Have you upgraded from your first road bike?

[Grits]

Obviously I have the itch, and I know this isn't the place to come for help in ignoring it :D

I was curious, how many of you have upgraded already from your first road bike?

How long did you ride your first one before deciding to upgrade?

What made you decide to go ahead and do it?

[nscrbug]

Well...I certainly fall into this category. I got my first road bike - a Trek 2100 WSD 54cm, in Spring of 2008. I rode it for one full season, which included racing it in 2 triathlons - a sprint distance, and an olympic distance. Ultimately, what pushed me into wanting a new bike was the poor fit of the Trek. The frame was too big for me and I was experiencing a LOT of pain issues because of this. I went to an experienced "fitter" to see if he could possibly fit the bike a bit better to me, but he said there was only "so much" he could do with a too-large frame. He said that by shortening up the cockpit to fit me, I would be compromising the handling of the bike. This basically sealed the deal for me, as far as deciding to buy a new bike. Another reason was that I wanted to upgrade to a better component group. I ended up buying my Cervelo Soloist Carbon 51cm, this past May. The smaller frame fits me much better, and the full Ultegra SL components are super smooth. I can definitely say that I enjoy riding SO much more on a bike that fits properly. ;)

[Cataboo]

I did a lot of upgrading on my road bike at first (handlebars, saddle, gel tape, stuff like that).... then decided I wanted a 2nd one to keep at the bf's...

Then I wanted to try 650 wheels... Then I had a cheap one from craigslist, then I was having lots of wrist pain from vibrations and didn't want vibrations...

So anyways... I guess maybe I started with 2 road bikes, there was another 1 or so... and I've got the 2 road bikes that I have now... Lots of craigslisting.

Love the 2 I have now - one titanium, one carbon... aluminum just didn't work for me, and seat tube angles bigger than 73 degrees just didn't work for me.

[Kathi]

Wow! I'm also a "got a new bike cause the 1st one didn't fit" rider. It took me 4 road bikes to get the fit I currently have.

1st bike was bought in the early 80's, Fuji Royale Mixte, it was bigger than me! Rode that for yrs, but probably didn't have 2k miles on it then SO thought it was time for a new bike. I was reluctant because I didn't ride much, that was in 1994. Bought a 48 cm (I think) Cannondale on 700c wheels. Smaller and better but still didn't fit. The next year Cannondale came out with the 650c bikes. Sold the big bike and bought a 48cm 650c R800. Wow, what a difference, really began riding after that. I rode the bike for about 5 yrs. Sadly, aluminum frames beat me to death and the fit wasn't exactly right. Then I found a Carbon Fiber Aegis. The ride was to die for compared to what I was riding but it still didn't fit. I did ride it for 5 years before I gave up, went to a fitter and bought a custom frame. I've had the Serotta for 3.5 seasons, approaching 8,000 miles, perfect fit and can't see why I'd ever want another frame.

Mtn bikes are pretty much the same story. On 3rd bike and it fits pretty well. If I had the same passion for mtn biking that I do for road riding I'd also get custom but at this point I'm happy with what I have.

I spent a lot of money upgrading both road and mtn bikes in search of better fit. The LBS and I learned about fit but didn't get it right. Once I found a qualified and experienced fitter did I find the fit I was looking for.

[OakLeaf]

Ha :)

My first road bike was the used Peugeot UO-8 I saved up for when I was 12 years old.

That was stolen when I was 21. :(

I replaced it right away with a very similar Peugeot that I rode until I started touring, and wanted a midweight tourer that fit me better. My new Specialized Sequoia (with narrower wheels than came stock) was my dream bike. In 1987 I got bit by the racing bug, and had a frame built for me by a local framebuilder. I rode both those bikes interchangeably until I burned out around '94 and didn't ride a road bike again for 12 years.

In 2006 I went to a retreat and rode a demo Specialized Ruby for three days, and realized that I'd been away from cycling long enough to love it again. I got new bearing grease, new tires, and new handlebar tape for my old race bike, filed down the brake pads and was good to go for the rest of the year. But I'd already had a taste of modern bicycle technology on the demo bike. I was amazed at how much had changed. My old race bike had first-generation indexed shifting that never worked exactly right. To go from that to brifters.... I loved the frame, but by 21st century standards it's heavy, and more to the point, it would have cost more money and a TON of effort to strip that frame down and build it back up, than it would to just buy a new complete bike. So three years ago Christmas I got a new bike.

[Zen]

Upgrade?

I don't know.
My current road bike is a down grade but the bike I ride the most has better components but it's an entirely different kind of bike.

So, it's complicated.

[annielynn]

Since I just purchased my road bike in late August (2010 Trek 2.1 WSD) I am grateful to be able to afford to get a pretty upgraded bike for my first road bike. I love my bike!

