How do I know when it's time for a different bike?

[Torrilin]

Harris cyclry has a page for looking at gearing. I was playing with it using my bike's information yesterday to get a better understanding of how my bike works. I have a K2 Zed 1.0, which means the front chainrings are 24, 34 and 42 teeth. The cassette in back goes from 12 to 32 T. Turns out that several of the gear combinations I use frequently are almost identical *g*.

After all my playing around, I've concluded that if I can build strength and endurance so I'm mostly riding in the toughest gear (42/12), I'll probably have outgrown the gearing on my bike some. I won't have a bigger gear to use for building more strength. So on a new bike I'd want the biggest chainring to be bigger, and to cut down on the number of not very useful gears.

It might be worthwhile for you to play around with your hybrid's gears with their tool. You might find that you have a lot of gears that are really the same, or that you have gears that are really bad for hill climbing. You can even compare the gearing you have to my bike, or to bikes you find online.

I can't really help on the other questions. But if you understand how the gearing you have works, that might help you with buying a road bike.

[ace]

Hiya,

I rode my trusty Trek hybrid for about 8 years, and just got my first road bike a month or so ago. My experience:

My road bike actually feels just as stable as a hybrid. As far as speed goes, if I didn't think about it on my hybrid and I was doing a long flat ride, I'd go about 12 mph. On my road bike, IT goes at about 18 mph on the flat- it just feels like it goes without me doing much! I know that sounds weird, but the increase in speed w/o additional effort is nuts. Also, I had a horrible time on hills with my hybrid, though I did them out of necessity because of where I live. It is so much easier with the road bike. I'm both faster on the hills (although still really slow relatively speaking), and can keep going much longer. I think it's more a function of the skinny tires and less rolling resistance than anything else (although my road bike is 10 lbs lighter than my hybrid).

The only downside of the road bike that I've found is that my saddle cuts off all circulation to my genitals (I'm getting a new saddle). Never had saddle problems with the hybrid.

Anyway, if you want to go faster and do hills more, it will be easier on a road bike (as long as you get a decent one that fits you).

-Amy

[Livin the Dream]

Thanks for the continued thoughtful, helpful replies to my questions. I've got a haircut appointment tomorrow just a few blocks away from our closest LBS. Sounds like a great day to start checking out the options and maybe test ride a bike or two! I just need to keep telling myself to take my time, do the research, and look for a good price. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions.

Torrillin, I appreciate the link about gearing. I don't understand the difference in different types of gearing at all. I'll sure check this tool out.

[Livin the Dream]

I went to two LBS, one sells mostly Trek, the other mostly Giant. Went to the Trek place first, after asking some questions about what I'm currently riding and what kind of riding I do/ would like to do, the owner recommended a Gary Fisher Monona, which is what he called a "fitness" bike. It's a pavement bike, not a mtn bike. More upright than a road bike, but I definitely am hunched over a bit more than on my Trek 7100. Tires are smaller than I have, not road bike skinny though. He said "you can try a road bike if you like, but I don't think you would be happy with it". I had to get to a hair appt, so didn't have time for a longer ride. I plan to go back on Monday for a longer ride on the bike path adjacent to the shop.

After said hair appt, got to LBS 2 about 15 minutes before closing time. Went through the same types of questions, they recommended a Giant FCR 2 W. Also a "fitness bike", which I've never heard of before. I plan to go there Wednesday after work for a test ride on that bike and the entry-level Giant road bike.

I want to ride longer/faster and not struggle so much with hills. What's your opinion of these two "fitness bikes"? Any chance they'll meet my needs?

[Tuckervill]

Looks to me like they're trying to put you on a bike like the one you have! Could be some prejudices at play here. I find, as a fat woman (not implying that you are!), that bike shop employees tend to think I'm not fit or don't know what I need or am ignorant about bikes in general. Or, maybe you've said something that lead them to believe that's what you wanted--sending a mixed message or something. Anytime someone who doesn't know me assumes to know what I will or won't like, it's a red flag for me.

If I were you I'd get a bike very different from the one you have. I wouldn't get a fitness bike. This way you are prepared for further evolution of your fitness.

Try another shop, and insist on riding road bikes.

Karen

[rapid cycler]

Ditto what Tucker said. There are a lot of presumptuous cycling dudes who see a woman of any age or girth as an automatic hybrid or Townie customer. Even if it turns out in the end that you don't like the feel of a road bike, you have every right to take a few out for test spins!

Do you have an REI near you? REI salespeople tend to be low-pressure, informed folk who'll let you ride their bikes all day and won't bat an eyelash if you say that you're not ready to buy. They also have Fit Kits to take your vital measurements and get a general idea of what might fit you before you start standing over a bunch of bikes. They primarily stock their house brand, Novara (some locations around here also stock Cannondales), which turns some people off because, well, they've never heard of them. They're perfectly respectable bikes. I think they're made at the same factory that makes Giants and are simply branded with the Novara name and graphics (which I think tend to be pretty attractive).

REI is just one way to avoid the potential attitude and intimidation of some bike shops. Maybe we have some TE Ohioans who can point you toward other local shops that'll treat you right…

[Livin the Dream]

Thanks, Karen & Rapid. You both articulated what my gut was telling me. I'm no longer fat, but I still have about 20 pounds to lose and I'll never be small. I'll always have hips and a "booty" as my grandaughter calls it. It's the build God gave me. I'm also not 20-something.

You also confirmed that the bikes they were recommending aren't significantly different from what I've got. I had already made up my mind that I was going to ride a couple of road bikes befire I make a decision. I don't think I'll even go back to the Trek dealer I visited today, but I will go to the Giant dealer again. The Trek dealer where we bought our hybrids is further away, but we'll be camping very close to that shop next weekend.

