What Bike Are You Using For Sportive Rides

Black

Hi please help looking for a bike ideal for Sportive long rides.
I am just over a buldging disc L5 problem so wanting a more
upright riding position.
I have £ 1500 to spend.

Thank you for your help and input.

velocitizen

You should try
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=40042

pneumatic

the Specialized Roubaix is very forgiving and has a tall headtube, long wheelbase and road noise dampeners in the frame. Test ride one to see if it suits you.

I absolutely love mine.

fungus_the_muffin_man

Where do you live? A good bike shop would listen to what you are after then help point you in the right direction. Many of them will even measure you up to ensure they get it right rather than just asking you how it felt after riding it up and down the street.

Tell us where you live and we could point you in the right direction

Rob Penn

I'd recommend the two bikes I have:
- Wilier Triestina Mortirolo: a good entry level carbon frame; light enough, comfortable on long rides; I've pimped it up a bit.
- Bespoke Rourke frame: this is worth considering and, if you get a frame made out of, say Reynolds 853 tubing, not as expensive as you think. You know the bike will fit.

Rob
http://www.uketapetraining.co.uk

solsurf

Felt Z35 is about as good as you get, Evans still have a few left at the reduced at £1299 it has comfy ride and got great write ups, worth at try out,

shakey88

Cannondale synapse.Nuff said

The Running Man

Hi Black,

Also have a plate in my spine after a prolapsed disc at C6/C7 and need a more upright position.

I've a Roubaix and it is brilliant. To be honest I find the gearing is less important than the dramatically improved position which reduces strain across my shoulders and tightness in the lower back.

Enjoy buying the new bike !!

vorsprung

Consider getting a custom made steel frame

Custom bike makers deal with people with bad backs all the time and by fitting the bike around your needs it should be more comfortable

You don't say where you live but some good custom frame builders are Hewitt ( up north), Longstaff (staffordshire). Roberts (Surrey) and Argos(bristol)

suze

Rob Penn wrote:

I'd recommend the two bikes I have:
- Wilier Triestina Mortirolo: a good entry level carbon frame; light enough, comfortable on long rides; I've pimped it up a bit.
- Bespoke Rourke frame: this is worth considering and, if you get a frame made out of, say Reynolds 853 tubing, not as expensive as you think. You know the bike will fit.

Rob
http://www.uketapetraining.co.uk

Have you been looking at my bike store?

I have both a Wilier with chorus and a compact and a Roukie 853 with a triple for the really hilly ones.

italiafirenze

Trek Pilot 1.2

I have a friend with the same problem who swears by his, no back pain at all.

I have a Cervelo RS, you might be able to find one in your budget, similar sort of thing, maybe not as extreme.

I've never had back pain, just like the positiion.

markos1963

guilliano

Seconded the Trek Pilot 2.1. For a grand you get 105 triple gearing, a decent frame with an upright riding position and decent own brand finishing kit

JohnnyAllez

Roubaix

FransJacques

Slane Cycles has the RS on for £1200 or similar. Great frame.

Once you have your position sorted I'd always ride 25 tires - for get 23s for the rear. Or even bigger. This will help your back out a lot. Get a carbon post if you believe the hype that it helps - it might be worth it.

But overall, a 25c tire at 90-95 psi will give you more cusion than any bike, wheel, seatpost, saddle combo anyone can talk you into.

Google the Specialized multi adjustable stem as well to fine tune your position as you heal. You don't want to spent £1500 and end up with a sit up and beg position forever. The Specialized stem can be adjusted for angle.

Buy 2 sets of bar tape as well - take the 3rd roll (you'll have 4 rolls) and cut it in half and tape from the brake levers to the stem a second time. Or use an old 26" tube - slice it lengthways and put that under the tape. I did the tape tricks for the Roubaix sportif.

JohnnyAllez

Spesh sell the gel bar pads (pack of 4, 2 for drops, 2 for tops)

Gypsum_Fantastic

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/giant-de ... 45038.html

sloxam

shakey88 wrote:

Cannondale synapse.Nuff said

+1

had a roubaix before the synapse (nicked from my garage, grrrr) which i bought as a replacement after some great reviews. wouldn't say it was comfier, but as comfy. the real gain imo is that more power goes through the rear wheel.

FransJacques

http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/pho ... rig/115179

this is what i meant by double wrapping just the upper part of the handlebars. you can buy an extra set of tape or use an old tube.

let us know how you get on

Mendip rouleur

Not sure where you live but I got my bike from a small company in Stroud called Kinetic-one. I had been having problems with my next and shoulder and the advantage of this company is that they do a full and comprehensive assessment of your needs and limitations and design the bike set-up around that.

He also gave me a lot of advice on posture, technique and supplied a great bike for around your ballpark. Done nearly 3000 miles on it so far and it hasn't let me down.

Only drawback is it really helps if you can visit. I took a day off as hols to go there and again, it was really worth it as I have been injury free for 8 months, after suffering terribly with a poorly fitted bike before.

http://www.kinetic-one.co.uk/

markp2

+1 for Kinetic One. My first and only road bike. Great on hills with only a double chainset.
I have also suffered from prolapsed discs and think that correct bike fitting is much more important than the bike itself.
Andy Morgan is really helpful and knows how to give you a comfy bike.

miggers

I herniated then ruptured both L4, L5/S1 and went under the knife 3 years back.

I was back on the bike in 6 weeks. I ride a Bianchi San Remo for sportives and long audax. Initially raised the bars 25mm. Now they are lower than pre-injury.

Best thing I did was core training, dropping weight off the belly and getting a good fit...

Pete