Texas - need newbie advice

OK, so, Mrs. Cycledorchy and I have decided to plunk down some cash on some real road bikes. I've been riding my Target $75 mountain bike to death and I beleive I have reached the end of the line with it. I intend to ride the 2009 Houston-Austin MS 150 and I know I can't do it on this POS bike. I test rode a specialize Allez, and a trek 1.2 and I was blown away by the difference. So I'm going to go with the Trek 1.2 for my first bike. I already have some Nashbar brand clipless pedals and road shoes, but, what else shoudl I start with in terms of peripherals? I assume a bike toolset, tube repair/change/inflate kit, but what else? Are there any upgrades recomended by the gracious users of this forum that might make sense to apply out of the box, as it were? I'm going to buy the bikes from my LBS, Bike Barn in Katy.

And we're looking to train for a triathlon, intending to particpate in the September Cinco Ranch triathlon...any one else beginning training for that that we could hook up with?

thanks! See you on the road!

Sounds like you have a good start. The one things is a GOOD floor pump with a gage.. With a road bike the tire pressure is so high most cheaper pumps won't do it and you will want to keep the tires inflated correctly.

For swimming, join the masters group with Katy Aquatics.
www.katyaquatics.org

And please join us on the Bike Barn Saturday morning rides, heading out at 8:00 am.

Good cycling shorts or bibs. This is not the place to save money. Many different brands offer good shorts just make sure you go with one of their higher end products. I know $115 or so sounds like a lot of cash but I have had one pair of Pearl Isumi shorts since 1995 and during that time I have probablly thrown away 3 cheaper pairs of shorts. Now is a good time of year to buy, here is a pair on sale:

For her:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23423&subcategory_ID=1220

For him:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23565&subcategory_ID=1120

As for tools in your seat bag read through this thread and you will get all the advice you need:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=289052&highlight=bag+tools+seat

some nice polar bear water bottles, keeps the water cooler longer, plus a nice wireless cateye to keep track of your miles and speed, and a nice wireless heart monitor from polar. this helps to see how hard you have been riding and make sure you are not over doing it on the bike.

Good cycling shorts or bibs. This is not the place to save money. Many different brands offer good shorts just make sure you go with one of their higher end products.

+1,000,000

Since I started doing serious road riding, I've steadily upgraded on shorts, and it makes an extraordinary difference. I started out cheap. Not a good idea. When I got my first pair of Ultrasensors, I was completely sold on them. Then I got my first pair of bibs, and now I don't wear anything else. Yes, they're pricey, but they are worth every penny. And the key is to keep an eye out for sales. I've never paid full price for good quality shorts. They're not always on sale, but when they are, jump on the deal.

Make sure you have a saddle that fits your anatomy. A saddle too wide or too narrow can make a short ride seem very long. Monitor how you feel after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, etc. Make sure the saddle is something that you can sit on and be fairly comfy for several hours.

Bring: 2 tubes for long rides, 1 tube for short rides. 2 CO2 cartridges for long, 1 for short. One multi-tool. One set of patches (these are pretty much useless but so light that you might as well. I prefer to just change the tube if I get a flat, so unless you get more than you planned for...)

Also bring: health insurance card, driver's license, about $20 cash, and a credit card if you'd like. Oh, and a cell phone.

Fit it all inside a handy saddlebag, which you will also need. I would put one on each bike.

I personally prefer CO2 to a frame pump, but if you are uncomfortable with C02 (only possible downside is that you can't afford to screw it up) get a pump.

Bring: 2 tubes for long rides, 1 tube for short rides. 2 CO2 cartridges for long, 1 for short. One multi-tool. One set of patches (these are pretty much useless but so light that you might as well. I prefer to just change the tube if I get a flat, so unless you get more than you planned for...)


I'd also throw in some levers or a tire-stick - unless you know that your tires are easy on/off with just your hands. I pretty much leave what you had recommended for long rides in my bag at all times and I carry 3 CO2s just in case of a mis-thread and you blow a cartridge.

As far as upgrades on the bike the Trek1.2 has a solid componet package. The only thing I might change is the saddle only if it is not comfortable like what Kevin said above. Don't be fooled though bigger and fluffy does not mean more comfortable if you plan on riding more than 20 miles, this is where the good shorts come into play.

The best place to save weight is rotational weight. So buy ultralight tubes and use those for replacements as you puncture your current tubes (they are also smaller and fit into seat bags easier). Once you have logged a couple of thousand miles and need new tires. Buy high quality tires. I like Michellen Pro Race 2.

Cycling is like golf the expense does not end with the clubs, but begins there. How good you will feel from the added fitness is well worth it. Give us a ride report after your first ride on the new rigs.

