[RBW] Re: Question for modern geometry race bike only riders who later went to Rivendells.
I am not a doctor so this is just advice from a guy who sympathizes with you regarding back discomfort on a bike ride. I am almost 66 and last year I quit riding and later sold my Specialized Roubaix Pro with all the top of the line accessories. Discovering my body was no longer happy crunched over in a racing position most of the time, I searched for a frame that was more relaxed, and I wanted a steel bike frame. I also wanted a Riv, but bought a new Soma Fabrications ES because it fit me as close as a custom frame would have and for MUCH less money. The Soma gives me a considerably smoother ride and is a great confidence builder. I would not go back. If there were only one piece of advice I would give anyone, it would be to get an INDEPENDENT professional fit before riding any further. Yet still, after about 50 or so miles, I would sometimes get a little tweak in my lower back. Like you, I believe it is from the more upright positioning of the bars on the new bike. I read that it is due to the compression of sitting and bouncing for a long time. So now I have begun taking water breaks every 5 to 10 miles and just stopping for about 60 to 90 seconds. I also found that my back is happier if I try to straighten my body out on the bike by rotating my hips forward just a little. This eases the pressure on my back and makes long rides more pleasurable, which is why I ride in the first place. The bike feels so much like a part of me now, and that is because I just happen to be lucky enough to have found a frame that meets my true body geometry. Meanwhile, try adjusting your saddle back (or up, if needed) by just a few mm. As long as you still have a good pedal stroke angle, your lower back will open and allow blood to flow which will keep you from getting the soreness you speak of. There are several steel frames that come off the shelf pretty close to most riders. And, it is worth the investment, in my humble opinion, to get a professional prescription, and then find a frame that is most suited to your body. Once I figured this out, cycling really became a lot more fun for me. I hope this advice will help you, too. Keep safe, Jack Easley Nashville, TN On Sunday, April 28, 2013 10:02:15 PM UTC-5, Michael wrote: Wanted your thoughts and experience on this issue I have been having with my Riv's. I know this sounds rediculous, but: *I am wondering if you had any trouble adapting from race geometry fit bikes you were used to riding, to the more upright-like rivendell bikes and how you got through it.* Here is what I mean: I started on a race geometry bike and rode it for 3.5 years. I was only about 1.5cm below saddle height with the drop bars. So it was nothing extreme. Always comfy, but wished I could sit more upright for better view sometimes. I wanted to sit higher, have more stable wider tires, and fenderability. I like the traditional steel type frame looks and appointments, too. Now: Got a Bleriot last August, and a new Sam in Feb. 2013. They are great rides, and comfy during the rides, but since last September I pay for it later in the day with low back pain, etc, that can last into the next day. No matter what set up I try, I seem to have problems. Noodle drop versions of the bikes. I am puzzled by this really wierd and frustrating experience. Am I just getting old (44 now)? Medically I seem to be fine, and doc seems to think my back is fine. More upright is supposed to be better for the back and neck. Maybe sitting bolt upright, or sitting low is good for the back, but anything between 40-80 degrees isn't for some? *I can only imagine that my problem is that, for whatever reason, my body just doesn't like to sit upright.* Seems like anything above saddle height for the bars causes pain. But I am happy to have the wider tires and fenderability features. Now if I could just dial in the fit. I guess I will try to replicate my race fit onto the Rivs and see how it goes. Any thoughts, experiences? Just losing my sanity? ** -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en-US. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] Re: 1 bike? Could you do it?
After riding for years, I, just last summer bought a SOMA Fabrications Extra Smoothie. I am 65 and don't race, but I had a super light Specialized Roubaix Pro and it was just not comfortable. I also rode a double suspension MTB, but I could not get into trail riding on a regular basis, partly because the trails stay wet most of the winter and they are not good for riding because they tear up the land. Both bikes had been raced by their previous owners and I knew was getting pro quality stuff. That is, until I rode the ES by SOMA. I had met Grant Petersen and got a lot of insight from reading his book, Just Ride. I went with 700 X 28mm ruffy-tuffies and LOVE the ride. I have now sold both other bikes and all I ride is the Extra Smoothie. The frame only cost $399! My total cost of the bike, including custom fitting by a Serotta dealer who really knows his stuff, only came to around $2 Grand. This included custom wheels and most accessories you would find on a Sam or any other RIV inspired bike. They have a great website and I do not have any commercial interest in the company. Best Wishes and good luck on your search. Number One-DO GET A PRO BIKE FIT-I wish I had done it years ago. Jack E Nashville, TN On Tuesday, January 22, 2013 8:48:04 PM UTC-6, murphyjrfk wrote: Suppose the title says it all. But I've been a thinking about going down to 1---not a big step down cause I normally only have two three tops o' working bikes anyways. And the overlap is out of control. How many 26 touring bikes does one fellow need deal. But I love what I love I guess. One bike? Could ya do it and what would it be? -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
[RBW] RIV Protovelo for sale $1350/Roubaix Sold
My Specialized Roubaix has been sold. This leaves only the Protovelo up for sale. It is a 54cm bike designed by GP and originally sold locally in Walnut Creek, CA. I have purchased the frame and have built it up with Velo Orange and Shimano and some other parts. The new owner can decide on wheels and tires (700c) and have a great bike which looks brand new except for a few small paint nicks. I can be reached at 615-319-8876.I have some good pics, but too large for this posting. Thanks, Jack E Nashville, TN -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/g_qfS0j9jGAJ. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
Re: [RBW] For Sale-RBW/Protovelo frame with some accessories (no wheels)
What other information on the Protovelo can I provide for you? On Monday, October 1, 2012 4:48:03 PM UTC-5, Joe Bernard wrote: Well? On Monday, October 1, 2012 4:51:33 AM UTC-7, Bruce Baker wrote: Jack, What are the frame sizes and what components are on the roubaix?? On 9/29/12, Capnjack capn...@bellsouth.net wrote: I bought this frame and by the time I got a chance to ride it, I found it was too large for me. I just wasn't thinking straight, I guess. I called it a senior moment, and now have purchased a SOMA Fabrications ES. I have this and my old bike, a Specialized Roubaix Pro, 2009, both for sale. $1850 for the Specialized and $1350 for the Protovelo (blue) Both have been professionally cleaned, inspected, tested, and can be shipped for $50 each. Jack 615-319-8876 capn...@bellsouth.net Nashville, TN -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups RBW Owners Bunch group. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/FByOGvk4VC8J. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.
