A more relaxed ride?

[FetterSteve]

I was going to go down the upgrade route with my Giant Defy but after 2 long runs and the resultant sore neck and shoulders I think I need something with a bit more relaxed geometry.

I don't want to go down the route of a full blown tourer as I do not think I will ever need that ability so something between that and a race bike is what I think I need and I'd like a minimum of 105 or Veloce groupset.

Most of my runs are for fitness in the 15-20 mile range but my aim for the end of the season is to do my first 100 miler.
I have around £1000-1200 to spend , maybe a bit more if I can sell off some surplus gear so can anyone give me ideas of what to look at?

I'm a bit limited for bikes to try up here ( Aberdeen) for anything other that the big brands so may mean a trip to Edinburgh or Glasgow.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Steve

 

[Banjo]

Some serious long distance Audax riders use Specialized Roubaix bikes as a fast but more comfortable bike .

The Roubaix also got an excellent write up in July Cycling Plus as a bike for fast long distance stuff.

The head tube is taller than an out and out racer to reduce the angle of your back and neck,also the fram,e design is aimed at soaking up the bumps and vibration.

Not sure if you will get one for 1200 though.

Roubaix

 

[corshamjim]

If fitness is what you're after, then the heaviest, most upright bike you can find will give you the most extreme workout.

 

[al-fresco]

If fitness is what you're after, then the heaviest, most upright bike you can find will give you the most extreme workout.

Preferably with knobbly tyres.



It's this kind of thinking that is keeping my Surly Cross Check hanging in the garage while I do 50 miles a day on my old MTB - you're right damn you!

 

[ian turner]

I suspect you'll get the same fitness benefit from a light road bike as a heavy mountain bike and cover a much greater distance in the same time without knackering your knees trying to get 30lb of scrap up the hills as suggested here

 

[ianrauk]

Some serious long distance Audax riders use Specialized Roubaix bikes as a fast but more comfortable bike .

The Roubaix also got an excellent write up in July Cycling Plus as a bike for fast long distance stuff.

The head tube is taller than an out and out racer to reduce the angle of your back and neck,also the fram,e design is aimed at soaking up the bumps and vibration.

Not sure if you will get one for 1200 though.

Roubaix

This is sound advice.
However if you can't stretch to the Roubaix then how about the Secteur. It has very similar geometry to the Roubaix. It's a very popular choice of bike on this forum.

 

[ianrauk]

Some serious long distance Audax riders use Specialized Roubaix bikes as a fast but more comfortable bike .

The Roubaix also got an excellent write up in July Cycling Plus as a bike for fast long distance stuff.

The head tube is taller than an out and out racer to reduce the angle of your back and neck,also the fram,e design is aimed at soaking up the bumps and vibration.

Not sure if you will get one for 1200 though.

Roubaix

This is sound advice.
However if you can't stretch to the Roubaix then how about the Secteur. It has very similar geometry to the Roubaix. It's a very popular choice of bike on this forum. It has Sram rather then Shim or Campag, but that sure ain't no bad thing.

 

[al-fresco]

I suspect you'll get the same fitness benefit from a light road bike as a heavy mountain bike and cover a much greater distance in the same time without knackering your knees trying to get 30lb of scrap up the hills as suggested here

Exactly - on the lighter bike I have to cover a greater difference for the same benefit. (Incidentally, I find MTB gearing much easier on the knees than road gearing.)

 

[FetterSteve]

I spent 2 month using my old MTB and it was a slog. I realise I have to go longer for the same effect on my road bike but I am enjoying it much more . I only ever did 10 mile runs on the MTB but now do 30+miles quite happily and have done up to 56miles.

Is the Spesh that much different from my Defy , I haven't been able to find anything on the geometry to try and compare?

 

[LosingFocus]

Exactly - on the lighter bike I have to cover a greater difference for the same benefit. (Incidentally, I find MTB gearing much easier on the knees than road gearing.)

Indeed. From a kCal burning POV this is the case, but Im 99% sure that Im working different sets of leg and body muscles when Im out on the roadie compared to the MTB - I get a whole different set of aches the next day!

 

[Moodyman]

The Giant Defy is designed for the Audax/Sportive market so should be relaxed and comfortable.

You sure you got the set up right? Sore neck and shoulders sound like a set up issue.

 

[epicurus.]

The Giant Defy is designed for the Audax/Sportive market so should be relaxed and comfortable.

You sure you got the set up right? Sore neck and shoulders sound like a set up issue.

+1 Sore neck and shoulders sound like bars are too low. Perhaps you can just get a stem with a larger angle?

 

[FetterSteve]

Could well be a set up issue but could also be the wrong size frame. Bike was bought over the Internet ( yes I know!!) and a few people have told me that they think it's too big.

It's a M/L and I'm 5'10" with a 30" inseam.

I have put a 90mm Stem on to try and minimise the stretch and tried various saddle positions but still not entirely happy.Also the bars are as high as they can go without a steerer extension but maybe a stem with a larger angle may help, I have a look for one.

 

[billy1561]

Could well be a set up issue but could also be the wrong size frame. Bike was bought over the Internet ( yes I know!!) and a few people have told me that they think it's too big.

It's a M/L and I'm 5'10" with a 30" inseam.

I have put a 90mm Stem on to try and minimise the stretch and tried various saddle positions but still not entirely happy.Also the bars are as high as they can go without a steerer extension but maybe a stem with a larger angle may help, I have a look for one.

I too made that mistake of buying on tinternet to save a few quid. Also get the aches you describe but not so much on the mtb i also ride (better fit?)
Am looking at a new roadie myself and the LBS offers a free bike fit if purchased from them and that sounds like a good idea to me.

 

[Banjo]

Could well be a set up issue but could also be the wrong size frame. Bike was bought over the Internet ( yes I know!!) and a few people have told me that they think it's too big.

It's a M/L and I'm 5'10" with a 30" inseam.

I have put a 90mm Stem on to try and minimise the stretch and tried various saddle positions but still not entirely happy.Also the bars are as high as they can go without a steerer extension but maybe a stem with a larger angle may help, I have a look for one.

Some bike shops will lend you an adjustable stem to try different angles before buying a new stem.

Not sure how many miles you have done on the bike so far but you may find it gets more comfortable as you get used to it. I had similar comfort issues with my Scott that took months to go away, now I find it really comfortable.