How do I know when it's time for a different bike?

[hirakukibou]

In my relatively limited experience, road bikes are a better choice if you want to go for longer rides and want to roll relatively fast. I have a hybird that I don't ride much because I usually ride 20+ miles and the road bike is more comfortable. It is also much lighter which means I can ride faster, especially when I am riding with the bike club. So, whether you need a new bike sort of depends on what kinds of riding you are aiming to do. If you are staying under 20 miles and don't want to hammer and you feel comfortable on you bike, then you are probably fine with what you have.

It is true road bikes are more expensive. They have higher quality components that are lighter for one.

-- Pata

[Tuckervill]

It's always a good time for a new bike!

Seriously, it's not like you'll get rid of the hybrid once you get a road bike. You'll just use both bikes for different things.

I use my mountain bike for errands around town, and my road bike for fitness rides. Today I rode my mtb to the ballpark to pick up trash, and from there I rode it to meet the weatherman, who is riding 500 miles in July from town to town as part of a promotion. I wish I had met him on my road bike because I took him on a tour of our downtown area, and I looked like a poser in my sandals and work clothes! At the end they told me we'd be on the news.

But tomorrow when he leaves from here for another leg, I'll go on my road bike in full kit. They probably won't put that on, though.

Even if you don't start riding your new bike all the time right away, it would be good to have it in the stable for the transition to full time roadie.

Karen

[Zen]

What's your budget?

[Jiffer]

I agree that it really depends on what you want to do. If you're interested in longer, faster rides, I'd consider a road bike. It will feel considerably different, so prepare yourself for an adjustment period.

I had a lower end bike shop hybrid (sounds similar to yours) for a while. Didn't ride it much at all (unlike you). Couldn't STAND going up hill on it. I cruised the neighborhood with the kids a bit, but never saw it as something to fully go out and get exercise on.

Back at that time, I tried riding Dh's road bike around the neighborhood and it felt so totally strange compared to the hybrid. I had a 10 speed in high school, but it seemed even more different than that and I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to try getting used to. I was nervous about clipping in and all that too (which you don't technically have to do, but you really should to get the most out of it). I really liked the idea of riding a good bike for some real exercise, but wasn't ready to commit to getting a road bike. Eventually, Dh convinced me to get a road tandem to ride with him. It wasn't long after riding the tandem that I started feeling more comfortable and excited about the idea of getting a road bike. I've only had my new road bike for about a month now and I TOTALLY love it.

As for what to expect to spend ... golly jeepers, you could spend a little or you could spend a whole lot! I'd say get as much bike as you can reasonably afford. It sounds like you'll use it. The more expensive it is, the ligher it will be and the nicer the components will be (lighter, easier to shift, less fear of the chain coming off, etc.)

My Pastor just bought a very large (he's 6'7") road bike on the internet brand new. I can't even remember the name of it because I'd never heard of it before. He paid about $675 and it was actually under 20 lbs (which is amazing for that size of a bike and that price range). It has Shimano 105 components. Not the best, but certainly not the worst. It doesn't compare to the three and four thousand dollar bikes out there, but it's ten million times better than the 1985 beast he previously had!

If you decide to go for a road bike and can convice Dh of it, start doing your research. Check out your LBS and ask lots of questions. What makes this bike more expensive than this one, etc. Then go on-line and see what you can find. My husband bought a "barely used" MTB on Ebay for $2,000, but it was worth at least $4,000 brand new (which it almost was). You may not want to spend that much, but my point is, there are deals to be had if you look around.

Another thing to consider doing. Buy the best bike you can afford for now, then slowly upgrade your components. Dh did this with his first road bike. He spent about $700 on a fairly decent used Cannondale. After he'd had it for a while, knew he loved riding, but couldn't afford the bike he REALLY wanted, he started buying Shimano Dura Ace components little by little. It was probably over the course of a year or so that he slowly upgraded it. After he had all the nice components, he bought a new frame and had all the components put onto his great new frame.

Now I have those same components on my new road bike, while he upgraded again to a whole new bike. (This time he bought it all at once.)

So, there's some food for thought. I'd like to encourage you to try a road bike. If you don't like it, you can always sell it.

[mimitabby]

and to add to what Jiffers said;
when you have questions, come back here!
there is all kinds of wisdom here. People that know about fit, frame, components, pricing, even ... COLOR..

[rapid cycler]

Hey, LTD—

I started on exactly the same hybrid you have, and I still have great affection for that bike because it was the one that got me into cycling. I rode it for about eight months before I got the fever for a road bike, and I've never looked back. (I finally sold the hybrid last year because I knew it was bored hanging in my garage and ready to spark someone new into cycling.)

If you're doing flat distance rides, aren't much interested in upping your average speed, and like the upright riding position, there's not a ton of incentive to upgrade—bike store road bikes tend to start at around $700 and go up from there, so it's not an insignificant investment.

On the other hand, it sounds like you've made very significant investments in yourself in terms of weight loss and energy gains, and if you'd like to continue to "grow" as a cyclist, road bikes can help you do just that, particularly in terms of speed and climbing abilities. Of course, if you do expect to ride with your DH on your road bike (assuming he doesn't invest in a new bike), you may have to gear down so that he can keep up with you! Hee hee.

Here's the "learn from my mistake" section. I bought my first road bike on eBay and saved $1,000 off the retail price. But the savings weren't worth it in the end, because as much as I tried to measure myself and figure out what I needed, the bike I bought was never quite right. After several tweaks in desperate attempts to make it work, I finally bought a new bike this year—at full retail—and I'm much happier for the investment.

We're all individuals, and road bikes, more than any other type, must be fitted correctly. Because of the way the riding style distributes weight and pressure (whereas on upright bikes, your butt bears most of the pressure), getting the balance right is crucial to avoid discomfort or even injury, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and back. When you buy from a reputable bike store, they'll fit you correctly, sometimes swapping out stock parts gratis to accommodate your body. You'll ride happier and longer as a result. (And you can still save some bucks off the retail price in your local bike shop if you don't mind buying last year's model.)

Congratulations on your accomplishments so far, and good luck in future riding, whether you decide to make the switch or stick to your trusty steed.

[Jiffer]

A friend of ours ended up with a super sweet bike for an amazing deal because it had a dent on it. It was used for pictures or promo of some sort or something. He got it at our LBS. Dh has a good relationship with the owner and the guy went out of his way to find a sweet deal for our friend.

[Livin the Dream]

Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments! The reasons I started thinking about a different bike are those you have mentioned -- speed and hills. Your advice/insight/and comments have convinced me that I need to at least start thinking seriously about a road bike and visiting my LBS to ask questions. Although I no longer avoid hills, I still struggle with them and I would love to go faster. Although I'm much more fit than I was a few years ago, I would like to up the ante with exercise and I much prefer the bike to other forms of exercise. I think I might even make the 26 mile RT commute to work a few days per week if the hills and the time it would take with my Trek didn't scare me off. When DH isn't with me, my speed on the relatively flat country roads is about 13 - 14. (DH just likes to cruise along at 8 - 9 mph).

A few more questions come to mind.
- Why is climbing better on a road bike? Bike weight? Riding position? Gearing?

- How much of a mph increase can I reasonably expect?

- How much of an adjustment is the change in riding position -- hybrid to road?

- Those skinny tires look fragile! Do they hold up to bumpy roads well? Are road bikes higher maintenance?

- I'd like to stay under $1000. Any advice on some brands to start my research? I'm 5'8" and not petite by a long shot!

Now to think about how to approach this with DH. I'm thinking the MOTORcycle he bought last year is a starting place for negotiations!

Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.