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different riding position

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UK and Europe
Published
6 December 2003
Last activity
13 December 2003
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dailuggs
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  1. yo, im currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer with the drop handle bars would suit my needs a lot better, however what i want to know is how much different is the riding position, because i dont wanna spend 700 quid on a nice racer only to find out it causes a twinge in my back and i gotta sell it on for much less, would it be worth spending 50 on a cheap racer just ot try out for a while and if all is well then go for the expensive 1?

    any adice is much appreciated

    P&L

    Jim

  2. dailuggs said:

    yo, im currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer with the drop handle bars
    would suit my needs a lot better, however what i want to know is how much different is the riding
    position, because i dont wanna spend 700 quid on a nice racer only to find out it causes a twinge
    in my back and i gotta sell it on for much less, would it be worth spending 50 on a cheap racer
    just ot try out for a while and if all is well then go for the expensive 1?

    A 50 quid old "racer" won't give you a fair impression of what decent modern road bikes are like,
    nor will a brief test ride on any good bike either. I suggest risking £300 to £400. Quailty would be
    respectable for a first-time road bike - and this would also provide the opportunity to gradually
    learn what exactly would suit before spending the large money in say one or two years time.

    Riding position can be pretty stretched-out but it could be changed to a more upright "touring" or
    MTB position by swapping the handlebar stem if it did do your back in/whatever, yet performance and
    feel would still be better on-road than what you'd get from an MTB. Make sure you don't get a frame
    that's too large or small and you'll be alright.

    Practical tip (for bikes with threadless forks): If there is any choice (and there often won't be
    unfortunately), try and get bike with forks with a longer than minimal steerer tube* (longer the
    better: can always be cut down later). This allows the stem to be raised/lowered. Don't worry if you
    don't get one like this, though, as stems with more rise angle are available.

    * Bit on top of front forks that sticks up through the frame that handlebar stem clamps to.

    ~PB

  3. Quoted message said:

    yo, im currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer with the drop handle bars
    would suit my needs a lot better, however what i want to know is how much different is the riding
    position, because i dont wanna spend 700 quid on a nice racer only to find out it causes a twinge
    in my back and i gotta sell it on for much less, would it be worth spending 50 on a cheap racer
    just ot try out for a while and if all is well then go for the expensive 1?

    any adice is much appreciated

    Well, I'd never rode drops until a couple of years ago. It took me an *age* to get "used to" them,
    even though the bike was/is comfortable. Now I am "used to" them, I am fine when cycling with
    drops. What I would say, as with any bike, it's vital you have a bike that fits you - so get
    properly sized. Put it this way, the last time I rode my hybrid was *months* ago and I use my bikes
    with drop handlebars on an almost daily basis. Hopefully that will speak volumes about which bike I
    prefer to ride.

    It's highly unlikely a fifty squid racer is going to do you any justice and in all likelihood, it'll
    be a waste of 50 squid :-)

    Get thee saved up of pennies, get thee to a proper bike shop (if in the vicinity of Norwich I highly
    recommend 1. Specialized Cycles and 2. Pedal Revolution - in that order. Try out lots of bikes -
    don't be rushed into buying the first you try. Get thee a properly spec'd properly fitted road bike
    and you'll have many, many happy miles & years of cycling :-)

    Cheers, helen s

    p.s. The reason I recommend Specialized first is that my t'other half had a bike built for him by
    Specialized and the build quality is *excellent*. The attention to detail is superb and
    after-sales customer care cannot be faulted. Plus other stuff bought from said shop is
    excellent.

    --This is an invalid email address to avoid spam-- to get correct one remove dependency on fame &
    fortune h*$el*$$e**nd***$o$ts***i*$*$m**m$$o*n**s@$*$a$$o**l.c**$*$om$$

  4. dailuggs said:

    yo, im currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer with the drop handle bars
    would suit my needs a lot better, however what i want to know is how much different is the riding
    position, because i dont wanna spend 700 quid on a nice racer only to find out it causes a twinge
    in my back and i gotta sell it on for much less, would it be worth spending 50 on a cheap racer
    just ot try out for a while and if all is well then go for the expensive 1?

    any adice is much appreciated

    The real issue is the relative height of the bars and the saddle. If you mount bends at the same
    relative position as your current straight bars, then when you hand are on the tops you'll be in the
    same position you are now; with you hands on the hoods you'll be stretched a bit further forward and
    thus a bit lower, and with you hands on the bends lower still. But at 'cruising speed' you'll
    probably find you ride on the tops a lot anyway, so it will make no difference to your back.
    Obviously when you drop down onto the bends to sprint or to deal with a headwind you'll be more
    crouched, but if it isn't comfortable you can vary it by moving around. That, after all, is the good
    thing about drops.

