Trek WSD's, 1000, 1500 and/or 2100?

[CorsairMac]

so many things - so little time!! LOL...........congrats on getting the new bike home! don't sweat it, the bike will wait for you!

[cusepack]

Nanci -

Looking forward to hearing how your new baby feels on its first ride. I probably won't hear anything on mine until late next week, and now that Katrina seems to be headed in my direction, I don't need a bike, I need a canoe!!

Kathryn

[Nanci]

Ok, the first ride is done! I rode my new 2100 WSD (47) for two hours. She climbed the biggest hill- which I had been doing at 10 mph on the MTB with road tires-at 15 mph. This was also my first ride on a road bike EVER. Different! So I don't know how the Trek compares to anything except MTB's. Started out feeling very wobbly, which was not a good thing because I start out in the worst traffic with no bike lane. (But I live out in the country, so I quickly got onto first a road with bike lanes, then a road with little traffic, then a super smooth road with bike lanes.) I stopped two times for seat adjustment, but still think I want to move it back and down just a bit. (I am not using the seat that came with it but my beloved Fizik Vitesse). The self-installed computer kept working!

Is it safe to ride a road bike over RR tracks, or am I going to hurt the wheels, or flat, or get stuck and fall?

My hands were in a way different position from MTB bars- my gel gloves that feel so natural on an MTB feel weird and slidy on road bike bars. Do my hands just need to get used to the new position, or should I ditch the gloves?

When I stood up, the front end seemed a lot more skittery- is this just because it's a new to me bike and will that go away after some more hours? Or is that a road bike characteristic?

Overall, there was a lot less energy expended for much faster speeds. She climbs what we call hills in FL so easily. I went _way_ further than my normal weeknight ride- it seemed like I could keep going forever. I love this bike.

I think I already wish I had Ultegra shifters, though.

Hope I can sneak in a ride before a friend's going away party tonight.

Nanci

[wabisabi]

Regarding standing up: I read a tip on the roadbike rider site that cleared something up for me. I don't know whether it applies to you or not. I realized that when I stand up on hills I was leaning too much to the front of the bike, which actually weights the front wheel and slows one down. There is a "sweet spot" for climbing that is a better balancebetween front and back. Maybe you are too far forward or back? Also, be sure to counterweight your weight on the handlebars so that the front keeps steady, with no more than 6" or so of rocking.

[bluerider]

Is it safe to ride a road bike over RR tracks, or am I going to hurt the wheels, or flat, or get stuck and fall?

Hi Nanci,

Congrats on the new ride! It is safe to ride a road bike over RR tracks. Make sure you do not slow down too much as you cross over them. I tend to lift my bum slightly to absorb the impact on my arms and legs vs the bike. I've fallen once but once you've crossed one, you'll get the "feel" of it.

Enjoy the ride!!!

[CorsairMac]

congrats on your new bike Nanci: sounds like a love affair already in the making there!!

As for your questions: the answer to most of them is yes, it's a road bike and it will ride different than a MTB and it'll take some getting used to. You might try another pair of gloves if your current ones feel to "slicky" but your hands are in a different position as you already noticed so I would give yourself some time to adjust. (unless the gloves are making you nervous) also you have way more options for hand placement on a road bike than you did on the MTB so take your time getting used to them all, being able to move your hands around on the bars will make longer rides more comfortable to you. Road bikes - as a rule - will always ride a little more squirrely than Hybrids, MTBs, or commuter bikes coz they weigh less, the tires are thinner and your body weight sits different on the bike. Again, just take your time getting used to her - maybe find a park and do slow crazy things on her so you can get used to how she handles without worrying about damaging anything on either of you if you fall. Think of her as a sports car to your old SUV!

[veekcee]

Three weeks ago I upgraded from a Specialized Sirrus to the Trek 1500 WSD and I absolutely love it!!! Started riding a mountain bike last summer, then wanted something to ride on the road, hence the Sirrus. Hubby bought himself a nice Alez and was having way too much fun on it (and harder for me to keep up with him ) so I started looking for a road bike.

My first ride on her was really strange, as you have noticed, handles so much differently than what you and I were used to. The second time out I felt much more relaxed and comfortable. Now it just feels so natural.

As a side note, Trek still lists all 105 components on the 1500 but mid year they changed it a bit and it now comes with the Ultegra in the back, which is what mine is. For the price with the 105/Ultegra mix, I felt like I got a great deal!

Enjoy your new bike!

Vickie