Am I too old and overweight for Roubaix?

flyer

Fisrtly thanks for looking at the thread.

You may have seen on an other thread I came off the bike last Saturday, however bike has been fixed and I only had a few cuts.

My main problem is I don't feel comfortable on my Roubaix after about 30 miles or 1.5hrs.

I just can't get used to the "streched out " riding position of a road bike. I swapped my Tarmac -SWORKS last year on advise that a Roubaix would be much more rider friendly, and it is. BUT I feel much more in control with flat handle bars, I am 49 years old weigh 12st 10Ib and have been only cycling for 4 years. It could be that my body is just not fit enough, small enough or young enough to ride this bike?

I only do it for enjoyment and keeping fit, no racing etc and do around 100 miles a week in summer.

This is a hi spec bike and I don't realy want to sell it, however I simply don't enjoy riding it because its not comfortable. I have had a full bike fit and different stem etc, and so I guess a Hybrid is the only option but there is a very limited choice.

Any advise or help before I change would be much appreciated

Flyer

Anonymous

It may be a fit issue, there are guys much older than you still riding in aggressive positions! Go to a shop that you trust and get them to check the fit on the bike.

Another thing for you to try is exercising your core. I'm lucky in that I have a strong core through 17 years of martial arts training.

I think there was a core exercise guide thingy in cycle plus recently...

Tony666

I would really persevere a bit longer if I were you - 30 miles isn't really long enough to judge anything. I ride a road bike and love it - and I am a year older than you and about the same weight. Get your bike fitted properly and once you do get used to it, there will be no turning back

flyer

Tony666

Sorry I meant after a single ride of 30 miles, I have had the bike for about 7 months and mainly used it in the past 10 weeks, and done about 900 miles

Thanks

Flyer

guilliano

Weight certainly isn't an issue.... I'm around 14st and my bike handles me just fine. Have you tried flipping the stem? Turning the bars just a few degrees upwards? It's amazing how much difference a tiny adjustment can make

markos1963

I'm 46, 13.5 stone and only been riding seriously again for 2 years yet I have no problems. I ride an Orbea Onix which has a more racier postion and I find myself moving spacers from under the stem to ontop as I get fitter. I even like cruising along with my hands on the drops! I would perservere if I was you, it should get better. Try a shorter/higher stem of even better one of those adjustable ones, you could end up with a higher position than a set of flat bars would give you.

micken

^ agree with guilliano

I've had a race orientated road bike since last September and am now doing in the region of 2x30 milers plus a 50 miler each week. I was finding on the 50 milers that I was getting neck and shoulder twinges. So I flipped the stem and it's reduced those twinges.

I'm 53, 5' 10" and 13 1/2 stone.

Remember that a bike can be set up to fit for different riding styles, you might need to go less agressive on your current fitting.

SpinningJenny

Never too old! And like the others, I wouldn't say you were too heavy at all!

It could be that you need to work on your flexibility and core strength as well as alter the positioning of the bike. In my case, I bought my current bike last year after a long time away from cycling and had it set up for what my body could cope with then.

A year later and after the winter of not riding much but going to the gym 3 times a week almost without fail (!), plus seeing an osteo and having a sports massage or ten, I am much fitter, stronger and more flexible than I was before and I've had to change the set up of my bike completely as I can reach out and hold my position much better than before. And I'm now making the move to a road bike from a hybrid.

And for the record, I'm 38 and a solid lass (it's all that muscle ), who's sporting career has been pretty nonexistent for a few years, until now!

Don't get rid of the lovely bike!

dmb4

why not try some flat bars on the Roubaix.

All you would need are some 10 speed trigger shifters, or try this


http://www.on-one-shop.co.uk/acatalog/O ... d_375.html


the mungo bars, this wil work with your curent shifters and with a standard size stem (the roubaix are over sized) will give you a very differnent feeling bike

star_rover

If you like everything else about the bike then you could just try some flat bars as suggested, nothing says you have to ride drop bars.
The shimano 10 speed trigger shifters are a bit pricey (over 100 quid) but you could offset most of that by ebaying the STIs (once you've decided your happy with the flat bars).
There are some pretty swish flat bar road bikes out there as well, should you decide to part with the roubaix - you don't have to get a hybrid.

CyclingBantam

I wouldn't worry about the bike fit as I don't think you have any issues if you can do 36mph over a mile....

peanut1978

NO

flyer

Thanks for the tips.

I have looked at the cost and it would be around £250 to get flat bars and shifters etc fitted to the Roubiax.

Do you think flat bars would look odd, or would the geometry of the frame etc look ok?

Flyer

amaferanga

I don't understand. If you ride on the bar tops then isn't that just like having flat bars anyway? Do you ride on the drops all the time or something, just because they're there?

