Comfortable road bike
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Comfortable road bike
I’m 63 and ride about 50 miles a week, flat terrain, on roads. Looking for a comfortable road bike . I have a Kestrel Talon Is steel better than carbon? Prefer disk to rim brakes. Recommendations?
#2
Cycleway town
Comfortable.
Road bike.
Choose one.
being only slightly more helpful, have you considered using fatter tyres? Can make a lot of difference. Especially if you compliment them with improved replacements of other things you're not happy with (seat, etc).
Road bike.
Choose one.
being only slightly more helpful, have you considered using fatter tyres? Can make a lot of difference. Especially if you compliment them with improved replacements of other things you're not happy with (seat, etc).
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I agree on fatter tires or using just a bit less air pressure will make a world of difference. For myself, I constantly re-evaluate my position on the bike which varies with how many miles I'm putting in. For example, we can ride most winter days here in Rhode Island but mileage is less than during summer months. As weather warms and miles ramp up, I seem to like being stretched out a bit more and so switch to a longer stem on the handle bar.
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I had a Specialized Roubaix with non disc brakes. The geometry is pretty relaxed. Did a couple of Seattle to Portland bike rides with it. They are available with disc brakes. Put on some 28 tires and the bike will be forgiving.
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There are so many variations on road bikes these days.
Shop for a bike shop first. Find one that has a staff that makes you feel comfortable rather than intimidated. Once you find the right shop, pick a brand that they carry in a style and price point that you're comfortable with and you'll never go wrong.
Shop for a bike shop first. Find one that has a staff that makes you feel comfortable rather than intimidated. Once you find the right shop, pick a brand that they carry in a style and price point that you're comfortable with and you'll never go wrong.
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My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
#7
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Agree, with above, 1st pick the bike shop, for the service..
a bike you ride on the road with more comfortable non drop bars ,
is commonly called a Hybrid.. stateside..
a bike you have your bike shop change things ,
replacing the parts that reduce the comfort,
in favor of being bent over low, to go faster, race style..
reducing air resistance, of a upright posture, can be sorted out in the shop.
with those you choose for your personal needs..
[Irrespective of the brands they carry, as bikes use many interchangeable parts].
...
a bike you ride on the road with more comfortable non drop bars ,
is commonly called a Hybrid.. stateside..
a bike you have your bike shop change things ,
replacing the parts that reduce the comfort,
in favor of being bent over low, to go faster, race style..
reducing air resistance, of a upright posture, can be sorted out in the shop.
with those you choose for your personal needs..
[Irrespective of the brands they carry, as bikes use many interchangeable parts].
...
Last edited by fietsbob; 10-07-18 at 10:19 AM.
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I'm not sure what you take to be comfortable - though it is often equated with a more upright geometry and clearance for wider tires. If you look for labels such as 'endurance road', you will often find that along with disc brakes. A good example of such a bike is the Trek Domane (though other manufacturers make similar bikes).
Some of the bicycles marketed as adventure/gravel bikes are also in this category, and can easily be made more road-ish by putting on slick tires.
I personally prefer carbon to steel, though honestly, a comfortable bike can be made out of carbon, aluminum, steel or titanium. In part, it just depends on how much you are willing to spend and your comfort level with different materials (people on this forum all have their own opinions).
Some of the bicycles marketed as adventure/gravel bikes are also in this category, and can easily be made more road-ish by putting on slick tires.
I personally prefer carbon to steel, though honestly, a comfortable bike can be made out of carbon, aluminum, steel or titanium. In part, it just depends on how much you are willing to spend and your comfort level with different materials (people on this forum all have their own opinions).
#9
Banned
Many Brands use a very few Huge OEM factories , shipping out of Taipei harbor..
So... # 1 Pick a Bike shop .. then try bikes there..
Read all the questions asking about; scratches in carbon or are they cracks, already asked..yet?
