mimib123

A few hours ago I just picked up my new road bike, and I took it for only a 10 mile ride because it was getting dark. It was incredible. On my comfort bike, going 1 mile was a drag. I'm surprised I got up to 13 MPH on that clunky thing. After 10 miles I still felt like I could go for many many more. Tomorrow morning I'm risin' and shinin' early.

the beef

Congrats! Stick with it!

eb314

Like going from driving a Volvo to a Ferrari?

Pharmr

soon you'll be doubling your mileage....and then more!!!...congrats!!

jsigone

congrats on getting into the sport, keep riding and have fun

FASTandLIGHT

i had the exact same feeling when i started a month or two ago. can't stop now.

mikeE46

I have same feeling but weather doesn't help me at all.

LowCel 

Congratulations on the new bike. What did you get? Also, where are the pictures???

mimib123

Ditto, mikeE46. This morning I woke up to rain and there are expected thunder storms. I would ride if I had good clothing for it, but I'll pass for the day. Unless it stops raining.

LowCel, I got a Trek '08 1.2 WSD. It's a basic entry level/beginner road bike. I'm in high school and on a budget, and I think this will more than suffice for now.
Pictures will come soon!

LowCel 

Sounds like a nice upgrade to me, enjoy it.

Savagewolf

*nod* It will definetely be more than enough bike for you now. I'd reccomend taking small mental notes when you ride about what you like and don't like about it. In a year or three, or just whenever you upgrade, you'll have a great idea on what you really want out of your roadbike and will have the cycling ability to match it.

I started off on a Trek 1000 (when I got into road cycling, not just casual riding) and it has served me well. I keep on riding it today, even though I have a better bike, as it is great for travel and the foul weather that I may not want to take my nicer bike through.

One of the more enjoyable cycling moments you may have is when you go flying past someone riding a bike that has wheels that are twice what your bike is worth, let alone the rest of it's components.

mimib123

Thanks so much for your input. Right now I'm just having fun having annoying skateboarders with saggy pants try to run along with me, pulling their pants up by their crotches all the way. But I'm sure that will be memorable

The first thing I have noticed about my bike that I don't like is the brakes and the seat. One is fixable, the other...not so much. In my opinion, the brakes aren't powerful enough. But it might just be that I'm not used to the bike or this type of bike in general. The seat is something I'm going to replace really soon, I need a narrower one.

VegaVixen

Congrats on the new bike, and on your enjoyment of eatin' up the miles! May you never stop lovin' it, and may you have many days of euphoric riding!

Nachoman

Welcome to the club!

dcbikeguy

Are you just using the back brake? More power in the front brake - just don't do an endo.

Also, we need some PICS dude!

mimib123

Nope, I use...both. Am I supposed to do that, fill me in if I'm doing something wrong











If I could have any paint scheme I would have one either exactly like the one above (with the blue, red, and white) or I'd replace all the pastel blue parts on my bike with that regular blue and all the white parts with red...or I'd keep them white. It's just a thought, I doubt I change it anytime soon (meaning I doubt I change it ever). I just wish that they didn't assume women who rode would be pleased by..."girly" colors. I want a bold bike, dammit!

VegaVixen

mimib123, my old monitor isn't showing detail on your pics well. Are the quick releases on your brakes locked down? Or are they flipped up?

And +1 on the pastel-y girlie bike colors! Bleeeeeah!

NaBlade

First off, congrats on the new bike!

The brakes just probably need some tweaking. Take it back to your LBS, the one you bought it from, for a minor tuneup. Brand new bikes need a couple of adjustments in the first couple of months (with frequent riding) before they settle down. Most LBS's offer this free service on bikes they sell, for the life of the bike, as long as you're the original owner.

Again on the saddle, most LBS's offer a free swap if you're not happy with the stock saddle. At least the LBS's in my area do. Why not ask yours?

Savagewolf

I don't know, I think your bike looks pretty good how it is, minus the warning and size stickers, of course. The blue/white looks really good, now that I took a second to look at it again.

I know budget is definetely an issue, but when you get the chance I'd reccomend changing to clipless pedals w/cycling shoes. At least for me, it made cycling much more enjoyable.

mimib123

Yep, I was planning on changing in the next month or so! They will give me a free fitting once I get them.

Mach42

If the brakes aren't strong enough, you should try and pick up some Kool-Stop brake pads. They make a pretty good difference.

Congrats on a beautiful bike.

foomonkey

Hey, hey, hey! Congrats on the new bike. Almost this time last year I was moving from a Comfort Bike to a real road bike. In the last year I have almost 3,000 miles on my road bike and I completed my first century. You'll be there before you know it.

mimib123

Thanks foomonkey! I think comfort bikes should be basically banned. Or, alternatively, they should just be so looked down upon that no store would dare ruin their imagine and sell them.
I'm kidding of course, but compared to my new bike, the comfort bike is one big joke.
Yeah, I'm already planning to do different charity tours. So...you are probably right.

Goriot

+1 ... the first ride is spectacular

Porter20

Congrats on the new ride. Nothing beats the first ride; until you make the second...