Get road bike now or wait?

[squirrell]

But...(hey, someone has to be the damper on the buy-party ), buy it if the price is right and you get a good deal. Don't buy it for the speed. My gut says the bike shop is exaggerating. Depending upon the hybrid, if you're running narrower tires and smooth tread, your speed improvements won't be that dramatic. Yes, it will be faster; yes, you'll be more comfortable for the long haul; but in the end, it all depends upon the engine. I saw about 1-1.5mph switching from my hybrid.

That said, of course, by someone who is always planning her next bike purchase It is an addiction.

I use the tires that came with the bike. slightly knobby ones. although they're about wore out right now. I've put close to 1200 miles on them since April!

Can you get slick tires for Hybrids? Would that help the speed?

[mimitabby]

you can get slick tires absolutely. and it will improve the ride immensely.
you will NOT believe the improvement!

[arielmoon]

Firstly, good for you on the weight loss!

Secondly, I couldnt really afford a road bike but I caved and used the plastic. So instead of saving I am paying it monthly to my credit card and I am loving every minute of my new bike!

Best of luck whatever you decide but you must post a pic of the new bike if you get one!

[Thorn]

you will NOT believe the improvement!

Yep. You'd be surprised. DH's hybrid came with knobby tires; my hybrid had a smoother tread. I should never have told him to get the slicks! Once he went to slicks, he was no longer dragging behind me. I'm the stronger rider between us, but when he has a good day.....ooohh, I'm in trouble.

If your hybrid is always used on the road, replace your tires with higher pressure slicks and you'll see a difference. It might buy you time to make the road bike decision when you're ready.

[squirrell]

Going to load up the bike and go to my nearest LBS--60 miles away!--tomorrow and check in to slicks then! they're supposed to have used bikes there, too, so I can check it out.

[violette]

Going to load up the bike and go to my nearest LBS--60 miles away!--tomorrow and check in to slicks then! they're supposed to have used bikes there, too, so I can check it out.

I had bought slicks for my MTB and it was almost as fast as my road bike. You'll see a HUGE difference, believe me.

[Zen]

my LBS always has a sale of last years unsold models in the spring. That's when I got a deal on my newest and favorite bike.

Then again, they are selling a lot more bikes this year.

I'd wait. Finding the right bike takes time.

[squirrell]

Called up the shop I bought the bike from and they said they've got slicks to fit it! And, they will put them on for me while I wait tomorrow. I live about 80 miles away from there, so I didn't want to have to leave the bike.

going to poke around the new bikes while I'm there and maybe test drive one or two to begin to get some ideas.

Thanks everyone for the advice! I hadn't thought of putting different tires on my bike!