If you are finding that the bar tops are more comfortable than riding on the hoods then chances are you need a shorter stem.

Flat bars would be a very expensive mistake IMO....

gbs

flyer wrote:

My main problem is I don't feel comfortable on my Roubaix after about 30 miles or 1.5hrs.

I just can't get used to the "streched out " riding position of a road bike. I swapped my Tarmac -SWORKS last year on advise that a Roubaix would be much more rider friendly, and it is. BUT I feel much more in control with flat handle bars, I am 49 years old weigh 12st 10Ib and have been only cycling for 4 years. It could be that my body is just not fit enough, small enough or young enough to ride this bike?]

I have v limited experience (took up cycling sept last yr aged 66) and so I hesitate to comment. I have already decided that my hybrid (first purchase) is great for the towpath or shopping and that my first roadbike (second hand alu Bianchi) was fun but too twitchy and the frame too small. So two days ago I took delivery of a Pearson Pave (has similar geometry to yr Roubaix). So far terrific - significantly more comfortable ride position.

I have to go an oestopath every 3 weeks. He and every other physio has commented on my stiffness generally so unless you have undisclosed problems I would rule out yr body as a source of yr problem. I guess it is yr position/setup. Yr LBS, if they sold you the bike, is morally and perhaps legally bound to help - mention "fitness for purpose" and ask to see the proprietor.

Good luck and persevere!

gumball3000

Definitely go to a different bike shop for a second opinion. If they are decent. opinions are free anyway! A lot of people still set bikes up in a very racy manner, and miss the point of the longer headtubes etc of the Roubaixs / Defys of this world.

It could be as simple as fitting a higher rise stem that is shorter than the one you have, or even flipping the current one skywards, if it isn't already.

Certainly don't give up. I have just sold a £6000 Rabobank Ltd Edition TCR SL to a 74 year old gent and fitted flat bars and a compact chainset for him.

If you are in the North, we can certainly have a look for you. As I say, opinions are free!

Good luck!

Ed

Soni

This is really interesting, because i'm 36, and only been riding a road bike a little while, i was 18 stone, and now weigh 16st 11lbs, and my weight is falling on a daily basis....

However, i NEVER ride on the drops, it just doesn't feel comfortable for me either, nothing to do with the core strength or anything, but it just doesn't feel safe to me. OK i agree that you've got full strength from the brakes when you are on the drops, but the balance of the bike and the steering just doesn't feel strong and responsive enough as it does on the hoods.

I allways ride my bike on the hoods, and if i'm going down a really steep hill and need some severe braking power, then i may drop one hand down to the drops if needed but leave the other hand firmly on the hoods.

Oceanblue

What height are you Soni - I'm 18st now and 5ft 9. I ask because I'm contemplating buying my first road bike which if all goes to plan will also be a Trek - how did you find your Trek handled the weight?

Soni

Oceanblue wrote:

What height are you Soni - I'm 18st now and 5ft 9. I ask because I'm contemplating buying my first road bike which if all goes to plan will also be a Trek - how did you find your Trek handled the weight?

Hi OceanBlue, i'm 5ft 10in, this was my main concern initially before buying a road bike, whether it could handle my weight.

However, first i bought an old cheap 80's style racer off Ebay for £40.00, and rode that for a while, it handled the weight fine, but it was a pile of crap, i could literally feel every bump i was going over, and it started hurting my hands, arms, shoulders, however cut a long story short, i started getting chest pain, even though i was 18st i was still fit for my size, could run 5 miles no problem, went to the docs, had an ECG done, came back fine, had colesterol checked, came back low! Also, it wasn't hurting when i was excercising, it was intermittent mainly when i was relaxing, the doc put it down to the shock coming up through my arms and into my chest.

I went to my local bike shop and spoke to them about a road bike, explained that i wanted to get a new one but was concerned that i would experience the same problems as the old Raleigh, and he said comparing the new road bikes to the old ones is like comparing chalk and chese.

He let me ride a Trek 1.5 2008 model he had on the shelf, and i couldn't believe how smooth it was, it was like riding with suspension, apparently due to the carbon folks.

There is no need for concern, a Trek i know for sure will support your weight, my concern was the tyres, i thought they were going to go flat when i sat on it, however i bought a Track Pump and with 120psi in each tyre, those tyres ain't going anywhere!

And i've been riding the bike for the last 7 months without any pain - touch wood!

Oceanblue

Thanks Soni I appreciate the info... it should be interesting, I just hope I can adopt to a road bike after never havin rode one before. It could be a very expensive error if I can't. That said I bustin keen to get on with it.

on the road

I notice you said you had a different stem fitted, I assume a shorter one? You shouldn't feel stretched out; if you do then maybe you need an even shorter stem? Or maybe your saddle is too far back?

