Looking for new bike

I have been looking for a new bike for a while now and seeking any advice. Most of my riding is on roads or paved trails. I like to ride about 15 miles when I go out. I hope to increase that distance sometime. Right now I have a very old bike (Schwinn Mirada). I bought it new in 1990. I am on my 3rd set of tires. It seems to fit me pretty good and I have never had any problems with it, it just keeps going. My mileage meter stopped at 2963 miles and that was years ago. I am thinking about a road bike. I tried out a Trek 1.2 orange and cream the other day when I was out of town. It seemed pretty nice but my hands got sore with the drop down handlebars. Not sure if I just have to get used to something different or maybe it was just the wrong size. Looking to do more riding for fitness, not racing or anything. Any advice would be appreciated.
Keyes1tl:)

try lots of different bikes - only when you start to notice the differences between them will you be able to make your choice. Don't be afraid to try high end bikes too - so you can see the difference between them.

Where in northern MI? I'll be there next week.

I second the notion to try lots of different bikes. That's the only way you're going to know which bike's geometry is a good fit for you. Also remember, just because a bike has drop bars, doesn't mean you have to ride down there (I'm pretty much only in the drops when faced with a fierce headwind)!

The best thing you can also do is to get to know the folks at your LBS. Ask them to help point you in the right direction as far as your riding style, the kind of riding you want to do, etc. etc. Make sure every time you test ride a bike that they fit you to it and make sure it's a frame that's the right size for you. When I test bikes I also bring my own pedals and shoes.

And remember, if there isn't a box built bike that works for you, a good LBS should be able to build one up. My newest bike was a complete build from scratch. They ordered the parts for me and I helped put it together and I could not be happier.

westtexas: Interesting, I would never of thought to have a bike built from scratch, if you don't mind sharing, about what did it cost? Was it a road bike or what kind?

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Originally Posted by Zippinalong

westtexas: Interesting, I would never of thought to have a bike built from scratch, if you don't mind sharing, about what did it cost? Was it a road bike or what kind?

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So your build can be any price you want it to be, it just depends on what you end up putting on it, and what kind of deals you can find.

My bike is a Cannondale Synapse full carbon frame/fork with Ultegra and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. I also added Zipp carbon bars and a Zipp carbon seat post. After taxes I paid about $3300 for it.

The LBS I go to (the only one in town, haha) found a 2008 frame for me in the color I wanted that was sitting around in Cannondale's factory and had never been built. They ordered all the parts and I supervised the building (mostly for my own learning experience as now I am tackling doing all my own mechanicking when possible). Basically, I got the bike for about the same as it would retail (a few hundred cheaper), but the wheels are superior to stock wheels. They're no Zipp 404s, but they are pretty nice. That and the Zipp carbon bars are great for reducing vibration on the crappy roads out here.

From now on, I plan on building all my own bikes from scratch when practical. It's nice to know how it was put together, that you chose everything on it, down to every last detail (including the color of the cable housing - half black and half white).

You can find really good deals on frames on eBay and you can also ask your LBS to order things for you. There's a million and one companies out there making products and if you shop around you can find some pretty neat and specialized stuff.

+1 try everything you can and custom build

I am nearly 6 ft tall so it is hard for me to get a good fit. For my daily rider and city beater I bought a $400 frame off Ebay and got a new Shimano 105 gruppo for $600. My LBS built it for $100. Low-end or average wheel set can be had for $100. I've raced on it too so don't feel like you have to spend a lot of money!

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Originally Posted by westtexas

My bike is a Cannondale Synapse full carbon frame/fork with Ultegra and Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. I also added Zipp carbon bars and a Zipp carbon seat post. After taxes I paid about $3300 for it.

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Went online to the Cannondale website and that is one seriously sweet bike!