Road Bike Regrets?

[CorsairMac]

Just wondering if there are any women who regretted buying a road bike. Maybe found out it wasn't for them. All I've been reading are positive experiences. I'm still debating whether to make the transition from a comfort hybrid to an entry-level road bike. As a pre-teen, years ago, I did have a 10-speed.

Is there a reason you want to make the transition?..ie...you want to go faster?...you want a lighter weight bike?....you plan on increasing your miles?
If you like the comfort hybrid and it's working for you - there's no reason to make the change.

I started commuting on a hybrid and switched to a road bike as soon as I could afford one because I Really Like Going Fast!!!! Especially going downhill! I've since sold my hybrid to a friend who is very happy tooling around on it and that's enough for him! They're both happy!!!

[Zen]

To answer your question though, I'm sort of having regrets.
Not too bad though. If I had known then what I know now I'd go for a cross or touring bike so I could have a lighter road bike (anything would be lighter than my 1990 MTB behemoth) and a bike that I could ride on our local canal towpath.

[mixie]

I hadn't been on a bike in over 20 years and even back then didn't ride much. I was ten and had a kids BMX bike

I bought an entry level road bike as my first bike (specialized dolce) and my only regret is not spending more and getting something a little nicer. Oh, my other regret is that I can't ride as much due to this damn job I have

[karen]

I somewhat regret getting a road bike. I started out on a hybrid, and traded up a few weeks later (thanks, Performance!) to a comfort road bike. The main problem that appeared once I switched was hand pain! I have carpal tunnel already, so that added pressure on my hands was bad news. I believe I also gave myself tennis elbow on the left during my first ride on the road bike - putting my front weight on my left hand while i grabbed the camel back straw... I added two handle-bar extenders so now it "looks" like a hybrid with its upright seating, but has thinner wheels (still not super thin or slick, though, as it's a "comfort" road bike), is lighter, and has WAY better gearing.

[northstar]

I don't regret getting a road bike one bit. But, as a previous poster mentioned, I do lust after a bike more set up for touring with racks and fenders. My road bike is a little too racy. But I love it!!

[Trek420]

No way, no regrets. I still have the hardtail mountain bike I was riding up hill 11 years ago when a passing rider said "You're doing good! Just get a road bike".

So I got one, no regrets, now hand built Mondonico full custom steel road bike, no regrets. Still ride the MTB to work or errands.

[kaybee]

I don't regret getting a road bike one bit. But, as a previous poster mentioned, I do lust after a bike more set up for touring with racks and fenders. My road bike is a little too racy. But I love it!!

I second that! I REALLY want to go on a long-ish tour at some point. So far, DH isn't buying into it.

KB

[northstar]

I second that! I REALLY want to go on a long-ish tour at some point. So far, DH isn't buying into it.

KB

You know...I would like to do a tour someday, too! DH and I are researching touring vacations. I would just love that type of bike for commuting, at this point. To be able to zip along, confident that I'm on a bike that can take the ruts, the dirt patches, the fenders, and the load would be a riot.

I'm socking money away...and researching...perhaps in March or April!

But still...no regrets. My road bike has (forgive the expression) changed my life. I went from being a boring blob of a person to a healthy, active woman with interests that get me excited and a real sense of empowerment.

[Starfish]

I second that! I REALLY want to go on a long-ish tour at some point. So far, DH isn't buying into it. KB

Does he have to go?

[KnottedYet]

I second that! I REALLY want to go on a long-ish tour at some point. So far, DH isn't buying into it.

KB

How about getting a bunch of TE'ers together for a longish tour? Maybe somewhere on the Oregon coast, with a stop at Team Estrogen for a shopping break...

[indysteel]

I don't regret buying my road bike. I sort of regret buying my hybrid as I haven't ridden it since I bought the roadie, but even though it was an expensive "mistake," it's what started me on the road, so to speak, to cycling. I'm ready to find a new home for the hybrid though.

I agree that you should first determine what your cycling needs are and what kind of riding you want to do and where before buying a road bike. And once you decide to buy a road bike, I'd suggest investing some time and energy in learning about them, what options are out there, how to get fit on a road bike, etc. before plunking down any money.

K-

[farrellcollie]

I regret the type of first road bike I got - I had been looking for awhile and have fit troubles anyway - had decided on a bianchi steel but the lbs could not help me get the reach right - I changed and went with my second choice at that lbs - never did get really comfortable on the bike - Just bought a Jamis steel and love it. I still have my hybrid commuter bike.

[Starfish]

I went from an old steel hardtail MTB with slicks to a road bike. No regrets at all about making the switch.

The only regret I have is about the process. I let myself be pressured by my now ex-husband to buy it quickly, and to just buy what he had recently bought. I still have the bike, and it turned out to be a great first bike for me, so it all turned out OK.

But, I remember furtively trying to make a couple quick test rides on other bikes, and I will never forget this one beautiful, bright red, super light, Cannondale. Since I was so new, I really didn't know how to test ride, and I just caved in and got the other bike. But, I like to shop and be thorough, compare everything, get all the data. I regret rushing into my choice. Now I wish I had a fast, light, gorgeous red road bike!

[bikinNkc]

I bought my Trek 1600 WSD last Sunday and have done three 10 mile rides and just got home from a 13 mile ride. I'm 40, out of shape and LOVING it. Who would have known that someone that hates exercise could enjoy bicycling so much?!?

So, do I regret buying my Roadie...no...but I don't have enough experience to know better.

But, once I save enough, I'd like to buy at least a Hybrid or a MTB to commute (only 6 mi to work each way) and we have an old Trollie track that has been turned into a trail (covered with the small gravel) that I would love to take. We also have miles of trails that won't be Road bike compatible.

Wish I had found this site prior to purchasing...maybe I would have done differently...or maybe not...DH wanted Road and a sport we could do together. Maybe next year.

[AmyO]

I don't regret getting a road bike one bit. But, as a previous poster mentioned, I do lust after a bike more set up for touring with racks and fenders. My road bike is a little too racy. But I love it!!

I don't regret mine either, although I was on some pretty rough and cracked pavement in the woods last weekend and worried about a flat the entire time (as well as unseen potholes under the bed of leaves on the ground). It was beautiful but it made it hard to enjoy the ride and I wished for a time I had a heavier bike. I didn't regret the road bike, though...just wished I had another one.

On a wide open road with a big shoulder my bike is heavenly!