Modifying for comfort

[PRD76]

I recently purchased a Cannondale CAAD12 105 - an upgrade from a previously stolen bike (Merida Reacto 400). I ride mainly for fun/fitness, and am a relatively recent convert to road bikes. I only generally manage to get out once or twice a week (2 young children) for 15-20 miles - this will change in time, but for now that's the way it is. Eventually I'm aiming for longer group rides (40-50mi). I am generally fit and have rowed for many years so have good back/arm strength,

So, due to the rave Bike of the Year reviews etc I couldn't resist the CAAD12, and so far (and with my limited knowledge/exp) I can absolutely see what all the fuss is about - certainly compared to the Merida anyway. It is light, responsive and quick. So...onto the issue of fit. I had started to look at the GIant Contend SL1 disc with its more endurance/relaxed geometry and had concluded that this was the bike for me, however I found such a great deal on a 2016 CAAD12 that I decided to go with it. The decision wasn't purely financial - many reviews had also described it as a great 'all-rounder'.

A few hundred miles in, I have found myself wanting to modify the setup - mainly due to feeling a little too stretched which, as I realise now (I know, I know) is due to the more aggressive race geometry of the bike. I have set the bars to the top of the spacers and flipped/shortened the stem from 95mm (weird length?!) to 80mm. I'm going to take it out for a ride this morning and see how I go.

I was speaking to the guy in our lbs who was assisting me and he suggested - looking at my setup - that I might have been better going for an endurance model. I felt a little stupid (we've all been there), but don't want to write off my prized CAAD just yet. I'm 40 and have waited a long time to be able to make a purchase of this sort. Riding is one of the few pursuits that gets me away from the pressures of work and family and I genuinely love it.

Not sure what I'm asking for here - perhaps a little reassurance...but anyway. I feel sure that there are ways to adapt my chosen steed to a more comfort-based setup, at least until I bed in properly anyway. Sure this is also a common scenario for many novice riders and tbh buying a bike has proved to be a bit of a minefield as there is always 'one more thing' to consider.

And please....no holier than thou, waggy fingers from more experienced riders dipping in to the beginners forum for fun :-)

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Is the bike the right size? Did you test ride?

 

[screenman]

How about getting a proper bike fit done.

 

[Tin Pot]

I got my first road bike off the Internet, aged 38, I was cycling a couple of times a week after work - 20km rides.

I adjusted it myself after researching a ton online, reading Zinns art of bike maintenance and asking a ton of forum questions. I just made it worse.

Then I went to a pro bike fitter, spent 4hrs and £150 and it has been a dream to ride ever since.

 

[PRD76]

Yes apols - it is a 54cm frame which has always been right for my size. But no, I didn't get a set up done or test ride (purchased online - again, learning through experience!). That said, I'm not sure a single test ride would have necessarily thrown up potential issues that arise after building up a few hundred initial miles with the bike.

TIn Pot/screenman - I am inclined to agree that the next step should be a pro bike fit. Part of me doesn't want them to say I have the wrong type of frame for my style of riding I guess!! That's my problem though, I appreciate...not saying it's a lost cause, I'm just really focused at this point on getting it 'right' once and for all after some months of trial and error.

 

[steveindenmark]

What they didn't tell you is that Cannondale frames are slightly on the large size. Jannie has the CAAD12 and went a frame size down to what she usually has and she agrees it was the right choice. She loves the bike.

if you get to test ride a frame smaller than you have, you will probably realise it is the right size.

Probably the right bike but wrong frame size.

 

[dim]

try this:
http://www.gurucycling.com/guru-fit-system-up-and-running-in-the-uk/

 

[vickster]

Or maybe it is the right size, albeit with a slightly too long stem which has now been shortened?

 

[vickster]

try this:
http://www.gurucycling.com/guru-fit-system-up-and-running-in-the-uk/

What does that offer other than advertising for a bike fit company in Connecticut?
Or were you trying to link to something specific? I just got taken to the home page

Although weirdly, when I quoted your post, it took me to their UK set up...

 

[Bazzer]

I felt stretched on my Cannondale if ridden for a while, but I moved from almost 30 years on a flat bar bike. I nearly went for a bike fit, but decided to firstly have a go myself from online material. I spent a lot of time getting my seat position to what I think is correct for leg length and position of my foot on the pedals and then still feeling stretched, bought a shorter stem.

