My 54cm Carbonzone roadbike......how relaxed geometry ?(pic)

Ezy Rider
Ezy Rider Posts: 415
edited March 2012 in Road beginners
119ym82.jpg

I bought 3k carbonzone frame and fork from china, had lbs fit new shimano tiagra compact crank, handlebars, mavic wheels with open pro rims , handlebars, brakes and charge spoon synthetic leather saddle and its lovely and light and im really pleased with it. Looking at the geometry of the bike, would you say it is relaxed ? I absolutely wanted the bike to be a comfort fit, I had some spacers fitted so as I wouldnt be sitting with a bum in the air and face on the floor position. Went for a professional fitting and he adjusted the bike so it is very comfortable for me to ride on, the top of the saddle and the headset have a 25mm height difference.

I was thinking about buying a bespoke roadbike made especially with relaxed geometry in the summer this year, id appreciate your thoughts on how relaxed the frame looks on this bike i had put together for me.
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Comments

  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    sorry, ill get the pic up............im making a right mess of doing this


    edit: :oops: :oops: :oops: thats it corrected now, do you think it is a relaxed design ?
  • bianchimoon
    bianchimoon Posts: 3,942
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    sorry, ill get the pic up............im making a right mess of doing this


    edit: :oops: :oops: :oops: thats it corrected now, do you think it is a relaxed design ?
    yup definately relaxed
    All lies and jest..still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest....
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    the design isn't relaxed - but your set-up certainly is. You might be better off on a flat-bar hybrid...
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Looks like quite an aggressive frame:

    -steep head angle
    -big saddle-bar drop without all those spacers and the flipped stem.



    With the spaces and stem it isn't a particularly aggressive configuration though (not much saddle-bar drop, reach is shortened etc.), the frame is probably stiffer than a bike designed as a comfortable relaxed geometry bike though.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    Pseudonym wrote:
    the design isn't relaxed - but your set-up certainly is. You might be better off on a flat-bar hybrid...



    ive had a flat bar hybrid before and the hands being in the position that they are meant my chest area just acted like a big sail riding into the wind. i went from a cr@p 17 mph avg speed over a 50 miler to a 19 mph avg speed for the same ride using the carbonzone bike instead of the hybrid.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    Pseudonym wrote:
    the design isn't relaxed - but your set-up certainly is. You might be better off on a flat-bar hybrid...



    ive had a flat bar hybrid before and the hands being in the position that they are meant my chest area just acted like a big sail riding into the wind. i went from a cr@p 17 mph avg speed over a 50 miler to a 19 mph avg speed for the same ride using the carbonzone bike instead of the hybrid.

    so why are you concerned then..?
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    ALIHISGREAT wrote:
    , the frame is probably stiffer than a bike designed as a comfortable relaxed geometry bike though.



    when i asked lbs guy about would the frame flex, he said not a chance and that the frame is very stiff indeed.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    Pseudonym wrote:
    the design isn't relaxed - but your set-up certainly is. You might be better off on a flat-bar hybrid...



    ive had a flat bar hybrid before and the hands being in the position that they are meant my chest area just acted like a big sail riding into the wind. i went from a cr@p 17 mph avg speed over a 50 miler to a 19 mph avg speed for the same ride using the carbonzone bike instead of the hybrid.

    so why are you concerned then..?



    i like to meat out 50 miles on a ride, but i do want to do it in relative comfort, but quickly enough too. thats why ive been thinking about a lightweight road bike that is quick, yet offers good degree of comfort. from looking at the geometry on the carbonzone, would buying a bike marketed on relaxed geometry be more of the same or a very different beast indeed ?
  • rick_chasey
    rick_chasey Posts: 75,660
    Depends how you sit on it.

    If you ride like Ballan, with arms almost locked, it's probably not an aggressive position.

    ballan2.jpg

    If you ride like Lubberding

    henklubberdingbanner2.jpg

    It will be.

    Speaking of Lubbdering, he speaks a lot of sense, and he's written about riding positions here
    _
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    i like to meat out 50 miles on a ride, but i do want to do it in relative comfort, but quickly enough too. thats why ive been thinking about a lightweight road bike that is quick, yet offers good degree of comfort. from looking at the geometry on the carbonzone, would buying a bike marketed on relaxed geometry be more of the same or a very different beast indeed ?

    not sure where you're coming from. You already have a lightweight road bike, and your set-up is already very relaxed, so I'm not sure what you could achieve by buying something else which would probably end up feeling just the same...

