Rode my first road bike today

[momtohanna]

We went to town to take the little one to a cool whale exhibit at the museum,but since we were there I dragged hubby to the bike shop. We were talking to the guy about my bike, and the bike I'm thinking about getting, when he says have you ridden a road bike yet?

When I said no he pulled one off the rack, moved the seat, and aired up the tires and sent me on my way.

HOLY COW. ok, so I get it now.

Now I'm a little at odds with things as I was thinking I was going to get the Giant Dash next year which has the flat handlebars, but I'm thinking maybe I should just go for drop handlebars from the get go seeing as my goals include Century rides and Bike Across Kansas.

Any suggestions for a decent road bike for me to look at that are under like $600 or is that unreasonable?

Thanks!!

[Cataboo]

To do centuries and such, I'd probably agree that you need drop bars... not that you can't do a century on a flat bar, but there are so many more hand positions...

At your price point, you may be able to get a lot more bike if you look into used ones on craigslist....

[staceysue]

I'm right with you! I rode my first road bike recently, too, and I'm in love. I don't know why I never considered one before!

I found a good used road bike for $500 and I feel like I'm getting an awesome deal. It will last a lot longer and be more comfortable and ride better than anything I could afford new - and if I bought a new bike it would be a used bike within a few months of buying it, anyway, so why not save the $?

Between something new and cheap, and something used and high-quality, quality wins every time.

[aeiea]

Haha, there should be a thread where we talk about the first time we rode a road bike. It was night and day, after mtn biking it for so long. The guy at the LBS watching me probably thought I was going to cry. Amazing experience -- I can still remember particular moments during the ride, mostly me thinking: "Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!"

Between something new and cheap, and something used and high-quality, quality wins every time.

I wanted to chip in and agree with Stacey Sue. Have done some "forum research" as I too was looking for a road bike, and many people have said the same thing. Are there any good used bike stores or lots of bike craigslist postings where you live?

[momtohanna]

There is one local bike store that deals with used bikes ~ but I haven't really looked there. We have been scouring craigslist in our area as well as surrounding cities. Hubby went a couple hours away to Oklahoma City to get his mtb. For some reason Oklahoma seems to have more decent/quality bikes listed.

The guy hubby got his bike from actually goes out and finds used bikes and then sells them on Craiglist ~ so we might actually call him up and have him keep an eye out for something that will fit/be decent while he's out looking.

I'm sure something awesome will show up.

[staceysue]

I can't wait until you find something and we get to hear all about your excitement! Then I won't feel like such a dork for wanting to do cartwheels and counting down the hours until I can get MY bike! Hubby rearranged the budget again . . . maybe we'll have the $ on Friday (a week early).

Make sure you look on the bulletin boards in the bike shops - that's where I found mine.

[momtohanna]

Bulletin boards ~ good idea, hadn't thought of that. I'll keep an eye out there when we go to town.