Broke and Starting out: Question>

[judythegeek]

I'm just starting out. I have a mountain bike and a old 12 speed road bike which needs nothing but lubed and tubes.
So how much is the riding i am doing on these going to help/ hurt my later training on a quality road bike?
Thanks!!
Judy

[Cataboo]

You're not going to hurt your training in any way - if nothing else you'll make yourself a stronger rider dealing with less gears/a heavier bike.

[Xrayted]

There's nothing wrong with an old 12 spd road bike. Get it to fit you as best as you can and ride the tires off the thing. Many of us on here have older, steel bikes that we love. As a matter of fact, around Portland, that's mostly what you see on the road, not newer high end bikes. I think it'll get you into shape, you'll have fun, see places, smell the flowers and grass on your route and come home with a smile.

Saying all of that, I do have a pretty decent alum road bike for the past few years, lower granny gear, smoother shifting and braking. I like it, it fits me beautifully, and I got it for a steal. (or I wouldn't have bought it) The priority is to ride and like it, not necessarily to spend $$$$ to ride and like it.

I've been eyeing up a few bikes at the goodwill near us. I think I may have my next project and a bike that wouldn't get stolen in a million years. My kind of bike.

[colorisnt]

Judy,

I am a beginner, too. I got back to biking via my commute and wanted something that fit, something that was a ROAD BIKE, and something that wouldn't get stolen. I managed to find a 1977 Columbia Blaze at a LBS that refurbishes bikes. I put almost a couple hundred miles on it, started to ride pretty seriously, and was told that I have a lot of potential to do more if I just work at it and get a better bike. Mine is 10 years older than me and weighs a ton!

I just bought an entry-level WSD trek and am keeping my old bike for my commute. I never want to park a nice bike on campus (I'm a grad student), but I decided I want to do centuries and the like, so I need a bike that is easier on my hands and knees.

[Zen]

Let's not lose sight of the title of this thread.
New bikes are nice but the thread title is" broke and starting out".

[owlice]

How good a rider will you be if you don't ride anything before getting a "quality road bike?"

The bike you can ride and the riding you do on it beats the bike you don't have and the riding you can't do.