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

[rapid cycler]

Hi, LTD. Just a couple of things to add since you've already received good answers to your questions

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

Honestly, your mph on a hybrid impresses me immensely! I think I was only averaging 11-12 mph on mine before I switched. Now my average is closer to 15. With the strength you've developed already, you could be doing 17-18 in no time!

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

I'd say this is the most challenging part of switching, because you'll likely feel soreness in muscles you may not normally use. Get into the habit of stretching before and, especially, after a ride (while your muscles are still warm). It can also be helpful to do some cross-training to build core strength (Pilates or yoga) and upper-body strength (rowing, push-ups, or light weights). No need to go join a gym and go nuts over it—there's a lot you can do at home with a couple of free weights and maybe a balance ball, or even with nothing at all—but your time on the bike will be more pleasant for any thought you put into riding while off of it.

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

I've had far more flats occur on my hybrid and my mountain, simply because all that tread traps and holds glass, nails, etc. If you happen to ride through glass or anything else pokey, stop as soon as it's safe to spot inspect your wheels and carefully remove anything sharp from the tread before it gets a chance to penetrate your tube. In this way, even if you've picked up a sharp, you can often avert a flat. That being said, once you start seeing a whole lot of slits in your tire where grit and glass have entered, the tire may need replacement, because those slits are weak spots that are now primed to introduce all manner of street flotsam to your tube. Finally, it never hurts and sometimes helps to use Mr. Tuffy, a thick plastic liner that sits between your inner tube and tire to provide an extra barrier of resistance. (Some people like Slime, a sort of liquid, spray form of Mr. Tuffy, but it's messy and in extreme temps it can shift within your tire, making it roll unevenly.)

- 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!

Nicole happened to mention two makes that would be high on my list were I in the market. The Jamis Ventura was Bicycling magazine's editors' pick for best entry-level road bike this year, unseating the winner of the past (three years running, I think), the Trek 1000! Each start at $700. I was trying to find an online version of their annual buyers' guide and couldn't, but here's a link to their online reviews in general (both the Jamis and the Trek are in there): http://www.bicycling.com/topic/0,661...83-0-0,00.html
Also, for consumer reviews, in addition to what you read here, you might check out Road Bike Review: http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/la...S_5668crx.aspx

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!

Um, he bought a motorcycle? Forget about that $1,000 ceiling and get yourself the sweetest ride you can find!

[ace]

Hiya,

I rode my trusty Trek hybrid for about 8 years, and just got my first road bike a month or so ago. My experience:

My road bike actually feels just as stable as a hybrid. As far as speed goes, if I didn't think about it on my hybrid and I was doing a long flat ride, I'd go about 12 mph. On my road bike, IT goes at about 18 mph on the flat- it just feels like it goes without me doing much! I know that sounds weird, but the increase in speed w/o additional effort is nuts. Also, I had a horrible time on hills with my hybrid, though I did them out of necessity because of where I live. It is so much easier with the road bike. I'm both faster on the hills (although still really slow relatively speaking), and can keep going much longer. I think it's more a function of the skinny tires and less rolling resistance than anything else (although my road bike is 10 lbs lighter than my hybrid).

The only downside of the road bike that I've found is that my saddle cuts off all circulation to my genitals (I'm getting a new saddle). Never had saddle problems with the hybrid.

Anyway, if you want to go faster and do hills more, it will be easier on a road bike (as long as you get a decent one that fits you).

-Amy

[Livin the Dream]

Thanks for the continued thoughtful, helpful replies to my questions. I've got a haircut appointment tomorrow just a few blocks away from our closest LBS. Sounds like a great day to start checking out the options and maybe test ride a bike or two! I just need to keep telling myself to take my time, do the research, and look for a good price. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Torrillin, I appreciate the link about gearing. I don't understand the difference in different types of gearing at all. I'll sure check this tool out.

[Livin the Dream]

I went to two LBS, one sells mostly Trek, the other mostly Giant. Went to the Trek place first, after asking some questions about what I'm currently riding and what kind of riding I do/ would like to do, the owner recommended a Gary Fisher Monona, which is what he called a "fitness" bike. It's a pavement bike, not a mtn bike. More upright than a road bike, but I definitely am hunched over a bit more than on my Trek 7100. Tires are smaller than I have, not road bike skinny though. He said "you can try a road bike if you like, but I don't think you would be happy with it". I had to get to a hair appt, so didn't have time for a longer ride. I plan to go back on Monday for a longer ride on the bike path adjacent to the shop.

