Rode my Giant Defy road bike today because...

[lungimsam]

... the Bleriot's Twin Hollow/Deore wheel is in the shop for a hub overhaul. Gettin' it back Saturday, I hope.

 

I must say, the folks at Rivbike.com know how to make a comfortable bike.

 

When I got on the Defy today, I felt disoriented for the first 30 seconds or so, with the bars so low. Wasn't fun riding so low with the threadless headset. Don't wanna do it anymore. A lot of weight on the hands. Can't sit upright easily to see the views. I could really feel the difference now that I am riding the Bleriot more.

 

I cannot wait to get the Bleriot back on the road with those high bars to get in the comfort zone again.

 

During the ride, I kept thinking that I need to sell off the modern road bike and search for a Rambouillet, so I will have two high barred road bikes.

 

 

 

 

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

There's nothing carved in stone that says "threadless = low handlebar". You could always buy a threadless fork with a 300+ mm steerer and get the bars up to your comfort zone. Riv sells a fork like that, I believe.

[eflayer]

My Specialized Roubaix has the bars at the same height as my other steel bikes. They all fit just about the same, but the Roubaix is usually more fun to ride due to the lightness of its being.

[eflayer]

that said, off the rack bikes with threadless forks, especially a full carbon fork, often are limited in steerer length and/or how many spacers you can install and stay in the safe zone.

[Brewster Fong]

On Friday, October 5, 2012 7:21:20 AM UTC-7, eflayer wrote:

that said, off the rack bikes with threadless forks, especially a full carbon fork, often are limited in steerer length and/or how many spacers you can install and stay in the safe zone.

That's true, most carbon steerer tube forks are limited to 40-50mm of spacers under the stem. However, if you need to get it higher, you can get a rising stem like this:

 http://www.interlocracing.com/stems.html

Good Luck!

[lungimsam]

On Friday, October 5, 2012 10:18:26 AM UTC-4, eflayer wrote:My Specialized Roubaix has the bars at the same height as my other steel bikes.

 

Can you post a picture of it?

[Peter Pesce]

I bought my new Soma Double Cross fork with a 400mm steerer tube - you could have flown a flag from that thing!

In my case, I have an 82 cm saddle height and a 62cm frame was the biggest they make, so I wanted extra insurance in being able to get my bars up level with the saddle.

I cut a good bit off (so I wouldn't put an eye out reaching for the bars) but still have 1" of adjustment above the stem with my bars level with my saddle. It CAN be done, it's just that shops usually pre-cut road bike stems for that "slammed' look that's oh so popular.

-Pete in CT

[lungimsam]

The Carbonomas (Carbonnomore?) fork that Riv sells would be the ticket. But I think, for 200$ and the other money I would have to spend to get a headset and then have a shop install it, I would rather save the dough towards my next Rivbike.

 

I would really like to get a 700c Rivbike one day. 

 

[Jim Thill - Hiawatha Cyclery]

You could also do a Surly Pacer fork, which is the same idea, but less pricey.

[eflayer]

photos of my coupled steel Curtlo and my swoopy carbon Roubaix with upjutting stem. Definitely prefer more traditional steel aesthetics, but can't beat the road and ride feel of the Roubaix.

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/107231724174916923201/CurtloSteelRoubaixCarbon#

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 10:16:04 PM UTC-7, lungimsam wrote:

[Marc Schwartz]

I gotta admit about that Roubaix. It looks like the Devil's own bike (to me). But with the saddle back, handlebars up, decent tires and gearing (i.e., as built), it looks like Devlish FUN to take for a ride!!
Marc
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[eflayer]

i actually think the next size bigger might be a better fit for me. that way seat would not be pushed all the way back on a setback post and stem, with longer fork steerer and headtube, could be flatter.

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 10:16:04 PM UTC-7, lungimsam wrote:

[lungimsam]

UPDATE:

I commuted with the roadie today.

I also notice the Quack Factor on the Defy is really wide with the FSA Triple, vs. the Ultegra Compact Double on the Bleriot.

 

Feet closer together feels more comfortable to me. I hope they finish with the hub tomorrow morning.

[lungimsam]

UPDATE:

Got the hub back. Flipped bike. Put it on the bike. Pedalled a turn or two. Went to the bathroom to wash my hands. When I returned, the wheel was still moving. Now thats what I call a freed up hub.

 

Before, it was gravelly feeling and only spun several times with no momentum before wheezing to an anaemic halt.

 

So I am looking forward to a ride today to see if I can feel any difference.