Specialized Secteur - confortable on cobbles/setts?

[dmoura]

I have been riding a MTB with front suspension and slicks for several years now, and want to get a new bike manly for commuting+fitness. I want something faster than my 15kg MTB that can take advantage of the roads, but at the same time I am looking for a comfortable riding position compatible with commuting. I nailed my selection to the Specialized Secteur Triple (budget is limited). However, I never had a road bike before and I am not sure how wheel a bike like this can comfortably handle roads of setts/cobbles (which are common in my city, 10-20% of my commuting depending of the route I choose):

I've read that the geometry of the Secteur's frame and the carbon fork with zert inserts should help alleviate the problem of road vibration, but would it make possible riding this kind of streets without "breaking" my tooth?

Maybe using 25/28 tires that handle lower pressures may help (e.g. schwalbe marathon plus instead of the original specialized armadillo all conditions)... I already feel a lot of vibration if I put the 26x1.5 tires of my MTB at maximum pressure (90 psi). I usually inflate at 70 psi for more comfort.

I do not have the money for a carbon or titanium frame... I do have a second option, the Kona Honky Tonk that has a steel frame and seems more ready for this kind of streets, but it is slightly over my budget and only comes with a compact double (I would prefer a triple because of the nasty hills around here and also because I plan to do some light touring).


Any comments are very much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[dmoura]

OK, probably not so many secteur owners experienced these kind of streets...

Anyway, does anybody here has experienced setts/cobbles with road bikes (aluminum frame+carbon fork, or Reynolds 520 steel frameset)?
How harsh is it?

Unfortunately I never found a bike store in Portugal where I could test drive a bike in this price range...

Many thanks.

 

[sbird]

OK, probably not so many secteur owners experienced these kind of streets...

Anyway, does anybody here has experienced setts/cobbles with road bikes (aluminum frame+carbon fork, or Reynolds 520 steel frameset)?
How harsh is it?

Unfortunately I never found a bike store in Portugal where I could test drive a bike in this price range...

Many thanks.

I have a Secteur Comp and, regardless of the Zertz inserts, it's a road bike; meaning cobbles will be bumpy. My strategy for this is to lift slightly off the saddle and keep a loose grip on the handlebars. No point in going for the pain!

 

[Norm]

25mm tyres will never be comfortable going over setts - IMO. That's going to be a rough ride, pretty much whatever road bike they are fixed to.

I have two road bikes, the Secteur with 25mm tyres and another with 32mm tyres, the difference between the two on crappy surfaces is amazing.

 

[PaulSecteur]

I have a Secteur with 23mm tyres, and a Tricross with 32mm tyres.

I would probably ride over that surface on the secteur "with care", the tricross however, would plough through it.

My usual commute from the gym is about 3.5 miles. I have done it with a "press on" effort on both bikes and the tricross is slower as to be expected, but it is fitted with full mudguards, heavy marathon plus tyres, rack and in this case, carrying my gym stuff in a bag. The secteur just has a seat pack. So, how much difference over 3.5 miles? Not much.


Secteur... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/93216222

Tricross... http://connect.garmin.com/activity/93435222

I really like a good ride out on the secteur, but if I could only have one bike that I had to use every day it would be the tricross, no doubt. Its 90% as good as a road bike on the road, and 100% better when things get a bit rough, it opens up the possiblity of tow paths and trails that I would never take the secteur on.

 

[StuAff]

Cobbles hurt on a regular road bike. When my Viner got rebuilt last year, I specced it with London to Paris in mind- 25mm tyres, gel pads on the bar tape...on cobbled sections, in the county and in Paris, they really rattled. Remember plenty of pro riders use cyclocross frames for the spring classics...

 

[Norm]

I really like a good ride out on the secteur, but if I could only have one bike that I had to use every day it would be the tricross, no doubt. Its 90% as good as a road bike on the road, and 100% better when things get a bit rough, it opens up the possiblity of tow paths and trails that I would never take the secteur on.

Yup.

The tracking for the Tricross seems to be set as private, Paul, as I get a "You do not have sufficient privileges to view the activity with id 93435222." when trying to view.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Tricross seems to be set as private

Sorted

 

[Norm]

Sorted

Although I'm surprised the difference is as much as 30 seconds over 12 minutes.

My experience, on rough South Bucks roads, is that the two are pretty much inseparable although the Secteur is undoubtedly faster and more responsive.

 

[potsy]

Although I'm surprised the difference is as much as 30 seconds over 12 minutes.

My experience, on rough South Bucks roads, is that the two are pretty much inseparable although the Secteur is undoubtedly faster and more responsive.

Yes but what about it's rider?

 

[dmoura]

Thank you very much for your insight.

Actually, the Tricross was my first option; however, the Tricross is not available in Portugal. If I really want one I have to get it from Spain or UK, for instance... and if I have a problem covered by the warranty I have got to go to the dealer where I bought it...

So, for the time being, I am considering one of the following options (which I should have available in a LBS):

• Spec Secteur with 25 (or 28 tires, if possible) at lower pressure (e.g. 60 psi): after reading your comments I think that this would not be the best option, though
• Kona Honky Tonk: it seems that the original rims cannot handle 32cm tires... it comes with 28cm tires. Steel frame and comfortable riding position. However, maybe the maximum tire width would not be enough for these roads?
• Kona Jake: tire width is not a problem since it comes with 35cm tires. However, unlike the Tricross and Secteur, the fork is full aluminium, and therefore I think I lose some vibration dampening here...

I think that the Tricross would be more suitable than any of these options. Maybe the Kona Jake will be the best second option since I can play with the tire width for finding a compromise between comfort and speed.
Again, many thanks.

 

[monnet]

I rode the Flanders sportive over the pave and up and down the bergs on 23s which was no problem. For everyday use on the surface in Porto, I'd guess 25s would be preferable. The Tricross would seem the ideal though.