Hi All
Currently I am riding a Giant TCR advanced 2 2011. I have had bike fit but still a painful neck and sometimes back persist. I have decided to look at purchasing a bike with relaxed geometry. At the moment I have 2 bikes in mind and wanted to get peoples thoughts on these bikes and any others that may be within my budget which is $4500.
Defy Advanced 0 able to get this for $3400
CR1 Premium able to get this for $4250
They both have di2 Ultegra groupsets which I like. The Scott is more expensive but is it worth it? The LBS mentioned the giant wheels arent the best and who knows who makes the rims and tyres as they are just Giant branded.Is there any other bikes people can recommend?
Thanks
Lee
Decision on a bike!
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- DoogleDave
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Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby DoogleDave » Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:47 pm
Hi Lee,
When you had your bike fit what did they find/change on your bike to make it suit you and did you have these physical ailments at the time you had the bike fit or have they happened more recently?
Just buying another bike (even with relaxed geomtery) may not solve the problem, if the new bike is not setup properly to suit you.
Perhaps it's worth considering another bike fit first, to determine what frames/setup will suit you the best and then go look at the suggested options?
Just a thought...
Dave
When you had your bike fit what did they find/change on your bike to make it suit you and did you have these physical ailments at the time you had the bike fit or have they happened more recently?
Just buying another bike (even with relaxed geomtery) may not solve the problem, if the new bike is not setup properly to suit you.
Perhaps it's worth considering another bike fit first, to determine what frames/setup will suit you the best and then go look at the suggested options?
Just a thought...
Dave
2012 Felt F75 | 105 | ProLite Braccianos | GP4000S
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- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:57 pm
Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby Leeism » Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:40 pm
Hi Dave
Thanks for that. I did have the same neck issue when I went for the bike fit (it was actually one of those ergonomic assessments) The stem was turned upside down and the bars rolled back towards me a little, some other minor adjustments to the cleats and seat height also. The TCR did feel like a totally different bike when I rode it after the fit.
The neck issue still seems to persist, I actually thought about not riding anymore because when I went on holiday the symptoms seem to be a lot less than when I was riding. I was hoping that getting a bike withe relaxed geometry and another bike fit would help with this.
I have asked the person who did the bike fit (not lbs related) to let me know what bike I should be looking at.
Thanks
Lee
Thanks for that. I did have the same neck issue when I went for the bike fit (it was actually one of those ergonomic assessments) The stem was turned upside down and the bars rolled back towards me a little, some other minor adjustments to the cleats and seat height also. The TCR did feel like a totally different bike when I rode it after the fit.
The neck issue still seems to persist, I actually thought about not riding anymore because when I went on holiday the symptoms seem to be a lot less than when I was riding. I was hoping that getting a bike withe relaxed geometry and another bike fit would help with this.
I have asked the person who did the bike fit (not lbs related) to let me know what bike I should be looking at.
Thanks
Lee
- DoogleDave
- Posts: 519
- Joined: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:56 pm
- Location: Taylors Hill, Victoria
Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby DoogleDave » Mon Dec 31, 2012 2:54 pm
No worries Lee, hope you sort it out as there's nothing worse than not wanting to ride because it aggravates an existing condition.
From my (limited) knowledge on bike fitting, it isn't always the actual bike that causes the problem.
Many bike fitters will ask you to bring along your usual riding kit (helmet, cap, sunnies/glasses, etc) to determine your riding position.
This probably doesn't pertain to you though some people ride with thick-framed glasses/sunnies or caps that somewhat shield their field of vision, so when riding they need to bend their neck further back to see what's ahead of them, causing grief to their neck, shoulders, back etc...
By altering the bike (or the accessories being used), or both, the situation can be improved.
Bike fit should also take into account one's flexibility along with their physical dimensions to determine frame sizing, seat, stem, handlebar and crank length/position to cater for the type and style of rider.
Someone doing fast crit races would obviously have their bike setup differently to someone who does alot of touring or long-distance riding.
Considering your neck issue I think it would be a wise idea to have another professional bike fit conducted and to let them know what's going on with your neck & current bike setup.
They may be able to make adjustments to suit you better without the need for a new bike - or should be able to let you know what geometries will work for you, so you can look for bikes with this design....and then of course having said bike fit to you once purchased.
Good luck!
Dave
From my (limited) knowledge on bike fitting, it isn't always the actual bike that causes the problem.
Many bike fitters will ask you to bring along your usual riding kit (helmet, cap, sunnies/glasses, etc) to determine your riding position.
This probably doesn't pertain to you though some people ride with thick-framed glasses/sunnies or caps that somewhat shield their field of vision, so when riding they need to bend their neck further back to see what's ahead of them, causing grief to their neck, shoulders, back etc...
By altering the bike (or the accessories being used), or both, the situation can be improved.
Bike fit should also take into account one's flexibility along with their physical dimensions to determine frame sizing, seat, stem, handlebar and crank length/position to cater for the type and style of rider.
Someone doing fast crit races would obviously have their bike setup differently to someone who does alot of touring or long-distance riding.
Considering your neck issue I think it would be a wise idea to have another professional bike fit conducted and to let them know what's going on with your neck & current bike setup.
They may be able to make adjustments to suit you better without the need for a new bike - or should be able to let you know what geometries will work for you, so you can look for bikes with this design....and then of course having said bike fit to you once purchased.
Good luck!
