Transition from Mtn Bike to Road Bike - What to Get?

[Allie1DukeFn]

Hi All! I'm sure this has been discussed, but I'm not having any luck finding anything - so forgive the duplication.

I just started riding about 6 weeks ago. My husband is a long time mountain biker - so we got me a Trek mountain bike. Which I love! We're pretty much just riding for fitness and mostly on the roads. He hasn't gotten my off road yet - although it is something I want to try.

We did our first ride this past weekend. We only did the 25 mile version. I'd like to try to do the 50 for next year. My husband basically said that if I want to start doing some of the longer rides - we have to get road bikes. He said that doing an average of 11-12mph on a mountain bike is pretty darn good - but we'll never get more speed on the road.

I agree with him - but my concern is how bent over you are on a road bike. I just can't imagine that being comfortable for long periods of time. And since I'm not looking to "race" I don't think I necessarily need to be that aerodynamic. I was looking at the the Trek 1000 and 1000C. The difference between the 2 seems to be that on the C you are sitting more upright - more like on a Mtn. Bike. My DH says that he doesn't think I would get the benefits on the C model that I would from a straight road bike model.

Can anyone tell me what the major differences are between a C model and a regular model? Or direct me where I can find the information? I don't even know what the C stands for!

Thanks so much

[Blueberry]

Can anyone tell me what the major differences are between a C model and a regular model? Or direct me where I can find the information? I don't even know what the C stands for!

Hi Allie1DukeFn-

I'll take a stab at this...

The "C" is Comfort. This means a higher stem/handlebar position, a shorter reach (you will be more upright), a more relaxed geometry and generally wider tires. A comfort road bike will be faster than a mountain bike, but will not be as fast as a "regular" road bike.

My first "adult" bike was a mountain bike. I rode a too small road bike when I was a teenager, and HATED all road bikes after that. I put slicks on my mountain bike and started riding on the road (by the way, if you 11 mph average was with nobby tires, that's phenomenal!). My hands started to go numb and I got frustrated by being passed so often, but kept riding. Then I found a road bike on sale - I now know that the fit was never quite right (it's a tad too small for me), but I was much more comfortable and rode some longer distances on it.

Then I found a used cannondale R600 in a bike store. I needed to put some new components on the old road bike (wanted to change it to a triple) and the cannondale was less expensive than making the switch (it had barely been ridden). It fit like a glove. All my ideas about road bikes being uncomfortable went out the window as soon as I rode "Blueberry." They DO NOT have to be uncomfortable. On a regular bike, you DO NOT have to have your bars lower than your saddle (your shop should be able to adjust this properly) which I find uncomfortable. You do not have to be stretched out too much - on a properly fitted bike, you won't be.

Bottom line - I would go with a comfort road bike only for shorter distance rides where I really didn't care about speed. Otherwise, I'd get a regular one. I'll never be speedy, but I want all the help I can get. AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE. A properly fitted bike won't be uncomfortable even on long rides (unless, of course, your butt isn't properly toughened)

Sorry for the long response - I'm a little passionate on this one

[Grog]

I'm not a racer either, I just have a plain road bike, not even a very racy one. But when I look at my bike after a 100 km ride and tell myself "did I just spend four hours on this?" I'm always amazed at how comfy it is despite what it looks to be. That tiny saddle, the handlebars lower than the seat, these small small pedals... and yet, I feel great sitting on it, and actually even better when in the drops (the lower part of the handlebars, so a bit more stretched out).

Sitting on a bike is not like sitting in a chair, so "chair sitting norms" should not be applied to sitting on a bike, not even a hybrid one. For example, your hips are supposed to be slightly tilted so that you're sitting on your sit bone, not your bum, that will be much more enjoyable. Being upright is an issue if you're riding in big traffic a lot and you want to have a more all-around view (including above the cars; I also find I look heavier on my hybrid, hence more threatening to cars, which is good in a way!!) but for open road riding it's not necessary, you do get quite a good view (including of the horses and trees and rivers along the way!).

So my point is: do not judge a bike by how it looks compared to the other bikes you've used in the past or to what instinctively seems comfy. A road bike is a totally different experience (more fun!!! to me at least). Go on and try one, then two, three! Of course, it may take you a while to get totally used to it, some pain (not sharp) and soreness is normal as you start because you are using new muscles of your body (even the upper part of it). But a good bike fit done by professionals should take care of most issues so that after a few rides you feel about as good on the bike as you would in a Lazy-Boy, or, in my case, better.

Also: this is not only about speed: it also translates in the effort you have to put in to just keep going. A more aerodynamic position will require less effort for you to ride, especially in a headwind. The position is at least as important as the weight/tires/frame geometry component in explaining why a road bike is faster...

I don't know about the precise specs of those two bikes (the 1000 and the 1000c) but in my opinion you already have a "comfortable" bike, the mountain bike. If it suits you, you should definitely not outrule the 1000 model for now. Be bold: you'll be fast.

