What makes a GREAT sportive bike?

bigpikle

I have read a lot of bike reviews that talk about a bike and its suitability as a 'sportive' bike, yet rarely is that defined beyond 'comfort'. With the growing popularity of these events in the UK it seems bike marketeers are using it as a way to sell bikes as you would expect. As I have returned to cycling in the last 6 months, and once again discovered my love for it, I have focused on longer rides (rather than my triathlon focused riding of old) and will this year be entering a number of sportives of 60-100 miles or so. I'm also approaching a milestone birthday and wondering about a special bike as a treat for staying alive this long, so my thoughts have been around what would really make a great bike for longer distance 1-day riding events and maybe something like Lejoj and C2C in the next few years?

A few things I was pondering and would like people's thoughts on:

1. fit - does a custom tweaked frame make THAT much difference? My gut says those little tweaks might make a big difference to 6+ hours in the saddle?

2. frame - ti vs steel vs carbon? Titanium gets talked about for comfort, yet I've also heard horror stories of untraceable creaking. Does a quality steel frame soak up more than carbon? Is the recent resurgence of popularity of steel framed bikes just a retro trend or is there more to it?

3. geometry - I guess this is key to comfort, but an area I understand little about, beyond basics of headtube length etc.

Perhaps I should add that my road bike history is a little limited, with a 10 yr old alu Trek 1000 as a hack bike and a 5/6 yr old Look 386 built up as my current 'proper' bike.

Slow Downcp

1. Yes

2. Depends on 3

Chris James

Sportive bikes just seem to be a marketing exercise to me.

We have had years of pushing light, super stiff bikes with aggressive positions to appeal to the mental image many riders have of themselves (i.e. dancing on the pedals up Alpine cols in the TdF) rather than what is often the real life usage (rain swept club run to a cafe for a slab of cake).

There has been a recent surge of popularity of cycling - attracting lots of former cyclists who rode 20 years ago and have lots of disposable cash after their kids have left nursery, or grown up. They find full on race bikes are pretty uncomfortable so hence the trend for more longer head tubes, more compliant frames (whilst extolling the virtues of stiffer everything else!) and compact gearing or even SRAMs new 'sportive' group set with super low gears but still keeping the road double chain set look. This seems to be where ‘sportive’ bikes come in.

I suppose the basic requirement for any distance cycling is comfort and for any routes in very hilly areas then low gears are an advantage. Aluminium alloy, steel, carbon or titanium is much of a muchness to me. I like steel frames as I have always ridden them, and I like the look. Mine is only 631 and fairly heavy so good for a bit of hard use. I am not too quick up the hills, but my mate has an old 531 winter bike and is like a rocket. It’s the legs that count, not the bike in my experience.

bigpikle

Chris James wrote:

Sportive bikes just seem to be a marketing exercise to me.

We have had years of pushing light, super stiff bikes with aggressive positions to appeal to the mental image many riders have of themselves (i.e. dancing on the pedals up Alpine cols in the TdF) rather than what is often the real life usage (rain swept club run to a cafe for a slab of cake).

There has been a recent surge of popularity of cycling - attracting lots of former cyclists who rode 20 years ago and have lots of disposable cash after their kids have left nursery, or grown up. They find full on race bikes are pretty uncomfortable so hence the trend for more longer head tubes, more compliant frames (whilst extolling the virtues of stiffer everything else!) and compact gearing or even SRAMs new 'sportive' group set with super low gears but still keeping the road double chain set look. This seems to be where ‘sportive’ bikes come in.

I suppose the basic requirement for any distance cycling is comfort and for any routes in very hilly areas then low gears are an advantage. Aluminium alloy, steel, carbon or titanium is much of a muchness to me. I like steel frames as I have always ridden them, and I like the look. Mine is only 631 and fairly heavy so good for a bit of hard use. I am not too quick up the hills, but my mate has an old 531 winter bike and is like a rocket. It’s the legs that count, not the bike in my experience.

Chris - I guess thats what I was on about. Once you strip away all the marketing and glossy advertising, what is it all about?

I am drawn to a custom made steel frame that fits me perfectly and gives me a riding position I could maintain for 6+ hours and then ride again the next day. But could the same results be achieved by something else - a lovely ti Enigma that to me just 'looks' a thing of absolute beauty...

miggers

Have to agree with Chris, its not cynical marketing by any means but the "sportive market" would seem to be the fastest growing segment in cycling right now. You only have to pick up a copy of CW to see that or to hear that BC want to regulate them.. But thats another thread I am sure.

After years racing and touring I am now riding what we used to call a Fast Audax bike. Road angles but braze ons for mudguards. Both are steel..

Wish I'd gone Ti when the pound was a bit stronger...

Bigpikle enjoy the journey if you go custom...

Pete

Chris James

Incidentally I don't think you necessarily need a custom made frame to get a good fit (unless you are unusually proportioned).

