Bike Shopping- day 3- the freak out (long)

[ace]

Thanks so much for the input and support. This whole biking thing is a secret life in some ways for me. I don't really have friends who ride, so I am so incredibly grateful that I found this board.

It's funny, I thought the hard part of riding a road bike initially for me would be the integrated shifting, because I'm a total clod and my hands are messed up. But after 15 minutes on a trainer getting instruction from my lbs guy, both the Shimano and Campy shifting made sense and was easy (though the Shimano levers hurt my hands).

What REALLY was hard was going downhill! It felt soooo scary being on a light bike, so close to the road, not having the 30 lb stability of my hybrid. I deserved the scare, though. Just Saturday I was out on a ride with 20 other women, and I got really mad at them because they kept coasting and riding to the left on a narrow downhill section. I'm awful at climbing, but as you'd expect, like a bat out of hell on downhills and I take full advantage of it. But all these other women were on road bikes, so now I get maybe it's just harder to get used to downhill speed on a road bike.

Also, I'm glad I'd read on this board about the toe overlap thing, because one of the bikes I tested had it, and it didn't freak me out because I anticipated it. My fitter is going to try to get my new bike without the toe overlap, but it may be unavoidable if I'm going to get the proper fit on the rest of the bike.

[Grog]

I'm awful at climbing, but as you'd expect, like a bat out of hell on downhills and I take full advantage of it. But all these other women were on road bikes, so now I get maybe it's just harder to get used to downhill speed on a road bike.

I'm glad you're finding some comfort in our writings.

I actually find it less scary to descend on a road bike than a hybrid. By going down in the drops (the curved part of the handlebars), I get a good grip at the brakes and it makes me very stable... plus, I can go faster that way. Cornering on a road bike is also easier/more controlled on the road bike for me. This being said, I don't have a very good hybrid right now. But I hate going down a significant hill on it.

Surely once you're used to the lesser weight of the road bike and to the new wheels, you'll take even more pleasure in descending!!

[SouthernBelle]

When I bought my road bike the first time or 2 I went out on it, I feared I had made a mistake. It wasn't a mistake. But there is a little learning curve. & you've been riding enough that it will be a short little curve.


& Mimi, are you serious about your LBS being ticked about your choice of wheels? I've been talking bars with my mechanic and he told me that even if I didn't buy them there, bring them to him cause he wants to set them up for me.

[mimitabby]

& Mimi, are you serious about your LBS being ticked about your choice of wheels? I've been talking bars with my mechanic and he told me that even if I didn't buy them there, bring them to him cause he wants to set them up for me.

yep. There's a lot of ego involved here. I had to tell the guy "I had no idea you built wheels" then he showed me a WOODEN WHEEL that he built!
It was VERY cool. He actually located some antique wooden rims never been used and put spokes and stuff on them and put them on an old (beautiful) bike.

[li10up]

I actually find it less scary to descend on a road bike than a hybrid. By going down in the drops (the curved part of the handlebars), I get a good grip at the brakes and it makes me very stable... plus, I can go faster that way.

Ok, this is another clue that my bike in some ways is too big for me. When I'm in the drops I can't reach the break levers very well. Not that I mind...I haven't found a hill big enough to want me to break on the way down...but then again I live in a fairly flat area. Slowly but surely I'm talking myself into buying a new bike.

[SouthernBelle]

li10up, that could simply be your bars and/or levers or even your stem. Do you have the original bars, etc on your bike? I've put a shorter stem which helps and just last night won some salsa poco bars on ebay. I'll be glad to report back on what difference they make. Some day I'll get short reach shifters as I have stubby little fingers.

Mimi, I'll loan you my mechanic.

[Kallisti]

Ok, this is another clue that my bike in some ways is too big for me. When I'm in the drops I can't reach the break levers very well.

Not that I mind...

But you should mind. This is going to put you in a funny position when you need to grab the brakes; your hand will be in a position that is too open, and therefore tense. You may not need a new bike, as this could be because the throw (the distance between the handlebar and the brake lever), is too long for you. That's what it sounds like anyway. This can possibly be fixed by shims in the brake levers, or new brake levers
It could also be stem length, which is also an easy fix (new stem).
The reason why I say that you should mind is that over time, overextending your reach can cause unnecessary pain in the back, shoulders and forearms. If you have an LBS that you trust, there shouldn't be a problem about asking them for help in adjusting the throw and/or stem length. It's well worth it in the long run.

[anakiwa]

Go for it! (As long as you think you're going to stick with cycling.)

If you have the money it's more than worth it to be on a bike that's comfortable (and you're probably more likely to stick with it if the bike fits).

And just don't tell your friends what it costs- if they're not into cycling they probably haven't ever heard of Serotta and wouldn't have clue that a bike could cost $4000.

