Does a different bike make that much difference in riding?

[Bike Writer]

In my case the answer is a resounding YES. I continue to be amazed at how much difference a new and different bike has made to my ride, ride enjoyment, ability, speed and efficiency. I've had my new bike for 10 days and rode 70 miles on her. I simply can't believe how much difference this bike has in quicker acceleration and greater pedaling efficiency. I go up hills and inclines easily that I used to struggle with. There are still several hills that remain challenging but conquerable.

I thought I had a very comfortable bike before, but on this bike I feel less tired after a ride. I usually come back feeling like I could go a few more miles and I'm not spent. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or not about feeling like I could go more miles but it's working very well for my body and overall feeling of fitness.

I don't recall having this much joy from such a simple thing in a long while...with the exception of discovering the love of a bike all over again since taking up riding again last year

Anyway, I'm not sure if this is just me or there really is a reason why this bike can just get up and go faster and the efficiencies it has created.

[Velocivixen]

Your post got my attention because I'm already thinking of getting an additional bike for a different "feel". I've had my Trek FX 7.3 for 6 months and really like it a lot, but on longer rides (for me over 20 miles or so), I'd like not to reel the road so much and to be on dropped bars.

What kind of bike do you have now that you like? What bike does it feel really different from? I love to hear about people's bikes.

[zoom-zoom]

I think so. My first road bike was a GREAT starter bike...but I quickly "outgrew" it. First bike was 105-equipped, relaxed geometry, WSD, aluminum.

Within a relatively short time I discovered that I like a more aggressive posture (we kept moving spacers up and flipped my stem, but it still wasn't enough), that I likely would have fit a men's frame better (stubby legs, long torso), that aluminum SUCKS on chip-sealed roads, and I never could get the hang of Shimano's shifting set-up.

Bike #2 is carbon (lighter, but more importantly is SO much comfier on chip-seal), stiffer, performance geometry, SRAM Rival equipped (their "double-tap" shifters just makes more sense to my brain)...generally a much better "fit" for me. I always read that performance-oriented bikes were less comfortable for longer rides...but I'm not finding any difference. If anything I'm more comfortable since I don't feel forced upright. Riding in the drops is worlds more comfortable (I never had the longer reach I seem to need on my first bike). Going fast feels SO much more stable and effortless. Hills feel like less work.

One thing's for certain...I will NEVER again have an aluminum road bike. I will likely go for an aluminum cyclocross bike, but those beefier tires will absorb more of the vibration.

[hebe]

70 miles in 10 days - go you! It's wonderful that you're getting so much pleasure from your new bike!

I actually enjoy my old bike more since getting the new bike, strangely enough. The mountain bike built my confidence through the early part of this year, and as my technical confidence has grown I've been able to change the saddle and seatpost on the old bike to give a better ride. I'm riding the old bike more on the kind of roads/paths it was meant for, rather than stretching it off-road. It's set up with panniers and basket and it does perfectly for errands. I can tow the trailer with either bike. The mountain bike is the one I take when I just want to ride (not shop, or go to the optician, or do the nursery run). It's just so much fun. Much as I love it though, I'm a lot more attached to my Marin comfort hybird though than I imagined I would be and a lot of that is down to the skills and confidence that I have (and still am) learning from the newer Spesh.

So yes, a new bike can make a huge difference, and not just in ways that you might expect!

[Catrin]

Oh my yes it makes a difference! While neither are "road" bikes, the difference in how my Lht and Gunner both perform and feel is quite noticable. Both are steel, both have a very upright riding position, and I can ride all day long on both of them - the difference in how my body feels is outstanding. I attribute this to two factors: the Gunnar weighs 10.5 pounds less and it has a full mountain drivetrain that provides what seems to be a more reasonable gear progression - both have the same rear cassette.

This topic is far more interesting than a boring presentation that I am currently being subjected.

[Bike Writer]

I'm glad to see that others notice big differences as well. Now to answer a couple of questions;

Velovixen, I currently ride the Specalized Expedition Sport and my previous bike is a Schwinn Gateway. The Schwinn is set up as a comfort/path/city riding bike. The Expedition is a hybrid that is a cross with mountain and comfort. If you look at them side by side they look similar.

Zoom-Zoom, what is a "105-equiped" and what are you calling relaxed geometry versus aggressive geometry? I mean not so much of the numerical details but in language detail. Numbers don't mean as much to me as when someone describes the fit/feel.

I think I get the sense of what you mean by aggressive because that is how I precieve the feel of the new bike, it feels more responsive, quick and that is how I would describe aggressive. My old bike feels a bit like a slug. I rode it just around the block a couple of days ago and it feels foreign already. I believe that the fact the bike is lighter, has wider tires, front suspension has something to do with it but I can't describe why or what components account for this.

Do components really matter that much and why?

Hebe, I am glad you still enjoy your first bike. I like the way my first bike looks much more than enjoying the way it rides. I used to think it was so comfortable. I believe a lot of that is also because this bike fits me better.

[Bike Writer]

Oh my yes it makes a difference! While neither are "road" bikes, the difference in how my Lht and Gunner both perform and feel is quite noticable. Both are steel, both have a very upright riding position, and I can ride all day long on both of them - the difference in how my body feels is outstanding. I attribute this to two factors: the Gunnar weighs 10.5 pounds less and it has a full mountain drivetrain that provides what seems to be a more reasonable gear progression - both have the same rear cassette.

This topic is far more interesting than a boring presentation that I am currently being subjected.

Not quite understanding something, if both have the same rear cassette that what constitutes the full mountain drivetrain?