First time on a road bike!

Printable View

05-27-2006, 09:59 PM
kelownagirl

First time on a road bike!

Well I stopped into my LBS to look at gloves, padded shorts, and to pick up a second water bottle holder, and couldn't stop myself from taking a closer look at the road bikes. Sigh... I've never actually ridden one so I chatted with the gal who works there and she found one that was about my size so I could give it a try. Turns out I need a pretty small bike - 47cm - not sure what that is in "non-metric". So anyway, I took this very pretty blue and silver entry-level Trek out for a spin in the parking lot. First I had to get a lesson on shifting (different from my MTB) and keep reminding myself that I have to brake in a different position. But, it sure was fun. It is SO light and quick compared to my MTB. The last bike I had was an old 10 speed, (1981) and it had brakes in two places, up on the top bar, as well as in the lower part. Guess they don't make that way anymore so it was a weird feeling to have to make sure I stayed down to hit the brakes.

The biggest difference I noticed was in the seat. I think I understand why you roadies are always talking about the importance of padded shorts. I have managed to live without them on my MTB so far (mainly because I made a deal with myself to lose 10 lbs before I buy some), but I haven't had any problems "down there" so far, even on my longest rides of about 55-60 km. HOWEVER, I sure felt a ton of pressure on the front girly parts riding the road bike. I can't even imagine how it would feel to sit on that seat for a couple of hours. Ouch. If I was actually going to buy a road bike, I'd be worrying about fit and trying out seats etc, but even so, I think that just the change in body position alone on a road bike, puts the pressure on a different place. Does that sound right?

My other question is about getting a bike "fit" - what should I expect them to do for a good bike fit?

Just as I was leaving the store, I spotted a bike that looked like a cross between a MTB and a road bike. Kind of the opposite of what someone was posting about on a different thread. This one had skinny tires and a light frame, but MTB handle bars. I guess you'd ride it more upright. Maybe that's what I should look at?

As for the shopping, I came away almost empty handed. Couldn't find a nice, light-weight, but padded gloves that fit me. Tried on a couple pairs of MTB shorts (can't bring myself to try the lycra ones yet) but they had very little choice in colour or sizes. Guess I have to go to Vancouver to shop...
05-27-2006, 10:53 PM
KnottedYet

"skinny tires, light frame, MTB handlebars"

http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_ca...6&parentid=253

This is what I have. It is essentially a cyclocross bike with MTB bars. Full size road wheels, cyclocross tires. Speedy and sturdy and comfy.

There are quite a few "flat bar" road bikes out there that are more road than cyclocross and will be much faster. (Trek and Raleigh each have them, but I can't remember what they're called. Someone will.)
05-28-2006, 03:50 AM
Duck on Wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelownagirl

So anyway, I took this very pretty blue and silver entry-level Trek out for a spin in the parking lot. (...) The biggest difference I noticed was in the seat. I think I understand why you roadies are always talking about the importance of padded shorts. (...) I sure felt a ton of pressure on the front girly parts riding the road bike. I can't even imagine how it would feel to sit on that seat for a couple of hours. Ouch. If I was actually going to buy a road bike, I'd be worrying about fit and trying out seats etc, but even so, I think that just the change in body position alone on a road bike, puts the pressure on a different place. Does that sound right?

You may also have read people calling one brand of saddles the "Bonty of Death" and the like. Those are the saddles that Trek bikes are set up with. They really are uncomfortable. I don't know why Trek has stayed with them so long. At the LBS I heard that Trek is looking into better saddles in order to "keep them on the bikes out the door". So many people trade in the saddle before taking the bike out of the shop that the shop has to put left-over Bontrager saddles on sale and, eventually, return them to Trek. I guess that's one reason they keep using them -- they get sacks of them returned from the stores and have to use them up.
05-28-2006, 04:18 AM
DirtDiva

Trek owns Bontrager, that's why.
05-28-2006, 04:30 AM
Sheherazade

Before I bought my Cannondale, I read a lot of reviews; this site was helpful: http://www.roadbikereview.com/ The verdict on the supplied saddle was almost unanimous- get rid of it. I traded for a Serfas cutout, and it has not been a bother so far (which admittedly isn't very far lol).

Wendy
05-28-2006, 05:49 AM
Dogmama

You need to decide what you'll be using a bike for:

Short, fun rides to the store, nothing serious or long = hybrid. This is a bike with slightly raised handlebars, larger seat, road tires & fairly lightweight. Probably the cheapest of your options.

Some off road & some on road - you can probably get an MTB that is fairly light. I would not spend a lot of $$ for things like trick suspension since you'll probably not be bombing down hills.

More serious long road rides - definitely a road bike. The weight will be less than a hybrid, the positioning is more aerodynamic and you can get into an entry level bike fairly inexpensively.

Regarding bike fit - it depends on the shop.

If you are going to a small shop privately owned by cyclists, you can expect them to put your bike on a stand & watch you while you pedal to make sure that you're in a proper position. They might even use a "fit kit" or some other specialized way to make sure that your knees are in the proper angle, etc.

If you're going to a large chain shop, you can expect them to put your bike on a stand and chat with each other about last night's date while you pedal.:rolleyes:

There is a wealth of information on this board. When you get ready to buy, check it out with the ladies here. You're sure to find somebody who has had experience with your type of bike.
05-28-2006, 06:31 AM
Duck on Wheels

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlkiwi

Trek owns Bontrager, that's why.