My husband is the next to upgrade. He is still riding a 1993 Bridgestone Radac. He sacrificed a lot for me to get this new bike before him. So we are upgrading him to a Trek Madone 5.2 or 5.5 February. He is going to be flying high when he get that new lighter bike.

It will most likely be a couple of years before I get a new road bike!

[buddha_bellies]

I'm in the midst of buying another bike. But for different reasons. The Specialized Ruby is a dream for me. Everything fits me almost perfectly (had to shorten the stem). I'm looking for a touring/ commuter bike now. The Ruby is nice but I can't carry stuff with it. No place to put a rack for pannier. And my beat up/ commuter bike is a hand-me-down that's too long on the top tube. Can't ride that for too long.

I did try several bikes before getting the Ruby. Being short really helps in the sense that I have very limited choice in bikes. So I kinda knew right away when something didn't fit (ie. no clearance over the toptube and feeling stretch way too far out).

On the other hand, DH bought a Norco road bike last year. Like so many others, the fit just wasn't right. The top tube was way too long for him. It didn't help the LBS he bought it from specialized in mountain bikes. So, in just over a year, he bought a Lynskey. So far, he's really happy with it.

[Yelsel]

My first road bike was a Schwinn World Sport; I can't believe that my dad thought that a 21" men's bike was a good fit for me as a 10yo! That's a tad larger than what I ride now. :) After that was stolen in college, I got a Novara Alight mountain bike that worked well for Santa Cruz, since I lived in the mountains above campus and could ride in on a short single trail + fire road, but overall I didn't enjoy riding it and it didn't see much use after I moved.

My 2005 Bianchi Castro Valley commuter was my do-it-all bike until recently; I wanted more gears (it is a 1x9, and from a thread here it I got the advice it would be better to get a new bike rather than spend the money to upgrade). So a 1998 Bianchi Eros followed me home in July, and I love her to pieces. Lugged celeste steel with the pretty 1997/1998 curvy rear stays, and tricked out with yellow accents, yum. She gets a lot of positive attention on the road, even from the serious carbon fiber set. :)

I just got a great deal on an REI Novara Carema at their scratch-and-dent sale a month ago -- the entire bike for about the retail price of the brifters alone. It was returned because the person did not like the ride (not surprising once you read below about the wonky geometry). This bike's name is "the donor bike" because I bought it for the parts. So I'm finally going to make my Bianchi Castro Valley commuter a 3x9, and the Carema will be a 1x9 or a fixed gear. The geometry is really odd on the Carema -- it is listed as a 42 cm; the seattube angle is very steep and thus the rear triangle is very compressed, but to keep 700c wheels on it, the headtube is *very* slack, and from the bottom bracket to the front wheel hub is actually a tad longer than my 52/53 cm Bianchis! So effectively it is best for someone with a short inseam and long torso, even though it is a "women's" bike. The seatpost is *really* long so that I can ride the bike, though the cranks are shorter and setback is less than I'd like. I think it will actually do a good job for the SO if I can coax him on a bike -- he is the same height as me, but has an appreciably shorter inseam.

I also just got a 1990s lugged steel celeste cyclocross Bianchi off eBay that I shipped to my SO so I have something to ride there -- I am dying to meet him but won't get out there for another month. It has the same geometry as my Castro Valley, but is a lot lighter, so I think it will make a great long distance bike.

And there is the Raleigh Super Course mixte frame that needs a serious overhaul... she's definitely going to be a fixie.

[Grits]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like a lot of you upgraded due to poor fit. I don't have any good, justifiable reason. I just have new bike fever. I think I'll try taking a couple of tylenol and see if that helps.

[redrhodie]

Thanks for the replies. Seems like a lot of you upgraded due to poor fit. I don't have any good, justifiable reason. I just have new bike fever. I think I'll try taking a couple of tylenol and see if that helps.

I had that! I had a perfectly good Specialized Dolce that I bought used from someone who rode it for 1 year. It fit fine. I rode it until I wore huge holes in the saddle. Then, I went to Eddy Merckx's website and got all lusty for one of his bikes. Before I knew it, I was waiting anxiously for my bike to be built.

I would do it again (buy my bike) in a heartbeat. It's given me more joy than anything else I have ever purchased. I ride it with love and respect. It's made me a better rider since I love being on it so much.

Edit to add: I occasionally had negative thoughts on the Dolce, like I'd be riding into a headwind, or climbing a hill, and think this really sucks. I never have bad thoughts on my Eddy.

I say go for it. You only live once. You deserve it.