Thanks Mocella.. knew I was forgetting something. Yes, definitely bring tire levers - at least two.

Make sure that your bike shop sets your bike up to fit you properly - my bike shop uses a platform mounted stationary trainer and a 3 way tailor-style mirror for their evaluation and adjustment process. Quality cycling shorts are the way to go - Pearl Izumi Attack shorts have worked for me - they're not the top of the line price wise, but are good quality, IMO ( http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=23567&subcategory_ID=1120). Good luck with it.

+1 on the good bike shorts. I have tried Pearl Izumi, Giordanna, Performance brand, Louis Garneau Ergotex, and Sugoi RS Flex. My favorites are RS Flex which retail for $125 shorts or $150 bibs. I have kept the Louis Garneau but got rid of the others (mainly because I lost weight over a couple months and they were too big for me). Last fall I found new RS Flex bibs for $79 on ebay from a cycle shop and then shorts ('06 model) for $45 at campmor.com, so bought a couple of pairs of each and wear those pretty much exclusively now. The way I got into RS Flex was by buying a custom printed pair on ebay (new) for $38, which was quite a savings of walking into Sun & Ski sports and paying retail.

I have bought a LOT of my cycling gear on ebay, like new saddles or stems to get my bike set up just the way I want, and most of my clothing. You can find stuff at great prices not to mention stuff you can't get at your local shop. Probikekit.com is a good place for good prices on tires and other stuff. Tubes, CO2, other small stuff I buy from the local bike shop.

You are probably going to be one of the most prepared people for the MS150 2009. You may already know that the 2006 ride filled up by Jan 2/3, the 2007 ride filled up in mid-November 06, and the 2008 MS150 filled up in a matter of 11 days. I imagine the 2009 ride will fill up even faster yet, so be sure to sign up the first day or two. I think registration opens Oct. 1 every year, so keep an eye out.

thanks everyone! We've decided to pick up Trek 1.2's to start, and we're getting two sets of tube/inflator kits, two multi-tools, and good shoes/pedals/shorts. We both appreciate all the advice and we'll see you on the streets and biek paths of Katy! :-)

thanks everyone! We've decided to pick up Trek 1.2's to start, and we're getting two sets of tube/inflator kits, two multi-tools, and good shoes/pedals/shorts. We both appreciate all the advice and we'll see you on the streets and biek paths of Katy! :-)

Rookie mistake! You should have let the wife upgrade - then you can let her get used to the idea that her new bike is faster than the old one, and you just set yourself up to spend some extra on your new bike (since you suffered for longer on that slower bike) and presto - time for a new Madone!

At least that's how I would have worked it :D.

Rookie mistake! You should have let the wife upgrade - then you can let her get used to the idea that her new bike is faster than the old one, and you just set yourself up to spend some extra on your new bike (since you suffered for longer on that slower bike) and presto - time for a new Madone!

At least that's how I would have worked it :D.Funny how you say that like you DIDN'T ACTUALLY DO IT...

Funny how you say that like you DIDN'T ACTUALLY DO IT...

I'm searching for a replacement frame for her current bike as we speak (she just doesn't know she "needs" one yet). I figure that should buy me some Ridley or BMC credits in the future ;)

This approach is very closely related to the "hey, check out this <insert expensive item I don't really need but would like but need to grind you down by bringing it up every day for a few weeks before you tell me to just buy the stupid thing>" approach to new toy purchases although is certainly a bit more stealthy.

I figure that should buy me some Ridley or BMC credits in the future ;)??? What part of Fuji Mafia are you missing? There is no getting out of this family...

Rookie mistake! You should have let the wife upgrade - then you can let her get used to the idea that her new bike is faster than the old one, and you just set yourself up to spend some extra on your new bike (since you suffered for longer on that slower bike) and presto - time for a new Madone!

At least that's how I would have worked it :D.

Oh I tried that! I suggested that we split the purchase in time so that we BOTH get a much better bike. But she didn't go for it. LOL

However, she also went from a cheapo target bike to testing several Trek and Specialized models and she was blown away by the difference, so, I still claim it as a victory.

Funny how you say that like you DIDN'T ACTUALLY DO IT...

LOL...as we say in World of Warcraft: "OWNED!"

Well on friday mrs. cycledorchy and I bought our Trek 1.2 triple and 1.2 WSD respectively.

all I can say is...wow.

Congratulations on your new babies!

Rookie mistake! You should have let the wife upgrade - then you can let her get used to the idea that her new bike is faster than the old one, and you just set yourself up to spend some extra on your new bike (since you suffered for longer on that slower bike) and presto - time for a new Madone!

At least that's how I would have worked it :D.

Or just use my tactic--the annoyance factor.

"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "No."
"Can I have a new bike?" "Sigh....."


:D