I had a 56cm. On paper that was possibly a little bit on the big side for my height too, but as the road frames are lower than cross frames it seemed to work well with flat bars because I wasn't reaching for hoods. It's another good option, as is the Dolan Preffisio. Thanks for the idea.
Bad Neck & Bike Set-up
- Thread starter JPBoothy
- Start date
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I have e-mailed Dolan about the price of their bike-fit and a replacement Cross frame/fork as that is my preferred type of bike. I couldn't swap all of my CX bits onto a road frame either.
Cyclist33
Guest
- Location
- Warrington
what are your measuresments and what size caadx have you got?
i dont think you need to splash out on a bike fit. if youre hell bent on drop bars you just need to get a much smaller bike than you did with the Dale. do a bit of serious homework first. most all the big names have geometry charts including cannondale for you to compare measurements across brands and models.
one thing i also want to note, it is entirely possible as ive found, to get neck or shoulder pain from having the bars too upright or the reach too short, so dont go blithely getting a "sportive" type bike as the answer to your prayers. if you get the bike too short on reach and high up front you can end up hunching your neck into your shoulders, which isnt great.
exercise and physio are probably the best things as i understand it there is a correct position to adopt on a road bike which is stress unducing because it isnt natural, and you have to train your body to master it.
another option would be to forget about drop bars and get a flat bar road bike, i mean it sounds like you get on better with them.
i dont think you need to splash out on a bike fit. if youre hell bent on drop bars you just need to get a much smaller bike than you did with the Dale. do a bit of serious homework first. most all the big names have geometry charts including cannondale for you to compare measurements across brands and models.
one thing i also want to note, it is entirely possible as ive found, to get neck or shoulder pain from having the bars too upright or the reach too short, so dont go blithely getting a "sportive" type bike as the answer to your prayers. if you get the bike too short on reach and high up front you can end up hunching your neck into your shoulders, which isnt great.
exercise and physio are probably the best things as i understand it there is a correct position to adopt on a road bike which is stress unducing because it isnt natural, and you have to train your body to master it.
another option would be to forget about drop bars and get a flat bar road bike, i mean it sounds like you get on better with them.
Thanks for your advice C33, it is always good to hear the different views from actual cyclists rather than salesmen. I certainly have a lot of thinking to do if I'm to avoid falling into the same trap again. The problem is that each time I have a new bike it feels okay for several months. Thanks again.
My flexibility is definitely going in the opposite direction to my age. I am going to look into Pilates/Yoga though (I'll be careful who I tell). I used to be an avid Flat-Bar fan, and to be honest deep down probably still am. Do you think that some people just don't suit Drop-Bars? I wonder at times whether I really want drops or have let myself be convinced by the LBS, Magazines and the TdF that the only 'proper' bike is one with drop-barsIf it feels ok for a few months, maybe it's not just the bike but also your anatomy or flexibility. Get that physio assessment and a tailored exercise and stretching programme
vickster
Legendary Member
There are plenty of fast flat bars out there, Planet X do a rather tasty light carbon number, Dolan would probably build you something, as would Pearsons, Condor etc
To be honest, I'm not a lot quicker on my road bikes or flat bar or indeed single speed when I do my circuits around home due to the traffic. The flat bar does feel a bit sluggish now with mudguards, a rack and marathon + tyres. When naked with slicker tyres, it was certainly more sprightly. When I get out on to the open roads, probably faster on the road bikes, but that might be just because I'm riding them more away from home. Roadbikes do offer more ways to alter your hand and body position on the bike, but you can always add ergo grips and bar ends. I rarely use the drops for any distance for example
To be honest, I'll never be quick - my age, weight, gender, lack of athleticism and crap joints will always hold me back. That's fine, I enjoy riding all of the bikes when I do (as long as the idiot drivers behave )
I'm not sure why you need to be ashamed of doing pilates and yoga, forget the bloody stereotypes. I'm not into pink or flower arranging ether!
To be honest, I'm not a lot quicker on my road bikes or flat bar or indeed single speed when I do my circuits around home due to the traffic. The flat bar does feel a bit sluggish now with mudguards, a rack and marathon + tyres. When naked with slicker tyres, it was certainly more sprightly. When I get out on to the open roads, probably faster on the road bikes, but that might be just because I'm riding them more away from home. Roadbikes do offer more ways to alter your hand and body position on the bike, but you can always add ergo grips and bar ends. I rarely use the drops for any distance for example
To be honest, I'll never be quick - my age, weight, gender, lack of athleticism and crap joints will always hold me back. That's fine, I enjoy riding all of the bikes when I do
(as long as the idiot drivers behave )I'm not sure why you need to be ashamed of doing pilates and yoga, forget the bloody stereotypes. I'm not into pink or flower arranging ether!
Thanks Vickster.. I am not ashamed, I was only joking.. With regards to the flat/drop issue, I was even toying with the idea of putting flat-bars on my CAADX which would then put me roughly in the same position as riding permanently on the tops in its current guise. At least with flats fitted, I wouldn't be able to find myself reaching for the hoods which is more likely to be doing the damage to my neck. Any thoughts?There are plenty of fast flat bars out there, Planet X do a rather tasty light carbon number, Dolan would probably build you something, as would Pearsons, Condor etc
To be honest, I'm not a lot quicker on my road bikes or flat bar or indeed single speed when I do my circuits around home due to the traffic. The flat bar does feel a bit sluggish now with mudguards, a rack and marathon + tyres. When naked with slicker tyres, it was certainly more sprightly. When I get out on to the open roads, probably faster on the road bikes, but that might be just because I'm riding them more away from home. Roadbikes do offer more ways to alter your hand and body position on the bike, but you can always add ergo grips and bar ends. I rarely use the drops for any distance for example
To be honest, I'll never be quick - my age, weight, gender, lack of athleticism and crap joints will always hold me back. That's fine, I enjoy riding all of the bikes when I do
I'm not sure why you need to be ashamed of doing pilates and yoga, forget the bloody stereotypes. I'm not into pink or flower arranging ether!
ayceejay
Guru
- Location
- Rural Quebec
If you are still looking for a DIY answer then try wider handlebars with a flat top
Thanks, definitely another option..
