Bikes

[reverendgrim]

A colleague let me test ride is carbon framed Isaac bike today. I didn't go far, just up a hill near work and back. It felt very odd, especially as I was riding clipped pedals without shoes with cleats. I was riding a lot faster than normal, and hit 29.4mph on the way back down the hill. This is faster than I'd comfortably ride on my hybrid.

Comments

[reverendgrim]

I found with the road bike I was riding today, I did start to feel more comfortable going quickly. With my hybrid, it starts to rattle over a certain speed which gets alarming. I also have unpleasant memories of hitting the brakes and going straight over the handlebars at about 15mph, which slows me down.

I know the bike I tried yesterday has a longer stem on it than normal as it's fitted for the guy who owns it. The one I rode today was more comfortale.

From what I've read about carbon frames they can be engineered with a range of characteristics from being very firm to being very good at absorbing bumps. Indeed, I think the carbon bike I road yesterday was smoother than the aluminium bike I road today. A number of road bikes have aluminium frames with carbon rear seat stays, carbon forks and carbon seat posts so they absorb the road bumps. (See Trek 2000).

I think you're right about the head tube angle and responsiveness.