New road bike time, advice please.
New road bike time, advice please.
Author
Discussion

cramman

Original Poster:

659 posts

224 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
As the title suggests I’m after a new road bike. It’s main use will be better weather commuting, 25 miles a day or there about and some longer rides, occasional events etc.
I currently ride a Scott cyclocross in the winter and a Dolan mythos in the summer. I love the Scott and find it comfortable and fast enough for me but the Dolan is just too much a “race” bike.
Part of the problem is I’m 6’2” and I have 35” legs, my clowns legs meaning I have to have the seat very high, then on a more “extreme” geometry bike, I’m even more angled down.

So, any recommendations, or can someone advise what to look for geometry wise and possibly suitable manufacturers.

Price wise, 1 – 1.5K or there abouts I guess. My local bike shop has suggested the Scott Solace 30 or possibly the synapse.

Cheers

Cramman.

richardxjr

7,561 posts

239 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
How about a nice road wheelset for the crosser? Shame to use it winter only.




Black can man

31,973 posts

197 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Have a look at these great buys ,


I'm off to Bike town Munich in october, Beer , Sausages & Road bikes biggrin


http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&...

Barchettaman

7,254 posts

161 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Just get a second wheelset for your CX bike. Job jobbed.

SixPotBelly

1,925 posts

249 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Black can man said:
Have a look at these great buys ,
I'm off to Bike town Munich in october, Beer , Sausages & Road bikes biggrin
BCM, go in September for the Oktoberfest beer

OP, if you're happy buying online, look at Canyon also. I'm a half pint, but I hear their large bikes are properly large. Their Endurace might suit, but it's selling out fast.

cramman

Original Poster:

659 posts

224 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Yeah, I did consider upgrading the CX, but, at 7.5K miles, mainly in the winter it's seen better days. Still going but it needs more than wheels. I noticed my heel rubbing on the frame has almost worn through the other day.

Maybe a new CX wouldn't be a bad shout. Basically, I WANT a new bike, it's been a while.

What is the difference in geometry that makes them better. Higher head/bars?

bakerstreet

5,041 posts

194 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
cramman said:
Yeah, I did consider upgrading the CX, but, at 7.5K miles, mainly in the winter it's seen better days. Still going but it needs more than wheels. I noticed my heel rubbing on the frame has almost worn through the other day.

Maybe a new CX wouldn't be a bad shout. Basically, I WANT a new bike, it's been a while.

What is the difference in geometry that makes them better. Higher head/bars?
What about some of the latest disc equipped Giant Defys. Non racey geo and good looking bikes IMO smile Synapse is a good shout too.

Have a wonder round your local Giant store. They are quote plush. Also like wandering round a a premium car showroom (BMW/Mercedes)

Black can man

31,973 posts

197 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
SixPotBelly said:
Black can man said:
Have a look at these great buys ,
I'm off to Bike town Munich in october, Beer , Sausages & Road bikes biggrin
BCM, go in September for the Oktoberfest beer

OP, if you're happy buying online, look at Canyon also. I'm a half pint, but I hear their large bikes are properly large. Their Endurace might suit, but it's selling out fast.
Wifey works in a school so it's half term only , I'm sure there will be plenty of beer left over.

beer

MonkeyHanger

9,267 posts

271 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Being of similar odd proportions (1 inch taller) I can recommend the Synapse. Mine is a 58cm frame and I could happily ride it all day if I borrowed a decent set of legs biggrin

outnumbered

4,870 posts

263 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all

I don't have any specific suggestions, but being of similar height, the important thing if you don't want to end up with 15cm of drop from seat to bars, is to get a frame with a tall head tube. Quite a few manufacturers make sportive/endurance frames with different geometry to the traditional race frames now:

http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/140799-buyers-...

Magic919

14,486 posts

230 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
For off the shelf bikes, head tube length, plus spacers and stem will dictate the height of the bars. Have a look at the larger Giant (sorry) models and the head tube will be over 20cm for a stack height of over 600mm.

Daveyraveygravey

2,108 posts

213 months

Wednesday 8th April 2015
quotequote all
Sounds like fit is an issue so go to a local bike shop that specialises in bike fitting and sells a few different makes. They should be able to get something to fit you properly. Your shape is a bit unusual but not way off the scale.

cramman

Original Poster:

659 posts

224 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
Thanks for all the replies. Going to try and have a look around this weekend.

I really like the look of the Giant Defy, it looks good value when comparing against the other big brands.

bakerstreet

5,041 posts

194 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
cramman said:
Thanks for all the replies. Going to try and have a look around this weekend.

I really like the look of the Giant Defy, it looks good value when comparing against the other big brands.
Their finishing kit is pretty good too. I have a 2010 Giant Defy 2 and the finishing kit is a much better quality than the stuff on my Planet X which was actually £400 more than the Giant.

The Giant tyres aren't great though. I'd probably replace those straight away.

scherzkeks

4,460 posts

163 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
cramman said:
As the title suggests I’m after a new road bike. It’s main use will be better weather commuting, 25 miles a day or there about and some longer rides, occasional events etc.
I currently ride a Scott cyclocross in the winter and a Dolan mythos in the summer. I love the Scott and find it comfortable and fast enough for me but the Dolan is just too much a “race” bike.
Part of the problem is I’m 6’2” and I have 35” legs, my clowns legs meaning I have to have the seat very high, then on a more “extreme” geometry bike, I’m even more angled down.

So, any recommendations, or can someone advise what to look for geometry wise and possibly suitable manufacturers.

Price wise, 1 – 1.5K or there abouts I guess. My local bike shop has suggested the Scott Solace 30 or possibly the synapse.

Cheers

Cramman.
Sounds like your saddle may be too high. I'm 5'11" with a similar inseam and I've never had an issue racing or riding long-dist. recreationally on proper race geo. bikes. You should do fine on a standard 58 or possibly 59 C-T with classic geo.

anonymous-user

83 months

Thursday 9th April 2015
quotequote all
www.ukbikesdepot.com are always worth a look, as well as a bricks and mortar shop they have a heavy online outlet. At the moment there are some great savings to be had on the 2014 Genesis Volant range and some shiny shiny Cube kit.

Barchettaman

7,254 posts

161 months

Monday 13th April 2015
quotequote all
Can you replicate your fit on the Scott CX bike on your Dolan? Maybe a new stem, something like that? Once the contact points are in the right place shirley you'll be more than half way there.