Get road bike now or wait?

[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!

[Running Mommy]

As someone else alluded to- bike prices for 09 are going up. In fact in many cases they are soaring. So if you find something you like now, I would snap it up. I also saw many posts about year end sales, and sales in the spring. Don't count on it this year. All of my manu's - Giant, Felt, and Jamis ran out of 08's. I won't see a felt road bike until late september. And with bike prices going up, there aren't going to be any blow outs on 08's. People keep asking me and I just laugh. Esp. with the prices going up the way they are. Any 08's I have leftover will be veritable bargains compared to the 09's.

BUT don't rush out in a panic. You need to get a good fit and find a bike that fits you. And that may take trying out MANY before you find the one.
But whatever you do make sure your shop does a professional fit.

Good luck, and have fun with your tri and fall rides.
Train smart, train safe.

denise