Road bike are only for speed enthusiasts?

flyer

You may have noticed from other threads that I have a problem with the fit on my Roubiax Pro so I went to check at my LBS that the fit was ok, and yep he says that's as good as it gets.

He said that Road Bikes are designed for one thing and one thing only...... SPEED!

The whole concept is about this and that’s why the geometry is so aggressive.

He said if you only want to go at 20mph max and for less than 60 miles, then a Hybrid bike would be better.

He said to feel comfortable on a road bike you must do plenty of other exercises to build core strength etc, and do stretches every day etc.

Strange but they don’t say that in the Specialized brochure where they market their bikes.

Flyer

Pokerface

He's full of poop.

But he's also correct to a certain degree. Make sense?

Road bikes are built for speed. But even so - you can ride them in many different positions - some more comfortable than others.

But to say that you have to do plenty of other core exercises to feel comfy on a road bike is a pile of crap.

And I don't think I've ever done a stretch in my life!

guilliano

Road bikes are built for a few different things

To be efficient for distances
To be fast(er)
To be comfortable in doing the 2 things mentioned above

There are different frame designs and materials to reflect this

Sounds to me like you got a tw@ dealing with you at the LBS

oldwelshman

There are plenty of positions you can ride in to get comfy on a road bike.
I suspect you are not in correct position going by the crap they told you.
You may need your bars slightly higher.
I have ridden fast and slow on my bike, 10 miles and 130 miles and always comfy, well as comfy as 130 miles can make you feel, you get a sore arse on any bike for that length of ride

amaferanga

If this is your first road bike then it may just take a bit of time before you find it comfortable. Core strength is important and you can get this by either riding or doing stretches/yoga. Very small changes in set-up (e.g. 1cm shorter stem or saddle nose up/down a few degrees) can make a huge difference in terms of comfort.

nickwill

I wouldn't want to ride 60 miles on a hybrid. A properly set up road bike will give you much more variation in position. It seems to me that your lbs is talking rubbish. Maybe they see the opportunity to flog you another bike.

softlad

flyer wrote:

You may have noticed from other threads that I have a problem with the fit on my Roubiax Pro so I went to check at my LBS that the fit was ok, and yep he says that's as good as it gets.

He said that Road Bikes are designed for one thing and one thing only...... SPEED!

time to find a new LBS - that one sounds full of sh1t....

nasahapley

Sounds like he's got a hybrid he wants to get rid of. Even though my road bike apparently has 'race' geometry and is consequently at the less comfortable end of the spectrum, I regularly knock out 5 hour rides with no discomfort at all (except for general knackeredness, obviously!) TT bikes - now they're built for nothing but speed. Still, if the position on your bike ain't right for you it ain't right for you, but I would doubt that your physiology is so unusual that no road bike will work for you.

SpinningJenny

He's talking a load of twaddle!

Road bikes are also designed for drooling over

giant_man

softlad wrote:

flyer wrote:

You may have noticed from other threads that I have a problem with the fit on my Roubiax Pro so I went to check at my LBS that the fit was ok, and yep he says that's as good as it gets.

He said that Road Bikes are designed for one thing and one thing only...... SPEED!

time to find a new LBS - that one sounds full of sh1t....

+1

STEFANOS4784

giant mancp wrote:

softlad wrote:

flyer wrote:

You may have noticed from other threads that I have a problem with the fit on my Roubiax Pro so I went to check at my LBS that the fit was ok, and yep he says that's as good as it gets.

He said that Road Bikes are designed for one thing and one thing only...... SPEED!

time to find a new LBS - that one sounds full of sh1t....

+1

-1 a Specialized Roubaix has fairly relaxed geomatry for a road bike so if it fits and is still uncomfortable i'd say the advice was sound :?

STEFANOS4784

P.s and if you do want to go 20 max then i wouldn't even bother with a hybrid a hard tail will let you sit up like a chair but will get thiose speeds with a slight decline :? (again :oops: )

STEFANOS4784

P.p.s Flyer, i assume you've been cycling a while judging by your joining date!?
This is your 1st road bike then yes?

