Why is my bike setup this way

[Walrus]

I'm a newbie who was given a second hand road bike. Since I've been reading forums such as these, I've learnt that the setup isn't exactly standard and I've come to find it difficult to ride.

Frame: Hillman custom 60cm C-C
Crank: Biopace 52/42 (eliptical)
Group: Shimano 105, 7 speed 11-19
Handlebars: Profile time trial drops with aero bars

I find I'm almost always in 42/19 for hills (remember I'm a newbie), and the time trial drops give me very little choice in ride position.

Could someone shed some light on why it has been setup this way? I just want a recreational bike for cruising...is this what I have?

[mjw_byrne]

Sounds like a time trial or triathlon bike. 42/19 is very high (i.e. difficult to pedal) for a bottom gear - even race-oriented road bikes often come with a bottom gear of 39/25. And the bars are all about getting into an aerodynamic position rather than ride comfort. What you have is definitely not for "recreational cruising"! Although it is probably reasonable for fitness riding, if you can find some routes that aren't too hilly.

[Gonzo Bob]

Originally posted by Walrus
I'm a newbie who was given a second hand road bike. Since I've been reading forums such as these, I've learnt that the setup isn't exactly standard and I've come to find it difficult to ride.

Frame: Hillman custom 60cm C-C
Crank: Biopace 52/42 (eliptical)
Group: Shimano 105, 7 speed 11-19
Handlebars: Profile time trial drops with aero bars

I find I'm almost always in 42/19 for hills (remember I'm a newbie), and the time trial drops give me very little choice in ride position.

Could someone shed some light on why it has been setup this way? I just want a recreational bike for cruising...is this what I have?

It's set up that way for time-trialing and/or triathlon - in other words, riding hard and fast. This bike is not set up for cruising.

You might be able to change it. If the seat angle is typical of a road bike (around 73 degrees), you could change to normal drop bars (perhaps with a stem length change and you might need new brake levers, too), get a more reasonable cassette - maybe a 12-26 or something like that - and be all set for tooling around.

If it is a steep angle tri-bike (seat angle around 78 degrees), adapting to a more general road worthy set-up is probably not possible.

[boudreaux]

Originally posted by Walrus
I'm a newbie who was given a second hand road bike. Since I've been reading forums such as these, I've learnt that the setup isn't exactly standard and I've come to find it difficult to ride.

Frame: Hillman custom 60cm C-C
Crank: Biopace 52/42 (eliptical)
Group: Shimano 105, 7 speed 11-19
Handlebars: Profile time trial drops with aero bars

I find I'm almost always in 42/19 for hills (remember I'm a newbie), and the time trial drops give me very little choice in ride position.

Could someone shed some light on why it has been setup this way? I just want a recreational bike for cruising...is this what I have? Besides what G B said, you can also ditch the biopace chainings, especially the 42 and replace it with a 38 or 39 which willl make getting up hills a bit easier if that is an issue. The rear cogset can also be changed out to something more receration or cruising oriented. If the bike fit and is otherwise suitable, the changes are relativley inexpensive.

[Walrus]

Thanks for all your helpful advice

[wildearth2001]

Originally posted by Walrus
I'm a newbie who was given a second hand road bike. Since I've been reading forums such as these, I've learnt that the setup isn't exactly standard and I've come to find it difficult to ride.

Frame: Hillman custom 60cm C-C
Crank: Biopace 52/42 (eliptical)
Group: Shimano 105, 7 speed 11-19
Handlebars: Profile time trial drops with aero bars

I find I'm almost always in 42/19 for hills (remember I'm a newbie), and the time trial drops give me very little choice in ride position.

Could someone shed some light on why it has been setup this way? I just want a recreational bike for cruising...is this what I have?

That is deinatly a TT oriented bike, riding hills in 42/19 is quite respectable (though it is better IMO to ride smaller gears at high cadence) the fact that you can push that gear actually shows that you are a strong rider. If I were you I would probably drop the chainrings down to a 52/39 and then get a 11-13 or 12-25 cassette (well really I am limited to 14-25 because of junior gearing rules but If I wasnt stuck with that I would do what I am saying) And buy some standard drop handle bars. If you could post a pic of the bike it might help some of us to get a better idea of how it is settup