thinking.... I love my aluminium frame. I've had carbon, I wouldn't know if I can tell the difference.

[Miranda]

I will be blunt. You NEED to try some bikes out. No way around it. A good LBS will accommodate you! Even if you have to travel to a nearby city to try them out, please make that trip.

Get a bike that is comfortable and don't worry about the geometry ("aggressive" or whatever). You will be the fastest and strongest rider you can be if your bike fits YOU properly. Bikes that look fast but don't fit are no fun to ride.

Tulip... I know you are right *sigh*.

I've traveled the less than hour radius loop looking without success. Next bigger towns are about a half day drive. I'll just have to geek it out and call ahead.

I'm just frustrated. I've wasted a lot of time prior riding seasons. I just don't want to be spinning my wheels wasting another riding season upcoming. WHICH, I know is your point exactly ultimately on the waste point.

Hopefully if I get a move out NOW, that won't happen this year.

[Miranda]

Exactly. I'm old and slow and I ride a race geometry. Why? Because I love the feel and I love the idea of my go-fast machine. Yes, the handlebars are closer to level with the saddle than 4 inches below (again, I'm old), but I love the feel of a bike that responds when I kick (the opposite feeling of your #4). It is like being a kid again.

Do I get poked fun of? All the time, but age has taught me to ignore (and chuckle at) the youngin's who are clearly jealous that the old, slow lady has a screaming race machine that she toodles along on.

Try the bikes and get what feels right. But, remember, when you whittle it down to the final one or two, take the bike out for a long ride over varied terrain. What feels good on a 2 mile ride might have kinks on 20.

May I just start by saying... I love you.

I had this thought, but didn't type it out... OK, how's it gonna look for the old broad that's probably never taking first place against the youngins' in the group with my fancy bike. I too have graced on that I don't give a rip... they'd just have to be jealous.

And yes, while I do love to ride along at screaming speeds possible... I also like to dismount at my favorite farm house and watch how the baby billy goats are doing. My die hard race friends don't believe in such nonsense lol.

On the "kick" part of the bike, that is my other thought... my body doesn't have the same energy to "waste" on a ride. I want every ounce I put into my bike's movement forward to produce.

EDIT: I guess I should add that in comparison to those of my own age (and some youngins'), I'm pretty fit cardiovascularly and lung capacity wise. On that one, I could hold my own for quite a long time. So, I guess an old broad with some spunk is probably a good way to put it.

[Miranda]

It's such a large investment that it's worth a bit of travel to a well stocked shop.
Perhaps you can do some digging online, and make an appointment at a shop with a good stock?

I offered to pay for the service woman's time when she helped me try on bikes knowing I would not buy there due to distance.

I would be happy to pay someone for help like that. I happy also to pay for a test ride or demo program.

I think the whole dealership issue makes it hard. I asked the fitter (& owner) at the lbs I'm going to if I wanted something that was not a brand he carried, could he get it and build it for me. (Thinking, if the fit goes well, I feel comfy with the shop, I'd try to buy as support).

He said if another dealership has that brand tied up, then "no". Or, some company's will only sell to the shop in quantities. So, then again "no". I understand. But, it makes it hard for me to spend my $ there if they don't end up having what I want or need. It's kinda a frustrating two way situation.

[Miranda]

Ever thought of something like a suspension seatpost?

I'm just thinking.... I love my aluminium frame. I've had carbon, I wouldn't know if I can tell the difference.

That's an interesting point. I'll keep in in mind. That's something I love about this board. Two TE heads work much better than my one alone.

[ilima]

Cervelo also makes the RS, which has a taller top tube. It also has 650 wheels in the smallest size, allowing for excellent geometry. I'm 5' 4.5" and the XS would probably be the size for me. You might take the S, though.

Terry's Fast Woman is steel and has more aggressive geometry and a longer top tube, which might work well for you. You can buy a frame only so you could transfer your gruppo over.

I have a bike (Merlin Atreus) with 'aggressive' race geometry and I love it. I use about 20mm of spacers below my stem, but otherwise haven't mucked it up. I absolutely love its geometry and love riding it. Partly it's the material (Ti), partly the geometry. Responsive but not twitchy steering.

When I ride my Merlin I feel a lot more attached to my bike, versus my cyclocross bike (LeMond Poprad) with its higher bottom bracket, where I feel more like I'm riding on top of the bike.

I hope you have a great fitting!

