Quote Originally Posted by kimikaw View Post
I still will have to go down the whole gear path...shoes, tool kits, better computer, , tubes, under seat gear bag for those tubes, tools.....the list goes on and on.
Yes, it is a slippery slope!

The reason I say I'll be keeping my hybrid is so that DH can ride it if he wants to (with a couple of adjustments he fits my bike - he's only a tiny bit taller than me, and I have longer legs, or we probably wouldn't be able to pull that one off), plus I'd like to have it for relaxed rides with the kids.. so I don't regret the purchase

However, for riding on my own, or with a group, I definitely want a road bike, I'm just not sure when that will happen.

Like you though, when I got the thought in my head last may "I think I want a bike" I thought I'd spend about $250 or so.. then I decided to google bike fit and opened up a can of worms! My budget immediately doubled and I had all these visions of all the other "goodies" I would need. I've probably spent just as much on gear at this point as I did on my bike... but it's been slow, I didn't do it all at once. I started with a helmet (a Giro Skyla - $40), a decent pair of shorts, and ONE jersey. Soon after I added a saddle bag (with some tools) another pair of shorts, and two more jerseys. I bought a $15 bike computer at walmart so I could see how far/fast I was going and to keep track of the time (I don't wear a watch). Then I bought a sugoi jacket because it was on sale, even though I didn't need it (still haven't used it, but I have it, so that's one less thing to worry about as the weather gets cooler) After 5 months I'm finally moving up to clipless pedals and shoes (bought the pedals, still waiting to get shoes this weekend).

Next on my list is a better computer (I really want HR and cadence), and then maybe some knickers or pants as the weather gets cooler.