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Just bought a road bike and I hate it

rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
in General Training Discussions

I have the unusual position of never having owned a road bike - I went straight to a tri-bike.  I usually ride quite an aggressive position, but am up on the bars for the group rides that I do weekly (hurts the wrists a bit!).  So as my baby is getting older I thought I'd save her for races only, and get a road bike for the bulk of the grunt work.

I hate it.

It is just butt-ugly compared to a tri-bike and I just can't get excited about it - it is some Scott team flash thingummy and supposed to be great - the only thing I can do now is corner faster !!

Anyway first ride in and I am almost dead with pain from my  lower back!?  The seat felt low to me, so after about 40k I increased the height and it was better, but I am so so so sore today.  Is this normal?  It was 'set up' for me using body measurements etc and I took my tri bike in as well.  Do I just have to get used to is?

Gimme back my tri bike.  If only they hadn't stopped making them as sexy as mine is  (Kestrel Airfoil, 2010)

Any other hints and tip for the pain besides suck it up?  It is just right on my lumbar-sacral region.  Ugh.

Thanks

Monique

 

Comments

  • Dave TalloDave Tallo
    My gut tells me it's a fit issue. Can you go back to the fitter or get a second opinion? Or, can you post a pic in the Bike Fit thread and ask for members to weigh in?
  • Coach RichCoach Rich
    Yep, definitely sounds like a fit issue
  • ezellrhezellrh
    Although I won't argue the value of a quality fit, I would also recommend to just give it a bit of time. From your own words, sounds like you've been riding an aggressive aero position exclusive for ~5 years. Going from that to a road position will take a bit of time to get the body adjusted (just like going from road to aero). I'd be curious about your total time and effort on your first road ride. If its anything over an hour and more than noodling effort, then that could be another cause as well. Once you do get the fit dialed in correct (and that will change over time), I would ride a few shorter (less than 40 kilometers) less-than-crushing-it effort rides so that your body has time to adjust.

    As to whether it's pretty or not, did you not know what it looked like before buying it?
  • Mark MaurerMark Maurer
    2X what Roy said. I went the other way and it was a while before my body relaxed into the tri-bike and when it did it felt great.
  • rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
    Lol????. It was a group ride with men, very windy.. And we crushed it for 2:30. I got dropped once and had to catch them so yeah, no noodling involved.Will post Pickys later this afternoon
  • rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
    Here they are
  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    get the bar lower and level it. Get those sti level with the drop bar (or slithly tilted up). Maybe a longer stem and she will be just as sexy as your tribike
  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    the frame looks a bit small for u or u have very long legs compare to your torso....
  • Keith WickKeith Wick
    In addition to the fit issue, there is also some different muscles working for you in the upright position that don't work very hard in your TT position--mainly your core. I notice some significant soreness in my abs and back when I transition to my road bike. On my tribike in the TT position, my weight is all on my forearms and my abs and back don't need to be engaged much unless I purposely try to do that. On the road bike, your abs and back are supporting your upper body position the entire time if you are keeping your arms relaxed on the bars. After a week or two, your body adjusts.
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    Do you have pictures of you on the bike(s).

    Looks to me like the saddle on your road bike is tilted down. This would likely have you sliding forward a bit, forcing you to hold yourself up more than you would otherwise. Saddle on a road bike should generally be level to "maybe" a very, very small downward tilt. It doesn't take much of a tilt to force you to be holding yourself up. 

  • rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
    Wow thanks for all your help. Ummm can some one translate for me? "get the bar lower and level it. Get those sti level with the drop bar (or slithly tilted up)." What does that mean?
    I did try the size up (52) and I felt like I was swimming on the bike. I do have a short torso...
    I will adjust the seat and am out for a ride this weekend 30km winds forecast and I was planning on doing the 120k if my back doesn't give out first... He he ...
    Lastly my core up and left me about 5 children ago and never desired to resurrect itself and return to my body so that probably contributes ????
  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    image 1:

    - your shifters are too low on your bar (circle 1) (check Coach Rich and Dino's bike on image 3), they should be level with the base of the drop bar (or slightly up) but never lower (like yours are).

    - your bar is tlited up too much so u can't get low on the drop bar without your fore arm hiting the top of drop bar (circle2) or u need to bend your arms way too much to reach the breaks. The base of the drop bar should be lvel with the ground or slightly up (again check Dino's and Coach Rich's bike)



    image 2: get your stem lower on the fork steerer and turn it upside down (so the stem will go upward) (u might need to get a longer stem though as to reach  the desired height and reach)



    watching your tribike, (i think we are the same size) i would go with a very low and long stem on the road bike (i think u have a 90, i usually go with a 130 on mine) will try and post pix of my tri bike and road bike in the next 2 days..

    hope this make sense



    and just for the sexy part, check kiatowski's bike and u can't say that bike is not sexy!


  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    kiatowski's bike
  • moetai@gmail.commoetai@gmail.com
    good like riding with that sand storm...stay safe in Dubai image
  • rosiethedog40rosiethedog40
    Right I am going to get my tools out. Rode 120 - hard but no wind - so loads of fun! I took the seat down 1/2 cm and tilted it parallel ( that was the non techie stuff I could understand (image and my back aches but wasn't horrifically stabbing me with pain. This week there is a gran fondo (sounds really exciting but no idea what it really is (and I am sort of hoping it is like a yoghurt gelato) of 130km so will sort out my bars for that. Thanks a lot!! C'mon a tri bike out sexies a road bike. Any day. Lol
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