[pooks]

Go for it! (As long as you think you're going to stick with cycling.)

If you have the money it's more than worth it to be on a bike that's comfortable (and you're probably more likely to stick with it if the bike fits).

And just don't tell your friends what it costs- if they're not into cycling they probably haven't ever heard of Serotta and wouldn't have clue that a bike could cost $4000.

Exactly what I was going to say!

I'm still on a hybrid but I hope to someday ride enough and be confident enough and have reason enough to switch! Meaning, I'm not speaking from experience so take my opinion for what it's worth.

But you said it yourself -- you can afford it. Hey, that pretty much answers your question right there! Why feel guilty when you indulge in something you can afford?

And as for what will people say? None of their business. So if you want to tell them, you can, but if you don't want to, why would you? If somebody tries to pin you down, don't forget -- JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY ASKS DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO ANSWER.

You can come up with a funny or polite or rude response in advance if it makes you feel better. Or just shrug and say, "I don't remember -- I could easily afford it so I wrote the check and rode off and haven't thought about it since."

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

You can come up with a funny or polite or rude response in advance if it makes you feel better. Or just shrug and say, "I don't remember -- I could easily afford it so I wrote the check and rode off and haven't thought about it since."

Just tell them you bought it with all the money you weren't spending on cigarettes anymore.

[Blueaegis]

$4,000 sounds like crazy money for a bike, but think about the health benefits and joy it brings you.

People spend that amount on a dining room set that they never eat on or jewlery they never wear!

Just think about the smile on your face when you finish every club ride!

[Crankin]

When someone asks me how much my Kuota costs (hasn't happened very often) I just laugh and say "a lot!" Just like someone said, if you can afford it, why feel guilty. I also felt that I didn't deserve the bike I have, sort of like a poseur, but guess what? Mostly people say "Cool bike," or something else nice. I get nice comments from really fast younger guys who normally wouldn't say anything to me as they whiz by.

[DarcyInOregon]

Hi Amy, I purchased my road bike about four months ago. I love it. I went from a hybrid to the road bike, following the same path as others before me.

I just want you to know that I have back problems too, which is arthritis in the spine and two bad disks. When I injure the back again, like in a fall, and the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, and I have nasty pain, I can still bike. That is how good the road bike is for a bad back.

Regarding the cost, everyone on this forum is a different age and a different level of income, so would have a different perspective as to the cost of your bike. I paid about $3500 for my Trek Pilot 5.2 WSD, which was the bike plus some extras, and the LBS was happy for the cash transaction. I didn't think the bike was too expensive, not for me anyway, but yes, if I was in college or still at an age where I was paying off the mortgage, then that amount would cause me some anguish. But I am 53, with zero debts, and a solid income flow, so the bike was not expensive for me. That is how you need to look at it. And like others said, this money will be the best money you ever spent. Until you decide you want one of the $20,000 bikes.

Another thing I might mention is I had the LBS put on additional brake levers on the straight part of the bar. With my bad back, I don't have any flexibility in the spine, and in going down the long descents, having the brakes up closer gives me more control without making my spine stretch so that the hands can remain near the brakes. It makes perfect sense for me because I have no desire to race or compete or train with others. I am a rural rider and I ride solo most of the time. Additional brake levers might make sense for you too, though you are an urban club rider. There are a lot of hills where you live.

Please post a photo of the bike when you get it.

Darcy

[emily_in_nc]

$4,000 sounds like crazy money for a bike, but think about the health benefits and joy it brings you.

And think about how much less it is than a new car. That's what I tell my co-workers when their jaws drop over the price of my bikes. I tell them that all four of my bikes, including my $3500 Aegis Swift, all add up to less than one stinkmobile!

Emily

[logdiva32]

Ok, this is another clue that my bike in some ways is too big for me. When I'm in the drops I can't reach the break levers very well. Not that I mind...I haven't found a hill big enough to want me to break on the way down...but then again I live in a fairly flat area. Slowly but surely I'm talking myself into buying a new bike.

I also have the same problem. The LBS shifted the shift levers up and Handle Bars up a cm each, so I can brake from the hoods. Yet I have trouble reaching in the drops. But I don't plan on giving up my bike. I have to find a fix. I also have a 32" inseam at 5'4, but short upper torso, so I am riding a 48cm ( center to top) . I can not afford to spend my kids college fund on a bike, so I got the best I could non custom. I spent most of my of HS basketball referee money from this season on the bike. I still haven't told anyone the real price, my friends and family would not understand. I would never hear the end of it. Especially since i bring my lunch and rarely pass up a free meal. So buy what you want, is what I say, hehehe.... I am pretty athletic, so not sure about the difficulties some are having in handeling