    --
    [email hidden] (Simon Brooke) jasmine.org.uk~simon .::;===r==\ / /___||___\____
    //==\- ||- | /__\( MS Windows IS an operating environment. //____\__||___|_// \|: C++ IS an object
    oriented programming language. \__/ ~~~~~~~~~ \__/ Citroen 2cv6 IS a four door family saloon.

  5. In article <[email hidden]>, usenet- [email hidden] says... |yo, im
    currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer |with the drop handle bars would
    suit my needs a lot better, however what |i want to know is how much different is the riding
    position, because i |dont wanna spend 700 quid on a nice racer only to find out it causes a |twinge
    in my back and i gotta sell it on for much less, would it be |worth spending 50 on a cheap racer
    just ot try out for a while and if |all is well then go for the expensive 1?
    |
    |any adice is much appreciated
    |
    |
    |P&L
    |
    |Jim
    |
    |
    |
    |--
    |
    |
    as an ex-club racing man, it doesn't matter what you spend, whether it's=20 =A350 or =A35,000, the
    machine MUST FIT. Go to a PROPER bike shop, (preferably one that is staffed by racing or=20
    ex-racing men) and they should be able to give you the best advice.

  6. dailuggs said:

    yo, im currently on a hybrid in the mtb riding position but know a racer with the drop handle bars
    would suit my needs a lot better

    What exactly are your needs? If you want better aerodynamics and aren't wanting to race other folk
    on drop bar machines or head out in a chain gang with same, a recumbent bike (or at least one of a
    subset of them) will give you much better aero than a drop bar bike *and* it will enhance the
    comfort by an order of magnitude at the same time.

    Pete.
    --
    Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
    Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
    dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

  7. "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    What exactly are your needs? If you want better aerodynamics and aren't wanting to race other folk
    on drop bar machines or head out in a chain gang with same, a recumbent bike (or at least one of a
    subset of them) will give you much better aero than a drop bar bike *and* it will enhance the
    comfort by an order of magnitude at the same time.

    As soon as I saw the subject I thought.... but then I held back. Now, though, the subject
    is broached!

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is futile!

    --
    Guy
    ===

    WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
    chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

  8. "Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    What exactly are your needs? If you want better aerodynamics and aren't wanting to race other
    folk on drop bar machines or head out in a chain gang with same, a recumbent bike (or at least
    one of a subset of them) will give you much better aero than a drop bar bike *and* it will
    enhance the comfort by an order of magnitude at the same time.

    As soon as I saw the subject I thought.... but then I held back. Now, though, the subject is
    broached!

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is futile!

    On the other hand he could try fitting some clip on tri-bars to his current bike. That'll get him
    more forward and give a more aero position than at present.

    --
    Dave...

  9. Quoted post said:

    Originally posted by Dave Kahn
    "Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    What exactly are your needs? If you want better aerodynamics and aren't wanting to race other
    folk on drop bar machines or head out in a chain gang with same, a recumbent bike (or at least
    one of a subset of them) will give you much better aero than a drop bar bike *and* it will
    enhance the comfort by an order of magnitude at the same time.

    As soon as I saw the subject I thought.... but then I held back. Now, though, the subject is
    broached!

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is futile!



    On the other hand he could try fitting some clip on tri-bars to his current bike. That'll get him
    more forward and give a more aero position than at present.

    --
    Dave...

    i thought about that but i need a new bike all the same- thinner tyres, with slicks, and a nice light frame with the drops, and altogether a better set of components

    cheers for the feedback yall, it seems like i should spend the 50 quid on getting the bike properly fitted and perfect rather than an old racer

  10. "Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is futile!

    Quoted message said:

    On the other hand he could try fitting some clip on tri-bars to his current bike. That'll get him
    more forward and give a more aero position than at present.

    Still be sitting with his [censored] in the air instead of reclining on a nice comfy seat, though ;-)

    --
    Guy
    ===

    WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
    chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

  11. "dailuggs" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Dave Kahn said:

    "Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in


    message

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message


    news:3FD44F-

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    [email hidden]:[email hidden]...

    > What exactly are your needs? If you want better aerodynamics and aren't wanting to race
    > other folk on drop bar machines or head out in a chain gang with same, a recumbent bike
    > (or at least one of a subset of them) will give you much better aero than a drop bar


    bike

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    > *and* it will enhance the comfort by an order of magnitude at the same time.

    As soon as I saw the subject I thought.... but then I held back.


    Now,

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    though, the subject is broached!

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is


    futile!

