Hi, Can anyone offer any opinions on "comfort" road bikes - such as the Specialized Sequoia and Trek 1000/1200 C models.
My specific requirements would be a bike that is
Faster than a hybrid Good for either head down pushing or a bit of sit up and enjoy the view. Still able to handle muddy/rough country lanes (i.e. tarmac but pretty mucky and rough in places) Mudguard & rack compatible Rides are typically 1-2 hours but would like to build to longer day rides
I am wondering how much more comfortable these bikes are versus more "uncomfort" road bikes like the Specialized allez or trek 1000
Fine bikes but not perhaps for your muddy/rough country lanes. Why not look at a proper "touring" bike like the Hewitt Cheviot, Edinburgh Country, Dawes Horizon, Galaxy or Sadar, Thorn Sherpa. There are a good few out there that would seem to fit your requirements better. I have a Cheviot and it does for me almost exactly what you are describing!!
"Roger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:riversax-3103051955470001@localhost...
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Hi, Can anyone offer any opinions on "comfort" road bikes - such as the Specialized Sequoia and Trek 1000/1200 C models.
My specific requirements would be a bike that is
Faster than a hybrid Good for either head down pushing or a bit of sit up and enjoy the view. Still able to handle muddy/rough country lanes (i.e. tarmac but pretty mucky and rough in places) Mudguard & rack compatible Rides are typically 1-2 hours but would like to build to longer day rides
I am wondering how much more comfortable these bikes are versus more "uncomfort" road bikes like the Specialized allez or trek 1000
Hi, Can anyone offer any opinions on "comfort" road bikes - such as the Specialized Sequoia and Trek 1000/1200 C models.
I have a trek 1200 to which I have fitted a rack (it has mount points) and sks full mudguards over 23mm tyres. It works but the clearance on the mudguards are less than ideal especially if you are talking about a muddy environment. I am afraid I am not sure if te fram is the same as a 1200 C but if it was then I think it is not quite the bike you want. I use mine for commuting but foundit comfortable enough on the Dunwich Dynamo. Mine has a double chainring and would be overgeared for tourig with any load or on significant climbs
I don't know about recumbents... I would quite like a go on one but I do really enjoy "ordinaries" , not sure I'm brave enough to use one! (or that it would fit in the shed...)
Are you in the South East Roger?
"Roger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:riversax-0104051834270001@localhost...
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Thanks for the replies...
I don't know about recumbents... I would quite like a go on one but I do really enjoy "ordinaries" , not sure I'm brave enough to use one! (or that it would fit in the shed...)
Bianci San Remo looks very nice - a quick Google found very little - do they still make them, are they available in this country and how much?
I guess the choice will come down to either a proper tourer, possibly one of the comfort road bikes or maybe a light tourer/audax style bike if I can find one in my budget range (upto maybe £600-650 or so)
Hi, Can anyone offer any opinions on "comfort" road bikes - such as the Specialized Sequoia and Trek 1000/1200 C models.
My specific requirements would be a bike that is
Faster than a hybrid Good for either head down pushing or a bit of sit up and enjoy the view. Still able to handle muddy/rough country lanes (i.e. tarmac but pretty mucky and rough in places) Mudguard & rack compatible Rides are typically 1-2 hours but would like to build to longer day rides
I am wondering how much more comfortable these bikes are versus more "uncomfort" road bikes like the Specialized allez or trek 1000
Thanks for any help
regards
Roger
Daws Sonoran with butterfly bars. Add a Brooks saddle, if you do long distances. Will need breaking in though (the saddle) :-)
I don't know about recumbents... I would quite like a go on one but I do really enjoy "ordinaries" , not sure I'm brave enough to use one! (or that it would fit in the shed...)
[email hidden] (Roger) wrote in message news:<riversax-3103051955470001@localhost>...
Quoted message said:
Hi, Can anyone offer any opinions on "comfort" road bikes - such as the Specialized Sequoia and Trek 1000/1200 C models.