After said hair appt, got to LBS 2 about 15 minutes before closing time. Went through the same types of questions, they recommended a Giant FCR 2 W. Also a "fitness bike", which I've never heard of before. I plan to go there Wednesday after work for a test ride on that bike and the entry-level Giant road bike.

I want to ride longer/faster and not struggle so much with hills. What's your opinion of these two "fitness bikes"? Any chance they'll meet my needs?

[Tuckervill]

Looks to me like they're trying to put you on a bike like the one you have! Could be some prejudices at play here. I find, as a fat woman (not implying that you are!), that bike shop employees tend to think I'm not fit or don't know what I need or am ignorant about bikes in general. Or, maybe you've said something that lead them to believe that's what you wanted--sending a mixed message or something. Anytime someone who doesn't know me assumes to know what I will or won't like, it's a red flag for me.

If I were you I'd get a bike very different from the one you have. I wouldn't get a fitness bike. This way you are prepared for further evolution of your fitness.

Try another shop, and insist on riding road bikes.

Karen

[rapid cycler]

Ditto what Tucker said. There are a lot of presumptuous cycling dudes who see a woman of any age or girth as an automatic hybrid or Townie customer. Even if it turns out in the end that you don't like the feel of a road bike, you have every right to take a few out for test spins!

Do you have an REI near you? REI salespeople tend to be low-pressure, informed folk who'll let you ride their bikes all day and won't bat an eyelash if you say that you're not ready to buy. They also have Fit Kits to take your vital measurements and get a general idea of what might fit you before you start standing over a bunch of bikes. They primarily stock their house brand, Novara (some locations around here also stock Cannondales), which turns some people off because, well, they've never heard of them. They're perfectly respectable bikes. I think they're made at the same factory that makes Giants and are simply branded with the Novara name and graphics (which I think tend to be pretty attractive).

REI is just one way to avoid the potential attitude and intimidation of some bike shops. Maybe we have some TE Ohioans who can point you toward other local shops that'll treat you right…

[Livin the Dream]

Thanks, Karen & Rapid. You both articulated what my gut was telling me. I'm no longer fat, but I still have about 20 pounds to lose and I'll never be small. I'll always have hips and a "booty" as my grandaughter calls it. It's the build God gave me. I'm also not 20-something.

You also confirmed that the bikes they were recommending aren't significantly different from what I've got. I had already made up my mind that I was going to ride a couple of road bikes befire I make a decision. I don't think I'll even go back to the Trek dealer I visited today, but I will go to the Giant dealer again. The Trek dealer where we bought our hybrids is further away, but we'll be camping very close to that shop next weekend.

Unfortunately no REI stores in this area. I checked the store locater on their web page and there isn't one within 200 miles.

Any suggestions of a good LBS in Western Ohio would be appreciated!

[whateveronfire]

One idea (that has some challenges to be sure) is to buy from an online retailer. I would NOT recommend bikesdirect, but had a really great experience buying from Ibex. They make nice bikes at a great price. Jack, the owner, will talk you through sizing and any other issues.

They have a 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee. Their 105 level bike (which is aluminum with a carbon fork) is $999+$35 shipping. Now, you can't ride it and you'd have to either set it up yourself or take it to an LBS to set it up when you got it. It might be worth calling Jack and having a conversation with him. He's a nice guy and can help you to decide if buying an Ibex is right for you.

I have had exactly the same trouble as you. Walk into LBS--ask about road bike. Get told ALL about a hybrid--which they will sometimes refer to as a "fitness bike" or a "flat bar road." A couple of years ago, one shop (Helen's, for you L.A. types) simply would not take down the Trek 1000 I wanted to look at. Another guy only wanted to talk to me about how the wheels would fail under me.

When I went into the place from which I bought my LeMond, they were nothing but nice, treated me like anyone else, and I spent money with them. (The shop was in the Bay Area not L.A.) When rapid cycler bought her Orbea, they kept asking what I'd like to try. When you're making a purchase, you should get to call the shots and you should be treated like you know what you want.

I would definitely go back to the Giant shop, at least and insist that you'd like to ride the OCR1. It's a pretty equivalent bike to the Ibex Aprisa 5600. The size specs for the Ibex fall between a S and a M Giant.

Good luck and keep up updated!

[twinkie]

I've only been riding for a short while, and I decided to get a road bike when I started doing longer rides -- the idea of doing the MS-150 on a mountain bike scared me. I'm nowhere near in enough shape to pull that off (although, i did get passed by people on mountain bikes when i was on a road bike!)

