need input re transition from hybrid to road bike

**xeney** · 08-12-2006, 10:34 PM

I am 5'5 and my legs aren't particularly long for a woman, and I ride a 53. It makes sense to me that you might need a bigger bike.

You also might want to look at a bike with less upright geometry, one with a level top tube. That can also change the fit ... my new compact geometry road bike is a 53, my older traditional geometry road bike is a 51. They ride a little differently but they are both comfortable.

**light_sabe_r** · 08-13-2006, 01:50 AM

Hi maryellen! I'm in the same boat...

Today I tested out three road bikes. And the best advice I got was to just keep riding.

And keep testing. Today I found out that handlebar width on the drop down is VERY important. One was wider than my shoulders so my arms were tense and I couldn't reach the brakes. The other was the same width as my hips. It was much more comfortable. It's little things like that.

From this I've also picked which gears I like, what framesize is right for me and what kinda road saddle I need.

Keep test riding. TRY EVERYTHING in any combination they'll allow and just GO FOR IT!

**Quillfred** · 08-13-2006, 11:05 AM

How about trying out some Trek road bikes? Once I got on the WSD 1500, I knew it was meant to be. I felt the 7500 fx was also comfortable in a "familiar" way. If you are to spend that much $, make sure it is the right bike.

**maryellen** · 08-13-2006, 03:53 PM

it looks as if i'll be trying out more bikes this week! everyone's advice is really helpful. i'm also going to try yet a different new shop for a fresh perspective.

**love2bike** · 08-14-2006, 08:44 AM

Maryellen-
I went from a Trek Hybrid to a Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD this year....and now I'm having trouble getting back to riding my hybrid. If you can get your hands on a Pilot 5.1 WSD try it. It's a terrific bike, I just couldn't afford it. I probably stayed with the Trek line because I love our Trek LBS and their staff.

The seat on my Pilot 2.1 WSD is great, no need to change it out...but my husbands non WSD Pilot 2.1 has a horrible seat, after the first ride he changed to a Terry liberator.

Good luck, and let us know what you get!!

**PinkBike** · 08-14-2006, 09:47 AM

maryellen -
the road bike is a whole different feel. i'd suggest start out cheap. dont spend the bucks til you know if youre gonna like it. latelatebloomer was right on, get someone's starter bike, set it up like a hybrid, with low seat-high bars, then as you ride more start raising the seat a little at a time and lowering the bars a little at a time. make sure the seat is comfy. it takes your body a while to adjust to the riding position, but for longer rides it's well worth it. it's not just going faster, it's the efficiency, you get more power out of your legs with much less effort. ok, it is about going faster.

**quint41** · 08-20-2006, 04:19 PM

MaryEllen, I'm in exactly the place you are right now. Switching from hybrid to road. I'm shopping, and I haven't found a bike that makes me shout "this is the one!" I, too, feel very uncomfortable on some of the bikes I've tried. The very first road bike I tried was the Trek Pilot WSD. I'm 5' 3.5" tall with shortish arms and very small hands. I felt SO unsafe on that bike! "Squirrely" was the best way I could describe it -- like the bike had a mind of it's own, and if I were to sneeze I'd crash for sure! The dealer thought I was nuts. I've asked a few people why the bike felt like that, and have gotten different answers: narrow handbars? Shorter wheelbase? Skinny tires? Nobody can tell me why. Since then, I've ridden about 8 different road bikes and can say that every single one of them felt different. Too long of a reach (several bikes), handlebars too low, or shifting too hard. That has come to be my biggest problem now -- the STI shifters for the front derailleur are very difficult for me to push up to the big ring, and nobody seems to know why. Also, nobody has an answer for me! I can't spend $1000 on a bike that I cannot shift up to the big ring! The last dealer suggested I get the bike that's most comfortable and change all the components over to something brand new and supposedly easier (basically, a SRAM version of STI). Hello? And spend a couple hundred more dollars on the brand new bike I just got??

Also, I love the "cheater" brakes. Because I'm used to hybrid, I expect I'll find myself at least occasionally hanging out on the bar when I'm riding along easy. I would appreciate having cheater brakes available to me. And, yes, you can have them added to any bike, I believe.

I'd appreciate knowing how you progress through this process. I think it's going to be a long haul for me. I'm just going to keep riding until I either find the bike that shouts "I'm the one" or until I find a bike dealer who can answer my questions and set me up with what I need.

