New at Tri Training...Discouraged about bike :(

[Starfish]

There really isn't anything I can add to the great advice everyone here has already given, including about going clipless.

I just want to add my encouragement that I think when you get set up with clipless pedals, even on this bike, and then a new bike...and then if you do the types of workouts everyone here has recommended...well, I think you are going to improve very rapidly and feel terrific.

If you are riding a heavy steel hybrid, without clipless pedals (and it sounds like without even cages), and you are doing some hilly rides at 12-13mph...I think you are doing great.

Keep at it!! I admire you for doing Tri's...I have not yet had the courage!

[Torrilin]

A steel hybrid can easily break 40 lbs. It can also be a lot less... depends on how it was built. An easy way to check is to weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the bike. Then you have a baseline for judging how you're doing on the bike.

I don't use toe-clips or clipless pedals. I also don't race. If you intend to race, it's good to have some way of keeping foot and pedal together. Safer that way. You can do a number on yourself if your feet slip off the pedals at speed. Toe clips and clipless pedals can also really improve your cycling form, thus making it easier to ride hard. I'll eventually add toe-clips to my bike, but I'm not in a rush. The groceries aren't going anywhere, and I have more important upgrades to spend the gas money on. You... are in a very different position.

Have you tried playing around with the gears to see if any of the second and third chainrings (the ones up front) have gears that are similar in feel to the ones you've been using on the first chainring? It's pretty common for bikes to have several similar gears (on mine, 3/3, 2/5 and 1/8 are all about the same). It *may* be that if 1/7 or 1/8 are your "up to speed" gears, that you can move onto the second chainring and have more speed available. Since you're using regular pedals, if your cadence gets too high, you risk losing your footing. If the second chainring has some additional speeds that work for you and don't hurt, you can go faster and maintain a safe cadence.

Oh, and don't try to combine longer rides with higher gears all at once. Play with the higher gears on really short rides. Long rides are good too, but for those you should stick with familiar gears. As you develop more power and endurance, you can add high gear on long rides. But jumping in with both feet is a good way to get sore.

[teawoman]

A steel hybrid can easily break 40 lbs. It can also be a lot less... depends on how it was built. An easy way to check is to weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding the bike. Then you have a baseline for judging how you're doing on the bike.

Oy. I tried this and it weighs close to 40 pounds. I'm 174, scale at 213 or so.

Thanks again for the encouragement!!! I'm looking at some road bikes.

[Skeezix]

Make sure to post when you decide on a bike, I'm going to start looking at road bikes but it's all making my head spin and my wallet hurt.

[KSH]

Oy. I tried this and it weighs close to 40 pounds. I'm 174, scale at 213 or so.

Thanks again for the encouragement!!! I'm looking at some road bikes.

WOW! 40 pounds! Then the average you are keeping on the bike is really impressive lady!

My roadie weighs around 19 and my tri bike weighs around 21. I can't imagine having to pedal a 40 pound bike around.

A new bike is in order, if you want to get faster and more serious on the bike. Good luck!