Many bike companies design using best properties of Aluminum for most of the range,
check them out @ LBS.
...
#11
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I am 66 and ride 4000 to 6000 miles a year. I have a carbon fiber Orbea Avant, aluminum Schwinn SS DBX, Titanium Airborne Zeppelin and a steel Ochsner that I purchased new in 1992. I ride all of them and like different things about all of them. I find the Orbea is a really good all around bike. My Schwinn is set up for commuting/light touring with racks, adjustable stem and 32mm tires. The Airborne is light, fast and comfortable. I ride it the most. My old steel Ochsner is in the process of being hybridized. I have been riding it much more and every time I am reminded of what a great material steel is for a bike frame. I think if you are willing to change components and try different set ups, you can have a bike that fits your comfort zone and your riding style. I have made some changes to all of my bikes and they all fit me and my riding style very well.
#12
Chuggin' Along
I have a Roubaix with the "Future Shock" front fork and the Zertz in the seat post, plus 28mm tires. It is a huge difference over my previous Roubaix without the future shock. There is one particular bridge that I cross every time I go out riding, and it has a textured concrete surface. Wth my old bike I would really feel a lot of vibration, but with the new Roubaix, I'd say it is at least 80 percent smoother. The downside is that it feels a little "bouncy" at the handlebars at times, but for this 65 year-old, It's worth it.
The future shock bikes come with three different weights of springs, and I am using the heaviest which is the black one.
The future shock bikes come with three different weights of springs, and I am using the heaviest which is the black one.
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Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
Note to self:
If a road has the word "Hill" included in it's name, it might not be a good idea to try it.
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Generally ride comfort is...
Carbon (better than) Steel (better than) Aluminum
Some people have different opinions...but in addition to that different design and manufacturing has made the differences close to impossible to tell just from the material. They even make smooth riding aluminum frames now, to my surprise as I'm rather sensitive to road buzz through the frame. The most comfortable frame I've ridden was definitely full carbon fiber, but I've also ridden other old racey carbon fiber frames that had a really buzzfilled ride that I didn't like.
The only way to really know is to take them for a ride yourself.
Carbon (better than) Steel (better than) Aluminum
Some people have different opinions...but in addition to that different design and manufacturing has made the differences close to impossible to tell just from the material. They even make smooth riding aluminum frames now, to my surprise as I'm rather sensitive to road buzz through the frame. The most comfortable frame I've ridden was definitely full carbon fiber, but I've also ridden other old racey carbon fiber frames that had a really buzzfilled ride that I didn't like.
The only way to really know is to take them for a ride yourself.
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This one’s about as troll-y as they come. What 63 year old is riding a Talon and is asking click-bait questions like “is steel better than carbon?” And “prefer disc to rim brakes, recommendations?”
What, he doesn’t want to know what’s the best chain lube? Slacker!
-Kedosto
What, he doesn’t want to know what’s the best chain lube? Slacker!
-Kedosto
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I'm in agreement with the fatter tires deal. I don't notice that much of a difference between 23 & 25 but 28's are noticeable to me.
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Comfortable road bike
I was thinking about replying to this thread, beginning with that same sentiment as @Lazyass, though it’s only been two days since the OP posted.
It seems there are two interpretations of comfort. The first is the position of the rider's body on the bike. I’m personally interested in that because:
It seems that a second set of suggestions are directed towards a different comfort problem, namely the contact of the rider’s bottom to the road surface via the tires, frame and seat. Other than a temporary saddle sore years ago on a cross-country ride, that has not been a problem for me, as it seems a complaint of seemingly all new riders.
IMO while many solutions are proposed, ultimately it requires miles ridden. I think about that when (in previous years) I put in time-consuming, long-distance rides to “pound the perineum.”
I’m 63 and ride about 50 miles a week, flat terrain, on roads. Looking for a comfortable road bike . I have a Kestrel Talon Is steel better than carbon? Prefer disk to rim brakes. Recommendations?
