Was I unlucky?
Discussion
Last year I wanted to get back into cycling (haven’t really cycled since I was a kid so my knowledge is way out of date)
I bought a s/h hardly used Boardman. I’m not sure of the model but it had carbon forks and was 3-4 years old.
Well I hated it. The riding position was fine but omg the ride was harsh.
Maybe okay on billiard smooth roads but on normal surfaces it was horrible. It made going out on it just plain unpleasant.
Knowing nothing about modern road bikes are they all like that? Could I have done anything with it before giving up on it?
On the end I swapped it for a hybrid which is much better but I still wouldn’t rule out another road bike if I could be sure it wouldn’t suffer from the same problem.
Drawweight said:
Last year I wanted to get back into cycling (haven’t really cycled since I was a kid so my knowledge is way out of date)
I bought a s/h hardly used Boardman. I’m not sure of the model but it had carbon forks and was 3-4 years old.
Well I hated it. The riding position was fine but omg the ride was harsh.
Maybe okay on billiard smooth roads but on normal surfaces it was horrible. It made going out on it just plain unpleasant.
Knowing nothing about modern road bikes are they all like that? Could I have done anything with it before giving up on it?
On the end I swapped it for a hybrid which is much better but I still wouldn’t rule out another road bike if I could be sure it wouldn’t suffer from the same problem.
Probably a bit unlucky. I bought a s/h hardly used Boardman. I’m not sure of the model but it had carbon forks and was 3-4 years old.
Well I hated it. The riding position was fine but omg the ride was harsh.
Maybe okay on billiard smooth roads but on normal surfaces it was horrible. It made going out on it just plain unpleasant.
Knowing nothing about modern road bikes are they all like that? Could I have done anything with it before giving up on it?
On the end I swapped it for a hybrid which is much better but I still wouldn’t rule out another road bike if I could be sure it wouldn’t suffer from the same problem.
Tyres probably make the biggest contribution to road feel and an easy thing to change. The trend for gravel bikes and endurance type road bikes (cannondale synapse etc) mean that you can have a 'road bike' with relaxed geometry, easy gears and big tyres.
Top end racing bikes tend to have tighter tyre clearance and less forgiving frame geometry. Even with the best carbon frame and wheels, ride is still likely to be jarring on our dreadful roads.
As above, tyres make a massive difference.
If you're not looking for out right speed also I'd also look at potentially a steel bike.
My long day ride (which I rode all last year) is a Surly pacer, steel frame, Brooks saddle, 28mm tyres (but moving to 32mm tubeless). Its a super comfy ride (comes in at about 10.5kg with pedals, bottle cages and tyres etc) . To be honest I can keep up with most people on it too if need be.
You could look at a Genesis Crox De Fer. Looks a great versatile bike and with decent clearance for good size tyres to even out the UK roads.
Depends how motivated by Strava KOMs you are!
If you're not looking for out right speed also I'd also look at potentially a steel bike.
My long day ride (which I rode all last year) is a Surly pacer, steel frame, Brooks saddle, 28mm tyres (but moving to 32mm tubeless). Its a super comfy ride (comes in at about 10.5kg with pedals, bottle cages and tyres etc) . To be honest I can keep up with most people on it too if need be.
You could look at a Genesis Crox De Fer. Looks a great versatile bike and with decent clearance for good size tyres to even out the UK roads.
Depends how motivated by Strava KOMs you are!
Edited by dojo on Wednesday 31st March 10:08
I currently have a Boardman adv 8.8, aluminium frame and carbon forks, being the adventure range, the geometry is more relaxed and has 38 wide schwalbe g one tyres.
As has been said, tyres make all the difference, i find that thicker bar tape can also improve thing.
I find the trend of gravel and adventure make much more comfortable machines for road use for those of us not young or flexible enough to enjoy the arse up, head down full on road bike.
As has been said, tyres make all the difference, i find that thicker bar tape can also improve thing.
I find the trend of gravel and adventure make much more comfortable machines for road use for those of us not young or flexible enough to enjoy the arse up, head down full on road bike.
