I made the switch!

[lauraelmore1033]

I went out yesterday to pick out the "christmas bike" and in spite of all the sage advice I'd read here about trying out many bikes from many shops, I fell in love with the first one I rode and I bought it!:o :D. It's a Raleigh sport which I understand is an "entry level" road bike, but it is worlds away from my clunky hybrid. I don't know what got into me, but I was just so delighted with the feel and flight of the thing that I had to have it. Even the technition (who'd initially led me straight to the hybrids and then made a very sour face when I'd said I wanted a road bike) was excited for me. I had a discussion with the shop owner about weight issues and he assured me that any well built road bike should easily support me. He urged me just to try it with the skinny tires and assured me that he would swap them out for fatter ones if they didn't work. I kept saying, "Oh, I'm afraid I'm going to break it!" and he said, "you will not break it. You will fall, but you will not break it."

Oh! it is so zippy and light, I just love it! I took it out on my favorite course for an easy spin and shaved almost 15 minutes off my usual time. The primer course on gear shifting from Suzie's thread was a life saver! Although there is the same big lever-little lever set up that my hybrid has, the levers are in very different positions, and I'm not sure I would have figured that out without the heads-up from the ladies of the forum:). Having read about Suzie's experience, I thought I'd only ride five miles or so just to try it out, but before I knew it, I'd already done 9 and I still needed to turn around and come back! My inner thighs (groin area?) were KILLING me when I was done, though. The different body position definitely works different areas of the leg. I stretched 'em out thoroughly, and there were no problems as of this morning.

While I was out riding, a roadie guy in the process of "blowing by" said "Hey, that rides great" as he passed. I wonder how he knew it was a new bike?...

[sbctwin]

YEA!!!! I am very short, and on the heavy side. I didn't have many bikes to choose from when I was looking for my road bike, more due to my height (4'10":o ) than my weight issue. I wasn't a member of TE at the time and I see now that if I had been, I would have had more insights as to what I was looking for, but when I rode my Lightspeed Bella, I knew that was the one for me. It was more expensive than I was planning to spend, but because of my height limitations, I knew FIT was the most deciding factor. Glad you are so happy. You will ride longer, happier and it is already proven with your first ride:p

[HillSlugger]

Congrats on the new bike. It sound like you made a great choice for your needs. Don't worry about not trying other bikes...sometimes you just know.

BTW I fell in love with the first bike I tried (Specialized Sequoia Elite) and then tried a few others basically just so I could say I'd done my due diligence.

Please post a picture!

[lauraelmore1033]

well, I'm glad to have the outside validation of my hasty choice. I chose my hubby in much the same fashion and that seems to have worked out...

[KnottedYet]

this used to be my signature: (or something like this)

"Only fit, function, and true love matter"

sounds like you found all three with your new bike! Congratulations!

[mimitabby]

I went out yesterday to pick out the "christmas bike" and in spite of all the sage advice I'd read here about trying out many bikes from many shops, I fell in love with the first one I rode and I bought it!:o :D. It's a Raleigh sport which I understand is an "entry level" road bike, but it is worlds away from my clunky hybrid. I don't know what got into me, but I was just so delighted with the feel and flight of the thing that I had to have it. Even the technition (who'd initially led me straight to the hybrids and then made a very sour face when I'd said I wanted a road bike) was excited for me. I had a discussion with the shop owner about weight issues and he assured me that any well built road bike should easily support me. He urged me just to try it with the skinny tires and assured me that he would swap them out for fatter ones if they didn't work. I kept saying, "Oh, I'm afraid I'm going to break it!" and he said, "you will not break it. You will fall, but you will not break it."

Oh! it is so zippy and light, I just love it! I took it out on my favorite course for an easy spin and shaved almost 15 minutes off my usual time. The primer course on gear shifting from Suzie's thread was a life saver! Although there is the same big lever-little lever set up that my hybrid has, the levers are in very different positions, and I'm not sure I would have figured that out without the heads-up from the ladies of the forum:). Having read about Suzie's experience, I thought I'd only ride five miles or so just to try it out, but before I knew it, I'd already done 9 and I still needed to turn around and come back! My inner thighs (groin area?) were KILLING me when I was done, though. The different body position definitely works different areas of the leg. I stretched 'em out thoroughly, and there were no problems as of this morning.

While I was out riding, a roadie guy in the process of "blowing by" said "Hey, that rides great" as he passed. I wonder how he knew it was a new bike?...

Raleigh makes a great bike! Enjoy. and we want to see pictures!

[Aggie_Ama]

Congrats! Don't downplay what entry level can do. I put 4,000+ miles on my entry level Fuji. She hung with me on anything I threw at her- multi-day rides, centuries, hills, rain. All of this on the cheapest of components Shimano sells. It is all about maintenance and taking care of your new baby.

Sometimes you get lucky with fit. Both my bikes have fit great and I didn't even bother test riding more than one either time. Have a great time racking up the miles.

Do we get a picture of the new bike??

[lauraelmore1033]

I'll post a picture when I find the camera. Had a lesson last night from hubby on checking the pressure and filling presta valves. They seem so fiddly and delicate and I'm still worried I'm going to break something. I felt that way about the kids when they were little and I guess I didn't break either of them. too badly. I hope it warms up today so I can go out and ride...her? him? If not I'll just go out and watch him/her sleeping...