Need a new bike, but I'm scared!

[twiggjlm]

Thank you for the reply, and for the warm welcome!! I am reading so much useful information already!

Thank you also for the words of encouragement! I will definitely be taking it one step at a time. As for the shorts, yes, I am already thinking of switching to a more comfortable pair. The helmet I wear, the gloves no, but I am starting to think I should!

[mimitabby]

gloves are cheap. hands aren't.

My son and his girlfriend (both in their late 20's) were horsing around on their bikes at VERY slow speed and to avoid crashing into her; he went down and ripped his palm up. what a mess! That macho guy won't ride without gloves anymore.

I promise, a lot more people will be posting. check back often.

[twiggjlm]

I will be sure to go out and buy a pair tomorrow, and shorts!

Hope your son is all healed up!!

[farrellcollie]

Road bikes are fun - and I will be back on mine as soon as the broken finger and wrist heal and the skin grows back etc. Seriously though, I have been biking for years on a hybrid and for two yrs on road bikes and I have had only one real serious incident - and I believe it was kind of a freaky thing with the small stick getting stuck in my front spokes. But along with helmet I really suggest gloves - I lost some skin through the gloves I was wearing on Sunday - but it would have been a lot worse without them.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Welcome!

You don't have to ride fast to enjoy riding a road bike! It's simply more efficient for riding on roads than a mtn bike!

You can stick with plain pedals for a while too (or forever), until you are comfortable with your bike. You can start at slower speeds and work up gradually as you feel comfortable.
Your body will go through a few changes adapting to the new position, so be prepared for a few muscles to object at first.

Try riding a few road bikes around the block or whatever at the bike shop to get a feeling of how they fit you differently. The more of them you test ride the better you will be at sensing which ones fit you well. Don't buy the first bike you see, and don't let salesmen talk you into anything if you are not ready yet.

Have fun window shopping for a little while and building your knowledge base.

[Zen]

A lot of women here do tri and biathelons without high $$ fancy bikes.
The best piece of advice I have is to take your time buying a bike. Ride LOTS of different bikes and buy the bike that fits you, don't buy a bike and then try and make it fit you because it cost less/was red/had nice wheels/or whatever.

Gotta have gloves.
They make you look cool

[twiggjlm]

Thank you all for your advice! I can’t believe how helpful this site has been already. I start shopping for my new bike this weekend and will take all of these tips with me. I’ve been reading up on a few different brands, and have some idea what I am looking for, but honestly will not know until I find the one that fits me best. Like I said, as for the gloves I am getting them tomorrow! I didn’t realize how important they really were. (and looking cool never hurt either)

I can’t wait to wake up and ride tomorrow!!