Bicycles Asked on January 29, 2021
After riding a hybrid bike for the last few years, I just got a used Cannondale SuperX road bike (CX to be accurate). I expected the change in geometry to be uncomfortable for a while, but what I didn’t expect was the drastic difference in handling. Two major notes so far.
One, it seems to be incredibly agile. And while that should be a good thing, I’ve found it dangerous having been used to my hybrid and driving in shoulders. A tiny movement to dodge a sunken manhole becomes a scramble to get out of the road.
Two, standing is way too unnatural. Feels like the bike is trying to go towards the pedalling leg. Not sure if the light weight has anything to do with it.
My questions are these; 1, will I get used to the road bike with time or is this something I have to consciously work towards? 2, is flipping between the hybrid and road bike a bad idea?
If it means anything, I’m pretty much a casual rider. I just did my first 100km this past summer on the hybrid.
Your bike is not really a road bike, it is a cyclocross bike (CX, not XC). Although they look similar and use the same type of handlebars, they serve different purposes.
Cyclocross bikes are made for 1-hour races in very twisty off-road courses. They need to be able to make very short turns and do not have to be very stable. They also do not have to be very comfortable for long rides. That is a difference with respect to gravel bikes. They are similar, but often more stable and used for longer rides often on narrower trails or roads.
You will get used to the bike better for sure, but the inherent qualities of the bike are permanent. But you will become more confident in controling it.
Using multiple types of bikes is a very good idea. A cyclocross bike can be a good universal main bike for many people. However, an endurance road bike made to be more comfortable on longer road rides might serve your personal purposes better.
Answered by Vladimir F on January 29, 2021
Is the stem very short? I find that a long (15cm) stem is results in quite acceptable, gentle, though not highly and quickly responsive, steering. If I were riding urban downhill, or downhill mountain biking through a forest, I would want a really short stem but if just riding around on a road bike I would prefer a longer stem in any event. The bike comes with a long-enough stem but the previous owner of your used bike may have swapped for a too short (8/7cm or less?) stem for fit related reasons.
Answered by Timothy Takémoto on January 29, 2021
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