So I might as well be a new rider...

[Owlie]

I wonder when I read this forum and am around bike club people, why they consider this bike a 'cute little hybrid'. I read about the Sora components as if they are cheap and not good, but it seems to work fine. I don't think I would ever use drop handlebars, so why would I need them? Is this some sort of status thing to pay lots of money for a road bike, or are they really that much better? I also read about all the body pains and complaints with these more aggressive styled bikes, and I don't have any. So, perhaps if I rode one I would notice a difference (or not). Right now this suits me just fine and I think you might like to test one yourself.

I know what you mean. I have a road bike, but it's entry level--Sora components, that sort of thing. They work as well as they need to. BF's bike is Ultegra--lighter, shinier...He teases me about my "cheap bike" (his wheels cost more than my bike), but I don't care. It's my bike, it suits me for where I am right now. The components may one day be upgraded (when I have money), but right now, I'm quite happy with it.

[Cataboo]

I know what you mean. I have a road bike, but it's entry level--Sora components, that sort of thing. They work as well as they need to. BF's bike is Ultegra--lighter, shinier...He teases me about my "cheap bike" (his wheels cost more than my bike), but I don't care. It's my bike, it suits me for where I am right now. The components may one day be upgraded (when I have money), but right now, I'm quite happy with it.

I think your BF should upgrade your "cheap bike" as a present to you... or shut up about it

It's the motor that counts... not the bike (although having a well fitting one makes a huge difference)

[Owlie]

I think your BF should upgrade your "cheap bike" as a present to you... or shut up about it

It's the motor that counts... not the bike (although having a well fitting one makes a huge difference)

It's good-natured, really. His old road bike was pretty much the same thing I have (OCR3). Besides, I have more than enough to tease him about.

He has brought up the possibility of helping me upgrade it, though, since when that time rolls around, I'll be living off a graduate student stipend. Nothing higher than 105 in all likelihood, because given the cost of the bike, anything better would be silly.

[Cataboo]

I suppose ultegra is lighter - but I can't tell a difference between my 10 speed ultegra or my 10 speed 105 components shift wise.

[Kris]

It has occurred to me that if my objective is to get exercise, which it is, I may be better off with a heavier bike that makes me work harder, as long as I'm not trying to keep up with anyone else.

[Cataboo]

It has occurred to me that if my objective is to get exercise, which it is, I may be better off with a heavier bike that makes me work harder, as long as I'm not trying to keep up with anyone else.

You don't want a bike that's hard or unpleasant to ride - because then you're less likely to actually ride it and enjoy it.

I've been more or less upgrading constantly over the last year (okay I stopped about 4 months ago when I found what I really wanted).... And riding isn't getting "easier" I'm just riding faster and a lot harder than I used to... I'm still exhausted at the end of a good ride. I'm just doing that ride in a lot shorter time without breaks...

[featuretile]

I guess I was rather insulted when the bike club member referred to my wonderful new bike as a 'cute little hybrid'. My goals are not to do a triathlon or ride centuries. I'm 57 years old and could lose 25 lbs. I was really impressed by the bike club members who are in their 60's and can easily ride 40 miles. (I am up to about 25.) I have seen my fitness level go way up since I started riding. I see it as a way to stay healthy, possibly lose some weight, and have fun. I'd like to be able to do those club rides with them. We have alot of mountains here and it's taking some work. I think my bike works for me because it fits so well. It was professionally fit when I bought it. I'm really glad that I started riding again - I hadn't ridden a bike since I was 30. So, now I think everyone should get a bike, and I should not compare myself to people who race.