How do I know when it's time for a different bike?

[Livin the Dream]

Three years ago, looking for a form of exercise I truly enjoyed, I bought a Trek 7100 hybrid. DH also bought one. It has been a great choice -- after spending time at our LBS shop, we chose the hybrids because we didn't expect to set any distance or speed records and wanted a bike that would be okay on neighborhood rides, country roads, bike paths and campground paths. We chose the lower price range because they were WAY better than the WalMart bikes we had and we didn't want to make a significant investment until we were sure we would ride them often.

I now regularly ride 8 - 10 miles at least 3-4 nights during the week and, if schedules permit, longer rides on the weekend. I've lost 70 lbs (still have about 20 stubborn lbs to go) and I love the time I spend on the bike -- it's been a healthy lifestyle change, a confidence builder and I love the feeling of freedom I have when I'm taking a bike ride. At first, I hated riding without DH. Now, I actually prefer riding solo -- I can go where and how far I want. I spend most of my time on the biggest chain ring. I rarely go to the smallest chain ring. I also no long go out of my way to avoid hills. I deal with them as they come! Most of my riding is in town and in the country roads surrounding town. Some bumpy, some smooth. Bike paths and campgrounds are where many weekend rides take place.

Now to my question(s) -- is the hybrid still a good choice for the riding I'm doing or should I think about switching to a road bike? I like the position on the hybrid, but I've never ridden a road bike. If the hybrid still seems to be a good choice, would there be any advantages (speed, climbing hills, gears available, etc) that I would experience by going to a higher end hybrid? Also, the road bikes I've noticed at my LBS are much pricier than the hybrids. What kind of $$ am I looking at to get a decent road bike. (DH is perfectly happy with the bikes we have, so I'll have to negotiate/convince him that spending the $$ is justified if I do decide to upgrade).

I appreciate all of the wisdom on this board!

[nicole309]

I guess the question is are you comfortable on your present bike? What sort of problems are you dealing with on present bike? Are there things you would like to do or places you would like to go that your bike won't allow? What do you want this new bike to do that you are not presently getting from your old one?

[hirakukibou]

In my relatively limited experience, road bikes are a better choice if you want to go for longer rides and want to roll relatively fast. I have a hybird that I don't ride much because I usually ride 20+ miles and the road bike is more comfortable. It is also much lighter which means I can ride faster, especially when I am riding with the bike club. So, whether you need a new bike sort of depends on what kinds of riding you are aiming to do. If you are staying under 20 miles and don't want to hammer and you feel comfortable on you bike, then you are probably fine with what you have.

It is true road bikes are more expensive. They have higher quality components that are lighter for one.

-- Pata

[Tuckervill]

It's always a good time for a new bike!

Seriously, it's not like you'll get rid of the hybrid once you get a road bike. You'll just use both bikes for different things.

I use my mountain bike for errands around town, and my road bike for fitness rides. Today I rode my mtb to the ballpark to pick up trash, and from there I rode it to meet the weatherman, who is riding 500 miles in July from town to town as part of a promotion. I wish I had met him on my road bike because I took him on a tour of our downtown area, and I looked like a poser in my sandals and work clothes! At the end they told me we'd be on the news.

But tomorrow when he leaves from here for another leg, I'll go on my road bike in full kit. They probably won't put that on, though.

Even if you don't start riding your new bike all the time right away, it would be good to have it in the stable for the transition to full time roadie.

Karen

[Zen]

What's your budget?

[Jiffer]

I agree that it really depends on what you want to do. If you're interested in longer, faster rides, I'd consider a road bike. It will feel considerably different, so prepare yourself for an adjustment period.

I had a lower end bike shop hybrid (sounds similar to yours) for a while. Didn't ride it much at all (unlike you). Couldn't STAND going up hill on it. I cruised the neighborhood with the kids a bit, but never saw it as something to fully go out and get exercise on.

