Need Technical Help!

[Bike Goddess]

Sorry about your very first road bike ride!

Can't give you any suggestions about DVDs, but I would say it sounds like you need to get fitted. Hopefully the shop where you purchased this bike can do this for you. Yes, it sounds like you need to switch out your stem, etc.

Just so you know.... the reason the handlebars on the road bikes are designed this way is because you are more aerodynamic which is important on longer rides. Another is that when you have the choice of riding in the "drops" as they are called, you are able to stretch out your lower back which is very important in long distance cycling. I've ridden many a century and a few double metrics and can say that having that option available to me has been a life saver in many cases.

Another factor to consider is what kind of pedals you are using on the new bike. Clipless pedals are designed for you to get maximum power from your pedal stroke both going up and down hills. It takes awhile to get used to them, but in the end they are worth the effort!

How much does your bike weigh? This is also a factor going up hills.

Just my 2 cents worth. I just hope you made the right decision when you decided to go with the other handlebars. I wouldn't recommend them for century rides. Hopefully someone here on the Forum can give you input on that kind of riding.

[bluerider]

Hi there,

Don't be discouraged, you're out there, and that's the toughest part so good on you!

From the sounds of it, you definetely need an adjustment if you can't reach the brakes. This may help you feel more comfy on the bike. I'm not sure what the Pilot rides like with a flat bar option but having "drops" make you more aero like Bike Goddess said. But you can always ride the "hoods" for a more upright position.

As for getting basics on riding and hill climbing there are lots of material online, in bookstores, etc but to be honest with you, I think you'll gain so much more by continuing to ride and increasing your comfort level on the bike. I came from a MTB background before road riding and understand how you feel. My first ride was a loop around the neighbourhood and getting the "feel" of my bike. As I took the bike out each time, I learned a little more about how she handles. Maybe not now, but eventually I would seriously consider clipless. It will significantly improve your riding and climbing as well as you have the benefit of the pull and push with your clips.

I'm no expert and there are tons of experienced riders on this forum who give great advice. But all I want to say is keep riding, you're doing great!!!

[SandyLS]

Also, make sure you check the air in your tires. Most road bikes take about 100 lbs of air. If they are low it can really slow you down and make you work extra hard. Don't give up. Have the shop check the fit. You'll be hooked on that road bike before you know it!

[Allie1DukeFn]

Thanks all - I am taking it back to the shop tomorrow to get it tweaked.

I understand about the aerodynamics - but my balance is so horrible - I just couldn't control the road bike with the normal handlebars. I have a hard time looking over my shoulder for cars without wobbling all over the place....and forget about trying to get a drink! I sure won't be riding in a Peloton anytime soon - that's for certain!

[RoadRaven]

Do you have a triple chain ring on your new bike, Allie? You may have moved from a triple on your MB to a double on your RB... that will be significant to what you notice on hills. You can always get a triple for your RB...

You will find as you get used to the hills on your new bike, that you will slowly get faster on the RB because it is so much lighter.

The comparitive lightness is probably what makes it feel a bit squirrelly... but you'll get used to the feel of it and be able to control it easily.

You'll come to love it... when I hop back on my old Black Thunder MB, it just feels so heavy and clunky.

Good luck on the fitting and being able to reach the brakes etc... looking forward to hearing how you grow into it...

[gilly]

I don't put in a terrific amount of miles on my bike(s), but I cycle most days and love it. I only have spd's on my road bike, I can't get out fast enough on my mountain bike (the brakes are MUCH sharper), although that bike does have half toe clips on.
Anyhow, reading your post made me smile, with fond memories of my first road bike ride.
It near KILLED me!!
I live in a very hilly area, so I've had to get used to them, I'm not fast by any stretch of the imagination, I have to really concentrate on how my legs are moving, how my breathing is going - I find every hill a challenge, but I love it (sorta!)
On my mountain bike, I could get up many big hills with relative ease, I particularly found the very long hills almost theraputic! but the gearing is different on a mountain bike, they're made for hills.
Your husband sounds like a star - give him a hug from me All too often here, I see men who have flown up the hill, leaving their poor lady to either walk or slog without technique "why don't you help her instead of leaving her behind" is what's in my head. Try listening to him, don't just hear his words as you slog up that hill, feel them. It's only thanks to my husband that I've finally managed to get up some of the hills around here
Keep at it on the road bike, you'll be amazed at how fast you are when you do get back on your mountain bike, those hills will melt away.. but first you gotta do them on that shiny new road bike

[Allie1DukeFn]

Thanks All! This is where I'm at.....the LBS said that most definitely my brakes needed to be adjusted (I knew that) but they also said my seat was too low which was probably stripping me of power as well.

They gave me a loaner road bike with the normal handlebars on it to take home and try. The guy I talked to really felt that in the long run I'd have more pain on the longer rides sitting more up and down with the flat bars. He said it would start giving me back pain from sitting for long periods of time with my spine all stacked up on top of each other instead of stretched out.

He said that if I felt after riding the loaner I could live with those handlebars - they'd figure out what to do - hot rod the bike I just got or swap out the entire bike.

I rode for a little ways as soon as I got the loaner home. I didn't love it - but I think I can get used to it. I did feel pain, but in different areas more along the sides of my back - which he told me to expect. He said those aren't muscles you generally use so for the first few rides you will get sore. i do think I'm going to ask for the second set of brakes along the flat part of the bars. I just still get that "oh sh*t feeling" and having the breaks all the way down kind of freaked me out. I think I'd feel more comfortable having that safety net. To compensate I was riding mostly with my thumb around the top part of the brake - so I could get my fingers to the brakes quickly - but I have really weak hands - and I could tell just from the little bit I was riding that would kill me if I did it for too long.

Surprisingly I also really liked the different shifters as well. Again, I have really weak hands - so being able to use my whole hand to shift instead of just my thumb was great. I'll just have to put labels on my handlebars to remind me which way is which! I can't remember for the life of me!

And the best part - my DH was having to work to keep up with me and I wasn't really going that hard! WOO HOO! The hills were still a challenge - but I could see a difference in how well I was able to do them. It wasn't nearly as much work!

Thanks all! Especially to Bike Goddess who really got me thinking twice about the flat bar handlebars! That really made me go back to the LBS and revisit the topic with them to make sure I had the right bike. I think with the normal handlebars - everything will work out just fine!