Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.nickgold
09-11-05, 09:11 AM
Hello all. This forum has been very helpful to me (even in lurk mode), so thanks!
After a couple of weeks of research, I finally took home a bike yesterday. The first bike I've owned in probably well over a decade, more like closer to 15 years I'd say (I'm 27). First road bike I've ever owned.
2004 Specialized Allez Comp Double (got a nice price on it). Full Ultegra everything, 18 speed, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, Mondo Pro tires, Avatar saddle, SPD clipless pedals (Shimano PD-M520 -- I like how they're double-sided, very good for this noob!) It's -- well, I freaking love it.
But anyway, I just did my first ride this morning. Hair over 13 miles, about an hour. Good number of hills (it's pretty hilly in the Towson area). I am pretty beat, but actually quite refreshed. NO KNEE PAIN which is a big reason I'm cooling it with jogging and bought a bike!
What can I say? Is it possible for road bike addiction to hit you after your first real taste? You know, like crack? ;) Cuz I am pretty amped on this road biking thing right now!!!! :D Everything about the experience was easier than I expected. Yeah I did some test rides, but this was the first real ride, and my absolute first ride w/ the clipless setup (wearing Specialized Sonoma shoes). The bike fits me GREAT, is seriously comfortable, the clipless pedals were easier than I expected to get in and out of (still a few hiccups, heheh). Even cars were a lot "nicer" than I expected (at was around 10am on a Sunday, after all). I mean, the whole experience was just GRAND!!!
Looking forward to many, many more rides, building up my endurance to the point where I can hit some of the very nice (but darn hilly) country roads up here, especially in time for Autumn foliage!
After a couple of weeks of research, I finally took home a bike yesterday. The first bike I've owned in probably well over a decade, more like closer to 15 years I'd say (I'm 27). First road bike I've ever owned.
2004 Specialized Allez Comp Double (got a nice price on it). Full Ultegra everything, 18 speed, Mavic Ksyrium Equipe wheelset, Mondo Pro tires, Avatar saddle, SPD clipless pedals (Shimano PD-M520 -- I like how they're double-sided, very good for this noob!) It's -- well, I freaking love it.
But anyway, I just did my first ride this morning. Hair over 13 miles, about an hour. Good number of hills (it's pretty hilly in the Towson area). I am pretty beat, but actually quite refreshed. NO KNEE PAIN which is a big reason I'm cooling it with jogging and bought a bike!
What can I say? Is it possible for road bike addiction to hit you after your first real taste? You know, like crack? ;) Cuz I am pretty amped on this road biking thing right now!!!! :D Everything about the experience was easier than I expected. Yeah I did some test rides, but this was the first real ride, and my absolute first ride w/ the clipless setup (wearing Specialized Sonoma shoes). The bike fits me GREAT, is seriously comfortable, the clipless pedals were easier than I expected to get in and out of (still a few hiccups, heheh). Even cars were a lot "nicer" than I expected (at was around 10am on a Sunday, after all). I mean, the whole experience was just GRAND!!!
Looking forward to many, many more rides, building up my endurance to the point where I can hit some of the very nice (but darn hilly) country roads up here, especially in time for Autumn foliage!