Back at that time, I tried riding Dh's road bike around the neighborhood and it felt so totally strange compared to the hybrid. I had a 10 speed in high school, but it seemed even more different than that and I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to try getting used to. I was nervous about clipping in and all that too (which you don't technically have to do, but you really should to get the most out of it). I really liked the idea of riding a good bike for some real exercise, but wasn't ready to commit to getting a road bike. Eventually, Dh convinced me to get a road tandem to ride with him. It wasn't long after riding the tandem that I started feeling more comfortable and excited about the idea of getting a road bike. I've only had my new road bike for about a month now and I TOTALLY love it.

As for what to expect to spend ... golly jeepers, you could spend a little or you could spend a whole lot! I'd say get as much bike as you can reasonably afford. It sounds like you'll use it. The more expensive it is, the ligher it will be and the nicer the components will be (lighter, easier to shift, less fear of the chain coming off, etc.)

My Pastor just bought a very large (he's 6'7") road bike on the internet brand new. I can't even remember the name of it because I'd never heard of it before. He paid about $675 and it was actually under 20 lbs (which is amazing for that size of a bike and that price range). It has Shimano 105 components. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. It doesn't compare to the three and four thousand dollar bikes out there, but it's ten million times better than the 1985 beast he previously had!

If you decide to go for a road bike and can convice Dh of it, start doing your research. Check out your LBS and ask lots of questions. What makes this bike more expensive than this one, etc. Then go on-line and see what you can find. My husband bought a "barely used" MTB on Ebay for $2,000, but it was worth at least $4,000 brand new (which it almost was). You may not want to spend that much, but my point is, there are deals to be had if you look around.

Another thing to consider doing. Buy the best bike you can afford for now, then slowly upgrade your components. Dh did this with his first road bike. He spent about $700 on a fairly decent used Cannondale. After he'd had it for a while, knew he loved riding, but couldn't afford the bike he REALLY wanted, he started buying Shimano Dura Ace components little by little. It was probably over the course of a year or so that he slowly upgraded it. After he had all the nice components, he bought a new frame and had all the components put onto his great new frame.

Now I have those same components on my new road bike, while he upgraded again to a whole new bike. (This time he bought it all at once.)

So, there's some food for thought. I'd like to encourage you to try a road bike. If you don't like it, you can always sell it.

[mimitabby]

and to add to what Jiffers said;
when you have questions, come back here!
there is all kinds of wisdom here. People that know about fit, frame, components, pricing, even ... COLOR..

[rapid cycler]

Hey, LTD—

I started on exactly the same hybrid you have, and I still have great affection for that bike because it was the one that got me into cycling. I rode it for about eight months before I got the fever for a road bike, and I've never looked back. (I finally sold the hybrid last year because I knew it was bored hanging in my garage and ready to spark someone new into cycling.)

If you're doing flat distance rides, aren't much interested in upping your average speed, and like the upright riding position, there's not a ton of incentive to upgrade—bike store road bikes tend to start at around $700 and go up from there, so it's not an insignificant investment.

On the other hand, it sounds like you've made very significant investments in yourself in terms of weight loss and energy gains, and if you'd like to continue to "grow" as a cyclist, road bikes can help you do just that, particularly in terms of speed and climbing abilities. Of course, if you do expect to ride with your DH on your road bike (assuming he doesn't invest in a new bike), you may have to gear down so that he can keep up with you! Hee hee.

Here's the "learn from my mistake" section. I bought my first road bike on eBay and saved $1,000 off the retail price. But the savings weren't worth it in the end, because as much as I tried to measure myself and figure out what I needed, the bike I bought was never quite right. After several tweaks in desperate attempts to make it work, I finally bought a new bike this year—at full retail—and I'm much happier for the investment.

We're all individuals, and road bikes, more than any other type, must be fitted correctly. Because of the way the riding style distributes weight and pressure (whereas on upright bikes, your butt bears most of the pressure), getting the balance right is crucial to avoid discomfort or even injury, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. When you buy from a reputable bike store, they'll fit you correctly, sometimes swapping out stock parts gratis to accommodate your body. You'll ride happier and longer as a result. (And you can still save some bucks off the retail price in your local bike shop if you don't mind buying last year's model.)