My LBS sells mostly Trek, so I started off trying the Trek 1000. I'm short with short legs, so I'm a little bit limited as to bike frame size (43cm, 650c wheels). I took it in for a few adjustments after a few rides, and I ended up trading it in for a Pilot 2.1 (which is similar to the 2100). It's supposed to have a more "natural" riding position, but it's still a "road bike" (I think). It has road bike gears and skinny tires. Maybe you could take a look at the Pilot line...

And with the 2008 bikes due to come out soon, you could probably get pretty good deals on the 2007 models. I got mine for right around $1000.

[Torrilin]

For what it's worth, not all road bikes are for racing. Try asking the shop for a touring bike. I seem to recall seeing some cyclocross frames built with drop bars too. Some commuter bikes also have drop bars. Tell them that you want to try a variety of frame geometries and drop bars. Be specific about your distance goals and speed goals.

Most shops think "road bike" means "racing bike". And well... not true. Lots of people ride on roads and don't race.

[Livin the Dream]

I did it -- I ended up with a Trek Pilot 1.0. Blue & White. I'm at work now, but will post a pic when I get to a computer tonight. I am SO excited! It feels so light and fast - it makes my Trek Hybrid seem so big and clunky!

I rode several bikes on Saturday and this one felt pretty good. I say pretty good because the new position is still a an adjustment for me, but after a 30 minute ride on the Pilot, I wasn't in pain, I was comfortable with the shifting and I felt like I could get used to it. I like that it has "helper" brakes on the flat part of the handlebar. I think that will help me feel more comfortable. I noticed, though, that after riding for 15 minutes, I was comfortable riding with my hands on the hoods.

We got the bike back to the campground and DH couldn't even come close to keeping up with me on his hybrid! It felt good. Unfortunately, I didn't get to ride yesterday -- it rained earlier in the day, then when I was ready to take a ride, we got company So, tonight we'll see how she does!

I'm not impressed with the saddle at this point -- the LBS said they to try it for a couple of weeks and go from there.

So, should I start out riding for a short time and build up, or ride as long as I can tonight???

[SouthernBelle]

Congrats & look forward to the pics.

When I first bought a road bike, I thought I might need 'cheater' brakes on the tops. In addition to the different position, I have small hands. But I never got 'em and never missed 'em.

Enjoy,

[sandra]

CONGRATULATIONS! I can't wait to see pics.

I'm just beginning to have these same thoughts about bike upgrading, so this was an interesting thread.

[Livin the Dream]

Here she is! Blue is one of my favorite colors, so I'm glad that the bike that seemed to be the best fit for me is a color I liked!


I have to tell you though, that today wasn't exactly the day I had imagined! Before reading ahead, you have to promise me that you'll be laughing WITH me and not AT me! What I really wanted to do tonight was come home, get on the bike and take a fairly long ride, by myself. Well, that didn't happen. Two step-grandkids had tournament baseball games tonight. So, I thought I'd ride my bike down to the ball park. My six-year-old grandson has been gone the last week; he came over and wanted to ride with me. How could I say no? So, we rode through town at 8 MPH, with me nervous as heck about him riding on the streets in our small town (his first experience riding on anything but neighborhood roads). He did a GREAT job and I'm very glad we did it.

We watched the ball games and as I was getting ready to leave, I turned to talk to him. I was standing over my bike. Well, I must have moved my foot when I turned to talk to him and my foot got caught in HIS bike wheel. Down I went, down went my brand new bike. In front of about 25 people, most of whom I know

Believe it or not, there is not a scratch on my new bike, and nothing appears to be damaged at all. The gears shift fine and the brakes work fine. But, my hand landed on his helmet and broke it. (He said I owe him $1.50 for the helmet.) So, I rode home kicking my tail all the way for being such a klutz. In the four years I've been riding the hybrid, I've never fallen. Day one on my new bike and down I go -- in front of an audience.

So, today's ride was memorable, but not in a way I want to remember. I rode 6.3 lousy miles, and am still feeling like a fool. But, I love the bike. The saddle felt better today than it did on Saturday. And, I'm riding with my hands on the hoods most of the time and it feels like a very good position for me. Now if I can just stay upright....

I'm still so anxious to take a nice long solo ride. The plan tomorrow is to haul my bike to work and ride the bike trail after work before I even get home and get pulled in different directions. Hopefully the weather will cooperate --there is rain in the forecast.

Then after my ride, grandson and I are off to the store to buy him a new bike helmet

[sandra]

Sorry about your fall, but the bike is a beauty!