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    On the other hand he could try fitting some clip on tri-bars to his current bike. That'll get
    him more forward and give a more aero


    position

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    than at present.
    --
    Dave...

    i thought about that but i need a new bike all the same- thinner tyres, with slicks, and a nice
    light frame with the drops, and altogether a better set of components

    cheers for the feedback yall, it seems like i should spend the 50 quid on getting the bike
    properly fitted and perfect rather than an old racer


    Nah!!! Go on, buy an old racer, can't beat 'em as long as they're not too badly beaten. £15-£40
    should get you a half decent one, whack on a Brooks and awa' ye go.....

    Regards all this stuff about the dark-side and 'bents and comfort / aerodynamics, I have to say,
    having purchased one earlier this year, I'm not massively convinced. Although the one I bought was a
    cheap above seat steering 'bent, I still find the cheapo racer easier to ride, faster, more
    comfortable. The 'bent is a whole load of fun, but if I want to get somewhere quick, I get the racer
    out. It could be that the 'bents 7 gears don't provide quite enough of a range and a previous lower
    back problem makes the racer position more comfortable than the deckchair on the 'bent, I don't know
    for sure. Next thing I want to try is a 'bent trike...still waiting to build one of my own and now
    that No.1 son is doing a course in plumbing, we have access to welding tools and expertise -
    waaahey!! Dave.

  12. (T'other) Dave said:

    Regards all this stuff about the dark-side and 'bents and comfort / aerodynamics, I have to say,
    having purchased one earlier this year, I'm not massively convinced. Although the one I bought was
    a cheap above seat steering 'bent, I still find the cheapo racer easier to ride, faster, more
    comfortable.

    There are recumbents and recumbents. Not only that, but some are designed for different things. Mine
    is an out and out tourer and it isn't designed to go fast, yet I'll still be up with a friend on her
    carbon-framed Look if it's downhill or into the wind, or well ahead if the surface is bumpy
    (suspension makes the bike more efficient over the rough stuff, not just comfier)

    Fact is that a 'bent *designed for speed* really does have better aero than a racer. If it has a
    fairing (even just a tail fairing) even more so. If you find a racing saddle more comfortable than
    a seat well suited to you, well... someone's bound to, but I don't think you have a representative
    anatomy, or the furniture industry has been getting it spectacularly wrong for a long time! Could
    be the seat you have just isn't quite the best for you. As with normal saddles, probably pays to
    hunt around.

    Quoted message said:

    It could be that the 'bents 7 gears don't provide quite enough of a range and a previous lower
    back problem makes the racer position more comfortable than the deckchair on the 'bent, I don't
    know for sure.

    Sounds like what you have is the equivalent of a general town bike. That *will* be slower than a
    decent racer. I wouldn't want to make a similar prediction about a Challenge Taifun being slower
    though, once you've got your legs tuned in to it.

    Pete.
    --
    Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
    Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
    dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

  13. "Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    "Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Jim "dailuggs" - the dark side is calling! Wind resistance is futile!

    Quoted message said:

    On the other hand he could try fitting some clip on tri-bars to his current bike. That'll get
    him more forward and give a more aero position than at present.

    Still be sitting with his [censored] in the air instead of reclining on a nice comfy seat, though ;-)

    Yes, he'll still be in the stone age (like me), but it's a sensible option when you look at his
    original post.

    --
    Dave...

  14. "\(T'other\) Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    news:<[email hidden]>...

    Quoted message said:

    Regards all this stuff about the dark-side and 'bents and comfort / aerodynamics, I have to say,
    having purchased one earlier this year, I'm not massively convinced. Although the one I bought was
    a cheap above seat steering 'bent, I still find the cheapo racer easier to ride, faster, more
    comfortable.

    The most aerodynamically efficient bikes are 'bents, but that doesn't mean that all 'bents are more
    efficient than all wedgies. Some designs are primarily for comfortable cruising rather than outright
    speed. It also takes a little practice to get the feel of a 'bent bike. It's not necessarily
    surprising that your 'bent is slower and feels harder to ride, but it really ought to be more
    comfortable than the wedgie.

    --
    Dave...

  15. "Dave Kahn" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    Still be sitting with his [censored] in the air instead of reclining on a nice comfy seat, though ;-)

    Quoted message said:

    Yes, he'll still be in the stone age (like me), but it's a sensible option when you look at his
    original post.

    Like I said, I resisted until the dam was breached ;-)

    --
    Guy
    ===

    WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
    chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

  16. "(T'other) Dave" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Regards all this stuff about the dark-side and 'bents and comfort / aerodynamics, I have to say,
    having purchased one earlier this year, I'm


    not

    Quoted message said:

    massively convinced

    Your Recumbent May Vary, to paraphrase our Transatlantic cousins. Mine does 40 with greater aplomb
    and substantially better stability than my stick-bikes and is enormously more comfortable even than
    the Brooks-saddled tourer on which I have ridden so many miles.