Unfortunately no REI stores in this area. I checked the store locater on their web page and there isn't one within 200 miles.

Any suggestions of a good LBS in Western Ohio would be appreciated!

[whateveronfire]

One idea (that has some challenges to be sure) is to buy from an online retailer. I would NOT recommend bikesdirect, but had a really great experience buying from Ibex. They make nice bikes at a great price. Jack, the owner, will talk you through sizing and any other issues.

They have a 30 day no questions asked money back guarantee. Their 105 level bike (which is aluminum with a carbon fork) is $999+$35 shipping. Now, you can't ride it and you'd have to either set it up yourself or take it to an LBS to set it up when you got it. It might be worth calling Jack and having a conversation with him. He's a nice guy and can help you to decide if buying an Ibex is right for you.

I have had exactly the same trouble as you. Walk into LBS--ask about road bike. Get told ALL about a hybrid--which they will sometimes refer to as a "fitness bike" or a "flat bar road." A couple of years ago, one shop (Helen's, for you L.A. types) simply would not take down the Trek 1000 I wanted to look at. Another guy only wanted to talk to me about how the wheels would fail under me.

When I went into the place from which I bought my LeMond, they were nothing but nice, treated me like anyone else, and I spent money with them. (The shop was in the Bay Area not L.A.) When rapid cycler bought her Orbea, they kept asking what I'd like to try. When you're making a purchase, you should get to call the shots and you should be treated like you know what you want.

I would definitely go back to the Giant shop, at least and insist that you'd like to ride the OCR1. It's a pretty equivalent bike to the Ibex Aprisa 5600. The size specs for the Ibex fall between a S and a M Giant.

Good luck and keep up updated!

[twinkie]

I've only been riding for a short while, and I decided to get a road bike when I started doing longer rides -- the idea of doing the MS-150 on a mountain bike scared me. I'm nowhere near in enough shape to pull that off (although, i did get passed by people on mountain bikes when i was on a road bike!)

My LBS sells mostly Trek, so I started off trying the Trek 1000. I'm short with short legs, so I'm a little bit limited as to bike frame size (43cm, 650c wheels). I took it in for a few adjustments after a few rides, and I ended up trading it in for a Pilot 2.1 (which is similar to the 2100). It's supposed to have a more "natural" riding position, but it's still a "road bike" (I think). It has road bike gears and skinny tires. Maybe you could take a look at the Pilot line...

And with the 2008 bikes due to come out soon, you could probably get pretty good deals on the 2007 models. I got mine for right around $1000.

[Torrilin]

For what it's worth, not all road bikes are for racing. Try asking the shop for a touring bike. I seem to recall seeing some cyclocross frames built with drop bars too. Some commuter bikes also have drop bars. Tell them that you want to try a variety of frame geometries and drop bars. Be specific about your distance goals and speed goals.

Most shops think "road bike" means "racing bike". And well... not true. Lots of people ride on roads and don't race.

[RoadRaven]

Trick question right???

I think the others have answered what I would say - if you wonder about needining a nerw bike - its time for another bike (don't get rid of the original, just increase your fold... )

Seriously, bear in mind what Torrilin has said. Be clear with your LBS what type of riding you want to do because there are many types of "raod bikes".

Have fun shopping...

[Livin the Dream]

After reading through several threads on this forum, checking out bike mfg web sites and thinking through the conversations I've had with friends and at the LBS on Saturday, my plan this week is to ride several bikes by Giant & Trek. Wed night, the Giants then Saturday for the Treks. The Trek shop I'm going to on Saturday also carries Fuji, so I may look at those. Those seem to be the major brands bike shops around here carry.

Am I keeping my options too narrow? I've seen that many people are partial to other brands like Specialized and Jamis, but I don't think any shops in a reasonable distance from me carry those brands.

Oh -- I have to share -- as I mentioned in my original post, I wasn't sure how DH would react to my thoughts of a new bike. I mentioned that I stopped at a couple of bike shops on Saturday, but left it that I was "just browsing". Well, my birthday is Tuesday. Tonight, he said he had no idea what I wanted and asked me for suggestions..... I'll bet you don't have to guess what my answer was.... Yep, I said "a new bike" and he said.... "fine, when do you want to go look"!! Perfect

[Tuckervill]

Good husband. Sit. Stay.

Karen

[Livin the Dream]

Karen,

Sometimes that obedience training pays off, doesn't it!

Twinkie,

Are you happy with your Trek Pilot? The LBS I'm going to on Saturday has several Pilot 1.0's on sale, at least according to their web site. I've got it on my list of bikes I want to try. Is there a big difference in riding position from the Trek 1000 to the Pilot?

If anyone else has any thoughts about the Trek Pilot, I'd appreciate it if you would share!


It's a beautiful day here in Ohio and I'm looking forward to riding a couple of Giants tonight after work! I'm expecting that they are all going to feel much different than what I've got. Do you think I'll feel comfortable enough on a test ride to know the right bike for me?

[rij73]

Hi, Just catching up on this thread now. Good for you for getting in shape and loving the exercise! Enjoy those Giants tonight...

You may know right away which bike is right for you. I rode an Ibex flat-bar road bike (like the fitness bikes you mentioned) for a few months and got so into it that I went to a shop and tried road bikes. It was really obvious to me which ones had too far of a reach to the levers, and which ones not enough. Make sure the shop person sets up the saddle position as perfectly as possible so that you can judge the fit of the bike.