My specific requirements would be a bike that is
Faster than a hybrid Good for either head down pushing or a bit of sit up and enjoy the view. Still able to handle muddy/rough country lanes (i.e. tarmac but pretty mucky and rough in places) Mudguard & rack compatible Rides are typically 1-2 hours but would like to build to longer day rides
I am wondering how much more comfortable these bikes are versus more "uncomfort" road bikes like the Specialized allez or trek 1000
Thanks for any help
I've got a Specialized Sirrus Elite, which I guess comes at the problem from the other end, i.e. a hybrid which has got certain road bike qualities, e.g. thinnish wheels, stiff frame. Compared with the (stolen) Marin Stinson hybrid it replaced its fast and less comfortable so it's certainly more a road-bike. I got it 9 months ago and it's taken me a while to get used to it but I'm now beginning to enjoy it and it's fine for both evening 30 mile fast runs or short 60 mile a day tours (I've put a rack and mudguards on). It's a 'large' frame but actually seems quite small to me (possibly the Marin was too big.) Generally reasonably comfortable but quite a hard ride on non-smooth roads.
I've got a Specialized Sirrus Elite, which I guess comes at the problem from the other end, i.e. a hybrid which has got certain road bike qualities, e.g. thinnish wheels, stiff frame. Compared with the (stolen) Marin Stinson hybrid it replaced its fast and less comfortable so it's certainly more a road-bike. I got it 9 months ago and it's taken me a while to get used to it but I'm now beginning to enjoy it and it's fine for both evening 30 mile fast runs or short 60 mile a day tours (I've put a rack and mudguards on). It's a 'large' frame but actually seems quite small to me (possibly the Marin was too big.) Generally reasonably comfortable but quite a hard ride on non-smooth roads.
Hi Andy, Nice looking bikes - look quite similar set up to the Sequoia apart from handlbars (obviously!) and maybe marginally thicker tyres. How do you find the quality and finish of specialized machines?
[email hidden] (Roger) wrote in message news:<riversax-0404051837420001@localhost>...
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I've got a Specialized Sirrus Elite, which I guess comes at the problem from the other end, i.e. a hybrid which has got certain road bike qualities, e.g. thinnish wheels, stiff frame. Compared with the (stolen) Marin Stinson hybrid it replaced its fast and less comfortable so it's certainly more a road-bike. I got it 9 months ago and it's taken me a while to get used to it but I'm now beginning to enjoy it and it's fine for both evening 30 mile fast runs or short 60 mile a day tours (I've put a rack and mudguards on). It's a 'large' frame but actually seems quite small to me (possibly the Marin was too big.) Generally reasonably comfortable but quite a hard ride on non-smooth roads.
Hi Andy, Nice looking bikes - look quite similar set up to the Sequoia apart from handlbars (obviously!) and maybe marginally thicker tyres. How do you find the quality and finish of specialized machines?
Quality and finish is fine. I've not really punished it yet (as I've got other bikes) so I don't know about wear and tear, e.g.paintwork. but so far so good.
I've got a Specialized Sirrus Elite, which I guess comes at the
<..>
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It's a 'large' frame but actually seems quite small to me (possibly the Marin was too big.) Generally reasonably comfortable but quite a hard ride on non-smooth roads.
The Marin is described as a "comfort" mtb. It is usual for mtbs to be 600mm from seatpost to steerer tube. Road/touring bikes are intended for drop bars and are mostly 560mm. Additionally, full on mtbs add a 120mm handlebar stem compared to 80 to 100mm.
Bikes such as the Sirrus feel rather cramped to me after an mtb. It seems to be assumed that a road rider uses drops for a more stretched position. Not necessarily.
You might find fitting some bar ends between the brake & gear levers helps (if the mountings are separate). The shallower arm angle might help reduce the hard ride. If the handle bar has got a simple curve (not a riser type), the new hand positions offered by the bar ends allow it to be turned to sweep forward which will give more reach.
I don't know about recumbents... I would quite like a go on one but I do really enjoy "ordinaries" , not sure I'm brave enough to use one! (or that it would fit in the shed...)
An "Ordinary" is the Proper Name for a penny-farthing, which puts an interesting spin on the above... ;-)
Though you "really enjoy" normal bikes, I note you don't enjoy their comfort levels so much you're not looking for improvements!
Pete, -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
That's pretty much what I do on my Bianchi San Remo. Many a Norfolk country lane could qualify as almost off-road!