Soni

Oceanblue wrote:

Thanks Soni I appreciate the info... it should be interesting, I just hope I can adopt to a road bike after never havin rode one before. It could be a very expensive error if I can't. That said I bustin keen to get on with it.

The bike will be ok, providing you get a half decent one, however the clipless pedals will be a different story, as i dont feel that safe in them.....

balthazar

Flyer:

You are neither too old nor too fat to enjoy riding your new bike. In fact you are probably middling in both categories, as if it mattered. Don't doubt your worthiness: you chose to buy a premium bicycle, which should make (1) you, (2) Specialized, and (3) the bike dealer, happy. One extra thing you have a right to - you bought it - is premium service. Your dealer needs to make sure that you are happy with the fit of the bike. Changing handlebar designs from dropped to flat is not an option; it is an admission of failure. If your proportions are roughly normal, and the bike is within spitting distance of the right size for you, and you have no specific and relevant physiological complaints, then the bike should be made to fit well with tweaks of stem size and location. The definition of "fit well", in this case, is this: you are happy and comfortable riding the bike. In fact it should be the best bike you've ever ridden. That's what it's advertised, priced, and sold as. Accept no less.

OceanBlue:

Your weight should not present a problem with an ordinary road bike. They are surprisingly durable - as Soni wrote, a cheap old Raleigh survived him perfectly well. When I worked in a bike shop many years ago we sold plenty of light bikes to big riders, without problems. Trek are the biggest quality bike manufacturer, and they sell to lots of Americans.

Soni:

You don't have to ride clipless, if you prefer not to. Read this:

http://www.rivbike.com/article/clothing/the_shoes_ruse

He's a rascal Grant Petersen and a provocateur, but there's some sense in this article.

This thread so far has, to my mind, been characterised by the failures of cycling mythology - the dark side, if you like. It is one thing for crunchy old time cyclists to hang around bike shops all day arguing about frame materials, "compliance", and the rest of the guff; the effect, however, is that this eventually infects people who are newly approaching cycling, and leads them into the false conviction that it is all immensely complicated.

It isn't. You don't need to be prepared for mighty races, to enjoy your bike riding. You may also get the classiest bike you can afford, and love it. It won't confer anything wonderful onto you, but nor should you make allowances for it.

Soni

Balthazar,

I don't know if you've spotted it, but i started a thread regarding 'ditching the clipless pedals' here:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

If you read a few of my last posts in the above thread, you will see that i said i feel a lot more comfortable pedalling with flat pedals and straps, as i can use the arch of my foot which feels great whereas with clipless i'm using the ball of my foot - its strange how the guy in that article says exactly the same as me!

Firstly, I really just don't feel safe in them, secondly if i was to go up such a steep hill (and i have done in the club rides) that i can't continue pedalling anymore, i've got to make sure i unclip before all my energy has been depleted otherwise i will fall over if i can't manage another couple of revolutions of the pedals before i unclip.....and thirdly, i like to be able to pick up a bike and just jump on it and ride, whereas if i was going to pop down the local shop and i wanted to take my road bike, i would have to put on the clipless shoes first and then waddle into the shop like a duck!

However, i've been riding every morning for the past 9 days, 12 miles every morning, and although i can unclip easily enough, i don't actually notice any real benefit from the clipped in technology.

I am going to give it until the end of this month, and if i don't get used to them by then, then i will be going back to narrow cycling shoe type trainers and pedal straps. The reason i will be waiting until the end of the month will be firstly i want to give it a chance to see if i get used to them, and secondly i won't have the money to get another pair of flat pedals and straps until i get paid at the end of the month.

Are there any flat pedals and straps that you would recommend for a road bike? I want a decent pedal that is going to last me....

Oceanblue

Soni wrote:

The bike will be ok, providing you get a half decent one, however the clipless pedals will be a different story, as i dont feel that safe in them.....

I think I'll be using flats for the first few hundred miles... clipless later!

dag_on_a_bike

flyer wrote:

...You may have seen on an other thread I came off the bike last Saturday, however bike has been fixed and I only had a few cuts.

My main problem is I don't feel comfortable on my Roubaix after about 30 miles or 1.5hrs.

I just can't get used to the "streched out " riding position of a road bike. I swapped my Tarmac -SWORKS last year on advise that a Roubaix would be much more rider friendly, and it is. BUT I feel much more in control with flat handle bars, I am 49 years old weigh 12st 10Ib and have been only cycling for 4 years. It could be that my body is just not fit enough, small enough or young enough to ride this bike?

I only do it for enjoyment and keeping fit, no racing etc and do around 100 miles a week in summer.

