Is road biking for me?

[lovelylibrarian]

(I posted this as a reply in another thread but thought I'd start my own thread too.)

I have a hybrid with a basket on the back that I ride as a commuter and for errands and a MTN bike for the trails.

I'm wondering if I'd like riding a road bike. I'm not sure if I'd like being in that bent over position. I don't have the need to go very fast but would like to be able to go for longer distances and join group rides.

I'm not too fond of riding on narrow roads with no room on the side to ride. It's quite an investment to get a road bike. How do I know if I'll like it? Maybe I can try one out but after reading a lot on this site, I understand that it should really be fitted to me so that I can really get the feel for riding and not be unconfortable.

How did you know you'd like road biking if you switched from MTN or hybid biking?

[mimitabby]

ah, such a good question. I happily rode my hybrid for years, but had so much trouble keeping up with my husband and his friends that i finally caved and bought a used Bianchi. It was a beautiful fast bike, but it did not really fit me. So i put a bunch of money into it, trying to get a good fit. Meanwhile, the bike itself encouraged me to work harder (I cannot explain it) even though I was awkward and uncomfortable. I eventually got a custom bike, which fits me well and is a lot more uncomfortable. I don't ride in a real extreme position btw and you don't have to either. There is a bike, the dolce (Specialized?) which is not real expensive, but it has the geometry of some of the more expensive bikes. You might test ride one of those.
I had to make the leap myself. And you CAN go back, i still have my old hybrid.

[northstar]

You sound like I sounded before I got my road bike. I had a blast on my hybrid, but wanted to do more. I was nervous about the difference in riding position, but a road bike does not need to be set up in a very aggressive riding position - I now find myself more comfortable on my road bike than on a bike where I sit more upright. It takes some getting used to, but I say give it a try!

(How about a touring bike for running your errands? Those bikes are amazingly practical and built to get things done!)

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm wondering if I'd like riding a road bike. I'm not sure if I'd like being in that bent over position. I don't have the need to go very fast but would like to be able to go for longer distances and join group rides.

I'm not too fond of riding on narrow roads with no room on the side to ride. It's quite an investment to get a road bike. How do I know if I'll like it? ....

How did you know you'd like road biking if you switched from MTN or hybid biking?

Ride the routes first on your hybrid that you think you'd be riding if you got a road bike. Ride them alone or with a mellow friend so you don't have to factor in speed at all. If you hate that kind of route then what's the point in buying a special bike for it?

Remember there are differences between riding long distances and riding fast.
A bike that puts you in a really 'fast' posture might not be very comfortable on a 6 hour ride.
If you are leery of hunched down racing position and want to ride long distances, then consider a touring bike, or a road bike with some touring characteristics like higher bars and rack braze-ons (attachments for racks).

Another thing to consider is to set your hybrid up for some short touring purposes- it might be comfy for that, with its more upright position. And then get a 'fasty' road bike for those short fast club rides.

Do you have any friends who could let you try their road bike for a ride or two?

[F8th637]

I know I replied on your other thread but I ended up getting a touring bike after my hybrid and it is everything I could want. I am not interested in going fast just in going long distance endurance rides. It's comfortable and has the braze-ons so I can run errands on it too. Touring bikes are a lot less aggressive in stance. I +1 the recommendation for a touring bike.

[Jolt]

I know I replied on your other thread but I ended up getting a touring bike after my hybrid and it is everything I could want. I am not interested in going fast just in going long distance endurance rides. It's comfortable and has the braze-ons so I can run errands on it too. Touring bikes are a lot less aggressive in stance. I +1 the recommendation for a touring bike.

I think that is a good recommendation, based on what you seem to be looking for. I haven't ridden many types of bikes to be able to tell you much (I have a hybrid as well, and it's mostly an errand bike with occasional easy group rides) but the touring bike sounds like it would still be practical like the hybrid but probably faster. I might eventually look into that option myself.

[SouthernBelle]

Most companies have a bike line that has a more relaxed set up. I ride a Giant OCR which has a more upright set up than a racing road bike.

[Andrea]

Be sure when you're trying bikes out that you ride 1 or 2 with a more "bent over" position. You may find that you prefer that to more upright...

But just like everyone else says... find a good LBS that will let you test-ride everything to see if you like it or not!

[indysteel]

I had a hybrid for all of 3 weeks before I decided to get a roadbike. I've haven't ridden the hybrid since. For some reason, I just knew that it would suit me. I wanted to go longer and ride faster than the hybrid would generally allow.