 

[dim]

What does that offer other than advertising for a bike fit company in Connecticut?
Or were you trying to link to something specific? I just got taken to the home page

Although weirdly, when I quoted your post, it took me to their UK set up...

sorry .... I edited the post and you most probably checked the older link ... I also added a video

I have not had a Guru fit, but from what I have read on other forums, it's very good as it finds the setup where you will cycle with the most comfort and most power. One of my client's has an Enigma titanium bike specially custom built for his own body measurement and had he Guru fit ... he says it's well worth the money spent

I have used the Eddy bike fit calculator though when I started cycling and it is also pretty good: (Use the Eddy fit specs, set it up to that and then just tweak aq few settings to suit):
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/Store/catalog/fitCalculatorBike.jsp#type

now, I just buy a 52cm bike and adjust the saddle position

 

[vickster]

I had a Retul fit and wasn't terribly impressed by the process...as the fitter seemed more interested in power and not my comfort with various ails. I then had an assessment by a cycling physio who'd been treating me which was a much better (and cheaper) experience. To be fair, she didn't make many changes from the Retul fit

The OP hopefully tried the bike before parting with that amount of cash and is at least confident the frame size is correct and can be tweaked to an optimal fit and comfort

 

[PRD76]

Cheers all for the helpful input - some interesting points made and certainly some I hadn't considered. I have experimented with (and will continue to) seat position, bearing in mind relation to the pedals and the correct set up. For now, I'm hoping the shorter 80mm stem will prove to be the final adjustment required. It's just started lashing down here in Kent, so my planned 20miler has gone by the wayside....hey ho (had clearance from the wife and everything too!).

As I initially said, the bike is in no way uncomfortable per se, I am just modifying now for that additional comfort to make me feel more 'at one' with the bike. It's a more aggressive frame yes, but I feel sure there are certain changes within my power to adjust to a more comfort-oriented ride. I think to an extent i had also become fixated with the endurance geometry since researching it, therefore convincing myself /i had bought the wrong type of bike...

 

[Kajjal]

You have made the right changes in flipping the stem upright, moving the spacers down etc.

When setting up a bike some people are fixated with a stretched out head down race position which does not suit most riders.

To do your own setup start with the saddle height. With your feet flat on the pedal and the crank pointing down in line with the seat tube you should be able to lift your self a little off the saddle. If you can't the saddle is too high, signs of this are rocking when pedalling, your feet pointing downwards and you feel perched ontop of the bike rather than sitting inside it. Next use KOP's to put the saddle for aft position about right and adjust as needed. Also on a flat surface make sure the saddle is level. Ideally the position you are after is to lean slightly into the bars, slide backwards onto the saddle and feel sort of inside the bike. Take your time and it may take a few attempts and rides to get it about right. The saddle position is purely to get your legs in the right position and has nothing to do with with reach to the bars.

Next think where ideally you would want you bars to be. Let you hands fall naturally on your existing bars and find their natural position. My previous road bike was too low at the front and had about an inch too much reach. Once I got a properly fitting bike I can now ride in the drops with no problems. My new bike has short reach and short drop bars which suit me better.

Just be careful spending money on making changes when you really need a different bike. Check out on line stem calculators to save spending money until you are sure.

 

[PRD76]

You have made the right changes in flipping the stem upright, moving the spacers down etc.

When setting up a bike some people are fixated with a stretched out head down race position which does not suit most riders.

To do your own setup start with the saddle height. With your feet flat on the pedal and the crank pointing down in line with the seat tube you should be able to lift your self a little off the saddle. If you can't the saddle is too high, signs of this are rocking when pedalling, your feet pointing downwards and you feel perched ontop of the bike rather than sitting inside it. Next use KOP's to put the saddle for aft position about right and adjust as needed. Also on a flat surface make sure the saddle is level. Ideally the position you are after is to lean slightly into the bars, slide backwards onto the saddle and feel sort of inside the bike. Take your time and it may take a few attempts and rides to get it about right. The saddle position is purely to get your legs in the right position and has nothing to do with with reach to the bars.

Next think where ideally you would want you bars to be. Let you hands fall naturally on your existing bars and find their natural position. My previous road bike was too low at the front and had about an inch too much reach. Once I got a properly fitting bike I can now ride in the drops with no problems. My new bike has short reach and short drop bars which suit me better.

Just be careful spending money on making changes when you really need a different bike. Check out on line stem calculators to save spending money until you are sure.

Thanks for this useful advice, much appreciated.