Seeking advice from the cyclists in the group...

I am riding a Cannondale R3000 CAAD something or other that is a tad too big for me. Being a TT bike, the seat only goes down so far.

I have found a Storck Absolutist 1.0 full carbon frame, fork and seatpost for $750. I've never ridden full carbon, but I understand that it is a bit more forgiving than my aluminum frame?

Anyway, the frameset is 2 years old and sold for $2,250 in 2010. It was ridden in Crits all over Texas and Oklahoma as part of an amateur racing team. They were sponsored by Storck, so they rode their frames. They are now sponsored by Cannondale, so they have CAAD 10s.

It appears to be a better fit, but before I bite the bullet and spend $750 and start transferring all the parts from mine to this one, I'd like to hear some input from you experts. I know there are a few of you who know a LOT more than I do on the subject.

Thanks.

Dont get it if it has training wheels!
That is pretty much the extent of my expertise.

You lost me at "riding". I'll defer to the experts.

Most of my riding is off road and I would not trust carbon.

From what I hear carbon is nice but for guys replace the seat post with AL as adjustments to the seat can cause unseen cracks to the post. Save the carbon post for racing.

::looks around for an expert::

I can't imagine spending that much money on a bike. $400 to $500 for used, and then you are going to change out the components, is about as far as I could see spending. Then again, it's all carbon but still is it really THAT much of a difference?? What kind of distances are you looking at riding, Pup?

Ed, I have a good seatpost, so I may take your advice and put the carbon up for the longer rides. I don't race...yet.

Danna, I want to get to the point where I can ride the 100 milers. Currently, I am looking to ride some 50 milers. I am wussing out this weekend and riding the short 25 miler...just to ride. It's not that I feel the need to upgrade. My bike is pretty flippin' sweet and expensive enough in its own right, but it is a little too tall for me. I inherited it, so my own cost in this new bike will simply be the cost of the frame, and if I sell the frame I have, much of that will be covered.

Come to think of it, BB1 would fit my current frame nicely...

I thought I had totally splurged when I spent $400 for my hybrid.

I was looking at bikes this weekend and saw a couple that were $8 grand. They didn't even have the sparkley streamers on the handgrips......

Carbon Fiber frames are generally stiffer than aluminum ones. Great handling bikes though. Regardless of frame composition, the better the fit, the more comfortable you will be able to get on it.

I would love to show up for a 100 miler on a Pee Wee Herman bike, complete with big shoes, too small suit and a bow tie!

My Felt AR5 is full carbon. I like the ride of it better than any aluminum or steel frame I have ever ridden. I have a really bad back and the carbon frames seem to absorb the road imperfections better than anything else.

What size frame are you riding now? What size frame is the new one? Have you ever been properly fitted for a road bike? It makes a world of difference.

I'm now changing clothes, getting on my cheap $400 bike and pedaling home. Good bye.

All that ^^^^. I'm no expert, thus the reason I went to the bike shop and was fitted and rode 8 bikes before choosing Big Red. I have been on a few friends bikes that didnt fit...HUGE difference. HUGE!!!

I have a Puma Pico. It has a built in basket on the handlebars and folds in half. As for the seat issue, mine was a bit high too, so I took a hacksaw and trimmed off an inch. Seat is much more comfortable now.

I've noticed that a LOT of people who ride bikes do not have the seat or the handle bars properly adjusted. Usually, they have the seat too low to where they're riding in a semi crouched position. I don't know what the rule is, but I like my knee to almost fully straighten when in the down position and I don't like my handle bars so low that I find myself leaning on them (my bike has "normal" handle bars....not curly Q's or straight "bar" handle bars).

Not getting fitted is like not having your gait analyzed. Sure you can do it, but you will enjoy your sport so much more if you have the right equipment, properly adjusted for you!

<<< Testing bikes this week. I still favor the Schwinn Stingray I had when I was 10! But it will likely be, a Motebecane, Trek or Specialized. I love the Felt and Masi, but as pretty as they are, they just dont "feel" right on me.

We had our Cannondales for 15 years and they are still going strong. We don't do much off road/mountain terraine, however. Never had problems with any of the workings. Proper fit, esp. the seats, are key. I still don't like my seat, esp. for longer trips. We have inlaws that travel 100s of miles on a tandem. They fold it up and it goes with them in its own suitcase, all over the US and Europe. It's carbon. It's over the top in price but its their hobby. I would say, if this is something you really enjoy, and do a lot of instead of, say, 2 times a year, them make the investment. Any chance you can do a test run first?

