Road Cycling - JUst got my new bike, now have some questions????

Just bought a Specialized Allez Elite, and being that im a total newb to all this, felt kinda overwhelemed when i was at the bike shops and the salesman was spurting out all kinds of features that really didnt mean anything to me.... So is this a good starting bike?

Another question has to deal with attire: Im not in the greatest of shape yet, but just cant see myself putting on them little speedo things. What is a good alternative for riding shorts???

Anything else i might need to know before i go on my initial ride??

http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/2003/bikes/allez_elite.jpg

added a pic, cause it looks so cool!!!!!

Originally posted by Foxman
Another question has to deal with attire: Im not in the greatest of shape yet, but just cant see myself putting on them little speedo things. What is a good alternative for riding shorts???

I'm in decent shape and I still don't want to wear lycra shorts. I'm thinking about wearing my climbing shorts or something. I'd like to see what people think as well.

i've never owned actual cycling clothes, and i've been riding for over half my life. my typical riding outfit is the same as my typical everyday outfit : cut-off bdu's, a t-shirt, and a pair of vans. on hot days, i'll wear a shirt with the sleeves hacked off. on cold days, i might break out the wool tights under the cutoffs, and might toss on the wool sweater.

granted, some of the wool stuff on the rivendell site looks pretty appealing to me, but there's nothing wrong with not owning purpose-built cycling gear.

i do recommend a real pair of gloves, though, and a helmet, if you swing that way.

you can wear mountain bike shorts, they usually have a pad in the crotch area. But if you are doing any distance on a road bike, they will probably bunch up. But to start it shouldn't be too bad.

Hope this helps

Just suck it up and wear the lycra. Even at 230 lbs (5'10") I still wore the shorts, albiet with a jacket not a jersey. Just too comfortable to give up. Don't forget you don't walk around in the shorts, you are riding a bike....and a fast one at that.

That bike should fit all of your road cycling needs.

My 2 cents,

ehenz

It won't take long before you want to wear them.

If you put any significant miles on, you'll be glad you did.

You will appreciate the pad. Also, spend the extra jackson and get bibs, not shorts.

It's better than a good starter bike. It's a real nice bike, 105 group, as long as the gearing suits your needs there's no reason it shouldn't last you indefinitely.

There's nothing more comfortable than padded lycra bike shorts on a long road ride. If they make you feel odd you can put on really thin, lightweight running shorts over them, but pretty soon I bet you won't even bother.

I sometimes wear MTB shorts with sewn-in padded liners when I'm not goin too far and I'm going in somewhere and won't be able to change. With touring shoes or some MTB shoes that look more like hiking shoes, and a loose non-logo cycling jersey, you can get a casual summer look that's still comfortable to ride in and does a decent job of moisture management.

But on that Allez, when you start doing centuries, you'll want the lycra.

RichC

Dude! I started riding this summer too. I got the Cannondale R800 which is very similar to the Specialized. (Same 105 stuff) I feel the same way, NO SPANDEX, I wouldn't do the bibs or anything tight or shiny. There is an advantage to the padded shorts though. I just get baggy type padded shorts, they are not hard to find. I even have a couple pair of tigher padded shorts, but they are not shiny and no WAY TIGHT. For a shirt it depends on how far or long you ride. Many places sell T-shirts made of cool max material or 100% polyester. No need for super tight shirts either... That is my professional newcomer advice.

i just got into riding my self and im real iffy on the tights,,,i seen on one site nike made a loose fit pant for riding but i could not find any thing else really.
If i was doing a charity race thats one thing or riding with a group i may not stress it as much.I know its all in the mind but you have to feel comfortable mentally as well.
The jersey i can deal with and i even think they are real cool,i rember express for men use to sell basic ones to wear with jeans or what not,but it wasnt advertised as cycling jerseys.

I still wear mtn bike shorts - not in lycra shape yet! They are more comfortable than just regular shorts for longer rides plus they have pockets to put stuff in. I still just generally wear a t-shirt or a polyester shirt to wick away the sweat. Don't worry about not wanting to wear regular cycling clothing yet. As you ride and see more cyclists wearing it, it won't seem so weird to you and you'll jump on the bandwagon.

Added pic at the top so you can see my new ride :)

Great bike. I have the same one which I got just a couple months ago. I think you'll be really happy with it. Seat comfort is critical to enjoy your ride. I'm about 260 and dropping, so I can tell you that on longer rides you'll appreciate a little extra comfort. I put a Specialized Milano seat on my bike. It's still narrow enough not to interfere with your leg movement, but it has a little bit wider channel down the center and seems to support your sit bones really well.

Pony up the cash and get yourself a high end pair of cycling shorts. Pearl Izumi (sp?) is a nice short for the money ranging from $80 to $110. If it bothers you, just wear a pair of shorts over them. As long as you don't wear underwear underneath them, which a lot people seem to still do, you shouldn't have any bunching problems and the pad will wick away sweat the way it's supposed to and you won't end up being chafed.

Again, great choice on the bike. GMTA! :)

i wear bike shorts with a pair of loose fitting cargo shorts over top :)

It's not how you look, it's how you crush others that you drop. I'm sure your weight is that last thing on their mind as watch you pull further and further away from them. :thumbup:

Just wear 'em, ride fast, ride often, and you'll start looking better in them! ;)

This is a natural evolutionary process. My son just graduated from college last year and I'm proud to say I got him into biking. He now commutes to work 4 days per week at about 22 miles round trip. At first he insisted he would never wear spandex. However he now has padded spandex shorts and tights. They are much more comfortable. He has gone from 205 beer drinking pounds back to 180 also.

Keep Biking!!

Never occurred to me to be ashamed of my 242 lb. fanny in lycra shorts when I started riding last year. I figure, I'm out there busting tail to get rid of those pounds and people can just deal with it. Who the hell cares? And now that I'm 176 lbs and still 30 lbs over weight, I'm happy as a diapered clam in my lycra.

I definitely recommend not wearing any cotton. It's well worth the extra cost to get some coolmax or some sort of wicking outfit.

Originally posted by hgalindo
people can just deal with it. Who the hell cares?

Exactly. To be honest, I don't think people really care what you look like on a bike. The non-cyclists who don't appreciate the sport would look down on you regardless of what you wore and the cyclists by and large are more than happy to see anyone riding. Cycling's a great leveller.


Originally posted by hgalindo
I definitely recommend not wearing any cotton. It's well worth the extra cost to get some coolmax or some sort of wicking outfit.

I agree on that. Bottom-line is wear what's comfortable (someone better not post that thong-wearing cyclist picture... again) both physically and psychologically. If you're not comfortable, you won't want to do it for long. I think most cyclists understand this and thus realise that one person's meat is another's poison so to each their own.

Oh... BTW, Foxman... That's a nice bike. Congrats!

To be honest, I sometimes get a laugh out of the weekend warriors riding the $$$ bikes and all geared up in the road racing jerseys, shorts etc. But I can understand where they are coming from, it just ain't me.

If you don't like the padded tights, just wear some shorts over them. T-shirt works fine, and you can stroll into a bar after your ride and have a Guiness without feeling like a goofball :beer:

Originally posted by farrenator

If you don't like the padded tights, just wear some shorts over them. T-shirt works fine, and you can stroll into a bar after your ride and have a Guiness without feeling like a goofball :beer:

Sadly, a t-shirt will not solve my goofballl image. :D