Road Bike Regrets?

[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

[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!

[batsheva]

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!

i bought it - sorry! :-)
i am a new cyclist and went straight into road bike and clipless and am so pleased i didnt let the lbs talk me into something more hybridy as they all seemed to want to do.. i love my fast light red gorgeous cannondale :-)

[Starfish]

I bought it, sorry!

No hard feelings...there are gorgeous, fast, red, shiny bikes enough for all of us!

[Look]

I also went with the fast light COOL road bike at the place that didn't even breathe the hybrid question at me just because I'm an old broad. It's probably more bike than I need. But I love it, therefore I ride it. No regrets.

I do, however, want more. I can't say I want a comfy bike because I don't think I would be more comfortable more upright. But I do want a second bike for different surfaces and terrain. I live on paved roads, I ride with people who try to go faster. But now I'd like the flexibility to ride with my children when we go to the state parks. So there may be a hybrid or some down market mtn bike in my future.

Any suggestions?

[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.

[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

[la bicicleta]

Hello ladies! Thank you for responding to my original thread. I just started bicycling in July - and you guessed it - already have the cycling bug, as people here have described! I feel the need for speed and definitely a lighterweight bicycle. I work too far to commute. It will be purely for fitness, pleasure, & new appreciation of the outdoors. I recently purchased a Trek 7200 WSD (comfort/hybrid).

Yesterday, I test rode the black/pink Specialized Dolce around the LBS parking lot. I had a big smile, saw my reflection in the glass, & thought, "hmmn, this could be me".

I know a couple of you on the forum own this specific bike. I plan to purchase it next payday, Friday!

[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...

[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!