I'm glad you're not still mad at me from our beer discussionI agree with LO on this one...
My first road bike was an all aluminum specialized and the ride sucked. I busted the frame and the new warrantied one rode much much better just being a newer version of the same model. Specialized obviously learned a few things.I'm glad you're not still mad at me from our beer discussion
So I went and looked at the bikes. I haven't really looked at bikes for a few years since I got my custom roadie, so... has aluminum improved? Cuz I'd think that a bike for $1200 should have carbon seat-stays as well as the fork, yeah?
Granted, if you ride smooth roads, I doubt noise will be much of a factor.
Someone bring me up to speed, does AL still suck?
We sell a bike that is 631 steel for under a grand with Ultegra/105. It was a closeout, so I only have two and don't recall if they are 58 or 61 cm frames. I don't want to pimp bikes on this site, but PM me if you want to know more.Both bikes come with a carbon fork and seat stays, the difference between the two is more about the parts spec, which I know IH does a great job with on their MTBs.
Heck, I'd like to get an steel frame like my fixed, but NOBODY is spec'ing a built steel frame anymore, and I don't want to (er, can't) drop the coin on a custom build.
This is the best deal I've run into for the money and spec and I'm in pretty well with my local shop (not an IH dealer) so fine tuning the fit could be done with them.
I'm guessing you ride a 55cm cuz you need a shorter top-tube and you've got your saddle jacked way up?I'm 6'1" and ride a 55 cm. Get fitted before you buy.
No - it's because I've got short legs compared to my height (30 inch inseam) Because I'm tall, most shops will try to sell me a 58 cm - when I got professionally fitted, 55cm turned out to be right for me.I'm guessing you ride a 55cm cuz you need a shorter top-tube and you've got your saddle jacked way up?
If so, do you find that your handlebars are relatively way too low?
I'm running a 100 mm stem now. It's comfortable, is all I know. I really don't know all that much about fitting - I ask the fitter what to do, and do it.If you're riding a smaller bike cuz of your legs, how are you adjusting for having a longer torso/short top-tube? Are you running, like, 140mm stem? Or are you sitting more upright?
I'm just wondering how you compensated for a standard geometry bike?
I had to go custom cuz I have longer legs for my height.
My girlfriend just picked up an Excelcior Comp. It's a great bike for the money. The Shimano 105 10spd is really very nice stuff. The frame is OK too (it's not going to match a frame that costs as much as the whole Ironhorse bike).Stumbled onto some decent deals for the Iron Horse Excelcior Race ('bout $1k) and Comp (bout $7fiddy). Considering picking one up.
Thoughts?
How the hell would I know what size I need? I'm 6 ft.
As for sizing, get in the ballpark by going to a good shop and asking them.
Do you go into shops, try on shoes and helmets, and then get them from mail order? I can't stop people from doing this, but I strongly discourage it.As for sizing, get in the ballpark by going to a good shop and asking them. Write down the size and geometry numbers of a bike or two you fit reasonably well on, and see if any of the Ironhorses work out
A guy tried to put me on a 54 Cannondale today and Im 5'11. lthumbsdown:I wouldn't recommend asking the shop - you'd be surprised how many shops will say you're a 59 because they have a lot of 59's in stock.
A guy tried to put me on a 54 Cannondale today and Im 5'11. lthumbsdown:
A 56, which is what he sized me at, and then said "well this is just a bit smaller, but should be fine, really"What size did you get?
1. No. I don't.Do you go into shops, try on shoes and helmets, and then get them from mail order? I can't stop people from doing this, but I strongly discourage it.
As for trying out bikes at another shop and buying them elsewhere, you are wasting the time of salepeople who are glad to help you and will most likely make the extra cost of buying a bike from them worth it.
I will give you a perfect example: most shops will switch stems for free so you can get the right length and rise. These shops often have bike fit tools that will get it right the first time.
Thus, I'm of the opinion that parts are important, to a point.Your bike's comfort comes from your tires, saddle, shoes,
and bars/tape. These parts all flex thousands of times more than
your wheels and frame. Changing your tire pressure a few lbs/in^2
will have more of an effect on ride comfort than swapping wheels.
Also, the difference between, say, Conti GP3000 and Specialized
Armadillos on ride quality is immense.
For the same reason I don't buy generic toilet paper.Unless you’re stripping the bike of it’s parts, why the hell do people focus so damn much on parts?
So you sit on a cassette?For the same reason I don't buy generic toilet paper.
You're strictly talking about points of contact, which I agree with. But when people talk parts, they're talking about the sillyness of groupposThus, I'm of the opinion that parts are important, to a point.