Which still leaves one wondering why they don't design a better saddle for themselves. Which still leaves my cynical hypothesis on the table -- that it's way too cheap to keep reusing the saddles that get left in the shop. Of course, there are less cynical hypotheses available, such as no one saddle fits every butt and in trying for a neutral saddle that will fit most the same they've wound up with a saddle that fits nobody.

Anyways ... I've found a saddle that fits my butt: the Serfas Carma. Now I just need to find a bike worth putting it on. ;)
05-28-2006, 07:34 AM
Trek420

bikeless in WI wonders "Which still leaves one wondering why they don't design a better saddle for themselves."

Treks cynical reply because design costs time and money and they think good service costs time and money.

Instead of taking the stance that "we will be there to keep you riding" they sell stuff they make because it's cheaper.

Most people will buy the bike regardless roll it out the door and stop riding within a ride or two because this or that hurts or they don't know what to wear or...that's ok, they made the sale.

I often tell new riders who ask me about cycling (I'm sure some of you can identify with this, I've become the bike SPOC - that's Single Point of Contact at work)

Riding a bike is easy to do hence the saying "it's like riding a bike" :)

Riding well and safely? Freakishly difficult. But the good news about that is the information is out there, find a shop, local bike club, your local cycling community, or....TE :)

Sorry to politicise the board but...I like what Trek's done for promoting cycling in the States, for keeping their manufacturing jobs here, for promoting biketown, for jumping on the bandwagon of WSD after cycling pioneers like G. Terry and Luna bikes to name a few established it ahem....there's lots of good stuff they do and a Project 1 is on my "when I win the Lotto" list :cool: .

Individual bike shops that carry Trek give good service.

Not long ago I rode to the library, seeing my helmet the librarian struck up a conversation about bikes. Seems she'd been riding for years to work, a series of "failed relationships" with box-store bikes.

She went to Cyclepath in Hayward and they fit her with a Trek hybrid. Perfect for her commute! And the fit? Like a whole new world she said and now, she's thinking about a road bike.

Of course I told her about TE.

Hi, if you're lurking.

And Summit Bikes where the plan is to rent a bike when Bikeless is out here....but some shops will just try to find a sucker for that Bont saddle on the sale table.

One reason my road bike's from an independent Mfr. is I think I got "more bike for my money". Nothing's going to marketing, promoting a team, TV spots for Subaru....it's just these two guys building a bike. The Project 1 is still on my "when I win the Lotto" list but if you're looking for a bike don't forget there are lots of builders out there.

Depending on where you are often it's hard to find more than Trek/Specialized/Cannondale but it's fun to look.
05-28-2006, 09:44 AM
kelownagirl

so... am I to understand from your comments that the pressure and discomfort felt from that particular seat is not necessarily just because of the change in body position from MTB to road bike? It was enough to make me reconsider a road bike so yeah, I think maybe Trek should seriously consider changing seats if that's the case. am trying to hold off buying another bike this year (seeing as how I just bought my MTB two months ago). I'l be surprised if I make it to the end of the summer without one though.

To answer Dogmama's questions: I have a fairly good MTB that I am riding now but I prefer to ride mainly on the road though so I have slicks on it. Hubby is an avid MTBiker and he really wanted me to get a new MTB first so we had the option of riding both since we live in MTB heaven. However, he also has a road bike and I think that's what I ultimately want. I LOVE the feeling of going fast. I'd like to go on club rides. I'm not afraid of traffic or drafting and think I could get used to riding close to others fairly quickly. I still dislike hills but I'm getting much better at them now that I have been practicing. So from what you are saying, it sounds like a road bike might be a better match for me than a hybrid. Ultimately, I'd like to do some long, multi-day travelling trips. Probably travelling very light, staying in B&B's etc. Guess I'd need a third bike for that :)

PS - dh was surprised to see how many road bikes we looked at had a triple ;) hahahaha - I love knowing more about something than him once in awhile. TE has been just awesome for finding biking information - thanks ladies!!!
05-28-2006, 10:09 AM
Grog

Quote:

Originally Posted by kelownagirl

so... am I to understand from your comments that the pressure and discomfort felt from that particular seat is not necessarily just because of the change in body position from MTB to road bike?

Well... let's be honest: in ANY case you will need bike shorts. Good ones. (Although, living in Canada, you have a chance to get the MEC Rapide for cheap! And they're great!) And at first your behind will be a little sore, it takes a little time (but not a lot) to get used to it. But a good fit, a good saddle, and good shorts will take this issue away.

Quote:

So from what you are saying, it sounds like a road bike might be a better match for me than a hybrid. Ultimately, I'd like to do some long, multi-day travelling trips. Probably travelling very light, staying in B&B's etc. Guess I'd need a third bike for that :)

Take the road bike now. I bought an hybrid first, a well-loved Trek7200fx, but rode only 500 km on it before I got the road bike, and could never go back. Oh it's a good bike, but riding it has nothing to do with zipping away on the road bike. For any kind of cycling trip that doesn't involve off-road riding, it's just wonderful. There are different types of frames that you have to choose from, from the more agressive to the very relaxed.

And knowing where you live (but not having had the chance to visit yet... but maybe in the fall!), I can tell you that you'll love riding around. Everyone I know tells me the Kelowna area is wonderful for road riding.

Quote:

PS - dh was surprised to see how many road bikes we looked at had a triple ;) hahahaha - I love knowing more about something than him once in awhile. TE has been just awesome for finding biking information - thanks ladies!!!

Do get a triple. I don't mind the extra grams when I'm on the flats, and when I'm climbing for any long distance, my knees thank me dearly for the small chainring. Living in BC, you'll have plenty of occasions to try it!