Comfortable.
Road bike.
Choose one.
being only slightly more helpful, have you considered using fatter tyres? Can make a lot of difference. Especially if you compliment them with improved replacements of other things you're not happy with (seat, etc).
Road bike.
Choose one.
being only slightly more helpful, have you considered using fatter tyres? Can make a lot of difference. Especially if you compliment them with improved replacements of other things you're not happy with (seat, etc).
Comfortable in what way?
I agree on fatter tires or using just a bit less air pressure will make a world of difference.
For myself, I constantly re-evaluate my position on the bike which varies with how many miles I'm putting in.
For myself, I constantly re-evaluate my position on the bike which varies with how many miles I'm putting in.
...For the past few years I have been entirely satisfied with my carbon fiber road bike, aluminum road bike as a beater…This year however has been a bust because this winter I developed a weakness in my neck muscles supporting my head upright (perhaps due to a two month unavoidable layoff) on my previously well-fitted bikes.
I had a subsequent fitting on both, with some handlebar adjustments. I recently got an exercise consultation for neck, shoulder and core muscles, and was given an exercise routine, that takes a big chunk of 50 minutes to perform. Exercise may fix it, but that’s a long-term solution.
All these remedies have barely allow me to ride my minimum 14 mile one-way commute with slight discomfort near the end. By this time of the year I'm doing weekly 50-60 mile rides easily, and even training for a Century. Just yesterday, I rented a hybrid style bike with flat handlebars, and was comfortable on the commute, even with a moderately heavy backpack…
So now I’m giving in to the idea of a flat bar bike.
I had a subsequent fitting on both, with some handlebar adjustments. I recently got an exercise consultation for neck, shoulder and core muscles, and was given an exercise routine, that takes a big chunk of 50 minutes to perform. Exercise may fix it, but that’s a long-term solution.
All these remedies have barely allow me to ride my minimum 14 mile one-way commute with slight discomfort near the end. By this time of the year I'm doing weekly 50-60 mile rides easily, and even training for a Century. Just yesterday, I rented a hybrid style bike with flat handlebars, and was comfortable on the commute, even with a moderately heavy backpack…
So now I’m giving in to the idea of a flat bar bike.
IMO while many solutions are proposed, ultimately it requires miles ridden. I think about that when (in previous years) I put in time-consuming, long-distance rides to “pound the perineum.”
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 10-08-18 at 03:32 PM.
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I agree with the larger, more supple tire suggestions. I’m loving my 38mm Compass Barlow Pass ELs. Also, if you are experiencing neck, shoulder or hand pain after rides, I would look for a frame that enables you to set the handlebars higher than the saddle. Rivendell’s are great for this but don’t do disc brakes. I believe some of the newer adventure and gravel grinder bikes have this ability. Maybe Black Mountain Cycles? I even had a 2005 Bianchi Veloce that was designed with higher handlebars in mind. They’re out there.
john
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Find a nice mid 80s steel touring bike. Long chain stays, more upright position, and room for big tires. If you’re lucky you can get one for very cheap. I paid $65 for mine on craigslist and have eyeing another one locally for $75.
#21
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I didn't know which of those two the OP was concerned about: bike shape and fitment to body, or the bike's ability to absorb shock and vibe energy, isolating the rider.
Jim, I'm sorry you're having such a neck problem, because I know how much you like to ride! For you, I think it's bike configuration and subsequent change in fitment to body, and the ability of the bike to limit shock that would affect the neck. If you going to set up an upright bike to commute on, maybe talk to Irwin. He rides Rivendells with upright bars. My main idea for you is, don't use a heavy back pack - do a rear rack with panniers or a front rack with low panniers. There's essentially only one way I like to carry stuff on my arms, and that's in a messenger back with the strap across my chest. I've gotten comfortable fits with certain Timbuk2 bags, and with a large Chrome bag, though I did not buy the Chrome.
