Not enjoying my road bike!

[wilko]

I have a Marin Pallisades MTB that's about 10 years old that I rode on the road, with semi slicks and on tracks/ towpaths etc. As I got more into cycling I thought I should upgrade to a proper road bike, so I bought a Spesh Secteur Elite. I've owned this bike for about a year now and thought it was a great bike, but recently have taken to riding my old Marin again and I have to say I enjoy riding it so much more than the Secteur! I feel much more comfortable and it feels a lot easier to ride even on the road. How can this be? Should I persevere with the Spesh or sell it and just enjoy my MTB?

 

[terry_gardener]

ride what ever you enjoy the most, as cycling is so pose to be fun and not a chore

 

[smokeysmoo]

I couldn't imagine going back to riding an MTB myself TBH. That said I actually did it a few years ago

I went from an MTB to Trek Madone, back to an MTB, (a carbon fibre one), but I hated it. Even with the reduced weight of a cf framed MTB it just felt like a heavy old donkey compared to the Trek. So I sold it and bought another road bike

Have you checked your position on the road bike? Very small alterations can have a big impact on overall comfort.

If nothing works perhaps you should 'sell up' and return to MTB's full time, but IMO it warrants more investigation before making the decision.

 

[cycleruk]

i believe the geometry of a road bike is different to that of a mtb. The mtb is a more up right riding position while the road bike is more so for speed ( more low down) .It may be that the frame is not the right size for you, you could see about going into a bike shop and getting your self measured on a road bike frame and maybe selling what you have to something that might suit your height more, i have sat on a road bike before and it really does feel different to a mtb. If your not comfortable on the bike then you start to hate the bike and before you know it, you will hate riding it. Choose a bike that you feel comfortable on and not because of what other people are doing or say etc, that way you will get the best out of your cycling

 

[wilko]

Had a fiddle about today, lowered the seat and adjusted it so that it's more horizontal, it was slightly nose down before I think as I kept having to push myself back into the seat. Will see how that feels, if I'm still uncomfortable I will have to consider selling it.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Had a fiddle about today, lowered the seat and adjusted it so that it's more horizontal, it was slightly nose down before I think as I kept having to push myself back into the seat. Will see how that feels, if I'm still uncomfortable I will have to consider selling it.

or you could ask an expert to help you sort out a comfortable riding position..?

 

[biggs682]

wilko i keep an early 80's owned from new Marin Bear valley in the shed , it comes out once a year but always puts a grin on my face no matter what , one day i want to see if a nice set of 700's will fit in

 

[Powely]

What size is the Spesh? I'd consider buying it, if it's the right size and price should you decide to sell it that is?

 

[Archie_tect]

...if it doesn't fit Powely, let me know!

 

[wilko]

What size is the Spesh? I'd consider buying it, if it's the right size and price should you decide to sell it that is?

Thanks for the offer, it's a medium (54) Not sure about the price, but if I do decide to sell I will get back to you.

 

[Powely]

Thanks for the offer, it's a medium (54) Not sure about the price, but if I do decide to sell I will get back to you.

Ok thanks. I'm not sure it's the right size now though. I'm 6'1"?

 

[Rob3rt]

Ok thanks. I'm not sure it's the right size now though. I'm 6'1"?

It is too small. You will most likely need a 56-58cm (generally speaking, although geometries do differ).

 

[smokeysmoo]

It is too small. You will most likely need a 56-58cm (generally speaking, although geometries do differ).

+1 defo too small for you.

 

[Globalti]

The fact that re-setting the saddle flat has made it better tells me you haven't got the bike set up right.

Now set the saddle so that it's properly a couple of degrees up at the nose then come back and tell us how it feels. After that we'll help you get the rest of it sorted.

 

[HLaB]

Before making the decision to sell investigate getting it set up properly, IMO you'll enjoy the secteur more when you've done that. Another thing I've heard of which can make a road bike uncomfortable is somebody forcing them self to ride 100% of the time, most riders spend 95% of the time on the hoods, 4% on the flats and only 1% on the drops into head winds etc.