I'd suggest before dropping the money on a new frame that you consider what was already suggested, get a professional fit for your current bike. If you konw you current frame size, walk into a bike store and tell them you are thinking of an upgrade, tell them you don't know your current bike size, and they'll do a quick measurement on what frame you should be in. I was on a 58 and thought it was perfect, and when the frame broke, went to move the components over, and a refit put me on a 56. Big difference in comfort for the longer rides. Also, you meed ot make sure the steering tube is sized right for the type of riding you are doing.

That being said, my current bike (KHS) is a mix of aluminum and carbon, with the front fork and seat stays being carbon, and the rest aluminum. Very comfortable, have close to 7,000 miles on it. Old KHS had close to 9,000 on it. Both are much more comfy than my all-aluminum Trek ever was.

Also was in a bike shop last week, drooled over some of the newer models...i may skip a vacation next year and use that money on a new one. But, i'd also keep the old, hate to get rid of it.

The "Rules" are different depending on what/where/how/why you're riding.

For example, when riding a mountain bike (off road), the "Rules" are that your leg should be fully extended on the down stroke. When riding a road bike, however, that is not something that you want. Reason being is is that you spend a lot more time "in the saddle" on a road bike, and if you fully extended your leg, you would be rocking back and fourth on the saddle every time the pedals completed a rotation, and that can cause a lot of problems over long distances (saddle sores)

But, if you're just riding a fitness or hybrid type bike and are happy and comfortable with it, then don't worry about the "Rules"

"But, if you're just riding a fitness or hybrid type bike and are happy and comfortable with it, then don't worry about the "Rules""

What about no talking on the iPhone "rule"?

Rode my bike to work this morning. I want to go back out again!!

I've never been fitted and have been wanting to find a shop that will do that, for sure.

I believe that my bike is a 56, but Mrs (to be) Pup says it is a 58. At 5'10", I think that a 58 is simply too big and a 56 or even a 55 would be easier to get fit to.

Trees, the frameset I'm looking at is not fitted with any componentry at this time, so a ride is out of the question.

Steve, I have found TONS of excellent bikes in the OKC metro area that would fit you. I hope you're looking there as well. I found a 54 cm Trek in Mustang for my neighbor...Ultegra components, $825.00....seems like a good deal, and we may be heading up this weekend to check it out.

Jen, I could never ride 8 different bikes and choose. I'd be sold on the first one that felt good and looked cool...I'm just too impulsive when it comes to buying "cool stuff".

I'll ride my bike tomorrow and love it for the short 25 miler, and I'll ride it in August in the Hotter n'[censored] Hundred (only 50 miles for me)...and I might even ride the MS 150 in September (the powers that be have scheduled me to train the bank on Security on that day, so it may not happen) on it, but if I can find a better fitting bike, I'll go that route over the winter.

Bimmer,

I adjusted the seat down just a tad for that reason and immediately felt a difference in overall energy and saddle comfort. I am feeling a little more knee soreness now, though.

I've visited three shops all measured me at a 58cm but said a 57 with the right seat adjustment would be good. Test rides will happen this weekend.
I really do need one more sport to spend $$$$$ on!

Pup, I'm 5'11" I ride a 54. I tried a 56 and it was entirely too big for me.

Where is the knee pain exactly? Inside, outside, front?

I realized the bike I have, the frame is a bit too big.

If I wiped out I could do some damage to my jimmies.

I don't know much about bikes, but I do know I need a slightly smaller frame.

I think I may go to a local bike store and see what they have.

funny, i'm 5'9.99999239829183394884" and had a 58, and dropped to a 56. I'm not aware of anyone making a 57 or 55...unless you have a custom built frame.

Bimmer, if you're on a 54 at 5'11", then your seat must sit really high or you have very short legs.

Pup, do you have clip-in shoes? if so, you may need to adjust the position of each cleat to make sure that isn't causing your knee pain. I changed from Look to Speedplay pedals, and had all kinds of issues with my left knee until i got it right...

One of the guys in one of the shops said that a lot of people get the wrong shoes and pedals (3 screw vs 2 screw) that lock their foot into an unnatural position as opposed to being to "float" slightly. And that this causes knee pain in some people. That will be a big deal for me. It took forever to find the right running shoes so I dont have unacceptable knee pain from running. If the bike makes them hurt it will be a $1000 boat anchor in a heartbeat!

