Road bike - more comfort

[Pulse]

I want to add a bit of comfort to my road bike. It’s pretty good as it is (Giant Defy), but I am considering doing a bit of touring and need the best comfort I can. Of course, I could just buy a new bike...

Anyway, I was thinking of putting 25c Schwalbe Marathon Touring tyres on. Currently I have the stock 23c road tyres on there.

Any thoughts?

[smifffymoto]

Tyres will help but the best thing is to change the stem to give you a more upright position.If you want to tour,forget fashion.

[HardtopManual]

What is it that's uncomfortable? Is your position too low or is the ride too firm?

Schwalbe Marathons weigh quite a bit and feel a bit "dead" on the bike. Do you get a lot of punctures?

[ArnageWRC]

There are the obvious 'Endurance' type bikes, which have various systems for comfort; the Trek Domane, Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse, etc....most of which can handle 28mm tyres (even up to 32mm in most cases)

As for tyres, the Marathons wouldn't be my first choice (well not in the summer) what about Conti 4 Seasons? Good durable tyres, and pretty decent rolling as well.....

[PorkRind]

Bike Fit, wider saddle for sit bones, 25 instead of 23 tires maybe even 28s but they look a Bit wrong imo

[Marcellus]

Impossible to say what will make any bike more comfortable as there is no simple answer!

What do you find uncomfortable with your current set up?

Personally I don't feel a difference between 23s and 25s, my winter bike is 23s and summer 25s.

[lufbramatt]

I went from 23c Schwalbes to 25c Contis on my road bike, it's slightly more comfortable as you can run a few psi less pressure but it's hardly night and day.

I like the gel inserts for under the bar tape, just takes the edge off road buzz, again it's a small thing though.

what do you find uncomfortable about your bike currently?

What made the biggest difference comfort wise for me was doing core strength exercises to strengthen my lower back, hip flexors and abdominal muscles.

Edited by lufbramatt on Thursday 26th July 08:39

[bigdom]

I have a Defy in my stable, it's always been sold as an Endurance frameset, and has evolved over the years, the current models on discs and will take 32c.

What year is yours? I have a 2013 with a set of 28mm Vittorias on it under a set of shimano calipers, it's tight although I've had no issues - there's no way you're adding any guards though.

As others have mentioned, where is the discomfort? Saddle, reach, bars etc?

[timnoyce]

Which Defy do you have?

I've got the Defy Advanced which I personally find super plush. The only real changes I have made over the off the shelf bike are 28mm tubeless tyres which I run at 65psi, my trusty Charge Spoon saddle and a 3T Ergonova handlebar with decent thick handlebar tape.

It's great. I can't really imagine needing any more comfort on a road bike and it's certainly not any slower than it was on 25's, in fact, on rough tarmac it's almost certainly quicker as it's so much smoother.

[Pulse]

Cheers for all the replies - very useful!

I have a 2013 Defy 1. It's not horrendously uncomfortable, at all. The riding position is fine, and I only start to ache a bit after a couple of hours in the saddle. It's more about taking away some of the road 'buzz', as someone has mentioned. Plus at the same time, I figured that (despite having no punctures thus far), a more puncture-resistant tyre would be good for longer jaunts.

I was thinking of starting with tyres, then probably saddle. Both are fine, but I am never going to be the speediest rider (currently average c.17mph on my rides, and I use flats), so figured why not add in a bit more comfort.

[snotrag]

Bigger tyres (Biggest you can fit) and nice quality ones with high TPI sidewalls (Tyres like Marathons are a bit leaden feeling), and then set them up tubeless.

[louiebaby]

I would be looking at bike fit, and then at the contact points.

• I have some different shoes, and they can make an awful lot of difference. I think my feet swell a little after an hour or so, so having a bit of give helps.
• I know which of my bibs are better for the longer rides. For outright comfort I'll pick my Rapha Classic bibs, for instance. I have some thinner summer ones for a very hot day, etc.
• I really like the Bontrager bar tape I have, and know which of my gloves have the best padding for longer rides. (Castelli ones that a supposedly designed for the cobbled classics.)

I have a good set of favourite kit for most occasions now, and am gradually wearing out my non-favourite kit on the commute. (I might also continue to try new bits and bobs to see if they're better than what I have.)

[smifffymoto]

Another option is to go on Ebay and buy a Dawes Galaxy or similar.

[SVS]

Thumbs up for Supercaz bar tape. A little more comfort but a lot more luxurious