P.p.s any comments regarding a mistake flyer may, or may not have made buying his bike are not welcome imo

alfablue

This is assuming that the fit is actually okay. Have you tried different stem lengths and angles? I transformed the comfort of my road bike with a shorter more angled stem. Whilst the shop guy might think it fits by looking at you on the bike, the proof is how you feel on it, it would be worth experimenting with stems before thinking about flat bars.

I am no spring chicken, have chronic back problems, but I have two road bikes both of which are more comfortable than my mtb.

trickeyja

I think you should considering visiting another bike shop for a second opinion.
I have a road bike, and I find it very comfortable even for long distances (100mi+).
As you said the problem could well be to do with fit or adjustment. I wouldn't even consider going back to my mountain bike for long distance road rides - I find it a lot more strenuous and uncomfortable due to limited hand positions and I actually prefer the road bike position.

Anonymous

Dont you think you should have had everything sussed when you parted with your cash?

Thats not meant to sound aggressive just if you spend a wad it does tend to give you the right to say, this isn't right, I'd like that like...etc

How many bikes did you try out before you bought the specialized?

mrforgetful

From my point of view,
my road bike is plenty comfortable for 80+ miles with a toupe saddle (good shorts) no problems.
I'd be happy if i could get 20mph for 60 mile!! I don't do much in the way of other exercises.

My experience lately of lbs, some not so local, is enough to make me do all repairs myself and they're cert biased to they're stock :roll:
Stretches!, only if the cakes are on the bottom shelf
Now you've got the bike, try and isolate the bits that are most uncomfortable and obviously change the parts the best you can.

A good shop might even let you try a saddle etc before buying, i'd prob not have boought the toupe otherwise.

richa

flyer wrote:

He said if you only want to go at 20mph max and for less than 60 miles, then a Hybrid bike would be better.

60 miles on a hybrid. No thanks. At 20 mph. No chance.

guilliano

Have you tried the adjustments I suggested on the other thread???

flyer

Hey everyone, you can't all be wrong and not one person has said fit flats or buy a hybrid. It would be pointless me asking a question if I didn't take the advise, so I am going to take it to Race Scene in Barnsley. A few people have told me they are the best for "sound advise".

I went for a 50 mile ride today and I had adjusted the saddle forward and it was a better fit, you may well be right and it just may need it to be tweeked a bit.

Thanks everyone for stopping me making a mistake, at least until I have tried everything else.

For those thats asked, this is my 2nd road bike , the first was an S-WORKS Tarmac and I have done about 8000 miles in past 2.5 years.

Flyer

whydoesitalwaysrainonme

he obviously doesn't know what he's on about they're just for looking at, seriously though i have ridden carbon bike and stuff and the only thing that can make you uncomfortable is how much you have to bend down, that and if you have an uncomfy saddle but most bikes come with comfy saddles.

2oldnslow

If you're prepared to travel to Barnsley I'd suggest it might be worthwhile "going the extra mile (or several) and taking a trip to Paul Hewitts in Leyland. When I'm at home in the UK that's my LBS and he offers a fit service which when I had it a couple of years ago was 25 pounds. I thought after years and years my position was spot on but he showed me a few tweaks that really worked a treat.

Age is most definately no barrier I'm nearly 60 ride (in the main) a Cervelo Soloist which is a decidedly full on race bike and not a moresportive orientated ride like the Roubaix so I'm sure its a question of poor advice from your LBS and their inability to fit the bike to you properly.

Good luck

John.T

Age is certainly no problem, other than hills getting bigger. All my bikes are set up with a race position. Even the MTB is almost the same, just a bit higher bars. I regularly ride 60 mile+ rides with no trouble. I am 66 and did 61 miles today. Getting the bike set up to fit you is paramount. I started riding again about 10 years ago after over 30 years away and spent some time getting the position right, about a year but I am still tweaking things.

1878

Were you comfortable on the Tarmac that you had previously?

If so, why did you change?

In what ways is the Roubaix less comfortable?

From what I've seen, the Tarmac looks like the more extreme of the two bikes.

flyer

Thanks everyone.


1878

I had my Tarmac for 2 years and always felt it was too eggressive, however in reflection I should have had that checked for fit.

The Roubiax is better, I think I just need to get the fit right.

Flyer

hodsgod

Just for balance, i have a flat bar on a road frame. It is my personal choice and I find it easier on my back.

I am not suggesting you do it, but it is an option. I even thought about a butterfly at one stage.