Actually, I have found (from spending way too much time on the forums at Roadbikereview.com) that 54cm bike is the general "Rule of thumb" for someone of my height. As for having short legs, well, the person that gets stuck sitting behind me when I drive never seems to think that I have short legs.

I'm the exact same height and was fitted for a 56. For a girl I've got crazy long legs and arms. The guy at the bike shop said torso and arm length played in as much as leg length...he said to king of forget overall height.

Sorry, I just noticed that.....you failed to account for my lack of typing skills and poor proof reading .... make the 57 a 56.

Happy, the Storck frameset is a 55, but I also am more familiar with going by even numbers. I ride SPD cleats in Sidi shoes.

I believe that Mrs (to be) Pup's Cervelo is a 54, and I think it's a bit small for me. I'll check them out this evening for actual sizes.

I'll probably end up riding the Cannondale a bit longer for practicality's sake, but I need a professional fitting done on it.

BB1, text me the name of a good shop up there. My shop here is more of a repair shop. I've learned a bit about DIY stuff on my bike from the owner, but I don't know that he'll do a professional fitting. I'd love to hear whether or not my bike is the ride size for me. Seriously, though, if it is slightly large and I need to move on, it would probably fit you beautifully...

Sidi shoes? dang boy, those cost some bucks...

i like the SPD because of the flaot it gives my feet. my left foot angles in a bit at the heel over the right. The Looks caused issue, these don't.

From the center of the BB or from the bottom?

all these cyclists...we need MB Guard to sponsor a BOL Gran Fondo

No clue. The guy selling it said that although it is a 55, it is about the same feel as his 56cm Cannondale. He is a sponsored rider, so he certainly has a better "feel" for a bike than I do. I'm basically treating it like a 56.

I did call a shop at BB1's recommendation, and they'll do a fitting for me for $100.00. It might be worth it.

I'm not sure what a Gran Fondo is, but I agree that this is a good opportunity for BOL to sponsor a charity ride or something...Hmmmmmmm...

There are dozens of different frame dimensions to consider other than just the frame height. All of them are slightly different so a Trek 56 and a cannondale 56 are not going to feel the same. You can make small adjustments by adding and removing risers under your stem, different stem angles and lengths, different bar dimensions, different crank lengths, etc.

The only way to know for sure is to go to a shop and ride bikes.

Carbon is great if you are a serious racer, but you have to be really careful. A used frame could have small cracks from a crash or just small stress fractures that you can't see. Also, if you crash a carbon frame, you can have cracks that could lead to frame failure (not something you want during a 45 mph descent).

I have opted for an aluminum frame (though I do have carbon forks), because I don't really want to worry about destroying a frame by not getting the torque setting right when tightening my seat post or after dumping the bike. You may or may not want to check out this website to see some carbon fiber failures.

To be honest, I don't think that it makes a huge difference to anyone of our level. I have beaten guys that were riding full carbon frames in races before, and I have been beaten by guys who were riding bikes with much cheaper components than mine. The most important thing is that the bike fits and that you feel comfortable riding it.

I'm not sold on carbon. It just happens to be the construction of a nice frame I found.

So, I measured my bike.

Seat tube measured 57cm and top tube measured 59cm.

I'm reaching too far out. Also, I have a 120mm stem, so that doesn't help. That might explain the numbness I get in my hands after about 20 miles.

Meanwhile, I rode my fastest pace so far on Saturday, after 14 days out of the saddle, after stopping to reattach my seat bag and after almost crashing (gravel shoulder on a narrow country road). So, who knows.

So, I transferred my pedals and seat to Mrs (to be) Pup's Cervelo TT bike. It's a 54, and too small, but the ride was pretty good last week. It needed a tune up, so I attempted it myself Sunday morning before my ride....attempted.

I ended up transferring it all back over so I could do my ride at all.

I stopped by the bike shop to ask about a certain frame, a Cadillac aluminum frame with carbon seatstays and forks. It is in my bedroom right now, and it can be mine for $250.00. I don't know anything about Cadillac frames...except that I don't drive a Cadillac and am thinking the big ol' Caddy symbol on the bike is a bit cheesy.

Any thoughts about Cadillac frames?

Anyway, the owner of the bike shop said that he would recommend buying any of a number of no-name full carbon frames out there that are in the $400-500 range. He said they are the same frames that bear the names "Pinarello" or "Cerveol", etc and just lack the badging.

Searching a few of the websites, I found a few Pinarello Dogma frames in the $700 range. I'm thinking that they are fakes or factory rejects due to blemishes. Any thoughts on these or the "blanks" that I came across?