By the way, so far, the most comfortable bike I've ridden is the Raleigh Cadent. I may check out more of the Raleigh line.

Good luck!

**Kathi** · 08-20-2006, 04:55 PM

Have you looked at Serotta? The Fierte Steel is in your price range and is a really nice bike.

A friend of mine demoed one, she's also riding a hybrid, and she loved it.

FWIW, as far as squirelliness is concerned, my road bike always feels that way after I've spent time on my mtn bike. Road bikes just have a different feel.

**quint41** · 08-20-2006, 05:31 PM

Serotta? I've never even heard of it. Steel?? Is it a steel frame? One of the reasons I'm dying to swap my hybrid for road is because I'm sick of dragging that 34 lb. steel frame up hills!!! I start off the ride in front on the flat, but the first hill we hit, the group leaves me in the dust!!!

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 08-20-2006, 05:42 PM

A lugged steel bike can weigh between 20-24 pounds. The frame alone can be around 7-10 pounds.

**Kathi** · 08-20-2006, 06:10 PM

Serotta is a smaller bicycle company from NY. They started out making steel frames and they are known for custom frames. Now they make ti, carbon/ti and carbon.

Several years ago they developed the Fierte, which comes only in a stock frame. It has a relaxed geometry with a higher head tube and sloping tt. It is available in steel, and ti. The frame is lightweight, not sure the weight but I demoed it and it is not a heavy bike. I really liked the way the bike handled and fit. Like I said, my friend liked it too.

http://www.serotta.com/pages/fierte_steel.html

I just got a custom Ottrott and I absolutely love it. I have almost 700 miles on it and I'm still in awe of it.

When I was riding today there was a woman at a stop light on a Fierte. She was very happy with it.

Serotta also has a training school that Serotta fitters attend. My frame was fit so well I have no complaints or desire to change anything about it.

**xeney** · 08-20-2006, 06:42 PM

A new steel road bike is not going to weigh 34 pounds. Mine weighs about 19, which is probably pretty standard. (The heaviest bike I own is aluminum.)

**maryellen** · 08-21-2006, 11:33 AM

ok, i picked up the new bike on Thursday--a Trek Pilot 2.1 at a good price-- $1,000 for a 2006 model. Once the bike was fit, it was remarkedly more comfortable and I don't have a "crunched up" feeling any more.

Everyone's advice was very helpful. I ultimately spent much less than my budget because I just wasn't confident that I would love road biking and I was not able to "feel" much of a difference among bikes ranging $1,000 - $2,699. After a whole five days, it still feels as if I made the correct choice for me.

I'm still adjusting to or need to change the: shifting, saddle, and pedals.

On my Trek 7500fx, I had ridden enough to "know" what gear I was in, but I still had the option of looking at the dials. On the new bike, I don't have a clue of what gear I'm in and there are no dials for me to look at quickly. It will take time.

The saddle -- yikes. Still researching various saddle options to figure what to swap out for. I definitely won't be riding a century until I get this situation improved!

The bike came w double-sided SPD with temporary platform on one side. I am going to the bike shop tomorrow to put platform pedals w toe clips (no straps). Even though I use SPD on the spin bike at the gym, it is too much for me to change everything at once. And as I live in Manhattan, the idea of falling sideways in NYC traffic, even in slow motion, isn't too appealing. I will save that new challenge for the future.

Thank you everyone for your help.

**maryellen** · 08-21-2006, 11:39 AM

quint41:

As I just posted, I ended up getting a Trek Pilot 2.1 (non-WSD). I have long arms and big hands so the reach and shifting are not a problem (as long as I know in what direction I should be shifting, that is!).

Good luck. Keep testing and sleep on it. Although I didn't experience the "aha" or "I must have this bike" reaction, I am very happy with my new ride. And I'm also glad that I could purchase it at my local bike shop where I trust the mechanic's advice.

**quint41** · 08-21-2006, 03:55 PM

That's great. I'm glad you found a good fit at a good price. Our local shops are just now starting their year-end sales, so I'll be shopping for a while.

I have a Serfas women's gel saddle which I just love. Bought it about a month ago. See http://www.serfas.com/comfort_saddles/VL-125.shtml

I agree about clipless pedals -- one thing at a time!

Thanks for the update!

Louise

Thread: need input re transition from hybrid to road bike

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Transition to road bike

I can totally relate!

Hi, Kathi.

got it!

Congrats!

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