What have I gotten myself into?

[jlnc]

Rhetorical question...
I just think it is funny that last year I broke out my 3 year old, barely ridden dept store comfort bike and started riding. Over the course of the summer I made exactly 3 purchases: a bottle cage (I thought I was so crafty for "installing" it myself), a helmet (required for a charity ride i wanted to do) and a small bag to fit under the seat (that barely held my keys and cell phone).
This February, I decided to upgrade and bought a Trek 7.5 FX. So far, I have purchased: a new seat (oh, it's called a Saddle??), multiple pairs of bike shorts (trial and error), chamois butt'r (ohhh, it really DOES help!), new bottle cages (well, they had to match the new bike, right?), cycle computer (necessary to confirm that I actually am still moving when going up hills), bigger bike bag, spare tube and flat kit (to fit in afore mentioned bike bag), pump (finally figured out how to use correctly), gloves (2 pairs, 1 full, 1 half), electrolyte gel thingys (not sure if these really help, but now convinced I need them), bike lock (have yet to use it though)....I'm sure there is more, but you get the picture. THe scary part is that I am already thinking I want a new road bike!!!
I am hooked! And thanks to everyone on TE for such great info, this site has helped me a lot this year!

[redrhodie]

You're funny! I went through the same thing. It doesn't get better. Sorry. Yesterday, I stopped in the lbs, handed my guy my debit card, and said Just take it all! You're getting it all eventually anyway. But, it's been worth every penny. My bikes, my gear, all keep riding fresh and me happy. I spend less than smokers or drinkers do on their addictions.

[westtexas]

I spend less than smokers or drinkers do on their addictions.

+1

Oh yes, definitely an addictive sport. I cannot wait until I have the cash available to get a new road bike. My LBS has lots of great brands of road bikes and I can't wait to hand over my money to them, haha!

[AppleTree]

jlnc...you are in good company here! And I agree on the inspiration in this forum, I have learned so much (and spent so much!) because of it. I finally got brave enough to join in too.

Enjoy putting the miles on your new Trek!

[Roadtrip]

I too went the "round the bush" method of growth in biking. I started ou on a cushy cruiser, then the FX hybrid, then road bike, now I even own a mountain bike. Tons of clothing and assorted things like mirrors and fenders, etc.

Welcome to the club

Shannon

[jlnc]

Redhoodie, haha I'm sure they were happy to hear you offer up your debit card!
Shannon, what road bike did you move to after your FX? How was the change?

[Owlie]

Oh, I jumped in on the deep end with a road bike (a cheap entry-level road bike).

I'm hoping to manage to scrape together the cash for a nicer road bike, a hybrid commuter for grad school (cheaper than a car, right?), and a mountain bike. (Not all at the same time!) And a couple new pairs of shorts. And...and...and...

[Biciclista]

welcome!!! yes, we all kind of go the same way.. do i like this? OH YES!!

YES!!

[Roadtrip]

Shannon, what road bike did you move to after your FX? How was the change?

The more aggressive position is something I'm still trying to get used to. I bought a Specialized Ruby ( you live once right ) full carbon bike with 105 componets. The Ruby is more relaxed geometry then some other roadies. I had a fitting done on the bike so it's just dialing everything in and I "think" I finally have it close!

Still have my FX and ride as it's my beater/commuter bike for grocery runs. it's just a blast to ride, plus it's a little easier on the hills, which always helps

[jlnc]

What do you mean by "the FX is easier on the hills"? Easier than your Ruby??

[Slk41]

Hubby has been riding for a few years longer than me so I was prepared for the nickel and dime expenses - all necessary of course - of biking. Running is the same way just not as much upfront. When dh bought his Kona road bike last year he was trying to decide between two models and I told him to just buy the expensive one because otherwise we'd be back in 6 months upgrading and I'd rather put out a few hundred now than have 2 bikes in the basement. The lbs guys asked if they could get me on video to share with other customers, lol.

[Owlie]

What do you mean by "the FX is easier on the hills"? Easier than your Ruby??

I don't mean to speak for Roadtrip, but my guess is:
While the FX is a heavier bike than the carbon Ruby, the FX has lower gearing, so while it doesn't have as much "zoom" as the Ruby, it makes climbing easier.

DBF got me into it, but when he got into it, his parents subsidized his hobby (road bike, upgrading the crap out of that bike, new road bike, upgrading the crap out of that bike, fitting, etc). Was not prepared at all for the $$--luckily I got a cushy summer job that year that let me get everything I needed and a little more.

[Pax]

jlnc - I feel for you, I had a huge pile of bikes and gear and then got told by my ortho doc that I wasn't allowed to ride anymore. I cried and sold off my Trek's (7.5 FX and 1500WSD) for peanuts to people who I knew would ride them well.

Then I find out my ortho doc is an idiot and I CAN ride... so I buy a couple of old beater bikes for moseying around the neighborhood and running errands. But now my friend I sold the 7.5 to asks me if I like a screaming deal on her used Trek 1000... hmmm, YES! Thankfully I didn't get rid of all my shorts and jerseys.

[jlnc]

Thx Owlie, that makes sense!

Glad you are riding again Pax!

Finding all of these items has been half the fun for me. Lots of helpful folks at the various LBS's in the area have given me good tips and info!

[Roadtrip]

Yup, Miss Owl is correct.