[tctrek]

I got my first road bike in March, 2008.. a 47 cm Trek 2.3 WSD. I really loved it (still do), but as I got more accustomed to riding a road bike, I realized I felt cramped in it... I then saw a video of me riding it and I looked cramped as well. So, in July, 2009 I got a 50 cm Trek Madone 4.7 WSD. I love this bike and feel so much more comfortable on it and I have had many joyful rides on it. But I know in my heart of hearts that it's not my last road bike :D:D:D!

[Kathi]

I decided that my Serotta would be my dream bike and my retirement gift to myself. It definitely ended my bike lust.

[Owlie]

I bought my road bike in July. It won't need to be upgraded for a while, but...
When it comes time to upgrade, it will probably be directly to a second road bike. Why? While Bluewing (my teal Giant) fits me fine (or, as far as I can tell, it does...) and I'm okay with Sora components at the moment, there will probably come a time when I want something lighter and with a better "shift-feel." (I'm making up words again; there's probably a technical term somewhere.) It makes the most sense for me to upgrade to 105, maybe Ultegra. If I upgraded the bike (wheels, components) to the higher level that Giant makes using the same frame (Avail 1), it would actually cost the same or only slightly more to buy a new bike. There's a Cannondale I've got my eye on...

[pumpkinpony]

I bought my road bike July 08, and have just over 1,000 miles on it. :) I don't see myself upgrading anytime soon, but if I do it will be to a carbon bike. I've enjoyed my Lemond, but it seems a bit 'bouncy' compared to my cousins full carbon bike.

[crazycanuck]

I'd like to upgrade my mtn bike as my current one (small size) is a smidgen bit too big. I just need to save a few more sea shells & get the a-ok from de man.

[RolliePollie]

My first road bike was a Trek 1000 WSD. My main justification for upgrading was that the frame was too small. It was a 51 and I was pretty cramped on it. I rode her for two seasons and put about 6,000 miles on her.

Now I'm riding a 54 cm Trek Madone 4.7 WSD. She's almost a year old already and I absolutely love her! But now that I've had two road bikes and I can compare, I must say that the Trek 1000 was really a wonderful bike. I like the carbon frame on my 4.7 a lot, but the aluminum was pretty nice too. The two things I really notice (and appreciate) about my upgrade are the better fit and the Ultegra components. Ultegra shifting is much smoother and more reliable (I dropped my chain all the time on my 1000). The one thing I do not like about my upgrade is trying to keep her clean (she's white...pretty but not too practical).

I am telling myself that my next upgrade will be in five years when I turn 40 :rolleyes:

[tulip]

Oh, sure. I got my first road bike in 1983. It was a Univega Gran Turismo, and I wish that I had held on to it. It was a classic touring bike. It took me through France when I was 15 years old.

After that, I started racing and I got a speedy red Fuji. I don't remember the model. I didn't have it for too long; it was stolen.

Then I got a top-of-the-line (for the time) Centurion. It was aluminum, and there were very few aluminum bikes back then. I rode it in races for a few years and then sold it.

I then got a used 1983 Vitus in 1989. The Vitus bikes are aluminum and from France. They are pretty unique and classic. I wasn't racing much anymore, and that bike never fit me. I rode it until 2005, when I was involved in a serious crash and broke the frame.

That triggered getting my beloved Luna. It was my first new road bike in a very long time. I had bought a Jamis Coda for commuting in 2003. I love my Luna--I can't say enough good things about it.

In 2008 I got a Bike Friday Pocket Rocket Pro. This is in addition to my Luna. I take the Bike Friday to places where my Luna won't fit, like on an airplane and in the way back of my little bitty car. It's great.

That's it. I don't expect to get any new bikes for a while. I'm all set.

[7rider]

I was curious, how many of you have upgraded already from your first road bike?

How long did you ride your first one before deciding to upgrade?

What made you decide to go ahead and do it?

Well, since my first road bike was a $10 beater from a yard sale, yeah, I guess I've upgraded from that! Second bike was a too-small hand-me-down from my sister. I upgraded from that, too. Third bike was a hybrid, as I had a bad back, and needed the upright riding position. That bike was stolen, so I guess my upgrade from that was sort of forced. Went back to a road bike, and since then, upgrades have come because of:
1. The next bike was available at a price that was right, or
2. More back/neck pain made moving to different geometry pretty much a necessity.
Now, I don't so much "upgrade" as add to different niches in riding habits. Commuter, mountainbike, (dreaming of a 'cross bike and a new commuter)....stuff like that.