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Waffly - what tyres do you use for those sort of roads?
Obviously /not/ the Wafflycat, but I use Schwalbe Marathons for this sort of thing. The lane we stay on is a track and it's certainly not unknown for day tours round here to get onto places where no tarmac is involved. And the Marathons seem to do okay, and work well on the roads too. Only downside to the Ms off-road is that since I keep them pumped up to 100 psi things get a bit skittery on loose stone...
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
"iakobski" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
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That's pretty much what I do on my Bianchi San Remo. Many a Norfolk
country
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lane could qualify as almost off-road!
Waffly - what tyres do you use for those sort of roads?
Tyres are Schwalbe Marathons. I used to have Conti Top Tours on, but when they needed replacing it t'was time of Mildenhall Rally & the Schwalbe Marathons were cheap :-) Both tyres have worked well - I wore out the Top Tours though.
Bike shop man showed me the Marathon Plus, then steered me away from them saying they'd ride very dead. I used to have Top Touring on the hybrid (until they wore through), but wanted something a bit narrower for the San Remo, so I'm getting Ultra Gators - 25 - hopefully the right sort of compromise for variable roads.
Bike shop man showed me the Marathon Plus, then steered me away from them saying they'd ride very dead.
But note that the Marathon Plus is not the same as the Marathon. It's quite a lot heavier, having a very thick base to give considerably higher puncture resistance. Not that the basic Marathon is prone to punctures, mind. I've been averaging about 1 a year across the Brom and 'bent, both of which use Marathons.
Pete. -- Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/
I think they stopped doing the San Remo last year I think, the nearest equivalent now would be the Volpe, but that's a fair bit further down the range. You may find an old stock San Remo if you hunt about (I did, it's being set up for me right now) and it would match your budget. Another option I looked at was the Tifosi CK7 -but it comes as a buld kit so you can't try it out first. You'd have to stretch your budget, but not much.
I don't know about recumbents... I would quite like a go on one but I do really enjoy "ordinaries" , not sure I'm brave enough to use one! (or that it would fit in the shed...)
An "Ordinary" is the Proper Name for a penny-farthing, which puts an interesting spin on the above... ;-)
Though you "really enjoy" normal bikes, I note you don't enjoy their comfort levels so much you're not looking for improvements!
Pete,
Well... I'd certainly get a good view over the hedges on an Ordinary!
Comfort levels - I am reasonably happy with my hybrid... but just wondered how different "comfort road" and "road" were vis a vis speed etc as well as comfort.
"Roger" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:riversax-0504052058010001@localhost...
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Comfort levels - I am reasonably happy with my hybrid... but just wondered how different "comfort road" and "road" were vis a vis speed etc as well as comfort.
:-)
I've got a hybrid, a tourer and a race bike. The hybrid is fine. The tourer (Bianchi San Remo) is much better. It's my everyday bike and is used for anything from a pootle round the lanes, to a shopping trip to a touring holiday carrying everything needed for a two week holiday in panniers. It's lighter and faster than the hybrid. My race bike is even better for short trips - it's lighter, so it's faster cycling for the same or less effort. It's also smoother as it has carbon front forks and they do seem to make a difference. It's [censored] in the rain though, as it doesn't have mudguards and it doesn't have a rear rack, so it's strictly no load carrying apart from me :-) So it's horses for courses really. Of those three bikes, if I had to get rid of two & keep one, I'd keep my tourer as it's my "do everything" bike.
Oh, and I have a recumbent trike, but my son seems to have claimed that ... And I want to get some slicks on it for the summer.
Comfort levels - I am reasonably happy with my hybrid... but just
wondered
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how different "comfort road" and "road" were vis a vis speed etc as
well
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as comfort.
I've not actually seen a bike marketed as a comfort road but presumably anything advertised as "audax/winter/training" would fit the bill. In terms of speed you might shave a couple of minutes off a 10 mile TT on a "road" bike and even a bit off a longer distance ride but at the expense of comfort. Generally on a comfort bike you would get:
more range of gears and probably a triple front chainset a more comfy touring type saddle mudguard and rack fittings more robust wheels
in the UK such bikes tend to be less mass-market items so expect to pay a bit more, probably 500 absolute minimum and anything up to 1000
