Hi everyone,

I am new and pretty clueless when it comes to road bikes. Reading all the info in the forums has me even more confused, so any and all "info for dummies" is great appreciated!

I'm training for a summer Italy bike tour. Right now I am using my 1996 Novara mountain bike, which I think cost me something like $300 or $400 new (and, boy, I thought that was expensive back then!). It is heavy and I have to REALLY REALLY work to get that thing up hills, and I live in an area that has plenty of them (hills)! Many times I find myself in the lowest gears (on my bike the gears are numbered 1-3 on the left and 1-7 on the right, so on really steep uphills I'll downshift to 1 on the left and 2 on the right). Going downhill I lose a ton of speed, so I usually gear up to the highest gears (3 and 7) and pedal like crazy. I don't understand anything other than the gear numbering I have, so not sure how this translates to a road bike.

I am 5'2" and weigh under 100 pounds. I've had a bike fit done for a mtb, but not a road bike yet. The LBS said I probably need a 48cm women's specific bike. I'll get a fit done on Friday.

I've been going out with a local bike club and I'm tired of being left in the dust. My longest ride so far has been 60 miles. My legs didn't hurt in the slightest - just my crotch! I thought I was going to die from crotch pain! Of course, I still have my original bike saddle on there . . . probably not the best (okay, definitely not the best)! I just feel as though I am riding through sand - have to work so hard to not go very fast.

With bikes costing what they do, I want this to be a wise purchase. I do not want to have to upgrade in couple years. $5,000 is the most I've ever spent on a car, let alone a bike! I'm thinking $2,000 for new. Is this reasonable? To keep cost down a bit, I've been hearing aluminum frame with carbon fiber fork and Ultegra components. Beyond that I don't know much.

I plan to continue riding after our tour. Mainly 20-60 mile rides on weekends . . .

I want to sound (and be) halfway knowledgable when I go to the LBS. I look forward to hearing your suggestions/comments. Thanks!