[tinycities]

i just bought my third bike.

i started off with a hybrid about 4 years ago, then bought a terry geometry bianchi that i just sold to a fellow TE member.

what caused me to sell that was learning way more about bikes than i knew before, and knowing the bike fit me wrong. the person who bought it seemed way more at home on it than i ever did!

but knowing what i wanted [ horizontal dropouts, tire clearance but with road bike geo ] i got fast measured and was fitted to a salsa casseroll which fit me perfectly. now i'm building that up how i want it and its awesome knowing all this stuff about bikes and being able to put exactly what i want on it. :)

[Crankin]

I started riding in fall 2000, on a hard tail mountain bike. After 2 years, I bought a Cannondale R600 for my first road bike. I guess it fit OK, but the aluminum was jarring and the components were cheap. I constantly was dropping the chain and unable to shift. Exactly a year later, I bought a Trek 5200, 47 cm wsd. I had that bike from July 2004 until July 2006, when I got my Kuota. After fighting with the lbs for 2 years, they exchanged the frame for a smaller one, different model. But, I don't really count that as new, since I didn't pay for it and they were the ones who pushed me into buying the first one. I finally have the right brifters, bars, etc. I like my bike, but I have never been entirely pain free on a road bike. In retrospect, I maybe should have kept the Trek, and tweaked a few things.
I am thinking a good present for myself when I finish my grad program might be a custom bike, a tad more upright, but still a road bike. It probably won't cost more than I paid for the bike I have, though. I have never really had "bike lust" for a particular bike, so I might let the feeling pass and just keep riding my Kuota until I really need something different.
I bought a Jamis Coda for errands and around town riding in 2008. It fits right and makes me happy, although it feels incredibly heavy to me.

[featuretile]

I started riding a little less than a year ago on a Specialized Globe hybrid. That lasted about 3 months because I joined a bike club and could not keep up with a bike that heavy (and I didn't know any better when I bought it).

Then I bought a Specialized Vita flatbar roadbike. It was pretty good and I did not expect to need a real road bike for a few years.

However, I was casually looking on craigslist and saw an almost new Specialized Ruby Comp at a really good price in my size. It had been ridden 100 miles on a trainer and sat in the garage for 2 years. (A husband had bought it for his wife who never used it.) I bought it and sold my Vita to a friend. I don't think I have any more bike lust after buying this lightweight carbon framed woman's bike with 105 components. My riding has really improved. I can't picture needing a better bike. It fits perfect. I seem to work well with the Specialized geometry.

[beccaB]

I have a trek 7.3 fx and everything on it is perfect for me. I feel like I am at one with that machine. I can't imagine anything fitting me better. It can take all the abuse Michigan roads can dish out. However, I think if I had something lighter I could get finished with a century faster, and that is something I would really like to do. So I'm thinking of upgrading to a similar bike, which I think would be the new 7.6. I feel guilty enough about spending even that kind of money on myself, with kids in college and all the other demands on my finances, but my kids would have to put up with a crazy person if I didn't ride my bike.

[Maxxxie]

I started out on an Apollo Fiamme (2008 model). It was a magnificent bike - reliable, nimble, sturdy. It rekindled my love of cycling. But it was too big for me. After about 12 months, I developed pain in my right knee and hip, and the only thing that gave me relief was not riding the bike. Ultimately, I took the bike to a fitter who declared there was not much he could do as the frame was too big. Anything he did would be a bandaid.

I'd been thinking I wanted something a bit nicer anyway, so that was the last straw for the Fiamme. I got a Cannondale Synapse 4 carbon bike, built to the fitter's specifications, and I couldn't be happier. My riding has improved, both because the bike is much nicer, and also because I'm riding a lot more.

I don't regret buying the Fiamme. I loved that bike. It holds a very special place in my heart. I learnt so much from it... about cycling and about myself, too. I felt very conflicted about selling it, but it was the right thing to do. I knew I would never ride it again, and I wanted it to have a long life on the road. I think the guy who bought it will love riding it. :)

The Cannondale also holds a special place in my heart, for all sorts of other reasons. When I ride it, I feel like I'm totally at one with the bike. It feels absolutely perfect. :)

Max

[shootingstar]

Next bike would be a folding bike, but still use and keep my present bike which it is aluminum, road/hybrid bike. If the latter bike wears out, I might look into a steel bike..if I can find something reasonably priced but not a whole heavier than aluminum. I've given up thinking I could ever have fantastic upper body strength even with abit more exercise.

I would like the travel convenience.

[moderncyclista]

I had a bike shop fit me on a 13 inch Trek 7.3 originally. I bought one a couple of years back and had to get a new bike due to the fit being all wrong. I experienced a lot of back/leg/neck pain - as well as aluminum buzz that made my hands go numb. Ultimately it was too small for me. I'm 5'3'' My LBS told me a 13 inch should fit a 4'11'' - ish woman. Hoo-boy. :D I now have a 520 and an Aurora both fit differently but fit well and I adore them both. The Aurora was a graduation/xmas present. The 520 was my re-placement bike.