Race style bike
05-29-18, 04:58 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Race style bike
Hello 50 plusers,
How many of you are one race style bikes ? I’m mid 50s and am very seriously looking at a Giant TCR. I’ve been on endurance style bikes on and off for several years, and have averaged just over 2000mi a year for the last three. My normal loop ride is 26 miles on pretty decent roads.
Between cycling and the gym I try to keep myself in pretty good shape ! However, I am concerned about the aggressive positioning for that bike. I do plan to be fitted if I do get it !
i plan to keep my current bikes, and am just looking for a faster / lighter / nicer toy....I mean bike !
Thank you!
How many of you are one race style bikes ? I’m mid 50s and am very seriously looking at a Giant TCR. I’ve been on endurance style bikes on and off for several years, and have averaged just over 2000mi a year for the last three. My normal loop ride is 26 miles on pretty decent roads.
Between cycling and the gym I try to keep myself in pretty good shape ! However, I am concerned about the aggressive positioning for that bike. I do plan to be fitted if I do get it !
i plan to keep my current bikes, and am just looking for a faster / lighter / nicer toy....I mean bike !
Thank you!
05-29-18, 07:16 PM
#3
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I'm 73 and all the bikes I've had in the past 18 years have been road bikes (formerly called racing bikes) except the CX bikes I owned. Here's my latest (only a few weeks old). 
BTW: Have you visited the Southeast Regional subforum to meet the locals? I'm in west central Florida.
BTW: Have you visited the Southeast Regional subforum to meet the locals? I'm in west central Florida.
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The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
Last edited by RonH; 05-29-18 at 07:20 PM.
05-29-18, 07:17 PM
#4
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I ride racers, it’s a quirk of my personality. My main rider is an 88 Cannondale Criterium Series with a reputation.
Bike fit is very important. The Cdale fits me so well it feels like it’s part of my body. Handling is intuitive. You think, it turns. I’m a 60yr old that still likes to go fast.
Bike fit is very important. The Cdale fits me so well it feels like it’s part of my body. Handling is intuitive. You think, it turns. I’m a 60yr old that still likes to go fast.
05-29-18, 07:37 PM
#5
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I'm 56. Been bike commuting 26 years. For the last 10 years I've favored road bikes...they're just more comfortable to me now and riding on the hoods works better for my wrists and hands. The drop bars allow for varied hand positions. The forward position is kinder to my back and hind quarters (and I assume my prostate since I haven't had some of the more typical issues). I ride my straight-bar MTB based commuter in the snow and now and then in the warmer months, but I have the bars thrown forward and inboard bar ends to approximate "the hoods". As you know from reading the 50+ forum some older riders can no longer ride the style of bike they used to or want to. I'm hoping you will be as comfortable on your road bike as I am on mine.
05-29-18, 08:22 PM
#6
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Yes. 2016 Specialized Tarmac.
05-29-18, 10:01 PM
#7
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Yup, one of my three bikes is an '89 Centurion Ironman, a good example of a mid-range '80s race bike. But it took me two years of hard work at reconditioning to be able to ride a drop bar road bike (I was recovering from neck and back injuries from an old car wreck).
I wouldn't say it's my favorite bike, although I rode it more than any other bike the past year. The fairly aggressive position was tolerable for 20-30 mile rides. Beyond that it got uncomfortable and after 50 miles almost too painful.
My next bike will be a more relaxed drop bar bike, closer to a touring or less aggressive position for longer rides. And I may modify one of my hybrids for that kind of ride. It's already pretty close to what I'm looking for, needing mainly a different handlebar.
I wouldn't say it's my favorite bike, although I rode it more than any other bike the past year. The fairly aggressive position was tolerable for 20-30 mile rides. Beyond that it got uncomfortable and after 50 miles almost too painful.
My next bike will be a more relaxed drop bar bike, closer to a touring or less aggressive position for longer rides. And I may modify one of my hybrids for that kind of ride. It's already pretty close to what I'm looking for, needing mainly a different handlebar.
05-30-18, 06:08 AM
#9
Senior Member
I think this counts as "race style."
Someday, maybe I'll get a more-nearly-normal bike and act my age. Nah.
Someday, maybe I'll get a more-nearly-normal bike and act my age. Nah.
05-30-18, 08:32 AM
#10
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thank you all for your info and thoughts ! The riding positions of the road bikes I have now, and the TCR (which is getting most of my attention now) appear similar, but a few CM here,and few CM there really do add up ! The LBS does not have one for a test ride.
Bruce19 - Yes, same frame, but the Adv Pro 1 model.
Ron H - I’m in N. central Fl ( Deland area) . I will check out that forum. If your area is Mt. Dora / Sugar Loaf Mt, Thrill Hill, I’ve ridden there a few times !
Old school - I do plan on a bike fit, and do want to be comfortable!
Bobby G - My current bikes are road bikes with drops, just not as aggressive as the TCR.
Caloso - Nice pic !
