It's time for a road bike... need some help

[MsBelle]

I've been riding for about a year now and started with a used moutain bike which was a Trek. I'm now riding a Trek hybrid fitness bike that's 15". Can someone tell me a good starter type road bike to consider and would a 15" be comparable to a size 47. I love the new Trek Madone 4.5 WSD but would this be too much bike for my first road bike? I'm riding about 15 miles 3-4 times a week now. Probably something a little cheaper would be nice too!

[redrhodie]

Go for the bike you love! You've been riding for a year, so you pretty much know at this point that you're into it. If you buy a cheaper bike, you'll end up buying the one you really love later, which will cost you more money in the long run.

Test ride the Modone to see how it feels.

[Starfish]

If you buy a cheaper bike, you'll end up buying the one you really love later, which will cost you more money in the long run.

This is how I feel about it, too. I don't advocate anyone spending more than is in their budget, but with the riding you're doing, I'll bet that as soon as you get a great road bike that really fits you, you'll find you're doing more and more.

I had a bike shop guy say to me the other day, and it made sense to me:

Frame/Fit first, then wheels, then components...in terms of his priorities. I would edit that a little to say something like:

Frame/Fit first, then wheels, then components (as long as you're starting with a base level of decent components that won't hold you back).

Go for a great bike! And, the only way to know is to go out and test ride a gazillion of them, and also be testing the LBS people as you go, to find who you feel are trustworthy, etc.

[KnottedYet]

Fit, function, and true love!

[kayandallie]

When I rode horses, I looked at a fancy and very expensive horse. I asked the breeder the same question- should a lower level rider buy a really nice horse and she said "a nice horse makes it easier for anyone to ride- the upper level rider or the lower- you don't need to qualify."
My son works in a bicycle shop, races, and is Serotta fitting trained. He says the Madone is the nicest bike you can get for about any price.
If you can afford it, you should get it. You are certainly riding enough to get a road bike and the Madone would be worth getting. I switched from a hybrid to a road bike and I've never been on my hybrid again. I absolutely love my road bike.

[Starfish]

When I rode horses, I looked at a fancy and very expensive horse. I asked the breeder the same question- should a lower level rider buy a really nice horse and she said "a nice horse makes it easier for anyone to ride- the upper level rider or the lower- you don't need to qualify."

Yep, in fact, the rule there is, never put a green rider on a green horse. Put the newer riders on the good quality, well trained horses.

Don't know if the theory really translates into bikes, but I like the justification it gives for getting a great bike early on!!!!

(Seriously, though, you're riding enough that you will want a great bike.)

[hermitclub]

I concur with all of the comments made thus far. I switched from a hybrid to road bike last March and am incredibly happy that I made the switch, However, I am already looking to upgrade. I bought a Specialized Sequoia Comp which I love dearly. I won't trade her, but am shopping for a second road bike. Now I am trying to solve the dilemma of steel vs carbon. Decisions, decisions.

Nevertheless, buy the best bike you can with the money you have.

[PinkPilot]

Agreed.

1. Buy the absolute best road bike you can afford.

2. Buy for where you want to be (in terms of goals and achievements) not where you are.

I think you will LOVE the Trek carbons - and the Madone is a beauty.

[DirtDiva]

The 47cm might be fine, but it would be a good idea to try other sizes too to see how they feel. Personally, I ride a 15.5" framed mtb and found the 47cm Treks definitely too small even just sitting on them. (Dealer didn't have any 51cm bikes in stock for me to try though, so I went with another brand.)

[kayandallie]

Yikes! I didn't even notice that you were trying to figure out how one size correlated to the other!
Don't even think about doing that; you need to get fitted to the bike. The bike shop will figure out what size you need- just make sure you choose a good bike shop with trained fitters.