Did you have unusual (considerning the layoff you allude to) loss of strength only in your neck?
My wife and I have found regular yoga, 90 minute sessions to do a good job of building strength, even if we only go once a week. I would not say there's a lot of muscle mass, but certainly I've had improvements in strength. A lot of the standing poses involve supporting nearly all your weight on one leg with knee bent just shy of 90 degrees, and this is a serious isometric strength builder. Many others exist where you are on your belly raising you shoulders, hips shoulders, head and legs to form an arc with all you weigh on your belly. The simplest thing along these lines is called salabhasana, or locust. Since it only uses the weight of your head and you control the duration, reps and how far you raise your head (intensity), I believe these are more gentle for treatment of a mile injury or strength degradation than say, a neck yoke loaded with lead. But I only know anything about the yoga part of it.
I don't know if you remember the old "Hills of Ann Arbor" loop from your early days here, but after two years of yoga I could climb all of them once, though not at respectable speed. Some of that was strength, some of it was drinking the Kool-aid (, and some was the growing ability to levitate ( who needs a 'bent?).
Jim, I'm sorry you're having such a neck problem, because I know how much you like to ride! For you, I think it's bike configuration and subsequent change in fitment to body, and the ability of the bike to limit shock that would affect the neck. If you going to set up an upright bike to commute on, maybe talk to Irwin. He rides Rivendells with upright bars. My main idea for you is, don't use a heavy back pack - do a rear rack with panniers or a front rack with low panniers. There's essentially only one way I like to carry stuff on my arms, and that's in a messenger back with the strap across my chest. I've gotten comfortable fits with certain Timbuk2 bags, and with a large Chrome bag, though I did not buy the Chrome.
Did you have unusual (considerning the layoff you allude to) loss of strength only in your neck?
My wife and I have found regular yoga, 90 minute sessions to do a good job of building strength, even if we only go once a week. I would not say there's a lot of muscle mass, but certainly I've had improvements in strength. A lot of the standing poses involve supporting nearly all your weight on one leg with knee bent just shy of 90 degrees, and this is a serious isometric strength builder. Many others exist where you are on your belly raising you shoulders, hips shoulders, head and legs to form an arc with all you weigh on your belly. The simplest thing along these lines is called salabhasana, or locust. Since it only uses the weight of your head and you control the duration, reps and how far you raise your head (intensity), I believe these are more gentle for treatment of a mile injury or strength degradation than say, a neck yoke loaded with lead. But I only know anything about the yoga part of it.
I don't know if you remember the old "Hills of Ann Arbor" loop from your early days here, but after two years of yoga I could climb all of them once, though not at respectable speed. Some of that was strength, some of it was drinking the Kool-aid (, and some was the growing ability to levitate ( who needs a 'bent?).
#22
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Agreed on the wider tires though. I wish I had gotten on that bandwagon way earlier. Holey gee wilikers, Batman, wider tires are the bee knees and cats pajamas all rolled into one. I never thought I would think 28s would be my "skinny road tire" and 38s would be on anything I would own and wish the bikes they were on could even go wider.
One perfect way to a super comfortable bike is seeing a good bike fitter as they can help dial in your position and help find you components to increase your comfort.
#23
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I have to say, I think the higher-end bike manufacturers and their affiliated shops are missing out on an opportunity here: they should be automatically, as part of the new-bike-buying experience, be helping you find a saddle that fits you well and putting that on your new bike, instead of including some default saddle that seems to fit no one well and sticking you with that, forcing you to buy another saddle and eBay the old one. They could go farther with other parts on the bike too: handlebars, stem, etc.
#24
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Trek' s Domane Featured Decoupler where top and seat tube are elastically, not rigidly joined ,
is there to make Saddle time less - uncomfortable..
..
is there to make Saddle time less - uncomfortable..
..
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just bought one of these a couple of weeks ago- Trek Domane ALR 3- i am loving it so far