Summer vs Winter bike geometry

[Monsieur Remings]

I've kind of hinted at this problem before but never have I felt it as such a problem as I have the last few days. Let me explain. I have two bikes, different geometries and despite some excellent advice from posters on here regarding setting the bikes up as similarily as possible I have the following predicament.

Yes, I like the idea of having a 'winter bike' except it's not simply a winter bike it's more appropriately an adverse weather condition bike - one that I ride if it's pissing it down, dark, or generally poor, unpredictable weather. This one's a Giant but that's immaterial. The other I ride for all those special sunny days in the saddle, or when the weather is not wet or icy. Consequently, my 'summer bike' is often ridden in winter if the conditions are good and the adverse/winter bike, as with recently, ridden in spring.

I've been riding my summer carbon Ribble since the end of February again until last week, I suddenly decided, after four years or so back on the road, to give up giving up when it rains. Naturally, this means getting wet and hardening up to the elements but the practical reality is, I start riding the 'winter' bike again like I have in the last few days. Now funnily enough, before I rode my carbon this morning I had had some pretty uncomfortable pains, almost as if the top half muscles in my legs felt cramped, almost as if they haven't been stretched properly. In short then I reverted to the carbon this morning, early as it was, as the sun was out and they felt better again due the preferred summer bike. Or is it just getting used to that bike again? Probably.

I know this is a geometry issue but I'm beginning to think that perhaps the whole idea of a 2nd bike, with such a different shape is such a good idea? Let's face it, even in summer it can piss down and I might end up using the 'winter' in the middle of July but is this the right way do you think?

In short, I'm not sure the legs can deal with regular changes between the two separate geometries?

Any suggestions?

 

[Edge705]

I echo your comments to an extent I too decided on a specific winter bike and opted for a cyclocross bike but despite liking the bike at the start I found it very difficult to corner as well as I could on my carbon. I also found it a harsh ride and not responsive enough given that I am an exercise commuter and do ride at speed.

I have now bought a new carbon for weekends (lucky me) and will use the existing carbon (which the geometry fits perfect) all year round. I came to this decision because my friend up the road has been commuting 150 miles a week 48 weeks a year for the past 7 years on a carbon bike the only modification being crud guards from October through February. I was always sceptical about using a carbon as a commuter but I have learned more and more are opting for this as the prices are coming down

Incidentally the new carbon bike (weekend one) geometry is different to my commuter carbon straight top tube as opposed to sloping yet despite these differences I feel comfortable on both

Have to say though my weekend carbon would not see any daylight through the winter weekends I would just use the carbon commuter for that.

 

[snorri]

That sounds quite complicated.
Perhaps you could find a system whereby neither bike lies idle for more than two weeks, that way you might not experience the same discomfort when changing over between bikes..

 

[amaferanga]

Regardless of geometry, you should be able to get the saddle-pedal distance and the saddle-bar distance very nearly the same.

But anyway, I ride different bikes through the year. Each bike may feel different and if I haven't ridden it for a while feels a little odd at first, but slightly different set-ups or geometry certainly shouldn't cause pain or injury.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Assuming that both bikes are the right size and set-up correctly, I would be sceptical that different frame geometries could cause pain.

The amount of rake and the length of the stays etc. will affect how the bike handles and performs but wouldn't affect you.

Is, for example, the saddle significantly further back or forward on one bike? How do the handlebar heights relative to the saddles compare?

 

[gavintc]

I concur, it is usually not too difficult to ensure that the distances between feet, hands and bum are the same. Get a tape measure and start to compare and move as appropriate. As expected, my summer bike is much more lively, but the winter one is still a comfy ride.