This is a hi spec bike and I don't realy want to sell it, however I simply don't enjoy riding it because its not comfortable. I have had a full bike fit and different stem etc, and so I guess a Hybrid is the only option but there is a very limited choice.

Any advise or help before I change would be much appreciated

Flyer

I too have a Roubaix. Also had the misfortune to come off last October. Broken bike and fractured clavicle. Bike fixed (well almost fully rebuilt - new frame, bars, stem, STIs) and also the shoulder.

I'm 52, 6' and 93Kg. Love the bike and have done many 5+ hour rides and felt totally comfortable. My best bet is the fit - something is probably not quite right for you.

If you're too stretched out, maybe a shorter stem would help. But, to echo others' views, visit your LBS for some advice on the bike's set up. I'm sure you will feel the benefit and enjoy what I have found to be an absolute joy to ride.

balthazar

Soni wrote:

Balthazar,

I don't know if you've spotted it, but i started a thread regarding 'ditching the clipless pedals' here:-

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... highlight=

If you read a few of my last posts in the above thread, you will see that i said i feel a lot more comfortable pedalling with flat pedals and straps, as i can use the arch of my foot which feels great whereas with clipless i'm using the ball of my foot - its strange how the guy in that article says exactly the same as me!

Firstly, I really just don't feel safe in them, secondly if i was to go up such a steep hill (and i have done in the club rides) that i can't continue pedalling anymore, i've got to make sure i unclip before all my energy has been depleted otherwise i will fall over if i can't manage another couple of revolutions of the pedals before i unclip.....and thirdly, i like to be able to pick up a bike and just jump on it and ride, whereas if i was going to pop down the local shop and i wanted to take my road bike, i would have to put on the clipless shoes first and then waddle into the shop like a duck!

However, i've been riding every morning for the past 9 days, 12 miles every morning, and although i can unclip easily enough, i don't actually notice any real benefit from the clipped in technology.

I am going to give it until the end of this month, and if i don't get used to them by then, then i will be going back to narrow cycling shoe type trainers and pedal straps. The reason i will be waiting until the end of the month will be firstly i want to give it a chance to see if i get used to them, and secondly i won't have the money to get another pair of flat pedals and straps until i get paid at the end of the month.

Are there any flat pedals and straps that you would recommend for a road bike? I want a decent pedal that is going to last me....

Apologies for missing this query, and for the consequent gravedigging. For better or worse, I am accustomed to clipless pedals, having ridden only with them for about two decades, and despite frequent dalliances with different designs I am back with the original LOOK interface I started with. I make no case for this flawed design, except that it is hopelessly familiar to me and works adequately. Because of this, I can't recommend any flat pedals from experience, though if I were buying some I'd get the ones mentioned in the article, big fat grippy ones. They are common in bike shops, and as with most issues of this kind, I doubt make and model matter much.

I think it takes another agenda – retro or fixie-fixated fashion, or bloody mindedness maybe – to choose toeclips and straps over clipless pedals. The damn things lock your feet in so securely that you go with the bike over the car, as I have done, never seperating even as the bike collapses. It is big flat pedals and normal shoes, or clipless and waddling idiocy, for me.

tenbar

Soni wrote:

Balthazar,


Firstly, I really just don't feel safe in them, secondly if i was to go up such a steep hill (and i have done in the club rides) that i can't continue pedalling anymore, i've got to make sure i unclip before all my energy has been depleted otherwise i will fall over if i can't manage another couple of revolutions of the pedals before i unclip.....

Are there any flat pedals and straps that you would recommend for a road bike? I want a decent pedal that is going to last me....

You'd still have to make sure that your straps were loose before you ran out of energy, so what's the difference?

NervexProf

Helpful set up guidance here:

http://www.rivbike.com/article/bike_fit/setup_mistakes

Soni

Hi guys, i've been riding with the clipless pedals now for 3 weeks, and i've got a lot more used to them.

I'm even out of the saddle climbing in them now up hills!!

Last night i was coming through a lane and a car was coming towards me, the only area i had to ride on if i didn't want to stop and unclick was a massive long troth section in the road at the side which would have almost surely caused me to fall off, so i quickly went to unclick and bingo i managed to stop in time, but it is still a little fiddly to click in i find.....

So all in all, i'm sticking with them and getting used to it.

Out of interest, has anybody came off their bike wearing clipless??? Did your feet release????

My wife told me that her mate at work said her husband had clipless and he ended up in a car accident on top of the bonnet still attached to his bike....

GyatsoLa

Just to add to the advice here, I'd also recommend a visit to a good sports physio, especially one with an interest in cycling (a local club might recommend one). Its possible you have a lower back weakness or imbalance that is causing the discomfort. It might also be simply a lack of flexibility and core strength, in which case appropriate exercises might make all the difference.