    I have rear suspension, a padded seat and 27 gears. This may make a difference.

    --
    Guy
    ===

    WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
    chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

  17. "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Fact is that a 'bent *designed for speed* really does have better aero than a racer.

    True enough. Palmer Park meet, VC St. Raphael Nil, Young Master Robert 1, springs to mind ;-)

    --
    Guy
    ===

    WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
    chapmancentral.demon.co.ukchapmancentral.demon.co.uk

  18. "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    (T'other) Dave said:

    Regards all this stuff about the dark-side and 'bents and comfort / aerodynamics, I have to say,
    having purchased one earlier this year, I'm


    not

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    massively convinced. Although the one I bought was a cheap above seat steering 'bent, I still
    find the cheapo racer easier to ride, faster,


    more

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    comfortable.

    There are recumbents and recumbents. Not only that, but some are designed for different things.
    Mine is an out and out tourer and it isn't designed to go fast, yet I'll still be up with a friend
    on her carbon-framed Look if it's downhill or into the wind, or well ahead if the surface is bumpy
    (suspension makes the bike more efficient over the rough stuff, not just comfier)

    Fact is that a 'bent *designed for speed* really does have better aero than a racer. If it has a
    fairing (even just a tail fairing) even more so. If you find a racing saddle more comfortable than
    a seat well suited to you, well... someone's bound to, but I don't think you have a representative
    anatomy, or the furniture industry has been getting it spectacularly wrong for a long time! Could
    be the seat you have just isn't quite the best for you. As with normal saddles, probably pays to
    hunt around.

    Quoted message said:

    It could be that the 'bents 7 gears don't provide quite enough of a


    range

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    and a previous lower back problem makes the racer position more


    comfortable

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    than the deckchair on the 'bent, I don't know for sure.

    Sounds like what you have is the equivalent of a general town bike. That *will* be slower than a
    decent racer. I wouldn't want to make a similar prediction about a Challenge Taifun being slower
    though, once you've got your legs tuned in to it.

    Pete.
    --


    Granted to all points, Pete..... Having said all that, it still is a superb experience, riding a
    'bent, when you've got an ego as massive as mine ;-). I love all the attention and have even come to
    terms with the mocking laughter of 'yoof', recognising it as merely a shock reaction to something
    out of the ordinary. I have had a gang of (obviously) intimidating, drug dealing, granny beating
    yoofs call it 'dark', 'sick' and even 'wicked'. I believe all words were used in admiration, rather
    than in a derogatory way. As I also said previously, I would love to have a go on a custom built
    'bent trike....one day ;-) Dave.
    ps - my 'bent is a Dawes Lowrider...as you say, equivalent of a town bike....but then my racer is a
    25 year old Raleigh Sun Solo, which is hardly earth shattering either ;-)

  19. (T'other) Dave said:

    ps - my 'bent is a Dawes Lowrider...as you say, equivalent of a town bike....but then my racer is
    a 25 year old Raleigh Sun Solo, which is hardly earth shattering either ;-)

    Thanks to those forward looking people at the UCI, a 25 year old racer isn't very different to a 25
    hour old racer. Componentry has got much better, but a lot of it can be transplanted and a good
    Reynolds frame will still pass muster. I presume you're still not using steel wheels and the like?

    Pete.
    --
    Peter Clinch University of Dundee Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Medical Physics, Ninewells Hospital
    Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden]
    dundee.ac.uk~pjclinch

  20. "Peter Clinch" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:
    (T'other) Dave said:

    ps - my 'bent is a Dawes Lowrider...as you say, equivalent of a town bike....but then my racer
    is a 25 year old Raleigh Sun Solo, which is


    hardly

    Quoted message said:
    Quoted message said:

    earth shattering either ;-)

    Thanks to those forward looking people at the UCI, a 25 year old racer isn't very different to a
    25 hour old racer. Componentry has got much better, but a lot of it can be transplanted and a good
    Reynolds frame will still pass muster. I presume you're still not using steel wheels and the like?

    Pete.
    --


    Of course, as original, including leather lined brake pads to increase 'stopability' in the wet. All
    original componentry and all functioning very well indeed, thank you!!...oh, that is apart from the
    chainset that I had replaced after doing the e2e in March...and a rear wheel spindle and bearings
    that snapped on me shortly after getting back....bought it last year for around 30 quid, wouldn't
    change it for 'da world' ;-) Dave.
    ps - even got the original Raleigh tyres but took 'em off to do the e2e and haven't put 'em back on
    yet. Used Conti Sport 1000s for the trip.

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