Conditioning plays a part too, especially on bikes with more extreme geometry. If you're nervous you might be gripping the bars too hard or perhaps you are leaning on your hands instead of using your core to support yourself, easily done if you've never really worked those muscles much. Both if these things will make the vibration through the bars feel much more intense and harsh.
Drawweight said:
Knowing nothing about modern road bikes are they all like that? Could I have done anything with it before giving up on it?
On the end I swapped it for a hybrid which is much better but I still wouldn’t rule out another road bike if I could be sure it wouldn’t suffer from the same problem.
Depends on what you are cycling for. If you intend to join a club and right with groups of other riders using road bikes then you may need a road bike to keep up. A full on road bike will never be as comfortable as a bike on wider tyres.On the end I swapped it for a hybrid which is much better but I still wouldn’t rule out another road bike if I could be sure it wouldn’t suffer from the same problem.
If you are riding solo then speed doesn't matter and you can prioritise comfort. A gravel bike or an audax will be slower but have an advantage in being able to cope with gravel lanes so giving more choice of routes.
Unless you are trying to keep up with roadies I would suggest 28mm minimum tyre width. Wider could be better. Tyre quality matters as well. Thin supple tyres roll faster than thicker heavier tyres of the same width. Thin supple tryes are also more comfortable on bad surfaces.
This test showed that one brand of tyre had the same rolling resistance for all widths from 23m to 32mm (when inflated to appropriate pressure.
https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/specials/...
So I would suggest that other than for racers or time trialers the air resistance difference between tyres of different widths is trivial. On the other hand 32mm tyres allow cycling on a far wider range of surfaces than 23 or 35mm. So I would suggest looking for a bike that can take up to 32mm or 35mm then look at fitting faster tyres if the OE ones aren't great.
You really can feel the difference with draggy tyres. I once bought a pair of Marathon Duremes for my tourer. As soon as I fitted them they felt uncomfortable and slow. I did tests rolling down a hill and compared the times with a pair of Vittoria Randonneur Hypers. The hypers were 10% faster as well as being noticably more comfortable. A real win/win. They were fairly puncture free as well The only downside was a shorter life due to the thin tread.
Sorry. Seem to have droned on a bit.
AyBee said:
Without knowing the bike, the components, the tyres and the tyre pressures, it's difficult to tell. I run 28s on my road bike at 60psi which is fine, 23s at 100psi wouldn't be very comfortable.
But its amazing how quickly you get use to 100PSI and the 'road feel' it offers. I honestly cannot get on with running the tyre pressures low on my hybrid commuter bike with 35mm tyres versus my road bike at 100PSI and 23s.Smashing it up a hill, than doing a twisty decent and avoiding pot holes is an absolute joy on the road bike, and its what I love about cycle.
My hybrid is fine, but it simply doesn't get the adrenaline going.
Drawweight said:
Well I hated it. The riding position was fine but omg the ride was harsh.
Maybe okay on billiard smooth roads but on normal surfaces it was horrible. It made going out on it just plain unpleasant.
What was unpleasant about it. The difference between a road bike and a hybrid is like the difference between a Caterham and a Ford Galaxy.Maybe okay on billiard smooth roads but on normal surfaces it was horrible. It made going out on it just plain unpleasant.
Whilst both pedal bikes a road bike is designed for one thing, and that's speed over comfort. However once you get use to the 'feel' of the road bike, personally for me there is no better way to enjoy the British roads on.
Once clipped in, it really does become an extension of your body. People talk about steering feel, suspension damping on cars, well even a Caterham feels like a boat after you have been out for a quick ride on the road bike.
The fact you are punished with pain in all the wrong places for hitting a pot holes means you need to be wide awake on even moderate decents, and leaning in to take a corner quickly.....just don't try too hard in the wet as I found out last autumn
.If you enjoy driving quickly on B roads, stick with the road bike, you will love it once the speed picks up. I suspect bikers (the motor kind) feels the same way, the difference been with an average speed of sub 20mph falling off is usually just a bruise on the ego, versus a trip to A&E on a motorbike doing 60mph+.
Edited by gangzoom on Thursday 1st April 07:14
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