Dave
2012 Felt F75 | 105 | ProLite Braccianos | GP4000S
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- Location: Sydney (Rhodes to City Commuter)
Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby Sydguy » Mon Dec 31, 2012 10:34 pm
Hi
Borrow or go for an epic test ride on a relaxed geo bike. Even a hybrid. It would be interesting to see if your issue still occurs.
Personally I would be very cautious about dropping a sizeable sum on a new bike when you are not 100% it will not also give you te same issue.
In relation to Giant wheels and tyres they are fine, I've had them on 2 bikes with no issues. The tyres wore well and had better grip than the Conti GPS 4000s, flats were few and far between. The wheels, they be the PSL0, do the trick, I've not had an issue with them. They are basically DT Swiss from what I can fathom.
Good luck
JM
Borrow or go for an epic test ride on a relaxed geo bike. Even a hybrid. It would be interesting to see if your issue still occurs.
Personally I would be very cautious about dropping a sizeable sum on a new bike when you are not 100% it will not also give you te same issue.
In relation to Giant wheels and tyres they are fine, I've had them on 2 bikes with no issues. The tyres wore well and had better grip than the Conti GPS 4000s, flats were few and far between. The wheels, they be the PSL0, do the trick, I've not had an issue with them. They are basically DT Swiss from what I can fathom.
Good luck
JM
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Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby Leeism » Tue Jan 01, 2013 11:27 am
Hi guys
Thanks again for the replies. I do have a giant flatbar and that does seem a lot better on my back and neck,but I would still like a road bike as the flatbar doesn't get me to pace I like to go at.
I have emailed another place in regards to a bike fit to see if they can fit me up and make recommendations on a new bike.
Lee
Thanks again for the replies. I do have a giant flatbar and that does seem a lot better on my back and neck,but I would still like a road bike as the flatbar doesn't get me to pace I like to go at.
I have emailed another place in regards to a bike fit to see if they can fit me up and make recommendations on a new bike.
Lee
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- Location: Perth
Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby AlMac » Tue Jan 01, 2013 1:36 pm
Lee
I would suggest two things:
1. Make sure you have had, or go and have, a proper bike fit; and
2. Before buying a new bike, do what you can to get the TCR to mimic the geometry you are going to.
Proper bike fit
Did you bike fitter provide you with a set of "ideal" measurements for the frame and also a set of "ideal" measurements on how that frame should be set up for you? Those are the two things I would be expecting at a minimum from my bike fit. From there you can look at how best to set up your existing bike.
That is what I received at my last bike fit, which I undertook to ensure I could fit on the new bike I was wanting to buy. I am in Perth and I saw Chris Beeck, who I thought provided excellent service at a very reasonable price and focused very much on what the individual rider's needs/wants are.
You could look at going back to your fitter as it doesn't sound like the fit worked. Did they encourage you to return to them if you still had problems? A proper fitter should, as they understand it isn't possible to tell in the "lab" how things will work out on the road.
TCR mimic Defy
You should be able to change the geometry around on your TCR to better mimic the Defy. If you look at the geometries of the two you'll see that the key differences are that moving to a Defy you will have a slightly shorter top tube and a longer head tube. If you can put some more spacers on the TCR and shorten the stem you should start to get there.
One of my friends was never comfortable on any bike he owned. He now has a Focus with a very short stem and a stack of spacers. It is a race geometry bike, but he has re-jigged it to provide more comfort - and he is really comfortable now.
If after all this you are going to a new bike, you need to find a bike shop which will ensure you are fitted to your new bike based on the set up from your bike fitter.
Good luck on the road to pain free cycling.
I would suggest two things:
1. Make sure you have had, or go and have, a proper bike fit; and
2. Before buying a new bike, do what you can to get the TCR to mimic the geometry you are going to.
Proper bike fit
Did you bike fitter provide you with a set of "ideal" measurements for the frame and also a set of "ideal" measurements on how that frame should be set up for you? Those are the two things I would be expecting at a minimum from my bike fit. From there you can look at how best to set up your existing bike.
That is what I received at my last bike fit, which I undertook to ensure I could fit on the new bike I was wanting to buy. I am in Perth and I saw Chris Beeck, who I thought provided excellent service at a very reasonable price and focused very much on what the individual rider's needs/wants are.
You could look at going back to your fitter as it doesn't sound like the fit worked. Did they encourage you to return to them if you still had problems? A proper fitter should, as they understand it isn't possible to tell in the "lab" how things will work out on the road.
TCR mimic Defy
You should be able to change the geometry around on your TCR to better mimic the Defy. If you look at the geometries of the two you'll see that the key differences are that moving to a Defy you will have a slightly shorter top tube and a longer head tube. If you can put some more spacers on the TCR and shorten the stem you should start to get there.
One of my friends was never comfortable on any bike he owned. He now has a Focus with a very short stem and a stack of spacers. It is a race geometry bike, but he has re-jigged it to provide more comfort - and he is really comfortable now.
If after all this you are going to a new bike, you need to find a bike shop which will ensure you are fitted to your new bike based on the set up from your bike fitter.
Good luck on the road to pain free cycling.
-
- Posts: 40
- Joined: Tue Jul 05, 2011 11:57 pm
Re: Decision on a bike!
Postby Leeism » Tue Jan 01, 2013 3:50 pm
Thanks ALMac can you please send me the contact details through for Chris? Thanks for all of the info, I will be sure to get the measurements this time!
Lee
Lee
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