Newbie - Out of shape - HILLS - Right Bike?

[Kano]

I like the Dolce -- I don't own it, since the fit wasn't quite right, but I like it. My bike is the Roubaix -- pretty close to the same size, but a longer top tube. PERFECT might have been something in between, but I really like it a lot! (or it might just be that the saddle's still a bit off...)

Now, I don't think that the Dolce is going to guarantee you'll get up the hills, but my Roubaix made a difference -- and eventually, I learned how to get up the hills using it! (it took a while, even with the bike) If you DO find yourself walking the Dolce up some hills, you'll have a much easier time pushing it up!

Karen in Boise

[GLC1968]

It's going to kind of depend on which hills you are talking about riding.

I used to have a Dolce Comp (2006) and sold it to a friend because it didn't fit me just right. I put over 1500 miles on it in 6 months though...so I got a good feel for it. The first thing I remember about my first ride on that bike is that the hills seemed way flatter! (This was when I lived in rolling hill country in NC). I think just having good working gearing really makes a HUGE difference. A bike that fits you well also really helps. The gearing on the Dolce Comp triple is pretty standard for a triple road bike and should make most hills much easier.

That said, I've seen some of the hills in Portland and even a triple isn't going to help in some cases! I'm 41 and about 30 lbs overweight, so I know how difficult it can be to climb. The best advice is to do what you can and don't give up. You will get better at it!

[Cataboo]

Gear wise - you can't get all that much better than the dolce. It will definitely help with the hills... but so will learning to spin, getting in shape, and just practice...

[tulip]

Whatever bike you get, make sure it fits. And those hills will get easier the more you do them. It will not be immediate, though. Keep pedaling.

[Laphmore]

Thanks for your responses everyone. I think this is a wonderfully supportive and encouraging forum.

As a side note, my old Coscto bike that I haven't been riding weighs in at about 38 pounds! Whatever I get is going to be AMAZING by comparison!

My DH wants me to try out a Fuji Silhouette that he found at Performance Bikes. The Fuji would take me up to a carbon frame and Ultegra components for about the same price.

I'm going to give it a try today, but after reading some of the comments regarding service at PB, I'm a little wary. I found the Dolce at my lbs where they have a solid reputation for great customer service.

[tctrek]

I will share that when I first started riding, almost 2 years ago, I had a heavy, clunky bike and walked up every single hill. Then I got a little hybrid that I rode for about 6 months and walked up about 1/2 the hills. A little over a year ago, I got my Trek 2.3. At first, I walked up just a few of the hills. This season, I have not walked up any hills, and I'm doing all the rides that I have been doing + a few more challenging.

I am 57 years old and trying desperately to lose 20 pounds. For 55 years of my life, I was more or less sedentary. So, have patience with yourself and envision yourself in +/- a year where you will ride up every hill!

And guess what? There are plenty of people out there that are too unfit to walk up 'dem hills

[KathiCville]

My DH wants me to try out a Fuji Silhouette that he found at Performance Bikes. The Fuji would take me up to a carbon frame and Ultegra components for about the same price. I'm going to give it a try today, but after reading some of the comments regarding service at PB, I'm a little wary. I found the Dolce at my lbs where they have a solid reputation for great customer service.

I just bought the Fuji Silhouette about three weeks ago, also at my local Performance shop. [I have the benefit of having a BF who lives to tinker with bikes, so ongoing service isn't an issue. Plus he knows all the guys in the PB shop anyway. ]

BF thought the price was pretty amazing for an all-carbon frame and solid-quality components. With an extra 10% off promo, it came in at around $1300 on a MSRP of $2500...... That being said, I wanted a triple (to handle the hilly Blue Ridge where I live), so we switched out the double drivetrain almost immediately. [The double will go on another bike, so everything will be put to good use!]

I'm still getting used to the Silhouette, but wow, what an improvement over the heavier Schwinn I've been riding for the past 18 months or so. I'm still fiddling with getting the saddle, handlebars, and stem just right, but so far, so good! It handles well, and I'm already seeing a jump in my average speed on routes that I ride regularly. I haven't taken it out to the Blue Ridge Parkway yet---the local 'acid test' for hill climbing---but based on hilly rides closer to home, I think I'm going to be very happy with my choice. Addendum: I logged my fastest av ever on Tuesday morning, yeehaw! 2mph faster than I usually do on this a.m.'s route.

By the way, while I was in the store, debating whether to buy the Silhouette or a less expensive Fuji model, I noticed a woman hovering nearby, watching me spinning lightly on the Silhouette. Finally she came over and said, "I've had this bike for a year now and LOVE it. You won't regret making the choice." Her words alone wouldn't have swayed me, but it was nice to hear someone with a year's worth of experience with this particular bike give it high marks.