First Road Bike

Hello everyone! My name is Mel and I have been cycling on and off most of my life (in recent years more off than on). When I was young I used to have a summer job that I cycled to everyday and loved it. Since then I've moved to a city and have done very little cycling. I bought a cheap folding bike (if only it had been a Brompton!) and have lost a lot of confidence in cycling because it's a death trap. I also had to pedal like mad to go about 4 mph.

My husband and I want to go on a cycle tour this summer and I decided to start training now. Step 1 buy a new bike. With a small budget and tiny legs I've had a hell of a time. I didn't like the feel of WSD hybrid bikes, felt a bit too "sit up and beg" to me. Finally I found a LBS that had a tiny custom built frame that was designed for a little lady. For a great price they offered to put it together with inexpensive components, so tomorrow I will have my first ever road bike! I've only ever had a mountain bike and the folding bike in my life, is there anything I should know about how road bikes handle or feel? Will it be difficult to get used to? Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. I'm so excited about upgrading that I've already been drooling over new spd pedals, crankset, brakes...

All this from a girl who thought a bike was just pedals and wheels and handlebars a couple of weeks ago!

Hey Jo,

I switched from MTBing to road biking last summer. Never had a road bike before. What bothered me at first was the different hand position. Very uncomfortable. But now it is natural and not uncomfortable. Only took a couple days to adjust.

Another thing was when I stood, the front end wasn't stable like a MTB- much more wobbly. But I got used to it, and also found that where I centered my weight when standing greatly affected the skitteriness.

Not having suspension took some getting used to. Skinny tires took some getting used to in terms of being afraid of stuff like RR tracks.

What a difference, though. Like riding a race horse after you'd been on a mule. (Not meaning mules are _bad_, just they are more like the ATV of the horse world!)

Have fun, sounds like you got a great deal, what kind of frame is it?

Nanci

Thanks for the tips Nanci, everyone I told so far has said that it'll feel so much nippier than my old bikes. The frame that I'm getting is made by Woodrup cycles in Leeds using Reynolds 531 tubing. If you check the website http://www.woodrupcycles.co.uk it is the equivelant of the Giro superlight racing frame. These days to get one custom made by them costs nearly 400gbp. I feel very lucky to have found one by chance, the only thing wrong was a tiny ding on the frame, but nothing major. A lovely blue colour too.

Mel, congrats on the new bike! The biggest thing you can do is talk to the shop and make sure the bike's fit is good. A road bike that doesn't fit is really no fun. I think you'll get the hang of riding it in no time. :)

Mel

I finally got it! Woo hoo, it is a beautiful little bike and looks ridiculously small next to my DH's. The only problems with it are that my toes hit the front wheel when turning and that I cannot reach the brakes from the hoods or from the drops. I'm horridly disappointed that I can't ride it and even more disappointed that my LBS declined to help me with either problem. As far as fit, height, reach it is a great match and I'm ever so pleased. At least it's very pretty to look at in the mean time...

What brand and model brake levers and bar are on the bike? Perhaps we can give you some suggestions there.

SadieKate: I'm not sure what model the brake levers and bar are. The bars themselves are all right, narrow enough for my shoulders without making my chest collapse. The brake levers are pretty anonymous looking, but because I'm using slightly older components they are not STIs. I know Shimano do a short-reach brake lever but I think they only do them in STIs.

A few people I know have suggested trying bull horn bars. But that won't help the essential problems of brake reach would it?

Did they build the bike with used components? They should still have talked to you about reach. If you are short you probably have small hands, therefore you have reach challenges. Tell them to take a look at the levers from Cane Creek before the bike gets any older. Maybe they'll work with you on a swap. I bought these but have not installed on a bike.

http://www.canecreek.com/scr-5c_lvr.html

Jobob can give us a review. Anyone else?

What size is the frame and what size wheels did they put on the bike? Some really small frames use 650c wheels instead of 700c wheels to help with the toe overlap problem.

Even my bike (53 cm frame) has some toe overlap, but it's only a problem at really low speeds and I've learned to be careful.

The bike shop really should help you with both issues since it is a brand new bike.

The Cane Creek levers seem to be just the thing I need. I've looked around and nobody seems to think I can get them in the UK. What my LBS said I might need to do is put some inline brakes in on the tops so I can brake easily. I know it's probably not an ideal solution.

Simple Cycle: I have a 44cm frame with 700c wheels. I asked about putting on 650c wheels in the "Bike Maintenance" forum but most people seem to say that if it didn't come with them I won't be able to put them on.

I should be going back to the LBS today so wish me luck! Maybe I'll even get to ride back.

Cane Creek's international distributor listing including England

http://www.canecreek.com/international.html