Canklecat - Exactly my concern in being uncomfortable, and the aggressive positioning causing pain. I ride to have fun, get good exercise, and have more FUN ! I’ve been around those guys and girls who when stopping at “break zones”, get off their bikes, reach for their lower backs & shoulders..... moaning and groaning !
Blazing Pedals - Does that have a fridge on it ? Haha !
Bruce19 - Yes, same frame, but the Adv Pro 1 model.
Ron H - I’m in N. central Fl ( Deland area) . I will check out that forum. If your area is Mt. Dora / Sugar Loaf Mt, Thrill Hill, I’ve ridden there a few times !
Old school - I do plan on a bike fit, and do want to be comfortable!
Bobby G - My current bikes are road bikes with drops, just not as aggressive as the TCR.
Caloso - Nice pic !
Canklecat - Exactly my concern in being uncomfortable, and the aggressive positioning causing pain. I ride to have fun, get good exercise, and have more FUN ! I’ve been around those guys and girls who when stopping at “break zones”, get off their bikes, reach for their lower backs & shoulders..... moaning and groaning !
Blazing Pedals - Does that have a fridge on it ? Haha !
05-30-18, 09:19 AM
#11
feros ferio
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All four of my road bikes have "racing style" drop handlebars, although only the Bianchi has what might be considered a racing geometry today. The Capo Sieger was designed and built as a racing machine, but its somewhat slack frame geometry would be considered sports touring today.
My mountain bike has regular straight-across Ritchey mountain bars, to which I added short perpendicular end extensions to give me additional hand positions similar to those provided by drop bars.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
05-30-18, 02:23 PM
#12
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I figure anything the racers use to go faster, I can use so I don't have to work so hard. 
05-30-18, 02:36 PM
#13
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05-30-18, 04:41 PM
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I've been riding bikes with drop bars since I was 8 or 10 years old.
Now in my low 50's... and too late to change now.
A couple of years ago, I moved from the late 60's vintage road bike style to a bit more modern with more handlebar drop. It took a few weeks to get used to, but I think the road bikes do help with flexibility.
I even tried a Funny bike with lots of bar drop.
Now in my low 50's... and too late to change now.
A couple of years ago, I moved from the late 60's vintage road bike style to a bit more modern with more handlebar drop. It took a few weeks to get used to, but I think the road bikes do help with flexibility.
I even tried a Funny bike with lots of bar drop.
05-30-18, 07:05 PM
#15
Senior Member
Yes, there is a series around the Great Lakes States every summer. Events run from serious to not. They tend to be mostly social gatherings, and racing is just the 'excuse' for it. I'm firmly between the podium guys and the flower-sniffers - I've never made the podium, but OTOH I'll quintuple-lap some of the other guys. I've taken several other bikes to the events, but never this one.
05-31-18, 07:22 PM
#16
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks again everyone ! I ordered the Giant TCR today from my LBS !
05-31-18, 08:26 PM
#17
Senior Member
BlazingPedals, do you stick to bike paths or ride on public roads as well? How much does the chain weigh, and is there ever a need to change it? Probably doesn't see much stretch, does it? Total weight of bike?
06-01-18, 07:14 AM
#18
Full Member
I'll be 56 tomorrow and I love my TCR, had a defy before and I really love the tcr.
06-01-18, 09:30 AM
#19
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I would expect his chain to wear about the same as any of ours, meaning that when 24 half-links exceed 12-1/16" in length, it is time to replace it.
__________________
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
06-01-18, 11:51 AM
#20
Senior Member
Also, I ride almost exclusively on county roads, the type that may or may not have a shoulder or a center line (or a fog line.)
06-01-18, 01:10 PM
#21
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06-01-18, 01:16 PM
#22
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I ride all kinds of road bikes. One of the things I appreciate about older road bikes (say from the 70s or so) is that most of them can take a pretty fat tire (at least a 28c if not a 32c; modern bikes are moving to wider tires as well for good reason. Personally I'd avoid a road bike that can't take at least a 28c tire.
06-01-18, 06:18 PM
#23
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I ride all kinds of road bikes. One of the things I appreciate about older road bikes (say from the 70s or so) is that most of them can take a pretty fat tire (at least a 28c if not a 32c; modern bikes are moving to wider tires as well for good reason. Personally I'd avoid a road bike that can't take at least a 28c tire.
06-02-18, 06:18 AM
#24
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If you have wider tires, you need narrower ones for more speed on smooth pavement. If you have narrow ones, you need wider ones to handle rough pavement. Plus you need a 650B bike for those times when a 559mm wheel is too short but a 622mm wheel is too tall. I assume everyone here can spell "marketing."
I'm fixing up a 1972 Fuji Finest which was a top dog bike way back in the day. That bike can take a 32c tire no problem. I'd like to do an "eroica" ride and the 32c tires will come in handy for the gravel portions of the ride.
06-02-18, 09:52 AM
#25
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I ride all kinds of road bikes. One of the things I appreciate about older road bikes (say from the 70s or so) is that most of them can take a pretty fat tire (at least a 28c if not a 32c; modern bikes are moving to wider tires as well for good reason. Personally I'd avoid a road bike that can't take at least a 28c tire.