Rode my first road bike today

We went to town to take the little one to a cool whale exhibit at the museum,but since we were there I dragged hubby to the bike shop. We were talking to the guy about my bike, and the bike I'm thinking about getting, when he says have you ridden a road bike yet?

When I said no he pulled one off the rack, moved the seat, and aired up the tires and sent me on my way.

HOLY COW. ok, so I get it now.

Now I'm a little at odds with things as I was thinking I was going to get the Giant Dash next year which has the flat handlebars, but I'm thinking maybe I should just go for drop handlebars from the get go seeing as my goals include Century rides and Bike Across Kansas.

Any suggestions for a decent road bike for me to look at that are under like $600 or is that unreasonable?

Thanks!!

To do centuries and such, I'd probably agree that you need drop bars... not that you can't do a century on a flat bar, but there are so many more hand positions...

At your price point, you may be able to get a lot more bike if you look into used ones on craigslist....

I'm right with you! I rode my first road bike recently, too, and I'm in love. I don't know why I never considered one before!

I found a good used road bike for $500 and I feel like I'm getting an awesome deal. It will last a lot longer and be more comfortable and ride better than anything I could afford new - and if I bought a new bike it would be a used bike within a few months of buying it, anyway, so why not save the $?

Between something new and cheap, and something used and high-quality, quality wins every time.

Haha, there should be a thread where we talk about the first time we rode a road bike. It was night and day, after mtn biking it for so long. The guy at the LBS watching me probably thought I was going to cry. Amazing experience -- I can still remember particular moments during the ride, mostly me thinking: "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

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Originally Posted by staceysue

Between something new and cheap, and something used and high-quality, quality wins every time.

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I wanted to chip in and agree with Stacey Sue. Have done some "forum research" as I too was looking for a road bike, and many people have said the same thing. Are there any good used bike stores or lots of bike craigslist postings where you live?

There is one local bike store that deals with used bikes ~ but I haven't really looked there. We have been scouring craigslist in our area as well as surrounding cities. Hubby went a couple hours away to Oklahoma City to get his mtb. For some reason Oklahoma seems to have more decent/quality bikes listed.

The guy hubby got his bike from actually goes out and finds used bikes and then sells them on Craiglist ~ so we might actually call him up and have him keep an eye out for something that will fit/be decent while he's out looking.

I'm sure something awesome will show up. :)

I can't wait until you find something and we get to hear all about your excitement! Then I won't feel like such a dork for wanting to do cartwheels and counting down the hours until I can get MY bike! Hubby rearranged the budget again . . . maybe we'll have the $ on Friday (a week early).

Make sure you look on the bulletin boards in the bike shops - that's where I found mine.

Bulletin boards ~ good idea, hadn't thought of that. I'll keep an eye out there when we go to town. :)