hi-
i’m currently in the market for a new bike. want to move up from 650c to 700c so need a new frame. was riding a cervelo p2k. am very interested in a softride. anybody have any pros or cons. other bike ideas. looking at the Classic TT7 or Rocket TT7.
thanks so much,
josh
I want to know why Softrides are aerodynamically superior and why this is not also the case for the Kestrel Airfoil (or is it)?
Strictly considering comfort, what wins…a (properly fitted) Softride or a carbon tri-frame?
Dave from VA
Due to the physics of airflow (from what I have read), Softrides ARE generally aerodynamically superior to other aero double diamond frames (all other things being equal) IF both bikes use a rear disc (an aerodynamically ‘clean’ Softride with a rear disc was the best bike tested). HOWEVER, Softrides ARE NOT superior to other aero double diamond frames (all other things being equal) if you use a spoked traditional or carbon deep wheel in the rear (on both bikes).
The theory behind why is that discs are so good aerodynamically that they really shine when they are not protected from the wind by frame tubes. Spoked wheels are not as good aerodynamically, so they do poorly when not protected from the airflow by frame tubes.
But these tests were done a while ago, before the existence of the P3, whose clever design might be better than either a Softride or other aero frames (but this is just conjecture on my part–and, no, I don’t own one).
Greg,you are probably correct that a spoked wheel is not as good as solid wheel when it comes to aerodynamics and that therefore it is logical to conclude that a dirtier wheel when protected by a seat tube on a conventional frame will have less negative aerodynamic impact. However that combination will never beat a Softride that leaves the dirty wheel largely unprotected but doesn’t suffer the much greater impact of the existance of the seat tube in the first place. The net result favors softride no matter what wheel is being used.
Regards,
Adam
This short blurb was not my conjecture, but a rough summary of some actual and fairly unbiased test results that I read. I cannot absolutely vouch for their testing protocols, but these were the results that they got, for better or worse…
Greg,
If you find out where these unbiased test results originated please let us know.
Adam
Softride Bike
VeloNews, year: 1999, 2000? (± a few years?)
Thanks!
If you find the article(s), maybe you can post the text here for some interesting reading, as the results ended up fairly favorable to the Softride, just not in every conceivable situation.
Anyone in the Chicago are is more than welcome to borrow one of my bikes…TT7 and Rocket R1 700
.
do you deliver?
BTW…Adam is a great guy. He helped me search the entire country for an XL Softride Rocket SE7 back in October of 03. I got it 10 days before my 1/2 IM and proceeded to PR the bike and run part of the race!
THANKS ADAM!!
Greg,
I can set you up with whatever you need (a bike that is) For a dealer in your area contact Rich Ducar @ (630)793-4030. If you need further assistance feel free to give me a call @ 888.258.7299.
Thanks,
Adam
i got myself a softride about 9 months ago and love it. It is a little heavy but that is prob due to the running gear on it not the actual frame.
The comfort is amasing and you forget about how comfy they are until u hop on a diff bike. The greatest thing i have noticed is that it eliminated ALOT of tupper thigh, butt and lower back fatigue caused by road vibration. I get off the bike now and i can stand up right straight away rather than being huntched over for the first km (0.6 mile) of the run.
Some people HATE softrides. So i guess u either love them or hate them. I personally love them.
A mate of mine went from a softy to a Kestrel Talon and says they offer the same amount of comfort.
If you know of someone who has one u can try, try it and compare for yourself.
Also visit www.softride.com
they make some compelling arguments and have some good comparison tests there!
good luck
Andrew
I have been riding w/ a good friend over the past couple years who owns a Softride. On multiple instances, his beam has separated from the housing that connects it to the frame. This past weekend we had a century planned. He made it to mile 1 before having to turn back. It’s happened 2 other times while I’ve been in company. That’s after replacement beams were installed. No other experience to lend from this.
To answer the original question, I’ve had a softride qualifer and a TT7. I currently own a double diamond aero TT bike. Here are my first hand observations. Nothing will beat the softride for comfort. I’ve ridden Kestrels, treks and some other frames. Hands down the softride is the most comfy. The softride is the most adjustable bike as well. you can dial it in, then dial it in some more.
Your going to become more efficient in pedalling on the softride. If not you get the bouncing effect that you see from time to time. Softrides are a bit heavier but it makes not real difference. Mine w/race wheels was 23.5. I smoked people going up hills all the time on rigs weighing 4-4.5 pounds less. Killed them worse going down! I’ve turned in some top 15 bike splits in extremely competitive national races.
Your, at least in my cases, going to have to become a better wrench. I like to think of my softride qualifier as a race car. something is always coming loose. Give it TLC and it will cradle your butt like no other bike.
The reasons I switched from it was, it is old, going on 10 yrs. It needed more work, especially when taking it apart to travel. I felt like it was time for something new. I will be building it back up for IMAZ though. I’m also thinking about getting another TT7 or Classic TT instead. The classic’s don’t look as cool as the TT7.
I sold my TT7 w/7 miles on it b/c I needed a L even though the spec sheets and my qualifier measurements pointed to a M/L. My advice is physically put your hands on the one your going to be buying. Any other ?'s PM me.
DD - how did you do on Sunday? What a great day to race. The weather was perfect. After the kids race, we took down the site and were done by 1:00 PM. I had time to run down to the lake front for an hour swim before flying back to Florida! Z
Tom,
It was great meeting you. It’s nice to be able to put faces to screen names.
I was 8th OV. I got killed on the last run. Ran a 19:25 or so, only out ran 1 person in the top 12 (ouch). I got passed by I think 5 people in the last 1.5miles. Moved up as high as 3rd OV on the bike.
Dannon naperville is an AWESOME course, rolling but not enough to cause anyone to be disadvantaged or gain an advantage, the run is the same, false flats up and down w/some hills to keep it fair. I was debating between Naperville or OH but glad I went here.
Are you going to be announcing in California? BTW you do a great job. I heard several people comment along the lines that they were pleasently surprised to hear their named called out as they ran to the finish.
I would totally agree with Desert dude. I own a 7 year old softride Powerwing and a 2003 Road rocket. I have ridden Trek OCLV’s, Speciallized Allez, and a custom fitted time trial bike similiar to Cervelo. My Softride Powerwing is the most comfortable bike I have ever ridden. The road rocket is a close second, however, I am still fiddling with my fit on that frame. It does help to have good wrench skills on these bikes. They take a little adjustment from time to time. Having said that, if you ride and own a lot of bikes, it is necessary to be a good mechanic. I have the same attitude as dessert dude, I considered my softride as a race car that just needed more tuning now and then. I don’t want to give you an impression that the bikes always go out of tune, just that they take a bit more than your standard bike. Once I had my bike in tune, it stayed that way for most of the summer.
Best of luck in your choice.
DD - Will not be in California for Dannon - I’ll be talking for 17 hours at the Ironman in Panama City Beach! Premier does a GREAT job of producing world-class events. It is nice to be able to work with them. While everyone was out on the bike course, a spectator asked me if I was the one who sang the NA at Ironman Wisconsin. She did the race and remembered hearing me! She was thinking about racing Dannon, but decided it was a bit much one week after an Ironman. Good luck in California. See you at another race. Z