New to road cycling - advice needed for a dodgy back
jonathan.dobson1
Posts: 2
Hi Everyone,
I am new to road cycling and contemplating buying my first machine. I have had a mountain bike for a year and recently with the roads being quiet I've been using that on the roads. I've improved a fair bit, but it's clearly not fit for purpose.
I haven't ridden a road bike since my teens which was over 20 years ago, and since then I've had lower back issues and i'm concerned that being bent over a road bike might make it worse. My mountain bike is just fine and causes me no real issues.
Consequently I have been looking at the more Endurance end of the market to give a more upright position, I'm probably going to have to buy blind without trying due to current circumstances. So how do I tell easily when comparing bikes which will give a more upright position compared to others?
I've been thinking about buying a Ribble R872 Disc - Shimano 105 with a few upgrades, but then saw a review that said it has quite a racy position.
I know the answer is try before you buy, but in lieu of being able to do that is there any advice anyone can give or things i should look out for when comparing different models?
Many thanks in advance
I am new to road cycling and contemplating buying my first machine. I have had a mountain bike for a year and recently with the roads being quiet I've been using that on the roads. I've improved a fair bit, but it's clearly not fit for purpose.
I haven't ridden a road bike since my teens which was over 20 years ago, and since then I've had lower back issues and i'm concerned that being bent over a road bike might make it worse. My mountain bike is just fine and causes me no real issues.
Consequently I have been looking at the more Endurance end of the market to give a more upright position, I'm probably going to have to buy blind without trying due to current circumstances. So how do I tell easily when comparing bikes which will give a more upright position compared to others?
I've been thinking about buying a Ribble R872 Disc - Shimano 105 with a few upgrades, but then saw a review that said it has quite a racy position.
I know the answer is try before you buy, but in lieu of being able to do that is there any advice anyone can give or things i should look out for when comparing different models?
Many thanks in advance
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Comments
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Reading geometry charts gets complex, but the best way to compare bikes is by using stack and reach figures. Stack is how high the handlebars are above the crank centre, and reach is how far forward they are compared to the crank centre.
https://www.bikeradar.com/features/your-top-tube-length-is-irrelevant/
Not sure of your height, but the medium ribble has a stack of 55.4 cm and a reach of 380 cm.
Compared to a Cannondale Synapse 56 which has a stack of 58.9 cm and a reach of 38.9cm.
So the synapse will have bars that are 3.5cm higher (excluding any spacers) and the bars will be 0.9cm further away.0 -
If Ribble, shouldn't you be looking at the Endurance range of bikes?0
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Thanks everso for the info, most helpful. I decided to up the budget a little and have ordered a Giant Defy Advanced 2, can’t wait.
Thanks again0
