Upgrade from low-end mtb to a mid-range road bike - suggestions?

[michelem]

Hi everyone,

I am new and pretty clueless when it comes to road bikes. Reading all the info in the forums has me even more confused, so any and all "info for dummies" is great appreciated!

I'm training for a summer Italy bike tour. Right now I am using my 1996 Novara mountain bike, which I think cost me something like $300 or $400 new (and, boy, I thought that was expensive back then!). It is heavy and I have to REALLY REALLY work to get that thing up hills, and I live in an area that has plenty of them (hills)! Many times I find myself in the lowest gears (on my bike the gears are numbered 1-3 on the left and 1-7 on the right, so on really steep uphills I'll downshift to 1 on the left and 2 on the right). Going downhill I lose a ton of speed, so I usually gear up to the highest gears (3 and 7) and pedal like crazy. I don't understand anything other than the gear numbering I have, so not sure how this translates to a road bike.

I am 5'2" and weigh under 100 pounds. I've had a bike fit done for a mtb, but not a road bike yet. The LBS said I probably need a 48cm women's specific bike. I'll get a fit done on Friday.

I've been going out with a local bike club and I'm tired of being left in the dust. My longest ride so far has been 60 miles. My legs didn't hurt in the slightest - just my crotch! I thought I was going to die from crotch pain! Of course, I still have my original bike saddle on there . . . probably not the best (okay, definitely not the best)! I just feel as though I am riding through sand - have to work so hard to not go very fast.

With bikes costing what they do, I want this to be a wise purchase. I do not want to have to upgrade in couple years. $5,000 is the most I've ever spent on a car, let alone a bike! I'm thinking $2,000 for new. Is this reasonable? To keep cost down a bit, I've been hearing aluminum frame with carbon fiber fork and Ultegra components. Beyond that I don't know much.

I plan to continue riding after our tour. Mainly 20-60 mile rides on weekends . . .

I want to sound (and be) halfway knowledgable when I go to the LBS. I look forward to hearing your suggestions/comments. Thanks!

[mimitabby]

Welcome to TE!

You can get a darn good bike for $2k

look into those Rubys and also check out the Bianchi lady's bikes.

and put on the very top of your list a nice saddle, maybe even before the road bike!

and here's a whole thread about it:
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...ht=bikes+women

[KnottedYet]

And if you want full steel for cheap, try the Jamis Aurora. You can put smooth road tires on it, the geometry is great for touring, though the components are low-grade Shimano Tiagra and Deore, they aren't bad. It has all the braze-ons for fenders and racks.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/bikes/...es/aurora.html

At least give one a test-ride so you can see how full steel feels. (I think it costs about $850) It's like butter. I nearly bought one. (I got a used lugged steel Waterford instead.)

You can also ask your bike shop about the Surly Long Haul Trucker (full steel) packages. There are 3 levels of components that can be ordered as packages from QBP. I think the very highest level is still under $2,000. Those are also lovely bikes, with a loyal following. http://www.surlybikes.com/lht_comp.html

Take a look at the various saddle threads for saddle ideas. Your first step is to measure your sit bones and figure out if you like wide nose/gradual shape or narrow nose/abrupt shape.

[Grog]

With that budget (and less) you can get a great road bike.

The setting you're talking about (alu + carbon) with Ultegra is great. You could do very well with 105 as well, and invest more in the accessories: great saddle, great bike shorts, good rigid cycling shoes (they make a world of difference on climbs, and you'll have lots of those in Italy) with automatic pedals, etc. Wheels also matter, but it's not my forte.

At your weight, the lighter bike will make a huge difference.

A good saddle and a good fit will also allow you to be much stronger. When you can't sit right on that bike, you can't really transfer the weight to the pedal.

Good luck! And get back to us with your shopping reports! Welcome to the wonderful world of TE.

[michelem]

Thanks! Well, I just got back from REI where I had them install my clipless pedals and got to practice clipping in and out a few times. I think I'm going to need to practice many more before venturing out on the road with them! Also bought some 1 inch slick tires. The salesguy said he used the same kind on his mountain bike for a long (multiple days) trip to Mt. Whitney. I never thought of using skinnier tires on a mtb. Guess I figured the weight of the bike would be prohibitive. We'll have to see!

Next will be the saddle. I did get some bike shorts with chamois last week and wore them on yesterday's ride. Didn't seem to make much of a difference, but again, I think I've got a crummy saddle, so probably nothing will make much difference until I get a better one! So, guess I need to measure my sit-bones (what an entertaining thread!) and then go test-ride some saddles! At least some of these things will transfer over to the new bike (pedals and saddle) . . .

I'm going to look into your other suggestions and, yes, I'll keep you posted! Thanks for the warm welcome.

[stella]

for $2000.00 you will be able to get a great bike w/good components.

you've been given excellent advice here.

I can vouch for a steel frame. my road bike (my baby!) is steel frame w/carbon fork and carbon seat post (I'm trying top let my bones age w/minimal damage!). I really notice the difference of a steel frame at about mile 40. (my old road bike was aluminum w/carbon fork and carbon seat post--also a 49cm like my current road bike--too harsh after 40 miles).

the bottom line: test ride, test ride, test ride. get connected with a bike shop that will know what type of riding you will do...that will also treat you with respect, too.

saddles are personal, I know use a brooks on both my commuter and my road bike.