Should I change the bike or the parts?
Discussion
Hi all,
I bought my first road bike around two years ago, a Giant Defy 5 which has not given me any major issues so to speak. Being a bit of a bigger cycling I do tend to look a bit like the Gorilla from Donkey Kong when going out for a ride, that and the fact I just cannot get comfortable, which is again probably to do with me being overweight.
I'm not sure if it is the problem of me not being able to get comfortable and confident using the clip shoes, but part of me is thinking of changing to hybrid. I have access to a hybrid at work which I love, and have no real issues.
At the moment the Defy gets used for a ride out every other month or so, and isn't exactly practical for going out with the family or even commuting (again, I think this is a confident issue).
Do I go back to standard pedals or change for a multi-usage hybrid?
I bought my first road bike around two years ago, a Giant Defy 5 which has not given me any major issues so to speak. Being a bit of a bigger cycling I do tend to look a bit like the Gorilla from Donkey Kong when going out for a ride, that and the fact I just cannot get comfortable, which is again probably to do with me being overweight.
I'm not sure if it is the problem of me not being able to get comfortable and confident using the clip shoes, but part of me is thinking of changing to hybrid. I have access to a hybrid at work which I love, and have no real issues.
At the moment the Defy gets used for a ride out every other month or so, and isn't exactly practical for going out with the family or even commuting (again, I think this is a confident issue).
Do I go back to standard pedals or change for a multi-usage hybrid?
HardtopManual said:
The cheapest and quickest way to find out the answers to all of your questions is to pay for a bike fit.
It really isn't. It's like taking one jacket you own to a tailors to be fitted then putting on another jacket and wondering why it doesn't look as good...Sounds like op isn't confident on road bike with drop bars, isn't doing mileage to build confidence and would be better on hybrid. Dropping £200 on the sort of worthwhile bike fit necessary is pointless. Just buy the same hybrid that you can access at work, what model is it?
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 15th August 13:16
LaneDiesel said:
I have access to a hybrid at work which I love, and have no real issues.
I think cycling should be fun and enjoyable, if you dont get that pleasure from the road bike then it will probably just sit around gathering dust, use the hybrid if you enjoy it.You could look at testing a road bike with the same/similar geomotry of the hybrid you have and with clipeless pedals and see if that feels any better but i would go with whatever makes you happy and want to go out cycling.
You probably shouldn't try SPDs for the first time on a new unfamiliar bike. Try some flats on the Defy and see if that improves your confidence of it.
A bike fit is good to get the last nth degree right but you should be able to determine if you've at least got the right sized frame with some advice from friends who cycle. It's more about the bike length than the stand-over height.
Ultimately though, if you're uncomfortable in the dropped racing position, maybe a hybrid is better, especially if you intend to cycle with family, as you stated.
A bike fit is good to get the last nth degree right but you should be able to determine if you've at least got the right sized frame with some advice from friends who cycle. It's more about the bike length than the stand-over height.
Ultimately though, if you're uncomfortable in the dropped racing position, maybe a hybrid is better, especially if you intend to cycle with family, as you stated.
OP,
You got road shoes on the roadie? They can be unnerving for some.
IMO chuck some of the cheapest flats you can find on it. See if you feel more confident. If you want to go back to clip, SPD (the mountain bike ones) can be wound down to "panic and my foot is out" setting - gives most of the benefits of SPD-SL, but with far less fall off factor.
Elsewhere for comfort, there are good fit guides on the internet. I used to get sore arms / shoulders - putting the saddle back a bit made that go away. On another bike, a shorter stem helped. The stuff you can read on the net really helps - IMO you;d be a mentallist to pay some gump 200 quid to make your bike fit - more than 1/2 of them get it wrong anyway,m if my ride buddies are anything to go by.
You got road shoes on the roadie? They can be unnerving for some.
IMO chuck some of the cheapest flats you can find on it. See if you feel more confident. If you want to go back to clip, SPD (the mountain bike ones) can be wound down to "panic and my foot is out" setting - gives most of the benefits of SPD-SL, but with far less fall off factor.
Elsewhere for comfort, there are good fit guides on the internet. I used to get sore arms / shoulders - putting the saddle back a bit made that go away. On another bike, a shorter stem helped. The stuff you can read on the net really helps - IMO you;d be a mentallist to pay some gump 200 quid to make your bike fit - more than 1/2 of them get it wrong anyway,m if my ride buddies are anything to go by.
My eldest has just got his first (second hand) road bike, and it came with Keo type cleats, but just he wasn't getting on with them. Rather than put him off road riding, we took them off and fitted a pair of these;
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/spd-m324-dual-function...
that I'd taken off my mountain bike. Gave him the chance to ride flats when he wanted to, and the option of trying SPD's when he felt more confident.
He's done a handful of rides round town, and is now happy to do 30 miles clipped in.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/spd-m324-dual-function...
that I'd taken off my mountain bike. Gave him the chance to ride flats when he wanted to, and the option of trying SPD's when he felt more confident.
He's done a handful of rides round town, and is now happy to do 30 miles clipped in.
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