Road Cycling - Am I ready for a road bike

...or should I keep building miles on my Hybrid, that is the question?

I currently ride an older Trek 720 hybrid. The bike is in real great shape and has been tweeked a bit to suit my riding style which is mainly road useage (zero angle long stem and 700x25 tires). It has a flat bar.

Right now I'm riding three times a week going 13-20 miles at a pop at an average speed of 15mph (not counting any commuting miles). On the weekends I've been throwing in some 30 mile rides, which I wish could be longer but are not due to my speed and lack of time. I really enjoy going fast but I'll be darned if once I get to 16-17 MPH it becomes an absolute bear to keep that pace, but 14-15 I can do all day. I assume my pseudo upright position is at fault (not including my physical limits).

What bothers me most is at 20MPH I feel much more confident on the roads I ride (35 mph) in dealing with traffic and other "roadies", but I can only keep that pace for about five miles.

Would a "road bike" make me faster, and if so by how much?

And to follow up, if I go the route of road bike, are there any manufactuers who have a notable longer "cockpit"? Ya see, I'm 5'10" but only have a 30" inseam (actual stand-over height, not pants). When I sit at a table, I am always the tallest person. I think my torso came from a 6'3" guy as i can usually read (upside down) the name plate on the head tube when I ride most bikes.

So, what do you think? Do I make the plunge?

BTW: I have not ridden a road bike in 14 years, I was 23 years old at the time. Or is riding a road bike (and getting better with it) at 37 a pipedream?

Thanks,

ehenz

the question is, is the roadbike ready for you???

:D

Get the roadbike... Even the thought(of getting a bike) is reason enough to get a new bike..;)

I concur. If you're even thinking about switching over to a road bike, then it's time, dude.

Get a nice one... and produce the pics!

Koffee

Lemond bikes are like that, but with interchangable stems, many adjustments can be made.

Try a couple of road bikes. The shifting action and hand position is a little different, but you will get used to it.

You shouldn't have too much of a problem finding a road bike that will fit you. I I'm you, but an inch or two taller and I know what you mean about being a lot taller sitting than standing.

The Specialized Allez series fit me very well. (Hence my purchase of one.) Because of the compact frame, I could get a slightly bigger frame and still have some standover. Don't let bike stores let you think that standover height is the first, last and only thing to look at. As long as you aren't going to be in "crushed", you are probably going to be ok. On the other side, if your exposed seatpost is more than 4 inches, it isn't the end of the world.

Lemonds also seem to have a longer top-tube for us in the "long torso" club.

Given the miles you are putting in, you are more
than ready (as if there is some magic rite of passage).
The road bike should be lighter, and be easier all around
to ride. I think you'll see a large difference in handling.
The roadie should have a more aggresive geometry.

The one caution I would suggest, don't get too caught
up in the boy racer aspect of it. You might do better with
a stem that is a bit higher than what most race type bikes
show (A quill stem here is a good thing), it would be a good
transition from the flat bar.
Go to LBS and test ride as many roadies as you can
(A.Troll does this best), and get a feel for the bikes, then
you should know the answer better than anyone else here.

Marty

Go for it. Don't worry about your age! I just turned 51 and just bought my first road bike in 13 years. Have fun.

So you are 37 years old? You are plenty young enough to ride a road bike at 20 mph, if you get into condition.

It is hard to say whether you will do better on a road bike then on a hybrid. I have seen some people upgrade and not see much if any improvement. I have also seen people upgrade and see dramatic improvements.

When I switched from a touring bike to a racing bike, I saw an improvement. Once I got up to speed on the touring bike, it was fine. But the racing bike handled better and I was able to take corners faster and accelerate faster. So it was far easier to get up to a higher speed so I did it far more often and that resulted in higher average speeds. Also since it was easier to accelerate, I was more willing to do it so there was an emotional component also.

I have just bought a LeMond, frame size 49. I have a 29 inseam and I'm 5'9 and it fits me perfect. I can tell you from experience, the people here are great, they helped me to think a bit different about buying a bike, what to look for and how it should feel. I felt weird about bothering people at the store but the people here showed me not to be afraid and go in and try everythig. I think you are well ready, and like me, you'll feel a BIG difference when you ride a well made, well fitted bike.
Go for it, all the people here will be able to help you and if they cant, they will show you where to go to get it

I am 5' 11.5" and wear a pants with a 29" inseam. The Lemond was perfect for me. Do not worry about stand-over height on a road bike, it is almost irrelevant.

Oh, and I was 59 yo when I bought it 4+ years ago, and plan on buying another new road bike for my 65th birthday. What has age got to do with it? Good Lord, man, do you believe all the stereotypes running around about what you are or are not supposed to do as you get "older?" Well, don't. It will ruin the later years of life. Keep an "I can do anything" attitude. It makes life more fun.

GET THAT NEW BIKE!!

No question - you are ready! Trust me, you'll laugh @ even posting this question 1 ride into your new road steed.

Good luck, and get that road bike!!! :)

dude, i rode moutain bikes for like 3 years, lovedevery minute of it, believe me. Then i moved to a road bike, OH MY GOSH ITS AMAZING!!!!! I will never go back to commuting with a mt. bike. I love riding road, and its so quick, im such a better mt climber now. Im only 17, and i love it, surey a 37 year old will love it jsut as much ;)

Do it! I put road tires on my mountain bike a few months ago and wanted more. The switch to my Allez road bike was the best thing I ever did in my short time in biking. You'll be hooked after the first ride!

Do it! You'll never look back and you'll wonder why you waited so long...

UPDATE:

I went to a new LBS and they sized me for a Allez, the Elite. Very sharp bike IMO. I told them about the Lemond idea but they pointed out that my size does not really justify that geometry.

Now all I need is to bite the bullet and pony up the cash. I might wait for spring as days are getting shorter and keep riding the trek until then. When I do get it, I'll tell you all about it.

Thanks for the kind replies, I think I just needed some encouragement to make this decision.

ehenz

If they have an 03 in your size, you might be able to get a better deal now.

Did you take the bike for a ride?

Maybe get some snow tires so you can ride over the winter. ;-)

Originally posted by lurker
If they have an 03 in your size, you might be able to get a better deal now.

Did you take the bike for a ride?

Maybe get some snow tires so you can ride over the winter. ;-)

They would not let me out to ride as it was raining. I pick up my bike from them tonight (took the Trek in for repairs). I'll give it a test ride then...I'm so excited.

I do think I'll wait until spring to make the purchase (they only have the 04' model at $995.00) and keep lookng for deals until then.

You are more than ready. In fact, your situation is almost exactly like mine, except I am able to give more time to pushing my Trek around the roads. Pushing that beast up a hill in the middle of a 50 mile ride, or worse, at the end, can be a real chore. My thighs are getting like iron.

Like me, you are more than ready!

Keep the hybrid for those times you get the urge to trail ride or it is incredibly nasty outside and you don't want to chance fouling up the roadie.

GOPHERIT!