Thinking about a road bike

[MollyJ]

Okay, I am driving a very old bike, mountain bike, which I have put smoother tires on. I like it but I want to switch to a road bike format. My local dealer showed me a Trek Madone 4.5 which is gorgeous. It is true that I want to buy a bike and I'm not going to want to buy another bike in 6 months. My old bike is probably 15 or more years old. I do not want to race. But I want a more efficient machine that will let me go further than 12-14 miles per hour gets me. I liked the lightness of the Madone.

But just want some feed back. I would like to consider working up to the Bike across KS (my state) for next summer.

Is this "too much" bike. I could afford it with some saving. The price is feasible. But I want to know if it is gilding the lilly.

[emily_in_nc]

No way is it "gilding the lily"! The nicest, lightest, best-equipped bike you can afford is going to perform better and make riding all the more pleasant and rewarding for you. Go for it! :D

[arielmoon]

I second Emily. Of you feel good on it and the price is right for you get it!

[stella2]

I have this variation on the Pashley Princess http://www.theoldbicycleshowroom.co.uk/pashley-sonnet-bliss-1412-p.asp Strictly a hybrid, but this style was the original road, tow path, bike and is used a lot as a road bike in Holland where nearly everyone cycles on the road. This is my first bike and it is exceptionally comfortable and balanced. I must say, I don't know how it differs from a bike specifically designed as a road bike.

[out_spokin']

Another vote for buying the nicest you can afford, with two caveats:

make sure in the "afford" equation you include at least some gear to get you riding safely and comfortably right away (do you have a newer helmet? padded shorts? gloves?) and

most importantly, take some time with a few bikes and really get a sense of how road bikes fit, and how you fit on different road bikes.

A higher end bike that doesn't fit is worse than a 15-year old mountain bike that does! (speaking as someone who rides an 18 y.o. mtb with slicks as my daily commuter, as well as a FANTASTIC custom road bike that took a while to save for!) Good luck!

[m.eliza]

I can't give a ton of input here as I'm pretty new to road biking as well, but I ride a Trek 1.1 WSD (now called the Lexa), pretty much as cheap as they come, and I have to say that I'm really happy with it. I'm pretty satisfied with Trek's approach to women's geometry. A friend of mine recently bought a Specialized Dolce, which she loves, but she was really disappointed at first with the way Specialized does women's bikes. The stock handlebars were very wide and the drops far too deep for her petite frame. The guy at the shop who sold it to her (who is 5'10") told her the handlebars on his bike were exactly the same size. She ended up replacing them with an all around smaller handlebar and is very happy now.

As I said before, I'm pretty new to this, so these are the only two bikes I'm really familiar with. But I'd definitely have to vote in favor of Trek out of these two when it comes to women's geometry. I've heard that the Madone is a really nice bike. Definitely good for racing, but just because you won't be racing doesn't mean you shouldn't have one. I say if you want one and you can afford it, go for it!

[MollyJ]

Out spokin' I have padded shorts. I've gotten two pairs. My DH bought my last helmet for me (Surprise!) and it isn't what I like but I use it a while. I think gloves are my next purchase.

I was telling friends at work that I went on a ride this Saturday and I spontaneously met up with a couple of other riders I know (men) and they were tricked out in the jerseys and riding shorts etc and shoes (haven't done shoes either) and I was wearing my padded shorts in the baggies style (I'm 50+, so really...) with my American Red Cross plasma donor t-shirt. I don't feel so authentically cycler yet that I feel I need the other stuff but let me tell you padded shorts are probably not a vanity!

I call my old mountain bike, a Raleigh, my beater bike. But even if I bought a road bike, I would keep it I think for riding to work which I do a little of and for riding with my DH, who rides not very much.

Who says only boys have expensive toys, right?

[jelee1311]

I had a hybrid and I got a road bike from Santa , it was love at first ride. Going from 35lbs to 16 was amazing.Try out many before making your decision. Spend the money, if it makes you happy it is worth it.

[warneral]

I bought a used trek 1000 wsd for 450 this summer. I don't regret it b/c I fell numerous times getting settled in with the clipless pedals. So the bike ended up with some bumps and bruises. I'm already wishing I had a nicer (slightly bigger) bike.

I test rode the Madone 4.5 and the Specialized Ruby Elite Apex last night. I loved them both and couldn't pick between the two so I decided to wait a while and work on fitting my current bike to me.

I wouldn't hesitate getting the Madone 4.5. The 2010 model was a good price but the saddle was much more uncomfortable than the 2011 saddle. It was a sexy bike for sure!!!

Alison

[Catrin]

...

I wouldn't hesitate getting the Madone 4.5. The 2010 model was a good price but the saddle was much more uncomfortable than the 2011 saddle. It was a sexy bike for sure!!!

Alison

Saddles can be replaced easily - that might be worth considering if you can get the 2010 model for a good savings over the 2011. Just saying....

[warneral]

That's what the guy in the shop said. My problem is I've ridden both the Madone 4.5 and the Ruby twice and I can't decide which I prefer! Plus I hear good things about steel. I'm starting to think about waiting. I have a 5,000.00 embroidery machine in the shop getting tuned up. If I can sell it, I might just be tempted to order a custom Luna. Decisions decisions!

In the meantime, I might get a longer stem on my 48" lower end road bike and see if that helps with my fit issues :)

[Catrin]

Welllll then, you didn't say that a lovely LUNA might be an option - get the longer stem and wait :D

Not that I've an opinion, or that I've ever been on a "real" road bike depending on one's definition. There are those around here that don't consider my beloved steel touring bike to be a road bike since she doesn't have road bars!

[warneral]

You do love your steel bike? I honestly haven't even tried a steel road bike (perhaps my old mtn bike is steel - I've no idea).

Some day I'll figure it out but I am not in a rush.

The OP loved the Madone though and do think it is a sexy bike!!!

[trek4.5]

I have a 2009 Trek Madone 4.5 and I absolutely love it. I have been riding mine for 2 years and think that I made a great choice when I bought it. :)

Good Luck with your decision. It is well worth the money to get a better bike and one that is fit to you. A correct fitting and bike size makes all the difference in the world when it comes to riding.

[Catrin]

You do love your steel bike? I honestly haven't even tried a steel road bike (perhaps my old mtn bike is steel - I've no idea).

Some day I'll figure it out but I am not in a rush.

The OP loved the Madone though and do think it is a sexy bike!!!

Oh my yes, I dearly love my beloved steel steed! She feels every so much better than my aluminum Trek 7.6 did (and it wasn't shabby). I cannot see my purchasing another aluminum bike again without a really good reason. Carbon I've no desire for, Ti might be an option someday.

[ChillyWilly]

I just did the same thing myself! I've been riding my Trek 8000 mtb with slicks on all the country roads, but wanted something more.

In trying to figure out what road bike to buy, I asked myself first what I wanted most in a bike. And my answer was one that I would not be replacing in a couple of years.

That lead me directly to the Trek 4.5 Madone. And I can say with a full and happy heart that I choose wisely and love, love, love this bike. No regrets. I would also say if you can do it, go for it.

And absolutely positively get a good fitting. Even a great bike won't make you happy if it's not the right fit for you.

[trista]

I went from a mountainy-hybrid to a Trek Madone 4.5 and I love love love it. I've put over 600 miles on it since I got it in July. It's a perfect fit.

I did replace the saddle though, only b/c the stock saddle was too soft. I bought a firmer version of the stock saddle, same size/style pretty much, and it is a perfect fit.