Purchasing a Road Bike

[TrekTheKaty]

"You can't ride a road bike on gravel or wooden bridges so stick with your hybrid."

This is a common misconception, probably started by the marketing of hybrids. I used to have a Trek hybrid and I loved it, but couldn't keep up with DH when we started to ride on the road.

I ride my road bike on the Katy Rail Trail in MO at least once a week. If you check out the forum on bikekatytrail.org and you'll see others who do also.

And wooden bridges? All the time.

Granted you have to be more careful, but

you can ride a road bike on the gravel and still have fun.

You can ride a hybrid on the street, but it's not as much fun

(PS. My DH is a very knowledgeable and capable road rider, but in the end, I have to occasionally remind him that it's MY ride and MY bike. I'm currently shopping for a Specialized Ruby--the bike my husband wanted me to buy 2 years ago. I ended up with a Trek 2.1. He just rolls his eyes and shrugs.)

[ny biker]

You mentioned in another thread that you're in the DC area. Where are you riding?

I ride a road bike on wooden bridges all the time. I generally avoid gravel since it's bumpy and dusty, but I can ride over short stretches of it with no trouble.

Also, if you give us a rough idea where you live, we can recommend some good bike shops. I personally love the Bike Lane in Burke and Reston, VA. IIRC, many people have good things to say about Proteus Bikes in College Park.