[Mike1jw]

I'm thinking about getting a road bike in the near future. I keep hearing that road bikes are not that comfortable. If that's the cast, it would seem to me that the only reason someone would own a road bike would be for speed or for racing. Are there any other reasons someone would prefer a road bike over a comfort bike.

I would like to do some long rides. Right now I'm doing 25-30 miles on a mountain bike (hard frame) fitted with 1.5 road tires. Takes me about 2-2 and a half hours. I would like to do longer rides, but I just don't know if I want to sacrifice comfort for speed.

Any Suggestions?

Mike

[Xela]

There are all levels of road bikes. You can get quite a comfortable road bike, especially if you stay away and resist the urge to get a pro-caliber race frame. A lot has to do with the frame geometry and how well the bike fits you.

See this thread here for a link to Competitive Cyclist's road bike sizing. As you see in my first post on the thread, CC has three sets of numbers depending on the type of fit you want. If you are worried about long-term comfort and not being in a race position, stay away from the Competitive Fit.

http://www.twospoke.com/forum/f78/sizing-1488/

I'm saying this partly based on my own experiences. I did buy a superlight, super-racy carbon frame; a Look 595. My biggest problem with it was the seat the handlebar drop. I was/am not flexible enough for the pro riding position which sacrifices comfort for aero efficiency. I have since gotten off that frame (still hanging in my garage, though) and now am riding a Roubaix SL2. Very comfortable frame, and its taller headtube allows me to sit more upright. Very happy with that bike! And the SL2 is no slouch, by the way. Built up with my heavier all-purpose wheels, it still only weighs slightly over 16 lbs, and that's with cages and pedals mounted.

I think with the right road bike frame properly fitted to you, a road bike can be a comfort bike.

[fatandslow]

Originally Posted by Mike1jw

I'm thinking about getting a road bike in the near future. I keep hearing that road bikes are not that comfortable. If that's the cast, it would seem to me that the only reason someone would own a road bike would be for speed or for racing. Are there any other reasons someone would prefer a road bike over a comfort bike.

I would like to do some long rides. Right now I'm doing 25-30 miles on a mountain bike (hard frame) fitted with 1.5 road tires. Takes me about 2-2 and a half hours. I would like to do longer rides, but I just don't know if I want to sacrifice comfort for speed.

Any Suggestions?

Mike

I concur with Xela. You can retain the MTB riding position but get most of the benefits of a road bike by going with any number of hybrids now on the market (Trek Fx line, Specialized Sirrus line, Kona Dew line, etc.). These bikes are actually closer to road bikes in geometry, but with flat bars. The drop bars on a road bike are much more flexible in terms of the number of different hand positions available, which over a long ride can make a huge difference in comfort. They can also be adjusted a little, with the bar-ends pointing at the ground somewhat for a little more upright position. You would also appreciate the drops after a couple hours riding into a 20 mph headwind. Because of this, most really long distance riders tend to prefer drop bars. Cyclocross bikes and touring bikes (i.e. Trek 520, Surly Long Haul Trucker) will tend to have more comfortable geometry, like longer head tubes and chainstays, than race-replica type bikes. Look for chainstays at least 430mm long, and a steering head tube ( or steerer tube or combination of the two) long enough to put the brake hoods at at least saddle height when adjusted for you. A little larger frame size can raise the bars too. The good news is that many manufacturers' most comfortable bike lines are the cheaper ones, because the expensive ones tend to have more racy geometry.

[Mike1jw]

Very helpful, Thanks

But that one questions remains, Why would someone "want" a more uncomfortable bike? Would it be for speed and racing only, or are there other reasons?

[fatandslow]

Originally Posted by Mike1jw

Very helpful, Thanks

But that one questions remains, Why would someone "want" a more uncomfortable bike? Would it be for speed and racing only, or are there other reasons?

I think some people want to look the part of something they aren't. The motorcycle market is the same way. People want to look like either Rickey racer on low-barred, high-pegged sport-bikes, or Billy and Captain America in Easy Rider on feet-forward, ape-hanger equipped choppers. In fact most people would be better served by something in the middle. The industries themselves are partly to blame as well, but in the end they are only responding to the perceived demand for particular products. I have found that the older I get, the less likely I am to fool myself about what I want.

The other side of the coin is that most people can't afford more than one bike, so if you do want to race, what one bike do you buy, and where do you compromise? In the best of worlds, I guess we'd all have a carbon-fiber race bike, a commuter, a tourer, a high-tech mtn bike, a cruiser, and who-knows-what else.

[Mike1jw]

I ride motorcycles too, and I couldn't agree more with you. I have rented alot of different Harleys and I Always come back to the Electra Glide. The seat postion, foot position and bars are the most comfortable of any of them, and it handles like a bicycle once you get used to it. The only reason you might want to ride the other models is for the look and, or attitude. I never thought of applying that same principal to bicycles.

Good post
Thanks

[Mike1jw]

I'm getting sick. I'm doing so much reading and there are just toooooo many choices. I want comfort so I think carbon fiber, but now I read that carbon fiber doesn't last as long as steel or titanium, and can even fail. I have a 20 year old alumium mountain bike. I have never done a PM, never cleaned the chain. My moto is "if it aint broke, dont fix it". I know that that's not good but it is what it is. I want comfort, but I also want to go farther/faster in the time I have to ride. So should I go with narrow tires (road bike) or wider tires (hybrid) then if I buy a hybrid there's the problem of the handle bars (fewer hand positions). If I'm going to spend 1,500 to 2,000 dollars on a bike I want it ALL. Once I think I'm narrowing down my choices, I read something new and I'm back to square one.

This is not easy, there are just too many choices when buying a bike.

[fatandslow]

There are actually quite a few hybrids out there with pretty narrow tires, if that's what you want. I have one that came with 700c23 tires, and I went up to 28s for the comfort, and they are more comfortable(100 psi instead of 120). Unfortunately, since I'm unaware of a bike shop that offers a 50 mile test-ride, at some point, a leap of faith will be required. I am curious tho, what is the exact comfort issue with your MTB?

[Mike1jw]

Right off I would say handle bars. I would like more speed (I think). I do between 15 - 20 MPH, maybe 25 down some hills and it takes me about 2-2 1/2 Hrs. to ride 30 mi. I dont know, do you think it's ok to do 30-50mi. rides with a mountain bike, as long as I confortable on it. that would sure save me a lot of money.

[fatandslow]

I can't see any reason why you shouldn't go as far as you want. There will be limits to your speed, however. The decreased aerodynamic efficiency of an upright seating position and the low gearing of a mountain bike make top speed lower than on a Road bike. For most people that's a worthwhile trade-off because most people's top-speed is limited more by their conditioning than anything about the bike, myself included. I assume you have bar-ends already. If not get some, as they make a world of difference. I've even seen 2 sets, one mounted on the ends, and one set mounted next to the stem. There are also numerous different shapes of handlebars, but you have to be careful, because there are also a number of different diameters. Not only do the bars have to fit on the bike, but all your controls have to fit on the bars. Cable length can also be an issue.