sportive bike advice – Page 2 – Bike Forum – Singletrack World Magazine Forum

TurnerGuy · 2012-07-06T18:42:54Z

Hi I will be riding the Bealach Mor this September, which is a 90 mile ride with a fair bit of climbing, one of which is 22 percent. The last sportive I did was on a slicked up and rigid mtb, but for this one I am experiencing peer pressure to conform and get a road bike. A year or so ago I rode a 56cm Genesis Equilibrium (I am 5ft 10, 32 leg, normal proportions!), and a Salsa La Cruz cross bike. The other day I also tried a Genesis Vapour disc, an alloy Cannondale CAAD8, an alloy Cannodale Synapse, and a carbon Focus Cayo. I found the Equilibrium a comfortable ride but the steering seemed a little slow, probably as both my mtbs are XC oriented and I also commute on my twitchy Birdy folder, so they all steer quickly. The Salsa felt like a boat, I think it was pretty slack. I took it on the grass but it still didn't grab me. The Genesis Vapour also didn't grab me, but more so than the Salsa - it had a bit of toe overlap, uninspiring tiagra shifters, and was not too light even though it was alloy. The alloy Cannondale CADD8 felt pretty good and not as harsh as I thought it might be - I was a little more stretched than I would like possibly and was wondering about trying a 54cm frame. The Focus seemed very stiff and not suitable for a sportive. The alloy Cannondale Synapse was surprisingly comfortable, even with a bit of zing/spring if you dropped it on its wheels. Cockpit was shorter, and it is a little more upright than the CAAD8. Both the Cannondales accelerated well and were therefore fun. Tomorrow I am going to try the Equilibrium again. I haven't yet tried a Giant Defy yet. Anybody got any advice before I take the plunge: 1. should I favour the Equilibrium over the alloy Synapse for ride quality, even if I upgrade the wheels on the Synapse? 2. should I favour a carbon Synapse over all of them? 3. is a compact with 11/28 ok for lots of climbing and a 22 % climb, or should I go for an Apex groupset with 11-32 (I like to spin more than stand, or at least alternate)? 4. should I bother looking at the giant defy? I initially thought about a cross bike, and maybe building up a Crosslight Pro6, but I think a proper road bike might be better for making road biking less 'boring', as people have suggested here. The Equilibriums are in short supply (otherwise I would build it) and would come from Ea=vans probably - so advice on fit may or may not be OK. The Cannondales would probably be from Swift cycles near Liverpool Street in London - and will get there top fitting service, which is nice. The staff there seem pretty knowledgeable and keen, in contrast to the chains.

monkeychild

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I have a 2011 Cayo and don't have a drama with the saddle but that's me. Saddles are a personal thing. I put some model b wheels and have conti GP tyres on and it's chuffing light.
I did 125 miles on it yesterday and it never missed a beat. For the cash I think they're ace.

Posted : 09/07/2012 11:21 am

TurnerGuy

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Topic starter

For the cash I think they're ace.

no doubt but I am feeling that the Equilibrium might be a better choice considering it might only get used a few times a year, so my backside might not be 'road hardened' - having been cushioned on my Turner for most of my riding, or by mud on the HT for winter riding.

Anyway - going down the bike shop again now for another browse and to see how uncomfortable those Apex hoods are...

Posted : 09/07/2012 12:02 pm

TurnerGuy

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Looked at the Equilibrium a bit more and noticed that the standard seatpost has a small layback.

So I put an inline post of mine on, with my usual flite, and the 56 seems only 1cm too long now.

I think that is just my reluctance as a mtber to 'assume the position', and when on the drops with the saddle the right height, then the leg angles, the plumb bob line from the front of my kneecap through the pedal axle and the bar masking the front hub are all correct, as measured on the static trainer at Evans in Guildford.

So I bought it - a retail version - as I can't find a frameset anywhere, and next years 'might' be in from August the 10th.

Evans did 10% and 12 months 0% though, so that helps offset the cost of decent wheels and fixing up the 105 bits that are missing, and getting a white flite saddle to match the bar tape...

Posted : 10/07/2012 3:03 pm

davidtaylforth

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Good stuff, if it fits, it fits!

One thing I found on mine though was I needed quite a bit of layback on the post (due to the steep seat tube angle) to get in a good position relative to the bb

Posted : 10/07/2012 6:35 pm

TurnerGuy

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Another good thing is that it has forced me to clean out the garage so I can get it in next to the other bikes and stuff 🙂

I find it shocking when I look at the height of my handlebars on the two mtbs and then see how much lower the bars on the genesis are!

Think I might replace the bar tape with black to tone it down a bit.

Posted : 10/07/2012 8:07 pm

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