Pastry
04-28-2003, 06:01 AM
Hello All,
I am new to this forum and new to biking. I recently decided to take up road cycling and spent most of yesterday trying out a couple of bikes. I tried a Klein Q-Carbon and a Bianchi Veloce. Having never been on a 'real' road bike it was quite an experience. I must say that although it all made me feel a bit uncoordinated I absolutely loved the feeling of being on a road bike!!! First I should say that my price range is/was around $1000 but both of the bikes I tried were about $500 more than that. I didn't have a chance to try any of the lower end bikes as I was wooed by the beauty of the Klein (it's on sale) and wanted to compare it's ride to a steel frame. So a couple of questions. The Klein was the first I tried and boy was it light, the fit was comfortable except for some pressure on my forearms and wrists, I think it may also have been my death grip :) the first few miles. The LBS was out of the longer stem the owner thinks will make quite a difference in my wrist/arm issues and also I needed a narrower handlebar. I loved the lightness and the lightning quick response of the Klein (especially on hills) but it felt a bit unsteady and noodly to me. I feel like most of that may be needing to tweak the stem and handlebar size my arms felt really wide apart, but am unsure, is it maybe too light and quick a bike for a newbie? The LBS is getting the stem in in the next couple of days and they are holding the bike until I can check it out with it. I'll also try it out with narrower handlebars. Bottom line I love the bike it's comfortable, light, amazinf response, easy shifting etc etc. I feel as if I could get used to the 'quickness' with some practice.
To compare I next checked out a steel frame/ carbon fork Bianchi Veloce. When I first hopped on it didn't feel as 'right' as the Klein, I felt more stretched out. We switched the stem and what a difference, my arms and wrists felt great. The bike also felt more stable to me and I felt more in control. I really feel like this had a lot to do with the better fit in the handlebar/stem. I also think I was probably overall more comfortable after my first ride. It was very different response wise than the Klein but not bad. All in all it was a great ride and I enjoyed it but it just seemed to lack to the pizazz and verve of the Klein.
So I feel torn and unsure on a number of fronts first and foremost about price, the bikes I tried are more than I originally anticipated spending. I am planning on going back and trying some lower end bikes today to get a feel what saving some money will get me but I feel like I may have been spoiled. Many experienced bikers have told me that if I do buy a lower end bike I will probably want to eventually upgrade as my riding level improves whereas I could spend the money now for the higher end bike and upgrade my performance to match the bike.
Most of all though I want to feel comfortable on the bike and safe. I know no matter what I buy here will be a learning curve as I get used to the road on two wheels. I'm planning on spending alot of time in the saddle this summer so I want to make the right decision. While I love the feel of the Klein I am worried that as a newbie the lightness may be a detriment but once I got used to it I could really fly. The Veloce felt great but I am worried that the steel may seem 'heavy' as I improve my skills. Silly me is also worried that whatever I get I will wish I got the other one Arg. Overall it's just super hard to compare as I am so new to this. Any comments and/or insights would be greatly appreciated. I am going to try both bikes (as well as the lower end ones) again and then maybe I will be able to be able to have bit more clarity on this. I must also say that my LBS has been fabulous in the process, incredibly patient and informative without being pushy. I feel lucky!! Thanks in advance Sonja
I am new to this forum and new to biking. I recently decided to take up road cycling and spent most of yesterday trying out a couple of bikes. I tried a Klein Q-Carbon and a Bianchi Veloce. Having never been on a 'real' road bike it was quite an experience. I must say that although it all made me feel a bit uncoordinated I absolutely loved the feeling of being on a road bike!!! First I should say that my price range is/was around $1000 but both of the bikes I tried were about $500 more than that. I didn't have a chance to try any of the lower end bikes as I was wooed by the beauty of the Klein (it's on sale) and wanted to compare it's ride to a steel frame. So a couple of questions. The Klein was the first I tried and boy was it light, the fit was comfortable except for some pressure on my forearms and wrists, I think it may also have been my death grip :) the first few miles. The LBS was out of the longer stem the owner thinks will make quite a difference in my wrist/arm issues and also I needed a narrower handlebar. I loved the lightness and the lightning quick response of the Klein (especially on hills) but it felt a bit unsteady and noodly to me. I feel like most of that may be needing to tweak the stem and handlebar size my arms felt really wide apart, but am unsure, is it maybe too light and quick a bike for a newbie? The LBS is getting the stem in in the next couple of days and they are holding the bike until I can check it out with it. I'll also try it out with narrower handlebars. Bottom line I love the bike it's comfortable, light, amazinf response, easy shifting etc etc. I feel as if I could get used to the 'quickness' with some practice.
To compare I next checked out a steel frame/ carbon fork Bianchi Veloce. When I first hopped on it didn't feel as 'right' as the Klein, I felt more stretched out. We switched the stem and what a difference, my arms and wrists felt great. The bike also felt more stable to me and I felt more in control. I really feel like this had a lot to do with the better fit in the handlebar/stem. I also think I was probably overall more comfortable after my first ride. It was very different response wise than the Klein but not bad. All in all it was a great ride and I enjoyed it but it just seemed to lack to the pizazz and verve of the Klein.
So I feel torn and unsure on a number of fronts first and foremost about price, the bikes I tried are more than I originally anticipated spending. I am planning on going back and trying some lower end bikes today to get a feel what saving some money will get me but I feel like I may have been spoiled. Many experienced bikers have told me that if I do buy a lower end bike I will probably want to eventually upgrade as my riding level improves whereas I could spend the money now for the higher end bike and upgrade my performance to match the bike.
Most of all though I want to feel comfortable on the bike and safe. I know no matter what I buy here will be a learning curve as I get used to the road on two wheels. I'm planning on spending alot of time in the saddle this summer so I want to make the right decision. While I love the feel of the Klein I am worried that as a newbie the lightness may be a detriment but once I got used to it I could really fly. The Veloce felt great but I am worried that the steel may seem 'heavy' as I improve my skills. Silly me is also worried that whatever I get I will wish I got the other one Arg. Overall it's just super hard to compare as I am so new to this. Any comments and/or insights would be greatly appreciated. I am going to try both bikes (as well as the lower end ones) again and then maybe I will be able to be able to have bit more clarity on this. I must also say that my LBS has been fabulous in the process, incredibly patient and informative without being pushy. I feel lucky!! Thanks in advance Sonja