Get road bike now or wait?

[squirrell]

I am looking for advice on timing to buy a road bike.

I currently have a 5 year old Raleigh Hybrid I ride. It's ok but I can only get top maintained speed of maybe 13.5-14mph on it.

I want a road bike, as I'm riding longer distances and it just takes forever on the Hybrid at those speeds. My LBS told me I could probably expect 18-20 mph on a road bike! So I plan on buying a road bike, obviously.

I know that I only have maybe 4 more months of good weather left to ride outdoors here before it's too cold, so I originally was going to wait until next Spring to get the bike.

BUT--I am riding the 15 mile bike leg in a Triathlon for a team I've put together on Sept. 23. My first Tri--and probably the only one! We have no intentions of winning and are doing it for fun.

I know I can do that ride no problem on my Hybrid but it will take a while. If I get a road bike now, I can do that ride much faster and not be blown completely away by the other riders.

My concerns--

---I can't get the bike until Sept. 1: that will leave me 3 weeks to get used to the bike before the Tri. Is that enough time?

--I would be buying the bike now instead of waiting for next Spring primarily just to use in the Triathlon. I'm doing some Charity rides in the fall but I can do those on my Hybrid--the road bike, again, would be much faster but Charity rides don't have time limits

It would be better financially to wait on the bike until spring, and I might be able to find a used one by then, too and save some money.

Should I get the bike now or wait until Spring?

Let me add--I am a new rider, just started in April. I am also losing weight--have lost 55 pounds but have another 80 or so to lose.

[KnottedYet]

I'm all for buying more bikes, now now now.

But if your finances are tight and you *need* to wait until Spring, you might be best off waiting until Spring. If finances are just snug, and it'd be *better* to wait until Spring, I'd get the bike now.

All our LBS TE'rs are saying bike prices for 2009 are going up. A lot.

I'd think 3 weeks would be plenty of time to get used to the bike before a sprint tri. You've been riding the hybrid all this time, it'll only take a little while for your body to say "whoo-hoo, I dig this road bike thing!" And if you have trouble with the road bike, you'll still have the hybrid to ride as back-up. (keep the hybrid, it's good to have a utility bike in the stable)

[Flybye]

All our LBS TE'rs are saying bike prices for 2009 are going up. A lot.

I'd think 3 weeks would be plenty of time to get used to the bike before a sprint tri.

That's exactly what I'd say!

[amy]

I can imagine you are going to hear a lot of "BUY, BUY, BUY". You have to remember that most of us are completely addicted to our bikes. Heck, I'd buy 2 more right now if I had enough money in the bank.

Whatever decision you make is the right one. From my own experience, I didn't regret my road bike purchase for a second and wondered why I hadn't gotten it sooner.

You can always put her on a trainer and ride in the winter, so she doesn't get lonely.

[Blueberry]

Ditto what Knot and Flybye have said. You can still be tweaking fit when you do the tri - 15 miles isn't really *that* far (and you've been doing longer distances on your hybrid, no?).

I think a lot of it depends on whether you've decided (at least sort of) what you want, and whether there's a decent chance you'd find that used. I've bought 2 used bikes, and both have been good experiences. Of course, a grain of salt is in order

CA

[SouthernBelle]

Normally late summer and fall is the time to get the best deals. There may be an issue this year as my LBS has told me they have sold a lot of bikes this year.

So I would go looking for a deal.

[aicabsolut]

Normally late summer and fall is the time to get the best deals. There may be an issue this year as my LBS has told me they have sold a lot of bikes this year.

So I would go looking for a deal.

+1

And my buddies at bike shops also have said that 2009 prices could go up as much as 20%, depending on the brand.

[Thorn]

But...(hey, someone has to be the damper on the buy-party ), buy it if the price is right and you get a good deal. Don't buy it for the speed. My gut says the bike shop is exaggerating. Depending upon the hybrid, if you're running narrower tires and smooth tread, your speed improvements won't be that dramatic. Yes, it will be faster; yes, you'll be more comfortable for the long haul; but in the end, it all depends upon the engine. I saw about 1-1.5mph switching from my hybrid.

That said, of course, by someone who is always planning her next bike purchase It is an addiction.

[squirrell]

But...(hey, someone has to be the damper on the buy-party ), buy it if the price is right and you get a good deal. Don't buy it for the speed. My gut says the bike shop is exaggerating. Depending upon the hybrid, if you're running narrower tires and smooth tread, your speed improvements won't be that dramatic. Yes, it will be faster; yes, you'll be more comfortable for the long haul; but in the end, it all depends upon the engine. I saw about 1-1.5mph switching from my hybrid.

That said, of course, by someone who is always planning her next bike purchase It is an addiction.

I use the tires that came with the bike. slightly knobby ones. although they're about wore out right now. I've put close to 1200 miles on them since April!

Can you get slick tires for Hybrids? Would that help the speed?

[mimitabby]

you can get slick tires absolutely. and it will improve the ride immensely.
you will NOT believe the improvement!

[arielmoon]

Firstly, good for you on the weight loss!

Secondly, I couldnt really afford a road bike but I caved and used the plastic. So instead of saving I am paying it monthly to my credit card and I am loving every minute of my new bike!

Best of luck whatever you decide but you must post a pic of the new bike if you get one!

[Thorn]

you will NOT believe the improvement!

Yep. You'd be surprised. DH's hybrid came with knobby tires; my hybrid had a smoother tread. I should never have told him to get the slicks! Once he went to slicks, he was no longer dragging behind me. I'm the stronger rider between us, but when he has a good day.....ooohh, I'm in trouble.

If your hybrid is always used on the road, replace your tires with higher pressure slicks and you'll see a difference. It might buy you time to make the road bike decision when you're ready.

[squirrell]

Going to load up the bike and go to my nearest LBS--60 miles away!--tomorrow and check in to slicks then! they're supposed to have used bikes there, too, so I can check it out.

[andtckrtoo]

If you're worried about getting used to the bike in 3 weeks - I wouldn't worry about that. I did a metric century on a rented road bike because all I had was a mountain bike. I had no problems (except for the fact that the metric wa 2 days after I climbed Mount Princeton and my thighs were screaming - but that's another story). I wouldn't exactly recommend that, but it is doable.

As for the hybrid vs the road bike - you'll see a difference. Maybe not 20%, but you'll see a difference.

And when to buy? Whenever you feel comfortable. I agree that right now is the best time to get a good deal. Check 'em out and if you find one you can afford and absolutely love, go for it. If you don't, well, then Spring is when it was meant to be.

[violette]

Going to load up the bike and go to my nearest LBS--60 miles away!--tomorrow and check in to slicks then! they're supposed to have used bikes there, too, so I can check it out.

I had bought slicks for my MTB and it was almost as fast as my road bike. You'll see a HUGE difference, believe me.