Went Bike Shopping Today

[babynoahsmom]

I have a Specialized Ruby. I traded up from my Dolce. Love my bike! Save yourself some money and go straight to the Ruby. It will be worth every penny you spend for it. The ride is wonderful and it shifts like a dream.

[Titania]

Did you test ride a Madone, as well? I'm curious as to how similar they are from a geometry standpoint.

I'm also getting fitted for clipless pedals, which I've never used before and am a bit scared of. Hoping I can manage not to kill myself on my test ride!

[turbojackie]

I am going to be looking for a road bike next year and am looking forward to hearing how you like it. Do you mind if I ask the price range?

Also, what is "clipless" Thanks! I have a lot to learn!

[Catrin]

IMO it is about having the right horse for the course I HATE my mountain bike on pavement, but that isn't what she was designed for. She rides like a dream on mountain bike trails and I know that my skill level is currently far below what she is capable of.

I've heard great things about the Ruby, a lot of women here love that bike. You might want to test ride a couple of others just to see how different road bikes feel...and it is also a lot of fun to try out different bikes.

[Titania]

I am going to be looking for a road bike next year and am looking forward to hearing how you like it. Do you mind if I ask the price range?

Also, what is "clipless" Thanks! I have a lot to learn!

The bikes I looked at last weekend ranged in price from about $1300 (I think that was around what the Dolce was) to a bit over $2000. You can find a bike to fit any budget, though!

"Clipless" pedals replace the normal platform pedals and use a mechanism to secure your foot to the pedal.

I'll post back with info on the Ruby after this weekend.

[turbojackie]

If used the clips in Spinning class. So, if you foot is secured on the pedal, why is it called "clipless"? Is it secured with something different then the clips like on the spinning bikes?

Thanks!

[Owlie]

Turbojackie,
When it comes to road bikes, expect to spend anywhere from ~$800 for an entry-level bike to...well, the sky's the limit. I'm looking to spend anywhere between ~$2000 for a top-notch aluminum with 105 to ~$4000 (Ultegra-equipped carbon).

I don't know about spinning bikes (though a lot of them seem to use an SPD-type system), but the "clipless" part refers to the lack of a toe clip/cage.

[turbojackie]

Owlie, the spinners have a clip that fits about the ball of your foot. Regular biking shoes fit them. Most spinner bikes have clips on one side of the pedal, and a toecage on the other side.

I see you have a Giant Avail. I test rode one a few weeks ago and it was very sweet. I got a little confused on the gears, but I think I would figure it out. I'm use to looking at a number to know what gear I am in. Do you like yours alot?

[Roadtrip]

Ruby owner here reporting in... Love it... I have discovered unless your riding on really GOOD pavement, the skinny tires on a roadie will make you hurt (even on a carbon bike) if the pavement is really bumpy. The local trail here has a mile or so of really bumpy trail and it shakes my fillings loose every time we ride through there. My point: buy the right bike for what type of ridding you intend to do. Some have bought CX bikes for the road bars and position, but slightly wider tires of a cross bike, so just ride as many bikes before giving your heart to just one