First Road Bike

[JoHunter]

Hello everyone! My name is Mel and I have been cycling on and off most of my life (in recent years more off than on). When I was young I used to have a summer job that I cycled to everyday and loved it. Since then I've moved to a city and have done very little cycling. I bought a cheap folding bike (if only it had been a Brompton!) and have lost a lot of confidence in cycling because it's a death trap. I also had to pedal like mad to go about 4 mph.

My husband and I want to go on a cycle tour this summer and I decided to start training now. Step 1 buy a new bike. With a small budget and tiny legs I've had a hell of a time. I didn't like the feel of WSD hybrid bikes, felt a bit too "sit up and beg" to me. Finally I found a LBS that had a tiny custom built frame that was designed for a little lady. For a great price they offered to put it together with inexpensive components, so tomorrow I will have my first ever road bike! I've only ever had a mountain bike and the folding bike in my life, is there anything I should know about how road bikes handle or feel? Will it be difficult to get used to? Any words of wisdom will be greatly appreciated. I'm so excited about upgrading that I've already been drooling over new spd pedals, crankset, brakes...

All this from a girl who thought a bike was just pedals and wheels and handlebars a couple of weeks ago!

[Nanci]

Hey Jo,

I switched from MTBing to road biking last summer. Never had a road bike before. What bothered me at first was the different hand position. Very uncomfortable. But now it is natural and not uncomfortable. Only took a couple days to adjust.

Another thing was when I stood, the front end wasn't stable like a MTB- much more wobbly. But I got used to it, and also found that where I centered my weight when standing greatly affected the skitteriness.

Not having suspension took some getting used to. Skinny tires took some getting used to in terms of being afraid of stuff like RR tracks.

What a difference, though. Like riding a race horse after you'd been on a mule. (Not meaning mules are _bad_, just they are more like the ATV of the horse world!)

Have fun, sounds like you got a great deal, what kind of frame is it?

Nanci

[JoHunter]

Thanks for the tips Nanci, everyone I told so far has said that it'll feel so much nippier than my old bikes. The frame that I'm getting is made by Woodrup cycles in Leeds using Reynolds 531 tubing. If you check the website http://www.woodrupcycles.co.uk it is the equivelant of the Giro superlight racing frame. These days to get one custom made by them costs nearly 400gbp. I feel very lucky to have found one by chance, the only thing wrong was a tiny ding on the frame, but nothing major. A lovely blue colour too.

[Melody]

Mel, congrats on the new bike! The biggest thing you can do is talk to the shop and make sure the bike's fit is good. A road bike that doesn't fit is really no fun. I think you'll get the hang of riding it in no time.

Mel

[JoHunter]

I finally got it! Woo hoo, it is a beautiful little bike and looks ridiculously small next to my DH's. The only problems with it are that my toes hit the front wheel when turning and that I cannot reach the brakes from the hoods or from the drops. I'm horridly disappointed that I can't ride it and even more disappointed that my LBS declined to help me with either problem. As far as fit, height, reach it is a great match and I'm ever so pleased. At least it's very pretty to look at in the mean time...

[SadieKate]

What brand and model brake levers and bar are on the bike? Perhaps we can give you some suggestions there.