What have I gotten myself into?

[AppleTree]

jlnc...you are in good company here! And I agree on the inspiration in this forum, I have learned so much (and spent so much!) because of it. I finally got brave enough to join in too.

Enjoy putting the miles on your new Trek!

[Roadtrip]

I too went the "round the bush" method of growth in biking. I started ou on a cushy cruiser, then the FX hybrid, then road bike, now I even own a mountain bike. Tons of clothing and assorted things like mirrors and fenders, etc.

Welcome to the club

Shannon

[jlnc]

Redhoodie, haha I'm sure they were happy to hear you offer up your debit card!
Shannon, what road bike did you move to after your FX? How was the change?

[Biciclista]

welcome!!! yes, we all kind of go the same way.. do i like this? OH YES!!

YES!!

[Roadtrip]

Shannon, what road bike did you move to after your FX? How was the change?

The more aggressive position is something I'm still trying to get used to. I bought a Specialized Ruby ( you live once right ) full carbon bike with 105 componets. The Ruby is more relaxed geometry then some other roadies. I had a fitting done on the bike so it's just dialing everything in and I "think" I finally have it close!

Still have my FX and ride as it's my beater/commuter bike for grocery runs. it's just a blast to ride, plus it's a little easier on the hills, which always helps

[jlnc]

What do you mean by "the FX is easier on the hills"? Easier than your Ruby??

[Slk41]

Hubby has been riding for a few years longer than me so I was prepared for the nickel and dime expenses - all necessary of course - of biking. Running is the same way just not as much upfront. When dh bought his Kona road bike last year he was trying to decide between two models and I told him to just buy the expensive one because otherwise we'd be back in 6 months upgrading and I'd rather put out a few hundred now than have 2 bikes in the basement. The lbs guys asked if they could get me on video to share with other customers, lol.

[Owlie]

What do you mean by "the FX is easier on the hills"? Easier than your Ruby??

I don't mean to speak for Roadtrip, but my guess is:
While the FX is a heavier bike than the carbon Ruby, the FX has lower gearing, so while it doesn't have as much "zoom" as the Ruby, it makes climbing easier.

DBF got me into it, but when he got into it, his parents subsidized his hobby (road bike, upgrading the crap out of that bike, new road bike, upgrading the crap out of that bike, fitting, etc). Was not prepared at all for the $$--luckily I got a cushy summer job that year that let me get everything I needed and a little more.

[Pax]

jlnc - I feel for you, I had a huge pile of bikes and gear and then got told by my ortho doc that I wasn't allowed to ride anymore. I cried and sold off my Trek's (7.5 FX and 1500WSD) for peanuts to people who I knew would ride them well.

Then I find out my ortho doc is an idiot and I CAN ride... so I buy a couple of old beater bikes for moseying around the neighborhood and running errands. But now my friend I sold the 7.5 to asks me if I like a screaming deal on her used Trek 1000... hmmm, YES! Thankfully I didn't get rid of all my shorts and jerseys.

[Owlie]

Oh, I jumped in on the deep end with a road bike (a cheap entry-level road bike).

I'm hoping to manage to scrape together the cash for a nicer road bike, a hybrid commuter for grad school (cheaper than a car, right?), and a mountain bike. (Not all at the same time!) And a couple new pairs of shorts. And...and...and...