Touring Bike to Road Bike

[Selkie]

Recently, I bought a very slightly used road bike, which I've been wanting to have the guts to ride [it's a beauty.--a limited edition Terry]. I've been riding a Terry Classic--touring bike---so I'm used to riding more upright. In addition, the reach is great on the Classic, flat handlebar, there's no toe overlap because the front tire is smaller than the bike, etc. I've taken the new bike out a couple times just for spins around the block. The first thing that unsettled me is the different reach and having to position myself in a forward leaning position to reach the hoods. Not too big a deal. The things that are keeping me off the bike are my lack of confidence riding w/my hands on the hoods. I don't feel like I have good control of the bike and it's more difficult to apply the brakes than it is on the Classic (brakes and shift levers within easy reach). It feels like I have to really stretch my fingers/hands to operate the brakes. Then there's adjusting to the larger front tire and the inevitable toe overlap. I went ahead and got brake levels installed on the flats of the handlebars, but that isn't helping too much because I still have to go to the hoods to shift. I'm wobbly enough, given that I'm an "intermediate to advanced" beginner who's been riding regularly for about a year. I have tried riding in the drops---I'll leave that for after I can handle the hoods (haha). Do any of you experienced riders have any tips/advice? I'm actually thinking about taking the bike to a bike store and seeing if I can trade it in. Unforunately, I bought the Terry without test riding it first, which is something I will never, ever, ever do again.

[Grog]

I'm not very experienced, but I have experience with being new to the road bike (I used to have a hybrid).

I suppose from your message that you have not been correctly fitted on the bike. I suggest that you find a bike shop in your area with a staff member who knows how you should be seated: height of the seat, position of the seat, position and length of the stem, tilt of the handlebar, etc. If you don't feel right, it may be because you're not used to the road bike, but it may also be because it is NOT right. You should expect to pay for this service (50$?) and also you might have to change your stem (can be inexpensive depending on a couple of variables, anywhere from 20$ and up).

Also, sending in the bike for maintenance (unless you're well versed in doing this yourself) would be a good idea. Among other things, maybe the brakes have to be adjusted, and adjustments vary according to bike types. I have learned that the Shimano handbook says to adjust my brakes so that they are about 2 mm from the wheel, so now that they are correctly fitted I just have to lightly tough them to get some braking effect, not push them all the way down (which I would have trouble doing when riding on the hoods). Also, you should eventually feel more stable in the drops than on the hoods... (You can read the "What's in the drops?" thread too.)

I hope this helps a bit! Riding a road bike is maybe not for all and everyone, but I'm quite sure it can be fitted for most. Of course you'll also have to learn a new way to ride and use your body, you may even discover new muscles, but it's not that hard. Don't give up on the bike just now!

Good luck! Keep us posted about how this goes...

[bikerHen]

I switched from riding a comfort bike to a road bike about three weeks ago. Going from a VERY upright position to the forward position has been tough on my old body. I love my new ride but it is taking some getting use to. I ride on top or the hoods only. The drops won't be happening for a while. I definitely need to be thinking about upper body training! I also had brake levers install on top. I brake on top and shift from the hoods. I feel the most stability when riding on the hoods. I'm not sure if it's the riding position, a lighter bike or those skinny little tires that make for a somewhat scary ride. It's kinda like driving on ice, no sudden moves. The first week every ride was a love/hate/scared thing. But love has prevailed as I find I'm ride more and longer. When I hit a long stretch of road and just hunker down and pedel . . . it's wonderful. It's about a 10 mile ride to my LBS and I have been making that my Monday AM ride for tweeks and adjustments. This was the bike that was the most comfortable, but it/I still need lots of little adjustments. I did have a taller handle bar stem put on and that helped a lot. So go for a fitting and keep up the short rides. Hopfully everything will mesh for you. bikerhen

[emily_in_nc]

What Grog said! It is excellent advice that you go for a professional bike fitting. It's entirely possible that the bike is a frame size too large for you (top tube too long). Or, it may simply be that you need to give yourself time to get used to the different position. As she said, you might require a stem change, though Terrys come with short stems to begin with so if the bike is too long for you, it may be a top tube problem, in which case, you might have to cut your losses and sell the bike.

One thing that is curious to me. If you ride a Terry Classic in a small size such that you have a model with the 24" wheel (the 16", 17.5", and 19" frames are all configured this way, I believe), then I am surprised that your new/old/vintage Terry road bike does not also have a 24" front wheel. It was my understanding that smaller-sized Terry frames have always been made this way. I have a 2001 Terry Isis (17.5" size) with the small front wheel, by the way. I could certainly be wrong, but there's a gal in my bike club with a quite old Terry Symmetry in the 17.5" size, and she has the small front wheel too. So, it's possible you got a larger sized frame. Sometimes buying used, the seller doesn't even know the exact frame size and you aren't buying the size you think. Although....since you mention toe overlap, that would only occur with a short top tube, so it is probably a smaller size....thinking out loud here....

When I went from a hybrid to my Terry, it felt very squirrely and weird at first, but with the short-reach Ultegra brake levers, I was able to ride in the hoods and drops pretty quickly and comfortably. After about a month of cycling regularly, I was quite comfortable on the bike. So, you may just need to give it more time...but a fitting is smart no matter what, especially since you're new to road riding.

Good luck and please keep us posted!

Emily

[CorsairMac]

is there a "softer" place somewhere around that you can ride in for awhile also? ...like a park? You might feel less nervous if there was a softer landing for you in case something just didn't work right. If worse comes to worse and you just don't like being dropped down like that, you can always replace the handlebars for something more upright - make it more like a hybrid.

[RoadRaven]

I don't feel like I have good control of the bike and it's more difficult to apply the brakes than it is on the Classic (brakes and shift levers within easy reach). It feels like I have to really stretch my fingers/hands to operate the brakes.

Hey ther MC
I found this was uncomfortable the first month or so on my RB... the stretch really was a stretch and riding down hill and having to apply the brakes for so long made my hands ache

But your hands get stronger, and they start to "fit" more comfortably with the shape of the bars... give that time...

As the others suggest - make sure the frame fits you well - including the shape of the bars... and find somewhere safe to ride while your body gets used to the new bike

In this house we have found it can take a couple of weeks to fully adjust to a new bike, new seat height, new bars... any change in the set-up you are used to

Best wishes