I am a 58 year old that has the aches and limitations of other 58 yr old triathletes. I currently ride a 2013 Cervelo P5. It fits me good, but I am in the market for a bike that has a lot of adjustability for a 58 year old who has had back surgery and wants comfort for rides as long as half iron vs saving a few seconds. Please make recommendation.
Do you want to adjust it a few times a week for you rides or something like that?
I think you just need a bike that fits you.
I think you just need a bike that fits you.
This. After that, modern aerobars, spacers, tilt, oversized cups etc should provide ample minor adjustment options.
Not really an answer to your question, but I switched back to a road bike. Specifically, I switched to an “endurance†road bike. Ultra comfortable for longer rides. If I want to go “aero†I use the drops. I may add clip ons later. I’m 51 and sit almost all day for work. I’m not flexible and don’t spend enough time trying to fix that. Rolling my hips to get a good position isn’t easily done anymore. For me, I want to enjoy my training rides and races. Riding a Tri bike became more of a test of my endurance of discomfort. I’m not competitive and rear of the middle pack at best. For me, losing a few minutes due to riding a road bike isn’t going to change my race experience at all.
Bike with « normal stem » and no proprietary front end will let you adjust position
So cervelo p series and canyon speedmax cf that have not so much agressive position can ben good pick !
I cant recommend Quintanaroo enough. They have several models and build specs depending on your price point. If you can get to a bike fitter who has a fit bike they can give your measurements and Quintanaroo will recommend a size and customize it to fit if needed. Also they don’t use much in the way of proprietary parts on the front end so its easy to swap and customize for your specific needs.
If you are going to order through them call and they can walk you through the build process with more options than are on the website.
I thought a P5 and P3X were generally the most adjustable bikes on the market. Just go to the best bike fitter you can find and tell them what you need.
The simple deconstruction of the term “adjustable.”
Seat height and position adjustability are probably the same for most tri bikes.
So, to be specific, “adjustable” really only refers to the cockpit. And there are only 3 things you adjust:
Base bar position (height and fore & aft)Extensions (height relative to base bar)Pads (height relative to base bar and fore & aft)
So, assuming you know your fit parameters, just choose a bike that has cockpit adjustment range that covers your current position. With most modern tri bikes, my impression is that the range of sizes can fit just about anyone now.
If you have a particular configuration you like, such as a high frame drop with tall extension risers, then you may narrow your choices. But, would be a specific matching you would have to do against each bike.
Last, if the bike does not have an integrated cockpit, then you can upgrade to one of the leading really awesome cockpits that can probably adapt to all of your preferred adjustments.
QR PR + TriRig Alpha One. Put these two together and you have a VERY wide range of adjustability of X and Y, plus seat angle/depth, pad angle, pad width, etc.
Thank you to everyone that responded. Great thoughts.
I have a good fit, but would like to be a little more upright. Might look into a cockpit upgrade.
I’m not trying to be flippant, but it’s more about you than the bike (assuming it fits you properly). I’m 60, been at this 20+ years. Lots of niggling aches that i used to resign myself to enduring. Upon retiring a few years ago i made it my mission to address those issues.
I have not had back surgery so we are not the same in that regard, but i have had chronic issues. At one point a doctor told me i had to give up the sport because the facets on some neck vertebrae were going to paralyze me if they got worse. Instead i worked on my neck with renewed commitment. Regular pressure point lacrosse ball massage and stretching did the trick. Basically, adaptive muscle shortening and trigger points made my neck very difficult to live with let alone train and race with.
Long story short (well a little shorter anyway), i disregarded any notion that mechanics was the issue (it certainly can be for some) and focused on my body. A lot of time, but i was right - i have never felt better: i train and race with zero body complaints. It’s such a pleasure being back to where it should be: my only limitation is my fitness.
One of the things i am very thankful for in retirement is the fact i don’t have to sit anymore. I think this is the root of many lower back problems (we sit in the car, at work, at meals, in front of the TV) …leads to a tilted pelvis and a tight lower back. But it’s the same with the whole body - without ongoing maintenance every single muscle will shorten with consequent issues: more and more limited range of motion and the associated complaints when we demand more of our soft tissues than they are used to.
I bet your old P5 is just fine. (I split my time between a 2002 Cervelo One and a 2012 Cervelo P2 - both are babied and ride like new, and by the way, do not have the same fit - something i think is beneficial.)
I don’t think i’m unusual. Reinvest in your body through regular maintenance. It doesn’t have to cost anything (for me a requirement), just takes time and dedication. Don’t expect instant results; improvements will be almost imperceptibly slow. Stick with it and i bet you’ll be rewarded.
TriRig Omni is hugely adjustable and very quickly at that. I can completely change your position in maybe two minutes max for every touch point to be changed.
ERO has some to allow easy adjustment at the velodrome as I checked.