Softride advice
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Jeyradan posted 3 years ago.
All I've ever seen is the gear [bags, bottle cages, etc.] that Softride sells themselves. You could also talk to Cyclops (right? aren't they Vancouver-based? someone help me out, I'm dyin' here) who do custom frames designed for the Softride beam.
It takes a while to get used to the flex on the beam, but they ride all right when you can handle that. I've heard that they're really fast, but I only used one for a short while, and I hadn't had much experience, so I can't vouch.
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1239 days
chicanery posted 3 years ago.
Softrides can be wicked fast if you learn that "the beam is always right". If you are bouncing, it's your fault, and you need to smooth out your pedal stroke. Not the lightest bikes around though...you can weightweenie one out and put it around 18lbs, but that costs a lot.
That said, the aerodynamics outweigh the weight factors. Get some slick wheels though.
20
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1190 days
BATMANs posted 3 years ago.
I have a classic TT that is just about to get put together.
Pictures in a few weeks.
I wonder if this will work with it..........
http://www.trisports.com/xlabsaddlewing.html
2455
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1332 days
Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
A softride with some nice zipps or Hed 3s will absolutely FLY on the flats. Once ya hit this hills, however...
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
417
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1230 days
BrianMc posted 3 years ago.
I always wondered about the bouncing with the softride. Thats kind of cool that if the beam is bouncing you know you are pedaling wrong.
Brian
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Its the same thing with my MTB. The suspension doesn't really bob at all unless you're not spinning smoothly. The beam takes just enough edge off to be able to ride over rougher streets without flinching. Cool stuff, ya just gotta really work at getting it set up right, because that bike is all about being aero, getting to your top speed and staying there. They're fairly heavy, so they dont accelerate super quick, but once you get in top gear, they FLY.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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1155 days
Learn posted 3 years ago.
I have never ridden one - but nearly all the competitors and sales people I have mentioned it to say that they do bounce an inordinant amount and are mostly for people with bad backs. Not saying I agree with that, but....
I seem to recall that Lance was always pushing trek to make his bike stiffer and stiffer - the very opposite of Softride.
A note on bouncing - I have found that emphasizing the 5-9 o'clock reduces that a lot and so does upshifting a gear or so.
20
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1190 days
BATMANs posted 3 years ago.
The sad thing is that almost all of the people that, for lack of a better term, talk **** about Softride are folks that almost have never been on a Softride for a day, or even a few minutes - hence ignorance and probably sales chatter of the competition.
When they are complaining about the bounce from peddling the problem resides on the saddle and cranks (the rider). Abject peddling habits shouln't be an oppurtunity for folks to blame Softride for the bounce.
Sure, Softride is a little heavier than the majority of road bikes, but I rather see folks compare TT-frame bikes to Softride since almost all TT-framed bikes are heavier due to the extra material implemented in creating that aero shape.
I recommend finding a LBS on softride.com and demo the bike for a day.
This way u'll know what they feel like. And at the very least, u'll know if u have a good peddle pattern..........
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1190 days
BATMANs posted 3 years ago.
Friends have marveled as I ride over speed bumps in aero position and they break form and get up on the pedals to avoid losing their fillings in their mouth.
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Funny, same guy who talks crap about softride uses lance as an example...and steadfastly says in another post that what LANCE did had no influence on HIS decisions... I think someone takes the stuff that comes out of people's mouths or the roadbikereview a bit too seriously. I test rode one and was debating getting it instead of my trek, but the closest dealer is an hour away... i like my LBS being right there. It was aclose call, with the LBS being the deciding factor.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
try the cyclingforums.com Soap Box!
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
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psuambassador posted 3 years ago.
Thank you everyone for your comments. I ended up buying a new Classic TT Softride frame. I'm currently building it up. I did have one problem with it though. When I installed my cranks (54/42), they rubbed on the frame. I was using a 109.5 mm DA bb. I just ordered a triple bb that is Ultegra and 118 mm. I hope this does not throw off my chainline. Does anyone have any experience with this problem? Is this to be expected b/c of Softride's unique frame design?
2455
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Triguy98 posted 3 years ago.
Did you check softride's spec sheets for BB sizing? Different frames...different width BBs.
Life is short. Play hard and get dirty doing it.
I'm looking for a tri frame that will take me through an Ironman. I found a great deal on a Softride classic tt frame and I have everything else to build it up. I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with these bikes. Are they nice rides? Where can you find rear bottle cage mounts/bags for these things? Thanks for your help.