    Unless you just want to buy a new bike - in which case, go ahead...
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    christ, can't you get those hoods any futher up on the bars !?!?!?!?!
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    MattC59 wrote:
    christ, can't you get those hoods any futher up on the bars !?!?!?!?!


    i actually find them very comfortable where they are
  • Im Bald Ok
    Im Bald Ok Posts: 146
    If you wanted a relaxed geometry frame, you should have bought one. Not what looks like a race frame bodged into some sort of comfort monstrosity.
    Your saddle looks a little far forward, the stack of spacers is quite frankly ridiculous and I have to believe you don't use the drops with those shifters in that position.
  • Pseudonym
    Pseudonym Posts: 1,032
    Im Bald Ok wrote:
    If you wanted a relaxed geometry frame, you should have bought one. Not what looks like a race frame bodged into some sort of comfort monstrosity.
    Your saddle looks a little far forward, the stack of spacers is quite frankly ridiculous and I have to believe you don't use the drops with those shifters in that position.

    this is pretty much what I was thinking - but was too polite to say... ;)
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    Pseudonym wrote:
    Im Bald Ok wrote:
    If you wanted a relaxed geometry frame, you should have bought one. Not what looks like a race frame bodged into some sort of comfort monstrosity.
    Your saddle looks a little far forward, the stack of spacers is quite frankly ridiculous and I have to believe you don't use the drops with those shifters in that position.

    this is pretty much what I was thinking - but was too polite to say... ;)

    +1
    You could always turn the bars upside down ?
    :wink:
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • Wirral_paul
    Wirral_paul Posts: 2,476
    Is that a Carbonzone RB002 (otherwise known as an FM-028)?? If so then it is fairly relaxed and more sportive friendly than the RB001 (FM015). Mine is very comfortable anyway (although i didnt cause a world shortage of headset spacers with mine!!) ;)
  • noodleman
    noodleman Posts: 852
    No offence, but your professional fitter must of been having an off day!
    Those hoods being that far up the bars basically means that your drops are unusable. Which begs the question, why have drop bars?
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  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    eeerm................ go on, someone say it.............
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • siamon
    siamon Posts: 274
    I have a great deal of respect for folk who design and build a bike that suits their personal requirements and show no regard whatsoever so the latest fad or fashion. But in this case I am struggling.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    is it THAT bad :shock: ?

    ive no interest in whats hot this week etc, if its comfy then im happy.

    my only concern is that i wanted to join a club who do regular 50 milers, but i just know there will be club snobs taking cheap shots :roll:
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    edited January 2012
    It sounds to me like you'd be more suited to a touring or Audax bike. Comfortable, more stable and relaxed, but still plenty quick enough.

    If you're really not bothered about fashion and looks etc, have a look at these types.

    (It is fugly though !!)
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • noodleman
    noodleman Posts: 852
    If you're happy then that's great. It's just that the frame and the set up are totally conflicting with each other. Kind of like a Moto gp bike with a set of chopper bars and a cushion on it.
    I afraid you will probably get a few negative comments on it from club riders. Not because they are being snobbish but because of the confusion of having a sit up and beg race bike.
    argon 18 e116 2013 Vision Metron 80
    Bianchi Oltre XR Sram Red E-tap, Fulcrum racing speed xlr
    De Rosa SK pininfarina disc
    S Works Tarmac e-tap 2017
    Rose pro sl disc
  • fossyant
    fossyant Posts: 2,549
    Drop the bars by at least 30-40cm. As a minimum, sort those brake levers out.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    fossyant wrote:
    Drop the bars by at least 30-40cm.


    hear ya, but dont want nose on the tyre and bum in the clouds riding position.
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    Basically, i looks like you've bought the wrong type of frame for the type of riding that you do.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • jim453
    jim453 Posts: 1,360
    if you mated your weird bike with Crimmey's weird bike you might end up with a rideable machine.

    P1000468.jpg


    Your bike requirements are a little confused to say the least. You're negating the power transmission effect of a stiff frame by sitting right up in the wind. What's the point?

    Your local club members may well have some amusing questions about your bike but that's because you have a fairly amusing bike, not necessarily because they are dicks.
  • Ezy Rider
    Ezy Rider Posts: 415
    i can ride quick enough but dont want corduroy trousers and tweed jacket tourer :shock: , if i wanted something fast, light and sporty looking that allows me to still use 23 - 25 mm tyres, those specialised relaxed geometry models or giant defy................what do you think of those ? om assuming no bum in the clouds with those ?
  • MattC59
    MattC59 Posts: 5,408
    Tweed jackets are cool.
    Science adjusts it’s beliefs based on what’s observed.
    Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved
  • jim453
    jim453 Posts: 1,360
    I honestly don't know what you want out of your bike. Whats wrong with the one in your profile pic? You seem fairly comfortable on that one.
  • alihisgreat
    alihisgreat Posts: 3,872
    Ezy Rider wrote:
    i can ride quick enough but dont want corduroy trousers and tweed jacket tourer :shock: , if i wanted something fast, light and sporty looking that allows me to still use 23 - 25 mm tyres, those specialised relaxed geometry models or giant defy................what do you think of those ? om assuming no bum in the clouds with those ?


    Nope, no bum in the clouds... i've got a 2012 Defy 1 -> its great; a relaxed geometry without the silly looking stem/spacers

    http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7011/6641460369_840003b271.jpg

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