Having said that, the 531 winter biked mate I mentioned above has just had a new summer bike built for him out of Columbus Life tubing by Chris Marshall in Keighley and it is a thing of beauty. There is something lovely about riding a bike that is unique to you too.

balthazar

You probably don't need a bespoke steel frame to make your bike fit you, but it's a nice thing to do, and keeping small backyard firms in business building high quality products gives a warm glow of satisfaction, for everybody. You'll get to choose frame details, and colour scheme as well. Of course, a bike chosen this way should fit you perfectly for whatever purpose. Comfort is about fit, geometry, and tyre size, not frame material.

alan_sherman

Sportive bike = Club race bike from about 20 years ago. Basically comfort but still have pretty good perfromnce for longer rides so not a tourer. If you ad in the old skol ability to tak mudguards then it sounds like the perfect club bike.

really new riders would be best served by getting a do-anything bike to begin with. Fit mudguards for the winter, take them of for the summer for a race or TT (just bung som eclip on ri bars on). Clearnace for 25c tyres and mudguards for light tour use. Then if they get into it further they have a good training bike but can get the specilist race / TT / Tour bike they need.

Quite a few 'sportive' bike miss adequate clearance to appear racier which is a shame.

Bobbinogs

What makes a GREAT sportive bike? Surely the wrong question...

WHO makes a great sportive bike? Specialized.

Secteur (did I mention I have one ).

stevenb

Sportives are popular indeed.
The pro's ride Sportives bikes on occasions too.

Nowt wrong with any frame material but getting a good fitting bike will leave you feeling the happiest whichever bike you get!

I have a Allez 16 for Winter/Training and it's a great little bike and 40-60 miles is comfy as anything.....and thats a £499 bike.

My SL3 tarmac is much more racing focused being very light and fast but again could do 60-100 miles with no aches pains etc.

I've just ordered myself a Cannondale CAAD9 Tiagra Compact too through the CTW scheme and am looking forward to riding that.
If it's really as good as CP say then I'll sell the Allez.

Most importantly just look over the term 'Sportive' and get a nice fitting bike.
A chat with your LBS and a test ride of a few machines will let you know.
Bikes are like cars when it comes to buying....you want to make the right choice....so it's worth taking your time and getting it sorted once properly.

Good luck.

rolf_f

Chris James wrote:

Sportive bikes just seem to be a marketing exercise to me.

Chris James wrote:

There has been a recent surge of popularity of cycling - attracting lots of former cyclists who rode 20 years ago and have lots of disposable cash after their kids have left nursery, or grown up. They find full on race bikes are pretty uncomfortable so hence the trend for more longer head tubes, more compliant frames (whilst extolling the virtues of stiffer everything else!) and compact gearing or even SRAMs new 'sportive' group set with super low gears but still keeping the road double chain set look. This seems to be where ‘sportive’ bikes come in..

So it's not a marketing exercise at all - rather a reaction of the industry to customer needs!

Glad these bikes exist - with my dimensions I don't fit 'normal' geometry bikes anyway. Does puzzle me that, in general, the manufacturers seem to assume that everyone is much the same shape. It would be nice if there were more variations in top tube length for a particular size.

Smokin Joe

For comfort I'd place a bike that fits, good quality tyres and a saddle that suits your rear above any frame material.

Scrumple

Look left, and you'll see one.

Racy enough to be racy, and relaxed enough to be comfy.

Not so racy it hurts to ride distance, not so comfy it resembles my mum's old bike.

No one wants to hop on a bike and race it fast these days as they will get their arses kicked (buff snake hipped racers apart).
Anyone can hop on a bike and do some distance in a sportive and not care if they roll in an hour late. It lets you take part in something, without the pressure.

Anonymous

Smokin Joe wrote:

For comfort I'd place a bike that fits, good quality tyres and a saddle that suits your rear above any frame material.

Wot he sed.

aogan

Chris James wrote:

..... SRAMs new 'sportive' group set with super low gears but still keeping the road double chain set look.

- Yo can you tell me a bit more about this sportive specific groupset? I was only in a bike shop the other day enquiring about SRAM red and the guy was telling me about some new combo - a sram compact chainset, but that is compatible with some new MTB rear cassette offering lower than usual gearing with a double front chainset - I was wondering if you were referring to the same thing?

It's interesting that you would refer to keeping the double chainset "look", as did the guy in the shop - Is a triple so shameful? it a pride thing? Or an aesthetic thing?

Do Sram make a road triple as a matter of interest?

I'm convinced a triple chainset and a flat-ish block is the ultimate , but whether I'm willing to put my money where my mouth is and put my manhood on the line, and pull up to a start-line with a triple is another thing...

AndyD2574

This whole sportive thing is a load of old tosh!!
Buy the bike that fits your body. If the bike fits you......you will ride well!

I got a cervelo RS that was supposed to be a 'old mans bike', and a sit up and beg bike!!??!!??........a relaxed sportive bike???????

The bike fits me and I have never riden so well!!

Ignore all the marketing crap mate!