Congratulations on your accomplishments so far, and good luck in future riding, whether you decide to make the switch or stick to your trusty steed.

[Trek420]

I think you get a new bike when you think "I'd ride _______ if I had ______".

I went backwards, have a sweet road bike but thought "I'd ride to work but my mountain bike is too heavy to carry upstairs on BART (local light rail) if I'm in a hurry".

So I got lighter wheels. This cost more than the bike did but now i ride to work often.

So if you can afford it and you'd ride ______ if you had _____ , get the bike.

We want to hear about the test rides and pictures!

[RoadRaven]

Trick question right???

I think the others have answered what I would say - if you wonder about needining a nerw bike - its time for another bike (don't get rid of the original, just increase your fold... )

Seriously, bear in mind what Torrilin has said. Be clear with your LBS what type of riding you want to do because there are many types of "raod bikes".

Have fun shopping...

[Livin the Dream]

After reading through several threads on this forum, checking out bike mfg web sites and thinking through the conversations I've had with friends and at the LBS on Saturday, my plan this week is to ride several bikes by Giant & Trek. Wed night, the Giants then Saturday for the Treks. The Trek shop I'm going to on Saturday also carries Fuji, so I may look at those. Those seem to be the major brands bike shops around here carry.

Am I keeping my options too narrow? I've seen that many people are partial to other brands like Specialized and Jamis, but I don't think any shops in a reasonable distance from me carry those brands.

Oh -- I have to share -- as I mentioned in my original post, I wasn't sure how DH would react to my thoughts of a new bike. I mentioned that I stopped at a couple of bike shops on Saturday, but left it that I was "just browsing". Well, my birthday is Tuesday. Tonight, he said he had no idea what I wanted and asked me for suggestions..... I'll bet you don't have to guess what my answer was.... Yep, I said "a new bike" and he said.... "fine, when do you want to go look"!! Perfect

[Tuckervill]

Good husband. Sit. Stay.

Karen

[Livin the Dream]

Karen,

Sometimes that obedience training pays off, doesn't it!

Twinkie,

Are you happy with your Trek Pilot? The LBS I'm going to on Saturday has several Pilot 1.0's on sale, at least according to their web site. I've got it on my list of bikes I want to try. Is there a big difference in riding position from the Trek 1000 to the Pilot?

If anyone else has any thoughts about the Trek Pilot, I'd appreciate it if you would share!


It's a beautiful day here in Ohio and I'm looking forward to riding a couple of Giants tonight after work! I'm expecting that they are all going to feel much different than what I've got. Do you think I'll feel comfortable enough on a test ride to know the right bike for me?

[rij73]

Hi, Just catching up on this thread now. Good for you for getting in shape and loving the exercise! Enjoy those Giants tonight...

You may know right away which bike is right for you. I rode an Ibex flat-bar road bike (like the fitness bikes you mentioned) for a few months and got so into it that I went to a shop and tried road bikes. It was really obvious to me which ones had too far of a reach to the levers, and which ones not enough. Make sure the shop person sets up the saddle position as perfectly as possible so that you can judge the fit of the bike.

[northstar]

Karen,


Are you happy with your Trek Pilot? The LBS I'm going to on Saturday has several Pilot 1.0's on sale, at least according to their web site. I've got it on my list of bikes I want to try. Is there a big difference in riding position from the Trek 1000 to the Pilot?

If anyone else has any thoughts about the Trek Pilot, I'd appreciate it if you would share!

By no means am I an expert on this stuff, but I thought I'd chime in as I just bought a Trek in April (a 5000). What the guy at my LBS said is that he could tweak the stem, etc. on the 1000/1200/5000 (whatever one you're looking at) so that the rider would sit more upright like on the Pilot. So, ride the 1000, ride the Pilot, have the salesperson swap out stems to get the right bike to feel just right. You might be surprised which bike ends up feeling right (or maybe neither will...and you'll need to go to a different brand).

Good luck, and have fun! I'm excited to see what you end up choosing!