Road Bike Regrets?

[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.

[nomummytummy]

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?

Look - I started with a Giant hybrid - Sedona - and got the cycing bug. like some others I too choose a light, fast red road bike. My littliest at 3 (it's his baby photo i have as my avatar) got his 1st bike on the weekend and we all went to the local school playground to ride about. No way would the road bike have worked there. My hybrid was perfect - can go up & down gutters, pedals are flat & you can ride upright & fluff around with one hand reaching down to a kid.

Would I ever give up my road bike though? Never - it's freedom for a working mum & somehow it seems you can be more 'one with the bike' when it's skinny & fast!

[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!

[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.

[Blueberry]

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.

Why not just put a non-carbon seatpost on the bike when you want to ride with the tag along?

Just an idea

CA

[smilingcat]

only regret... well two of them really,

When I cracked the bottom bracket of my Tange tubed steel frame. I threw away the frame. no picture of the bike Panasonic Dx-5000?? I think was the model name. Yes go ahead ask me "Hey does it have FM?" It rode smooth and stable. Good touring bike.

My other major major regret was selling of my Litespeed. At the time, I told myself no more riding. I'm finished after my major accident. No recollection, no memory whatso ever... So after 7 year hiatus, I'm trying to get back to riding. My body isn't cooperating though...

Anyway really regret selling the bike here is a pic of my favorite bike.

[smilingcat]

hmm better picture of the bike itself. I don't care to spend the extra $$ for the top of the line so I settle for Ultegra, I don't think there is much lost if any by going with Ultegra over DA. It had 39/53 chain ring with 170mm crank threw in a second set of cluster, 13/28. Normal setup is with 12/21. speed play pedal. Sella Flight saddle. I wish I could have another one like this. I'm still partial to Ti frame.

[emily_in_nc]

hmm better picture of the bike itself. I don't care to spend the extra $$ for the top of the line so I settle for Ultegra, I don't think there is much lost if any by going with Ultegra over DA. It had 39/53 chain ring with 170mm crank threw in a second set of cluster, 13/28. Normal setup is with 12/21. speed play pedal. Sella Flight saddle. I wish I could have another one like this. I'm still partial to Ti frame.

Wow, that's a pretty bike, but I don't think I've ever seen a woman who rides with her bars so far below the saddle! Just an interesting look to me as most women's bikes I see (including mine) have the saddle about level with the bars, but none of us are racers, just recreational riders.

Hope you can get back to riding....be patient with yourself.

Emily

[surgtech1956]

I bought a Trek hybrid this spring. I didn't want to spend lots of $$$ because I hadn't owned a bike in years. I want some sort of road - I think a flat bar and a mountain bike for fun this winter. I ride some roads, bike path and 2 track trails. My rides won't be more than 25 miles. I think it depends on what fits the places you ride. I don't regret my hybrid purchase - got me back into cycling.