Road Bike Regrets?

[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.

[Kano]

No regrets here!

MAYBE I regret -- as was posted earlier -- the first bike, since it's sitting unused in my basement since I got the roadie. Poor bike: Every time I put my wheels back on, DH steals them off again! I have an old Trek 820 hybrid in the shed that I probably could have ridden last year instead of getting the Specialized Expedition, but, you know, the suspension front and seat post seemed like a good idea at the time....

I got to the point last year that I realized that I really didn't like the spongy front, and I felt like "if I could get my butt up higher I'd have more power" and knew that the Expedition really wasn't the bike for me. I wasn't sure if buying the small size was the mistake, or if it's just the riding position doesn't give me what I want. I'm considering getting the old Trek out again to see what I can do with it that will make it a happy commuter. -- I could do it with the Expedition, but I have hills to climb on my way home, and HATE the suspension when I'm climbing! Hmmm, can a body put a normal fork on those comfort beasts and regain the power?

Karen in Boise

[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?

[kaybee]

Does he have to go?

His feelings would be hurt if I took a vacation without him, but it sure would be fun to do a "ladies only tour," since I have very few female friends -- most of the ladies I know aren't into physical activity or sweating. I think I've just about got him talking into something for next year. We're looking at two different supported tours. Keep let's keep our fingers crossed.

KB

[ibcycling]

I'm in for an Oregon (or Washington) ride! If you swing up here we can hit the wineries and do some tasting!

I'm afraid I'm not much help on the original question though. I've been riding my trusty Murray MB all summer and am hoping to buy a road bike this week. My funds are low so I think I'm getting one I've been looking at on Craig's List. I can't wait! Good luck on your new bike, whatever it is!

[kayandallie]

Bought a Trek hybrid 1 1/2 years ago. Bought a Trek road bike last fall. Haven't been on the hybrid once since I got the road bike. My road bike is so fast and light and responsive and as comfortable to me as the hybrid, plus it goes up hills without effort.
I love my road bike.

[Starfish]

His feelings would be hurt if I took a vacation without him, but it sure would be fun to do a "ladies only tour," since I have very few female friends -- most of the ladies I know aren't into physical activity or sweating. I think I've just about got him talking into something for next year. We're looking at two different supported tours. Keep let's keep our fingers crossed. KB

I will keep my fingers crossed for you (and maybe for Christmas he gets tickets for that special, guy-only fishing trip --or golfing, or whatever--that he's been wanting to do!).

[Maureen Valley]

I don't regret for one minute purchasing my Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD. I had a Trek Hybrid (still have it!) and can't believe the ease and silkiness of the ride on the road bike as compared to the hybrid. I just returned to Florida from an 8 week trip to Minnesota where I biked through Minneapolis traffic and around the city lakes, Calhoun, Harriet and Lake of the Isles. The bike's weight makes it possible for me to go for MILES without breathing hard on the stock seat that came with the bike. Oh...by the way, I'm 64 years old and am amazed at how little effort it takes to ride long distances with the RIGHT road bike.

Go for it. Ride dozens of bikes before you buy and go in for a professional fitting from a GOOD dealer. If you're in Minnesota go to Mike's Bikes in Northfield, Minnesota. He's on Grasvedt Lane and is an expert. He also happens to be my brother.

Happy Riding to all.
Maureen
Eustis, Fla.

[amymisk]

I have no real regrets. I let DH talk me into to ultegra pedals, which I hated. Then I researched (thanks TE!) and switched to Speedplay Zero.

My only thing, I would have shopped more, but I love my LBS and picked what they carried. I am lusting after a Cervelo and if I had not loved my LBS so much, I would have shopped around more.

I never want to be off pavement so I chose a road bike. I had a MTB and never took it off road, so I sold it and never regretted it.

Determine what type of riding you want to do and your LBS can guide you in selecting the type of bike that works best for what you want.

I do need a second bike now since DS (4 yrs old) wants to ride to Philadelphia with me and I can't put a tag along on my carbon seat post. I will be buying a nice used bike for a tag along, although, it won't get as much use as my road bike.

[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...

[Starfish]

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...

Maybe eastern OR...I like to plan my trips for the dry side!

[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-