suspension

chatlow
chatlow Posts: 850
edited May 2013 in Road beginners
Okay, so I have just been on a gruelling/pathetic 15 mile bike ride. Gruelling not because it was long (quite the opposite), but because of the roads. I am not sure how good a road bike should be at absorbing bumps/broken road but I had to slow down quite a few times to avoid my chin falling off and teeth getting smashed by my jaw.

I can literally feel every bit of the road and it's doing my head in! I have a 2011 Claud Butler san remo. Tyres are pumped to 110. Although I am on thinking about upgrading to a carbon,is there anything I can adjust or buy that will help me in the mean time?

Thanks

Comments

  • KevChallis
    KevChallis Posts: 646
    210??? or 120psi? it's bumpy, I wear gloves with gel pads, seems to cut some out
    Kev
    PlanetX Pro Carbon
    Voodoo Bizango
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    chatlow wrote:
    is there anything I can adjust or buy that will help me in the mean time?

    Yes, reduce your tyre pressures FFS!!!!! :lol:
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 850
    haha whoops that would be 110 not 210! doubt even popeye could have pumped up to that pressure
  • 16mm
    16mm Posts: 545
    try 80-90 psi, and if you can wider tyres.
  • Ride hard
    Ride hard Posts: 389
    Like others have said, use a lower tyre pressure.

    The difference in comfort of 110psi on my old steed to 85 - 90psi on my new baby is huge - even with a change of 25mm to 23mm.
    Reporter: "What's your prediction for the fight?"
    Clubber Lang: "Prediction?"
    Reporter: "Yes. Prediction"
    Clubber Lang: "....Pain!!!"
  • TheHound
    TheHound Posts: 284
    I think you'll always feel it due to the nature of road bikes.

    From what I've read carbon won't soften out the larger bumps but cuts down on road buzz. I think the best you can do is use wider tyres (25mm<) at lower pressure (100psi>).
    Bianchi Intenso Athena
    Handbuilt Wheels by dcrwheels.co.uk
    Fizik Cyrano R3 Handlebars
    Selle Italia SLR Kit Carbonio Flow saddle
    Deda Superleggero seatpost
  • DavidJB
    DavidJB Posts: 2,019
    When going over rough rode loosen your grip on the bars and take your arse slightly off the saddle.
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    or find some smoother roads.
  • chatlow
    chatlow Posts: 850
    thanks. wider tyres and lower pressure it is. Smoother roads might be difficult without doubling my commute time. Already cheating and taking a shortcut through the local park just for a tiny bit of new tarmac