TechieTechie

Thanks everyone for the input. Fixed or cross bikes are not in the cards, though I might repurpose my old Specialized Allez for that specific purpose. Boston is flat, but when you get out into the Worcester hills, it can have some serious grade (the hill I have to climb to return to my house is 5%...and a neighboring street where most serious riders in town do hill repeats is close to 12%)...so I need gearing!

I have a professional fitting with the best 'high end' store in greater Boston in a few weeks. Being a Techie, I'm all about the science, and they take a very scientific approach to measuring you for a bike (3 hour fitting)....and they give you a list of bikes that fit your riding style, size and biomechanics. I am lusting after a Seven Axiom (so elegant) but we'll see if it can fit. I was a bit put off by the salesmen, though. When I entered the high end bike store...the first store employee gave me the 'what is she doing here' look. I am pretty sure it was unintentional (his facial expression self corrected pretty quickly) but I think he was still pretty skeptical...he said 'you can buy all your accessories, like a bike computer, here'...and when I quickly responded, I have all the gear, wireless cadence computer, clipless Speedplay pedals, etc on my existing road bike....he sorta clamped his mouth shut. Hopefully the fitter is a bit more accommodating.

DMC..thanks for the specific feedback, nice to know there are others in my shoes. And NK, ditto. I probably won't go Dura-Ace, as that would leave a serious hole in my wallet. I'd rather go for the last model of Integra, with the last of the triples (I am a constant shifter to keep my cadence high and hate the gear ratio 'jumping' that you get with compact doubles). Some folks say Ultegra is a bit mushy in shifting, but lordy knows it's got to be better than my 12 year old 105 gruppo. And it will be interesting. I know 3k ish will buy a very nice bike....but I don't know if I will want a stiffer bike than I would normally ride because of the amount of stress I'll be putting on the BB. Usually not a fan of Aluminum, but I'm not ruling anything out until I get fitted and take a few bikes out for test rides. Usually within 5 minutes I can tell if I like the 'feel'. I also know I prefer riding on the tops of the bar right now instead of the brake hoods, I think because I have never installed spacers on my current bike and I need the 'breathing room'. So bottom line, I am going to go into the fitting with an open mind and see what they recommend. No gold, though, it flexes too much

I went out for my first ride yesterday. Met a few women from my LBS store. We had different ride objectives and pacing, but they were unfailingly kind and it was nice to meet new riders. I waved them on after the first few miles (mostly downhill!) as I hate to hold the pack back. But it was a glorious day to be out. I did 15 miles @ 13mph, pretty slow, but I was happy, as it was great to be back on my bike (and I had to force myself out as it was a seriously working weekend). My old Specialized still rides okay (was sorta surprised, usually I get this weird creaking coming from the BB), but I definitely need a spring jacket. Any Athena recommendations (I'm a 2x/size 20) beside Team Estrogen (they are pretty spendy) are greatly appreciated. And although I only used it sporadically, I did download my fitness pal and entered some days last week (not all, but it's a start). So fitness wise, it was a decent beginning.

Of course, this great feeling from yesterday was immediately deflated when I boarded the plane at 5:30am this morning (I usually travel for work) in a middle seat (late booking) and the skinny guy next to me looks at me like the plague. I try to be polite, lean forward so to let them have the armrests, and to keep my bulk away from their personal space, but he just keeps giving me nasty looks. Enough to make me want to eat something sugary when I get off the plane!

I just hate when people are judgmental. Every deals with stress differently. Some are mean, some work out, some drink, I eat (particularly when I am overworked). Am I fat? Yes..and I trying to fix the mess I've put myself into? Yes. So be kind, people.

Sorry, rant over.

Thanks everyone for their input and happy Monday!

OneLessFixie

Definitely not high-end. Your fit will change as your fitness level improves, and you certainly do not want to be in the unenviable position of having bought an expensive bike that you can no longer ride.

Besides, all bikes are made the same five or so factories in Taiwan anyway, so who cares about brand names? Check out bikesdirect.com (no, I do not work for them, nor am I a shill, just a satisfied customer) they have plenty of 105-level bikes for roughly 1/3 of what your LBS ripoff will charge you.

kgaren

I had to pipe in here. I just received my Seven Axiom two weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I bought it from the place I had my fit (Fit Werx in Vermont), had an 8 week wait, but actually received it 3 weeks early. I put a 100 miles on it in the last seven days. It keeps getting better as I get used to the fit (which was a major difference from my previous fit). Very happy with it, and with the way I was treated during the fit, and after receiving the bike, asking questions etc. It is actually my seventh bike in about 15 years, but that's another story. It is the first one I has a true professional fit. For me it was well worth it as I have a somewhat unusually shortish torso, very long arms and legs. Yes, it was expensive (cost at least as much as the previous 3 bikes - although they were no doubt on the lower end of the scale.

isailhobies

Wanderer

MHO, crank up the Allez, and make the new bike the reward ....... Then keep the Allez as a beater.....

By then, you will have a better idea of what you want, and maybe even more choices later.

Njbudman81

A went and bought a decent bike. I'm sure some guys on here would call my trek junk but I don't care. I think getting back on the bike is the hardest part. If you buy a cheap bike and it breaks after you use it for a while then you have a reason to upgrade. If it sits at least you aren't out much

Pakiwi

I didn't go with a new bike, but put together a bike from parts that I had and parts of Ebay. I ended up with a Carbon Fiber Frame with 2 x 10 Ultegra throughout. Being around 225 lbs @5'6" I had a great deal of selection to choose from. I would stay with the mid end bike and when you are down to race weight, look at a high end one. You can even move the components over if you like.
My old bike was a 30 year old Steel Frame which I have passed on to my daughter and I would have no problem riding it, but wanted to get back to biking with a good bike and a bike fit. I plan to ride a few centuries this year all while getting back to fitness. Have a long way to go on both but averaging 300 miles a month which will increase over the coming months.
I would go with the triple as you stated or if you go double get a compact crankset so you can keep your cadence up on the hills. I live in PA and the hills are really kicking my butt, though I am getting better on them. I monitor cadence, speed, HR and power so I can monitor how I am doing.
I am a techie to so I like to know exactly how I am doing and the power meter really helps for pacing especially on the hills.
Also its great stress relief. What ever you decide, hope you enjoy your riding and I look forward to sitting next to you on an airplane. I know what that is like.
Allan

Short Cut

"In the long run we are all dead." John Maynard Keynes

I wouldn't get too wrapped up in the idea of getting a bike forevermore or one that works now as well as later. Get what works best now. You're not going to drop a hundy over night and when that day rolls around you'll want to scratch that itch of buying another bike, I'm nearly certain.

How about buying a high end used bike? Being that you know bikes you'll know one with light use over one that is clapped out. I see barely used bikes for sale all the time. If you let someone else take that initial hit you won't lose much money when you're ready to move on to your next ride.

BugDude

I had a similar amount to lose but had not been on a bike since I was a kid. I bought a new Giant Sedona DX hybrid for $400. A good quality relatively inexpensive but not el cheapo versatile bike. I've put 1100 miles on it in 4 months. I've lost 35 pounds so far. I have a goal of getting a road bike when I hit 75% of my goal but will keep the hybrid for weekday rides in my subdivision and take the other to the long straight bike trails on weekends.

dr_lha

Being as you're replying to a thread which is 14 months old, I think the decision has already been made.