Road bike fit and buying online/direct

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  • kcjchang
    kcjchang Posts: 709 Member
    This might be more helpful, https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/05/seat-set-back-for-road-bikes/. The video on cleat positioning is ok but KOPS, I stopped listening.
    https://www.sheldonbrown.com/kops.html
    https://www.stevehoggbikefitting.com/bikefit/2011/04/power-to-the-pedal-cleat-position/
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Bike manufacturers should offer wheel upgrades as part of their stock configurations... wheels should be independent of build configurations. Sucks that I have to go up to Ultegra DI2 for a decent wheelset with many brands.

    What kind of wheels would you put on a bike like the Caledonia?
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    jjpptt2 wrote: »
    Bike manufacturers should offer wheel upgrades as part of their stock configurations... wheels should be independent of build configurations. Sucks that I have to go up to Ultegra DI2 for a decent wheelset with many brands.

    Yes. Partial custom would be a great feature. Full custom really bumps up the price. To save a few $$ you have to sell the stock wheels and buy new, which is a pain.

    The exception for full custom is if you can scrounge around for used parts. I have a friend that has done numerous custom builds with largely used parts, including frames, which typically means he misses out on more recent features, notably disk brakes. In fact, the non-disk framesets and whole bikes from a few years back are incredibly affordable. And, I'm really not sure if I think disk brakes are that much of an improvement for road bikes. (But, I only have mechanical disks.)
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    In the context of buying nice wheels because the ones the bike comes with are place holders, an advantage of disc brakes is your expensive rims aren't wear items. 🙂
  • Theoldguy1
    Theoldguy1 Posts: 2,496 Member
    I've had 6 shoulder operations since I bought my Cannodale. It fit fine before all the shoulder work. Now the fit is so bad I don't even ride.

    I would like to get something different but each of the 4 LBS in my community of 150,000 people has over 1,000 bikes on back order and no clue, per the owners, when they will be seeing some supply.
  • Jthanmyfitnesspal
    Jthanmyfitnesspal Posts: 3,522 Member
    NorthCascades wrote: »
    In the context of buying nice wheels because the ones the bike comes with are place holders, an advantage of disc brakes is your expensive rims aren't wear items. 🙂

    Overall, I like my cheap-o mechanical disk brakes. I just put new shoes on them and it was easier than changing the pads on rim-style side-pulls. I was able to put on wider tires without any problem. The braking is fine, but not really noticeably better than well-adjusted rim brakes (assuming good true wheels-- which you want, anyway). I would advise anyone trying to save money on a training-level road bike to buy a non-disk model, which will likely have a huge discount over the newer disk ones.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    I don't want to start a braking holy war, but I'm not sure I was clear in making my point and based on two comments in this thread I feel like this is relevant info.

    Somebody posted that he would buy $2,500 wheels for the Caledonia. Not that you can run rim brakes on that frame but since you're also pointing out the fun and financial advantage of a project build...

    Using rims as a brake track means you wear your rims down. I had a set of Zipp 404 Firecrest given to me, just the rims, they were worn out and no longer safe to ride. I thought I would be able to repair them significantly cheaper than buying, couldn't make it happen. I've worn through multiple rims back in the day, I live in Seattle though. I was never willing to spend for very good wheels when I used rim brakes because of this. Now I just replace the rotors and keep the rims - they were $900 each. 🤯

    If you're willing to ride tubulars, it doesn't really matter because those have become so cheap. Excellent ride quality, safer ride, but the expense and hassle!!
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,968 Member
    Theoldguy1 wrote: »
    I've had 6 shoulder operations since I bought my Cannodale. It fit fine before all the shoulder work. Now the fit is so bad I don't even ride.

    I would like to get something different but each of the 4 LBS in my community of 150,000 people has over 1,000 bikes on back order and no clue, per the owners, when they will be seeing some supply.

    If you're convinced you'll never ride that bike again, you would be well advised to sell it this summer. I've never seen a seller's market like this, it is currently worth more than it's likely to ever be again. 🙂

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