Hybrid or racing for first bike?

[TigerMom]

Road bike because I went the hybrid route and sold it less than 6 months later for a carbon road bike.

I wanted a hybrid so that I could do light mountain or road. Unfortunately, a hybrid can do both light mountain or road but cannot do either well.

So if you know for sure that you want to road bike only and not mountain bike, go for the road bike. The Specialized Vita is more for someone who just wants to do light exercising. I had my LBS set my road handlebars very high up since I was not used to the curved road bike handle bars and lowered them as I progressed in my biking. My handlebars currently are level with my saddle. I am also glad to be able to change hand and body positions on my road bike compared to just having hybrid type handlebars. In fact, I wish that my mountain bike came with road bike handle bars...kinda like a cyclocross bike.

As to the tire widths, a lot of TE members buy wider road tires for their road bikes for better comfort. A lot of them ride 25cc to 28cc wheels.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle
2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals
2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle (sold)

[DebSP]

Hi Bonnie. Welcome to TE. I now own four bikes because what you are describing happened to me in a store in Brampton. (My first bike was sold to me by a store that didn't stock womens bikes and I don't know if they were even available in '93!) I was actually steered to a comfort bike in 2008 because I was having wrist problems and was told that was the only solution. It was a quick easy sale because I was unsure and easily convinced. I don't like that bike. I keep it at work for running errands at lunch. I started reading and found TE learned a lot about bikes and I ended up with a Dolce Elite. Love the bike. No wrist problems because of proper fitting. I bought a WSD mountain bike (Trek bike store in Toronto) to do trails and just bought a steel Surly for gravel roads. (Not enough hours in my life to ride all the bikes I own! LOL) Stick to your guns and try as many road bikes as you can find in your size. I can't suggest a shop in Toronto because I have only dealt with the Trek Store there. The Dolce was fluke because it just fit so perfectly from the floor. When I bought my Surly I had to come to forums here for reassurance and a push to get what I wanted because the stores were directing me away from steel. The women on this forum rock! Have fun shopping. I found that if you are a little assertive (certainly not aggressive!) that you can usually find some one that will pay attention to your wants.