[Crankin]

I am also old and slow and I have a somewhat esoteric race bike that might have some people making fun of me.
But, I don't care. I am pretty fit for my age and if some think I'm a wanna be, let them. I actually have received more c**p from people my age who have been riding for years that are just too cheap to buy a bike like mine. It's a particular brand of reverse snobbism that is somewhat common here in New England. So while they ride around with their bikes literally taped together, they make fun of me...
The moral is, don't let others decide for you.

[Miranda]

Cervelo also makes the RS, which has a taller top tube...

Terry's Fast Woman is steel and has more aggressive geometry and a longer top tube...

I hope you have a great fitting!

Thx! I didn't realize that about the Terry Fast Woman. I'll geek out the specs and a dealer. I had written it off as a brand since it's wsd in nature.

The fitting shop did have a Cervelo RS on display (again, big size). I geeked out the geometry and I think the stand over would be if-y. I'm 29" inseam so metric that's 736mm. The xs size RS is 732mm. If I do the Lemond 2/3 of your inseam as a starting point, that's about a 48cm bike. I'm 5 4 1/2" (used to be 5'5" until I shrunk). With most of my height being upper body, I could take the longer top tube... and/or stem. Which ever way it works out to fit.

I am kinda excited about the fitting. I hope it gives me some answers I need.

I am also old and slow and I have a somewhat esoteric race bike that might have some people making fun of me...
It's a particular brand of reverse snobbism...

I appreciate your sharing that. I would agree. OK, yes, the price of the bike is high. But, if I weigh that out to what my bike does for me, it's so worth it! Physical health and mental well being--plus just joy. Gheez, if I added up all the unhealthy doctor bills, shrink bills, and anti-depressants... hmm, I think the snob group would have a hard time arguing that. Well... OK, they would still probably argue.

[Cataboo]

I have some chip seal roads around me... and they're absolutely miserable on an aluminum frame, even if I've got a carbon fork & gel padding on the handlebars... it just ends up hurting my wrists and having them go numb, and then not being able to ride for a week while I tried to let them recover. In my experience carbon fiber seat stays and switching to a carbon fiber handlebar does make a huge difference...

So now I tend to avoid the chip sealed roads (which is annoying 'cause it was one of my favorite roads previous to the chip sealing)....

However, I did invest (well, craigslist invest) in a full carbon frame, carbon fiber wheels, and handlebars... I went down the chip seal road yesterday, and all my carbon fiber absorbed the annoyance of the chipseal... It was noisier, but my wrists didn't suffer for it.

The carbon fiber frame I bought off craigslist, is actually an effective 54 cm, but I'm pretty much using it as a more upright ride... It had a 46" seattube, and about a 540 mm top tube... so it's a longer top tube than my other bike, so I guess it stretches me out a bit more... but I'd say my seat is about even with the height of my handlebars.

I also love how stiff/responsive the bike is... I'm in no way a racer...

[emily_in_nc]

Another suggestion for chip-seal (we have a bit of it out this way too) is wider tires. 25c and up are going to absorb more road chatter than the typical 23c. If I were in your position I'd get a full-carbon frame, carbon seatpost, saddle with ti rails, GOOD padded gloves, and run 25c tires.

Good luck and keep us posted!

[Miranda]

I have some chip seal roads around me... and they're absolutely miserable on an aluminum frame...
So now I tend to avoid the chip sealed roads (which is annoying 'cause it was one of my favorite roads previous to the chip sealing)....

However, I did invest (well, craigslist invest) in a full carbon frame
I also love how stiff/responsive the bike is... I'm in no way a racer...

I had my bike traveling once and found a club's route I tried out. Omg, WORST chip and seal... but dead quite no traffic. The scenery was beautiful too. At the end of the route I felt like my teeth had chattered out of my head from the aluminum frame. Sad, because I'd go back to the route otherwise. The end of that ride was the moment I made my mind up that carbon was in my future. Good for you on the carbon find.

Another suggestion for chip-seal (we have a bit of it out this way too) is wider tires. 25c and up are going to absorb more road chatter than the typical 23c. If I were in your position I'd get a full-carbon frame, carbon seatpost, saddle with ti rails, GOOD padded gloves, and run 25c tires.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Thx Emily... On the teeth chattering ride I mentioned above I had some 25s on my bike (just switched to 23s)--good to know it was helping me some. I have a carbon seat post and fork now. I can't wait to test ride something that's all carbon. AND... I know exactly which road (aka story above) I am going to put it to the test on. Plus, it has a killer hill that is the only time I have ever felt like I needed (& used) my triple. We'll see how I do with a compact or standard as well. I guess it's the "do or die" test ride route lol.