As others have mentioned, not all roadbikes put you in a very aggressive position. If fit properly, I actually think a roadbike (or touring bike) can be more comfortable to ride than a hybrid. You can move your hands around a bit on the bars and your weight is, at least ideally, balanced between your arms/hands and butt/legs. It's certainly easier to deal with the wind on a roadbike.

Good luck and have fun!

[KSH]

I didn't read all the responses, so forgive me if I repeat something that was said.

My boyfriend wasn't sure he would like riding a bike, and didn't want to go out and just buy a road bike immediately. So he would go and rent a road bike. After doing that for about a month, he knew he wanted to buy one.

Maybe you can try that route? Then you can find out if you like one for very little investment. Just keep in mind that once you buy your own bike it will probably be more comfortable, since it will be fit to you.

[Miranda]

Most companies have a bike line that has a more relaxed set up. I ride a Giant OCR which has a more upright set up than a racing road bike.

+1 to this...

My bike I use for road purposes is a women's specific Giant OCR1. It's their top of the line "sport" bike, mostly aluminum and some carbon. She's more upright, but can still go pretty fast. The next jump is to the all carbon beauties. I really love her.

FWIW, here's my story...
First, I was torn what to buy. My last bike was 25+yrs ago before I had a DL (she was shaped like a road bike). I developed some back issues and impactive exercise was no longer an option for me per doc's orders. Biking was one of my few options. I was an indoor spinner first. Then my gym roadie friends said I should try riding outside. I went to the lbs with the intention of getting an all carbon beauty like my cycle pals. One very nice and honest lbs rep told me that might be too much bike for me as a newbie. Lightness meaning more twitchy, needs better handling skills etc. Which I had none of. He was right. My OCR1 was less than half the cost of the carbons, but not cheap.

Initially, it was hard getting used to traffic. I ride rual roads with no berm, and speed limits for cars 45-55 mph. Which means they go faster than that. Trying to find my balance, I felt more secure riding in the drops all the time with the handlebar death grip. I thought maybe I made a mistake. But, I improved, and now ride confidently more upright on the hoods, but can still pick up my speed in the drops etc.

I also have a hard trail mtb. She came first. I tried to road ride that, but it was just not good. The fitness hybrid was strongly suggested to me as the "in-between" bike to buy. I just couldn't get over my deep heart desire that I knew I wanted to ride far, and remembered I loved fast. So... I just went for it and got my OCR1. In the future I would like an all carbon beauty, but for today it's good.

Lastly, on the back and riding positon...
Learning some technique tips helped too. I keep my abs/torso as strong as possible with exercise to help support my back. A strong core is good for cycling. I vary my positions: hoods, drops, stand up periodically, and dismount/stretch at intersections for a longer drink break etc. One thing that shocked me on fatique was my neck/trap/upper back muscles. I bought a light helmet (Giro pnemo) and my doc (also cyclist) showed me some specific exercises to strengthen this area (bent single lat rows w/dumbells for one thing). Getting things stronger makes your posture better on the road bike, less fatigue, and ultimately more enjoyable to ride.

Good Luck! :)

Miranda

[lovelylibrarian]

Thank you all for the suggetions. I'm going to try to find a LBS in San Francisco that's not a huge chain store and that can help me out with making the best choice. You've all been very helpful. I would really like to be able to participate in group rides and keep up.

Karen

[bluebug32]

You could also try a cross bike. I was into mtbing for a long time and decided on the cross bike for the trainer in the winter and to still have the option to ride light trails and gravel (a nice cross between road and mountain). If you want to ride the road, you can just throw road tires on it, and it's basically a road bike too. To me, it's the best of both worlds.

[roadie gal]

1+ on finding an LBS that will rent you a bike. You could talk to them and try to work out a deal where you would apply the rental fees to a purchase.

[sundial]

How do I know if I'll like it? Maybe I can try one out.....
How did you know you'd like road biking if you switched from MTN or hybid biking?

Check with your local bike shop to see if any of the bike manufacturers will offer test rides in your area. That's one way to find out if you'll like a road bike without plunking down cash. Another way is to offer chocolate to your roadie friends in exchange for a bike ride. ;)

I really like my mtb but when it comes to summer, I really enjoy going fast and feeling a breeze. I still use my mtb to exercise my furkids, but this time of year I really enjoy having a road bike that takes me further with less effort. :p

[lovelylibrarian]

I think I found a LBS that will let me try a few bikes. I don't really know many road bikers since I'm new to the area and I realize that borrowing a road bike is like borrowing a child (or even more traumatic) in some cases.

I wish the LBS was open later. I think all stores should be open until 10 pm to suit my lifestyle ;)