[emily_in_nc]

Just wanted to add a third voice to the excellent advice of CA and grog (Hi CA!)~

I have my handlebars level with my saddle on both my road bikes (a setup many women prefer, since our arms are shorter than mens') so that when I'm riding on the hoods, I am in a semi-aerodynamic position. Not extreme, but not sitting upright like on my mountain bike. And it is very comfortable! This is because these bikes fit me perfectly, have comfortable saddles with cutouts (a must for me), the proper width handlebars for me, etc. They may not look comfy, but they are. I'm very comfortable riding in the drops for an extended period (a proper length top tube, stem, and comfy saddle are a must for this), and I must say I am actually more comfortable on my road bikes than on my mountain bike.

So like CA and doc said, don't judge a book by its cover. Unfortunately, if you're not used to the road bike position, and test ride might only confirm your fears about road bike discomfort. It's over that first month or so of riding a properly fitted road bike that you become "one with the bike" and discover just how comfy it can be. But it won't ever be comfy if it doesn't fit you right from head to toe, which a really good LBS can help you with. Many are not as helpful as they should/could be in that regard, unfortunately.

At some point, though, when making a decision to buy, you do have to take a bit of a leap of faith if you're not use to the road bike feel. But when it you get it right, it's so worth it. And yes, it's faster. And going fast is FUNNNN!

Good luck, and please keep us posted!

Emily

[Allie1DukeFn]

All good words of wisdom! So basically - take the plunge, get a good fit, and I'll be surprised with the outcome.

Thanks everyone!

[shadon]

I rode with some of our esteemed riders this weekend, on my Heavy as H*** hybrid...I kept up a steady 10-11 mph over a flat 35 miles. I'm dead! I *know* that the road bike to be will make for a much more comfortable ride. Sadie Kate reminded me that while I'd been riding along in basically one positon, she'd been changing position frequently.

Get the road bike! Your body will thank you!

(now...the Trek 1500 WSD? or the Specialized Dolce Elite? or....? So many bikes and only a studio apartment!)

[Nanci]

Allie,

I have a WSD road bike, which means the geometry puts me in a slightly more upright position than a men's bike. My handlebars are level with my seat. I just got aero bars for it last week and have about 100 miles on it using them. I thought, when I saw riders in aero position, that it didn't look comfortable, so imagine my amazement when I found out it felt like lying down! The loading weight was taken off my back and I got to stretch out. It felt so good! My elbows/shoulders supported all my upper body weight, so my hands/wrists were all relaxed and comfy. Even with my hands just in the drops, I feel a lot of back comfort- because weight is _off_ of it.

Nanci

[Allie1DukeFn]

Excuse my ignorance - but what are aero bars?

[ladiebug]

Hey Allie. Can't answer that question. But, I have a 2006 Trek 1000 WSD. I just bought it yesterday. It's my dream bike. The purchase was a leap of faith, because my bike before it was a Mongoose Mtn Bike. Weighed a TON in comparison. I took my 1000 out today between rain storms. The feel is different, but wonderful. You should look at this bike. I'm very short so the WSD is great for me, but maybe not for everyone. My bike is a 47cm. Which I thougt was tiny, but it feels good. I can't wait to really get going on it!!!

[ladiebug]

I forgot to throw in that I was originally looking for a hybrid. I had my heart set on first the Specialized Sirrus. That was a fun little bike also. Then I wanted the Trek 7300FX. But what do ya know, not a single bike shop in my city had one I could try out. I started questioning my hybrid decision when I got on TE the other night and read some of the other ladies had wished they'd just gotten a road bike in the first place. I detoured from work to a bike shop and found my girl. Good luck to you.

[Nanci]

http://tinyurl.com/9e6j6 This is a picture of a woman on a fitting bike in aggressive and relaxed aero (aerodynamic) position. What she's holding on to are aero bars.

I think they are frowned upon in pace lines because you can't react as quickly. But my hands fit right under them, so I can still hold on on the regular bar, or on the hoods, or on the drops. Gives me lots of different hand/wrist/back positions so I don't get as tired.

Nanci

[RoadRaven]

There are quite a few posts about aero bars on this board - if you search you should find a few interesting threads...

Essentially aero bars are designed to make you go faster, and increase your speed on a flat road by about 2km/hour. They are pretty much an essential part of a timetrial bike/race

Some of the women here have them, not for speed but just because it is somewhere else to place their arms/hands on a long ride.

And yes, using them is frowned on in a pace line/when riding with others - basically because you have little or no control. Brakes are not positioned near your hands on aero bars, and if you have just popped them on your bike (that is not set it up as a TT specific bike which would mean shifting gear changers) then the gear shifters are a long way away too. So if you swerve, if someone in front of you stops etc etc, you have no way of stopping the bike, and because you are completely centred, much less control on direction.

[eofelis]

I'm very short so the WSD is great for me, but maybe not for everyone. My bike is a 47cm. Which I thougt was tiny, but it feels good. I can't wait to really get going on it!!!

My road bike is 42cm! I guess I'm shorter than you!

[biker chick]

I started with a cruiser bike and that is great for just around the neighborhood and is comfortable. I tried a mountain bike with slick tires and that was still too slow to keep up with a group of riders. I bought a womens specific Trec. It fit good, was light and I was able to ride with the group and have fun. 3 years later , I upgraded to an Orbea Dama Race. It is women specific and I am so much faster on it. If you think you are going to ride alot, spend the money, get a light weight road bike with a good fit. You will never regret it and overall you will spend less money because you won't have to continue to upgrade.