Braking on a road bike

[StuAff]

On the whole 'women specific' frame issue, I'm inclined to agree with Gerard Vroomen of Cervelo- apart from saddle choice and (generally) narrower handlebars, bike sizing is person-specific, there are no big proportional differences between men and women of the same height. Go to a decent bike shop, tell them exactly what you want, have a fit done, and you'll be fine. Not having black, grey and silver might limit your choice a bit though!


The braking thing is something you'll adapt to pretty quickly- before I got the Viner a couple of years ago, it had been over a decade since I'd ridden on drops, and I got the hang of it soon enough.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

The only reason I can think a shop would convince someone so blindly to use Shimano instead of Campagnolo, on an Italian bike, is because they already have the bike, pre built with Shimano equipment in stock hoping someone will buy it.

 

[vickster]

Well it was Evans lol. Is it as easy changing gear with the switch and the button (best I can describe it ) as the the two switch Shimano method - for an inept female new to road bikes?

I expect each salesman (and indeed cyclist) has their own personal preference too

If I look at the Bianchi Via Nironi range, there are as many with Shimano as Campag

http://www.epic-cycl...a_Nirone_7.html

On the one I was initially considering as it is the prettiest, the Xenon shifters do seem more plasticky than the Shimano levers. The rest of the componetry stuff is gobbledegook to me to be honest - I am interested in a good looking, light, comfortable bike, the techy rest is just as it is and won't sway me in reality

 

[dellzeqq]

Why not pop in to Pearsons and see what they say? They have a successful women's team, and they've supplied bikes to a lot of women in the Kingston Phoenix and Cheam and Morden.

http://www.pearsoncycles.co.uk/store/

I ride a 57 and I'm six foot tall. I felt really stretched when I first went back to road bikes, but it fits like a glove now - but you're two inches shorter. Perhaps you're borderline for a 57?

+1 on the shims for the brake levers, but that's second best. Getting brake levers that are suited to your hands is favourite.

 

[vickster]

Cheers, I certainly will, they are top guys, my last 3 bikes have come from there I am off work on Friday...weather permitting!

 

[lulubel]

Is it as easy changing gear with the switch and the button (best I can describe it ) as the the two switch Shimano method - for an inept female new to road bikes?

No. At least that's my opinion. I ride on the drops a lot, and like to be able to change through the gears without moving my hands.

Regarding braking, it's something you'll get used to. I remember my first ride on my road bike - no test rides because my LBS didn't have anything in my size. I'd just come over the top of a hill on a narrow (nearly single track) road, and was enjoying how fast the bike picked up speed down the other side, and a car appeared coming the other way. I COULDN'T stop, despite desperate clenching of hands round the brake levers, and we both had a scary moment as we passed very close.

I had the brakes adjusted, which helped a lot, but there is a lack of leverage when your hands are on the hoods, and stopping power in that position has never been great. I always move onto the drops when I'm descending or going at speed on the flat, and the braking power there is so strong I can lock the wheels with one finger on the lever.

 

[vickster]

Thanks lulubel...your experience sounds hairy scary!! Now I know I said that I didn't want Specialized, nor an Allez (are they really that aggressive?) ... this looks to be a very good deal locally. And it is not too blokey looking. I wonder if it might work as a first foray into road bikes? It would also leave me some cash to adapt if needed. http://www.fudgescyclestore.com/index.php?p=133869&amp;o=133869 <BR><BR>Reading the triple versus double thread, given I am used to triple (not that I ever use anything other than the middle ring on the hybrid ), might this be better? <BR><BR>I never could resist a bargain!

 

[Wankelschrauben]

I disagree with lulubel, Ergo shifters require no additional movement from the hands to operate.

The only way you will know is to try them both, you'll be kicking yourself later if you buy one without trying both and later decide you'd have rather have the other.

 

[vickster]

How about coordination? And reach?

Cheers

 

[Wankelschrauben]

They are questions I couldn't possibly answer, you really just have to try them.

 

[VamP]

I have the Via Nirone with the Xenon groupset. I came from MTB background, so similarly to yourself found the difference between what I was used and road bikes greater than the diferences between individual road bikes. As a result I am not sure I did my test riding justice, and ended up going with my heart. The Via Nirone in white and celeste is a thing of great beauty.

I am lucky and the Bianchi works for me, but I would echo comments from others about doing as much test riding as you can manage - and yes I am aware of that overwhelming desire to get your new bike sooner rather than later.

It took me probably 2 -3 hours riding time to get used to the specifics of riding a road bike - so if you can find a road bike to borrow, and get a decent ride on it, that will make your test rides that much more valuable - as you will already be dialled into the specifics of the road bike category - and more able to discern the fine differences between framesets, groupsets and wheelsets which will ultimately dictate whether you are happy with your choice.

As for choosing between the Xenon vs 105 equipped Bianchi's - I would in hindsight again go with the Xenon. The groupset is adequate, and I will be happy to keep it for it's lifespan (when I will likely replace it with higher spec Campagnolo kit). The premium that the 105 bike asks is not justified in my mind. The bike is finished to a cost (as they all are) and the biggest weakness is the wheelset. Spend the difference between the 105 and the Xenon on a decent set of wheels and tyres, and you will make a far more dramatic difference to the bike's performance than you can probably even imagine.

Finally, don't give up on road bikes - they really are awesome!

 

[gavintc]

My wife started on Shimano Sora, but then borrowed a friend's Campag bike and was instantly converted. She finds the reach so much easier for the smaller hand. Both her bikes are now Campag geared.

On a minor point. I note you were looking at 57cm frame and are 5'10". I could well be wrong, but I think this may be too big for you. I ride a 56 cm and am 6'1". Might be worth getting a 2nd opinion from another bike shop. Nothing worse than a bike that does not fit you.

Good luck

 

[Davidc]

Im a 5' 10" man with small (for a man) hands. I find a 56cm frame is as big as I want to ride, and a 54cm fits well, and have taken the shims out from behind my STI levers to make them more comfortable and to get more leverage. The handlebar height makes a big difference to comfort on drop bars, as does reach, and those may not have been ideal. on your test bike.

I don't ride a road bike now, but a tourer, but the drop bar and sizing considerations are the same.

If you can get it right you should go faster and more comfortably on the road bike, so do try a bit more.

 

[vickster]

Cheers again guys

Looking at the Bianchi stats, 57cm is about right for 177cm. Sitting on a 53cmm it felt tiny and I expect a 55cm would too. I have to say, coming from XL Sirrus, the 57cm felt small! I don't like being really bent over, nor having a lot of seat post showing.

I do wonder if the aggressive position of a road bike is truly for me? That said, any thoughts on the Allez ^^^?

I am a bit of a coward and don't tend to barrel along anyhow without having my hands very close to the brakes - the knee injury is the result of a fall off my bike nearly 2 years ago which seemed very innocuous, 2 surgeries already and there is almost certainly a much bigger one awaiting me in the future!

I used to change my car every 6 months, now it seems to be bikes...I get bored kind of quickly!

 

[HLaB]

You'll not be far off frame wise but test ride it first; I'm a few cm's smaller at 5foot9inch and a bike fit I had done suggested a 56cm frame, my Bianchi is actually a 55cm as I decided 57cm was too big for me.