Spring is here, bike sales appear to be rising

Can you tell spring is in the air?

I can -- just look at all of the people planning new bikes!

Especially first time road bike buyers!

And count me in, I think! DH talked about getting me a road bike yesterday, like he really means it. He's been poo pooing the idea for many months, since we just bought our matching Specialized Expedition "comfort beasts" last spring, but then I found out he's been to the bike shop without me, doing research...

(what a sneaky, wonderful guy!)

Not to say I don't like my beast, I learned to love riding from her, so she'll always be special, I think -- nearly a thousand miles last year says I like to ride, and about the same on DH's says I've gotten good at dragging him out for a ride too! (He likes it, just has a hard time motivating himself, so one must work through his competitive spirit -- I can't have more miles on my computer than he has, and certainly not a higher average or top speed for any given ride!) After a year on the beast, which was in theory going to be a big improvement over the ancient Trek cute little blue mountain/hybrid that I used to ride, I've made the determination that the frame must indeed be the wrong size. I had to get a longer seat post for it, and STILL want my butt higher and back farther than I can possibly put it on this bike. Maybe hands farther forward would handle that, I don't know for sure, but I can tell I'm wasting power the way I currently sit on that bike. And that all those shocks aren't for me -- it has a suspension fork and seat post and again, I can feel the power drain! Well, maybe the seat post I could consider keeping... I didn't keep the knobby tires for long, and got rid of the beastly :eek: seat almost immediately.


SO

Anyway

He thinks of road bikes as VERY EXPENSIVE -- and that's not "the ones we've never heard of" that's the entry level Treks and Specialized, which list in the neighborhood of $700. Our current bikes were "very expensive" at about half that price -- Specialized Expedition Sport comfort-beasts. He's also a bit concerned that I won't like the "sit" of a road bike, and that has a lot to do with his worry about the money involved. (it's not the bank balance)

I can live with entry level, if I can get a good fit, since I'm fully aware that parts can be changed out over time. (no, honey, the cogs were always gold plated, really they were!) Heck, entry level makes all kinds of good sense, since I'm just getting started and have no idea where this will all take me over time!

HOWEVER, perhaps there are some things I should think about having changed out right away, and that's why I'm writing: to pick the wiser brains out here!

The bikes I saw (and I mean saw) when I popped into the shop today were the Trek 1000 wsd and the Specialized Dolce. Seeing bikes was okay today -- I wasn't prepared to ride anything, and part of my visit was that the shop just moved and I really wanted to see the new place, but I had higher hopes from the bike dude...

Again with the difference between bikes is "the components," with no real explanation as to what those differences actually are. Some of these young kid bike dudes....

So, ladies, what are the differences in the components -- when bike dude says "I KNOW this bike is well worth this $1500, it's got 105 and ultegra" that doesn't really mean much to me, except that I've read the words here and they seem to always be posted with favorable context. No one really ever says just what it is about them that makes them desirable, or WHY the Sora or Tiagra is perhaps less than...

My gut says get the bike with the lower end stuff -- given that the fit works -- and upgrade things as they wear out, but perhaps there's stuff I should be doing immediately instead?

Oh, and another thing: my beast has clipless pedals. Should I be adding those to my road bike right away, or would I be well advised to spend a little time riding with the other pedals for a while as I get used to it?


Karen in Boise, who loves the paint jobs on the bikes -- they're the easy part of choosing!

Hi Kano! This IS an exciting spring-y moment.

Just a word on the components:

I would speak against getting lower-end components now and upgrading later. In my experience, it's much more expensive to buy individual parts than to get the whole groupo when you get a new bike. And you want your riding experience to be satisfying, not frustrating.

I haven't personally have had to deal with Sora or Tiagra but what I've seen on the bikes of others has made me glad I haven't. They "work" but require a lot of adjustment and you never know if they will stay adjusted or when they will become misadjusted. Perhaps the owners of the bikes I've seen so equipped have just not been lucky. I also know that I'm very fussy about gearing: when I click it has to shift, period. (I ride hills a lot.) But I found even the brakes on Sora to be not-so-reliable in their adjustement.

If you can afford it, do get as much 105 as you can or even Ultegra.

Something you can perhaps more easily upgrade in the future is wheels.

And regarding your pedals: if you're used to clipless, then put them on right away. No doubt about that.

Enjoy!

both that Trek and that Dolce are sweet bikes!!
I've test ridden the Dolce and a lot of people here have that Trek.

How wonderful!

I have low-end Shimano (Altus) on my commutermobile and mid-price Campagnolo (Athena) on my road bike. The difference in smooth/quick/accurate shifting is amazing!

That being said, I don't have issues with the cheaper components. They are just slower to shift and sometimes need a little babying. And the price was right.

If you can, ride similar bikes with different levels of components until you find the level that feels good and is within your budget.

I second the pedals: if you are used to them put them right on your new bike! Also if you have a saddle you love, put that right on the new bike, too.

Have fun!

I put 4,000+ hilly miles on my old bike with Sora. No problems with it over all. Yes, the shifting is not as smooth as the 105 I have now but it wasn't horrible. Regular tune ups kept me content and on the road. There is nothing wrong with Sora or Tiagra, but maintenance counts!

Yeppp.... see them everywhere

I just pulled the trigger on a Trek 7.2 today. Got tired of the mixte and my back can't take the road position any more

I agree with the others that the difference in levels of components is smoother, sweeter shifting. However, I think it best for you to see for yourself. Try both Trek & Specialized each at their different levels, keeping in mind your budget. You are the best judge at what feels right for you in both brand and components.

IMHO, buy a bike can be a very personal thing :)

~ JoAnn

One thing to keep in mind is the compatibility of components if you want to upgrade. If you purchase an 8 speed, Shimano Sora group today there are really no compatible parts you can use to upgrade the bike (Tiagra rear derailleur only). The 9 speed, Tiagra group will eventually run into the same compatibility issue as the Sora group. We can still find 9 speed 105 components, but they will eventually disappear. The 10 speed groups (105, Ultegra, & Dura Ace) are all compatible with each other so upgrading them is easier.

When I explain these components to a customer, I do point out possible conflicts when the parts wear out. If you only want to purchase one bike to last a very long time, I suggest getting one with at least the Tiagra group (around the $850 to $900 price point). This wheelset is often 9/10 compatible which would make upgrading it to a 10 speed group a little easier (only need to get shifters, derailleurs).

Hope this helps.