Good Bike? Need some help

alfadriver wrote: SFB- I know *of* Specialized. I'm not a bike person, other than wanting to ride a road bike. I've been told my Bianci is a good bike, too- I just like how it rides.

There is a certain irony that your mtn bike is a Bianci (known more for road bikes) and your road bike is a Specialized (known for mtn bikes).

Hey, I've got an Allez as well!

These were a throwback / classically styled bike --- hence the drop-shifters and chromolly frame. The downside is they are a bit heavy. The upside is they are all-day comfortable, simple and inexpensive.

I've added a set of clip-less pedals, and I took my time in fitting the bike (handlebars, seat, pedals) so it was as comfortable as possible. I recently did a short ride--- 30 or so miles, with nearly no fatigue. I'm really liking it so far.

BTW I paid $200 for mine, and in my mind I got a great deal!

The dog approved my purchase.

In reply to Joe Gearin:

I have some straps for the pedals if I want to stay old school, but I've still not decided.

How did you go about the fitting- do it yourself, or take it someplace?

You can look up bike fitting on the I Internet. It's fairly simple if you know how to measure and use tools. Then fine adjust from there to get it where you want.

^^^

I adjusted the bars and seat for height and angle, and went for a few rides--- changing the set-up gradually to perfect it. Once I had those where they felt right, I adjusted the pedals a bit using the same process. ( Clipless pedals have a bit of wiggle room for adjustment) I asked my local bike-shop for advice before I started the process.

I use clip-on cages for my old Bridgestone mountain bike, as I like to be able to get a foot down quickly while off-road. For the Allez though, the clip less pedals are fantastic. The transfer of energy is so much more immediate and efficient with the better pedals. Of course, I spent more on pedals and shoes than I did the bike!

in any case--- great score! Now get some miles underneath it!

I'd call the police because you stole that! Those older Specialized steel frame road bikes are awesome. If you get bored with the downtube shifters, you could always move them up to the handle bars: http://www.kellybike.com/2nd_xtra_takeoff.html

In reply to 92dxman:

Funny thing- we actually discussed the idea that the bike was stolen. Based on the condition, I think it was abandoned. Still operates really well- but I may end up overhauling the whole thing over time. Something to do next winter.

I need to check the hubs, but the original ones were sealed bearings- so in theory, they are easier to change. Some of the rusted bolts can be re-blacked. The chrome- I'll just deal with what's left after polish. I'll rub the paint, some. Maybe re-spoke the wheels, even.

First things first- seat and tires.

The more you guys post, the more geeked I am about it.

So an update- I intended to include pictures, but didn't get a chance to before going to the store.

We have a new, small local bike shop- the kind that will work on anything. The owners have full time jobs, and he takes bikes in to fix up and sell- nothing new inside at all.

So he puts it up on the rack, starts going over it, even making some adjustments. Seems quite interested in working on it. Shows me how to do it (I did some looking on line...) but his tune up cost is reasonable- which seem to be a really good deal to me- for what needs done.

First thing he notices- the PO put on a really short chain, and tried to adjust around it. So I'm getting a new one of those.

Sold me a post, which was in a bin of a bunch of used posts. PO must have put a smaller post in, and it was squeezed in.

We talk about the wheels are eh- I was thinking of working on them- but he had a matching pair.

Got the old school road tires. very cool.

He didn't have the yellow parts I wanted- so I had to get a seat and tape on line.

It's going to look almost the same next week when I pick it up- so I'll take pictures before putting stuff on.

I'm really happy about this.

If I like the bike, I may put some searches on e-bay for the correct hubs and derailleur. Take some time to get the right stuff. Or ask what better components I should keep an eye out for.

The bike was abused, and now has found a good home to be taken care of.

Thats great. Hope you enjoy it.

Sounds like a great bike. Hope you enjoy it.

My Bridgestone road bike is all Suntour components and I really like the way they work. Nothing I have ridden in the last 20 years is any better.

That shop sounds like a great asset to have nearby! Our local shops don't keep much to support older bikes. Probably be a good idea to get fresh grease into the hubs, bottom bracket and headset before you do too much riding.

Thats a great looking bike. I have a 90/91 Specialized Epic that I love riding. Its a carbon frame so its very light and I got it for $60!!!

All I did is put new tape on the handlebars a new speedo (I kept the vintage Specialized that came with it) and a new chain. The previous owner changed the original cassette for one with more gears and left the stock chain, it was too wide and was rubbing.

Here in SFL, everyone looks at me as if I was riding a model T.

In reply to Slippery: $60! Wow!!! That's totally awesome!

Lots of bikes like mine are converted to fixies here in Ann Arbor- it's a college town and barely flat enough.

Some shots of MY bike

This is pretty much how I got it last Sunday- ignoring the pedals, and the seat stem. The wheels have been changed, but you have to look close to notice.

This past weekend I dropped it at the shop, he installed a new chain (the last one was too small, some replacement 700 wheels, and tuned it up.

And I mentioned that I wanted to go one year previous for the look- the Jim Mertz custom- which was very yellow. Got a yellow seat, and tape- and they arrived today.

Yea..

First time I've done bar tape ever- and it turned out pretty nice- I got a good product that was very forgiving to put on- this was basically 3 tries on one side and 1.5 on the other.

Nice...

Went for a brief ride in flip flops. As I thought from before- very comfortable. This is going to be fun riding, I think.

New tires come in Thursday- the Panaracers that I wanted didn't fit- going for a wider 25 mm tire fouls them with the brakes. If the Continentals I am getting don't fit- I'll go with the correct 23mm tire. 25 is for the crappy roads we have.

Over time, the same shop sold me some clip in pedals, but I need to get some shoes, too.

Just from personal experience, I think you will find the saddle far more comfortable with it level from the center of the seat pad to the nose. As you ride harder, the natural reaction is to slide forwards on the seat. If your seat is already nose down, that means you wind up right on the nose and that puts the most pressure possible on a small bundle of nerves and blood vessels usually considered of high impotence... er, importance. If the novel saddle position is necessary for comfort, you may well need to lower the seat post a cm or so and try leveling it out.

For many more words on the subject: Sheldon Brown on saddles

In reply to travellering:

I'm figuring as much- but there isn't much there for adjustment- may have to bend the metal a little.

Hmm, it ought definitely to allow adjustment to a perfectly horizontal position. Maybe try backing the clamp bolts right off and giving it a little tap to release?

Looks fantastic, by the way!

Nice!

You should definitely not have to bend metal to adjust the seat. You might have the clamp (the part that attaches to the seat rails) in backwards. Otherwise it should be loosen the bolt, move seat to desired angle, retighten bolt.

slowride wrote: Nice! You should definitely not have to bend metal to adjust the seat. You might have the clamp (the part that attaches to the seat rails) in backwards. Otherwise it should be loosen the bolt, move seat to desired angle, retighten bolt.

^This^ Disassemble the 2 seat clamp parts and reverse them front to back. There's absolutely enough adjustment to be way too nose high or low. Level is correct, or 1-2 clicks nose high so you naturally slide aft so your ischial tuberosities (sit bones) are on the wide area of the saddle where they belong.

Note that a road saddle isn't immediately "comfortable". Good posture matters - pay attention to whether your pelvis tends to roll forward - this puts pressure on your 'taint. Use your abs and back to keep your pelvis level, and try riding with your hands on top of the brake hoods rather than on the drops. Your weight is divided between pedals, saddle and bars. And keep your elbows bent a bit, not locked.

(40 year roadie, was a messenger/racer/bike shop guy forever)