More Upright Road Bike - Opinions?

[Maherees]

Hi all,

First of maybe quite a few future posts:

I have moved to an area which is better suited to road riding, with quite a few groups in the area. I have previously been always an MTB/off-road rider but did have a brief flirtation with a non-mtb when I bought a Halfords CX.

However I found the position quite difficult and hardly ever used the lower parts of the bars due mainly to back ache and general discomfort.

But the other day I went into my local bike shop and saw a Merida Disc 500 and it seemed an ideal compromise with a more upright position as well as discs which I am used to.

Just wondering if this bike might suitable for general road riding, with people with Felts and Cubes etc.?

Many thanks

 

[bonsaibilly]

Certainly would as long as it fitted you well for which you would need a try-outs... just worth bearing in mind that any style of road bike will be of a similar racy position compared to MTB... and a CX bike was likely more upright than a road bike...

For what it's worth, "Felts and Cubes"... well you can get some fairly relaxed road bikes as well as some VERY racy ones from both those brands, so it's not that helpful to you to be making those comparisons!

http://www.cyclelane.co.uk/m4b48s6p7952/FELT-AR3-2015/RS_GB/32870

(eg)

bb

 

[Maherees]

Thanks for our reply. Point taken about the CX bike but i was told that that particular model had a quite an aggressive style. I have used road bikes before when i wanted a break from MTB when in Lanzarote and the bike they hired to me was fine and i had no ill affects.
Maybe a test ride will help me decide.

 

[bonsaibilly]

yeah no substitute for a test!

which CX bike was it out of interest?

 

[vickster]

yeah no substitute for a test!

which CX bike was it out of interest?

Says a Halfords one, Boardman? I assume they all have the same geometry, be it team or comp or other variant

 

[bonsaibilly]

Says a Halfords one, Boardman? I assume they all have the same geometry, be it team or comp or other variant

I would respectfully have to wait to hear from the OP!

BB

 

[Maherees]

Boardman CX Team

 

[vickster]

Compare the geometry to a more relaxed road bike such as a Cannondale synapse or giant Defy with the same effective top tube. Look at the stack/head tube length and angle

Or go to Evans and testride something like the synapse or the Merida at your LBS

 

[bonsaibilly]

Boardman CX Team

So, looking at the geometry charts of both that bike and the Merida Ride 500 Disc, I can't see any massive differences. If anything the Boardman would be more of a "soft" option because the head angle is a bit slacker.

Maybe you had a size bigger than you should have done...

I mean, don't let me stop you from getting the Merida if you like it, but just don't be under any illusions that you'll magically be more upright.

Cheers

BB

 

[Kajjal]

To compare bikes and how upright they are reach and stack are the best measurements. To be more accurate use a stem calculator to allow for the stem height / length and add on the bars.

Compared to mountain bikes a road bike setup has to be a lot more accurate or you will get aches and pains. Start with the saddle height, fore/aft position and tilt, remembering the saddle position is purely to get your legs in the right position not to adjust reach.

Then work out where you want the bars, most people start level or maybe an inch below the saddle. A quick fix is to flip the stem into the upright position which increases height and reduces reach for a more upright , less stretched position.

The key thing is set the bike up to suit your needs and not into a stretched out head down race positon unless that is what you want.

 

[Milkfloat]

Before you buy a new bike, there are a few things you can do with your current bike without spending much money.