Anyone swap from drops to straights? If so which one?

[Dave7]

Somethimg I am mulling over.
Neck and shoulder aches so much after 30-40 miles.
I borrowed a Specialized Roubaix.......cant get much more relaxed in dropped bar road bikes but......slight improvement only.
Hence the question.

 

[vickster]

Try a Sirrus or a Giant Rapid or similar and see how you go? Or there's always an MTB or Dutch style?

How's your core? And your set up? Maybe try stopping for a stretch off the bike every 20 miles or so? Take a rest

 

[steveindenmark]

Try turning the stem upside down.

 

[Dec66]

I hear the B'Twin Triban flat bars are jolly good, and not too pricey either.

 

[Dave7]

Try turning the stem upside down.

Done it......and got shortest stem possible.

 

[Dave7]

Try a Sirrus or a Giant Rapid or similar and see how you go? Or there's always an MTB or Dutch style?

How's your core? And your set up? Maybe try stopping for a stretch off the bike every 20 miles or so? Take a rest

Re Sirrus... ..very strange. I want carbon but the Sirrus carbon has a one piece head-set & stem so it is not possible to raise height or shorten stem.....really weird.
Yes.....I do stop and stretch regularly (no choice).......I think its an age thing.
Think Id rather walk than go Dutch style

 

[vickster]

Have a look at the Whyte Montpellier

The giant carbons are hideous

Planet X do a flatbar model in carbon

Or get someone like Pearson or condor to build you one for something a bit special

 

[Dave7]

The Whyte does look nice AND will take wider tyres etc.
Never thought about having one built......sounds posh
Also sounds expensive
But I will check them out.

 

[Dave7]

Have a look at the Whyte Montpellier

The giant carbons are hideous

Planet X do a flatbar model in carbon

Or get someone like Pearson or condor to build you one for something a bit special

Thanks. I did respond but accidentaly put it below

 

[vickster]

I think @Salty seadog has the Whyte

Or if you want to go the build route and want fat tyres, look at cyclocross frames, such as... I guess with a £700 frame, once built with decent parts, probably less than 2k? Trigger shifters and brakes are rather cheaper than Brifters

http://www.dolan-bikes.com/dolan-cyclo-cross/cyclocross-framesets/cdx-cyclo-cross-frameset.html

Dolan are pretty close to you in Preston, go have a chat

I don't think Pearson now sell their framesets separately and condor ones are around £2.5k

Have you considered steel or titanium for comfort?

 

[Salty seadog]

Hi Dave, yes as Vickster says I have the Whyte Montpellier and also have just got the full carbon disc braked roubaix.

without knowing you, you mention it could be an age thing, it sounds like it is to do with reach if you are flipping and shortening stems. The Montpellier is a relaxed setup with what I consider to be a fairly long top tube which puts me in a position not to too far away from riding on the hoods on the roubaix. It sounds like you want to be more upright on the bike so you would need to play with the setup on the Montpellier. It also has quite narrow (58cm) bars for a straight bar bike making it feel a little twitchy at first but you soon get used to it.

I have the 2014 Montpellier and have only had the roubaix a week, both full carbon but the roubaix soaks up a lot more road buzz.

The specialized sirrus is a flat bar version of the roubaix using the same frame so worth considering.

Hope this helps Dave, I guess the best thing is to keep trying some out and maybe some professional fit advice.

Hope you get the right bike....

 

[Dave7]

Hi Dave, yes as Vickster says I have the Whyte Montpellier and also have just got the full carbon disc braked roubaix.

without knowing you, you mention it could be an age thing, it sounds like it is to do with reach if you are flipping and shortening stems. The Montpellier is a relaxed setup with what I consider to be a fairly long top tube which puts me in a position not to too far away from riding on the hoods on the roubaix. It sounds like you want to be more upright on the bike so you would need to play with the setup on the Montpellier. It also has quite narrow (58cm) bars for a straight bar bike making it feel a little twitchy at first but you soon get used to it.

I have the 2014 Montpellier and have only had the roubaix a week, both full carbon but the roubaix soaks up a lot more road buzz.

The specialized sirrus is a flat bar version of the roubaix using the same frame so worth considering.

Hope this helps Dave, I guess the best thing is to keep trying some out and maybe some professional fit advice.

Hope you get the right bike....

I found the Roubaix an excellent bike but sadly didnt fix my neck/shoulder problem.
Is your Whyte a carbon ??
I'm 69 and back into cycling 3 years....hence my thinking it may be age.
Unfortunately the Sirrus carbon has a weird one piece head set & stem so it cant be shortened or raised.

 

[vickster]

I found the Roubaix an excellent bike but sadly didnt fix my neck/shoulder problem.
Is your Whyte a carbon ??
I'm 69 and back into cycling 3 years....hence my thinking it may be age.
Unfortunately the Sirrus carbon has a weird one piece head set & stem so it cant be shortened or raised.

The Montpellier is carbon, unfortunately black. Note, the 2016 is an 11 speed

http://www.whyte.bike/#!montpellier-16/k3suo

 

[Salty seadog]

I found the Roubaix an excellent bike but sadly didnt fix my neck/shoulder problem.
Is your Whyte a carbon ??
I'm 69 and back into cycling 3 years....hence my thinking it may be age.
Unfortunately the Sirrus carbon has a weird one piece head set & stem so it cant be shortened or raised.

Yes both my roubaix and Montpellier are full carbon. ah, didn't know that about the sirrus, seems a little strange to not be able to adapt it and somewhat restricts its appeal to many I'm sure. Thats not bad mileage at 69 imo. Do you get out regualy or just once or twice a week, might be a case of keeping the body moving as it were with regular rides even shorter ones between the longer to keep supple. I certainly hope I'm still putting those miles in at your age sir...chapeau....

Again maybe some more expert advice could be invaluable......

 

[SWSteve]

Out of interest, if going for a flat bar with wider clearance, and fitting with slightly wider tyres tyres (say 28s), would the difference between alu and carbon be that noticeable?