Broke and Starting out: Question>

[judythegeek]

I'm just starting out. I have a mountain bike and a old 12 speed road bike which needs nothing but lubed and tubes.
So how much is the riding i am doing on these going to help/ hurt my later training on a quality road bike?
Thanks!!
Judy

[Cataboo]

You're not going to hurt your training in any way - if nothing else you'll make yourself a stronger rider dealing with less gears/a heavier bike.

[Xrayted]

There's nothing wrong with an old 12 spd road bike. Get it to fit you as best as you can and ride the tires off the thing. Many of us on here have older, steel bikes that we love. As a matter of fact, around Portland, that's mostly what you see on the road, not newer high end bikes. I think it'll get you into shape, you'll have fun, see places, smell the flowers and grass on your route and come home with a smile. ;)

Saying all of that, I do have a pretty decent alum road bike for the past few years, lower granny gear, smoother shifting and braking. I like it, it fits me beautifully, and I got it for a steal. (or I wouldn't have bought it) The priority is to ride and like it, not necessarily to spend $$$$ to ride and like it.

I've been eyeing up a few bikes at the goodwill near us. I think I may have my next project and a bike that wouldn't get stolen in a million years. My kind of bike. :D

[colorisnt]

Judy,

I am a beginner, too. I got back to biking via my commute and wanted something that fit, something that was a ROAD BIKE, and something that wouldn't get stolen. I managed to find a 1977 Columbia Blaze at a LBS that refurbishes bikes. I put almost a couple hundred miles on it, started to ride pretty seriously, and was told that I have a lot of potential to do more if I just work at it and get a better bike. Mine is 10 years older than me and weighs a ton!

I just bought an entry-level WSD trek and am keeping my old bike for my commute. I never want to park a nice bike on campus (I'm a grad student), but I decided I want to do centuries and the like, so I need a bike that is easier on my hands and knees.

[Zen]

Let's not lose sight of the title of this thread.
New bikes are nice but the thread title is" broke and starting out".

[owlice]

How good a rider will you be if you don't ride anything before getting a "quality road bike?"

The bike you can ride and the riding you do on it beats the bike you don't have and the riding you can't do. :)

[colorisnt]

How good a rider will you be if you don't ride anything before getting a "quality road bike?"

The bike you can ride and the riding you do on it beats the bike you don't have and the riding you can't do. :)

This. Exactly. And yes, you will definitely have some great legs with a heavier bike! My cycling group was always impressed with my ability to handle the heavy bike I had. Today we'll see how different the new one is.

[tulip]

Just go ride your bike! You're infinitely better off riding the bike you have than not riding. There are plenty of folks with very nice bikes who don't ride them--and you are way ahead of them!

[judythegeek]

http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz49/jkarnuth/fc0eaa78.jpg
I picked theis 1974??? Takara up a a yard sale for $10.00! It had brand new tires and tubes. It's frame is light for it's age, and it is comfortable to ride.
My DH lubed and gave it a once over(I am very lucky because he once worked at a LBS) since I got it (3weeks) i've put at least 200 miles on it!
http://i812.photobucket.com/albums/zz49/jkarnuth/d080318a.jpg
This is my *mart special Mtn bike! I am taking it into the Allegheny National Forest for a cyclocamping trip with my eleven year old daughter next week!
I love riding! I am thankful for all of your input!
Judy

[Crankin]

That's a nice looking bike.
But, I am going to be the contrarian. I rode around on DH's old mountain bike for about a year and a half. While it got me in cycling shape and taught me skills, I don't think it made me stronger. When I got my first road bike, (an average, entry level, aluminum, nothing special one), my average speed went up from 11-12 to 15 pretty quickly. I envy those who can keep up on group rides on old heavy bikes. I can't. I love riding my Jamis, but speed goes out the window when I ride it. It doesn't mean you shouldn't start out on an older, higher geared road bike or heavy mountain bike, if that's what you have, but I really don't think it made me a better rider. I just toodled along on the mountain bike, going about 3 mph, up some pretty big hills.
Just saying.

[badgercat]

Only $10 for that mixte? What a steal! Sounds like you've already had many happy miles together. :)

[Trek420]

Only $10 for that mixte?

Nice bike! Enjoy!

[Zen]

Only $10 for that mixte? What a steal! Sounds like you've already had many happy miles together. :)

I love hearing about $10.00 bikes:)

I once bought a bike for $25.00 and sold it for $770.00. But it was special.

Enjoy that bike.

[malkin]

Well there you have it; trick out that mixte: sell it for a fortune and get yourself what you want to ride.

Bikes: The new real estate!

[ultraviolet]

Nice mixte! I have a Takara mixte, too. Mine is red...and made even heavier with fenders, a rack, and a basket. (OK, so the basket doesn't really weigh much.)

[sarahspins]

Only $10 for that mixte? What a steal!

I just bought one for $10 but it wasn't nearly in as good of shape :p Plus it's kid-sized with 24" wheels (and SUPER cute.. pics when it's done being rebuilt).

I recently got a Takara mixte too (mine is Orange (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/4747163639_c3d25e2b5b.jpg)) and it's a very nice ride. Mixtes are surprisingly light for old steel frames - BOTH of mine (I have a Nishiki too, which has fenders, rack, and a basket) are lighter than my 2009 trek hybrid. If your Takara has alloy rims, odds are good it's not really much heavier than a "modern" entry level bike. You could put an alloy seatpost and handlebars on there to save a little more weight, and those are upgrades that can be done for relatively cheap.

I love riding my older mixtes just as much as my lightweight Felt road bike.. it all depends on what kind of mood I am, as far as what I will choose to ride... most of my rides lately are less than 15 miles (it's too HOT here for much more) so which bike I choose is less important than just getting out there and riding for a while... since most of those rides are only around an hour, just about anything is fine :)