trey.a

So, I'm kinda new to road bikes. I bought a used bike last year with the intention of getting in better shape. My wife had 2 kids a few years ago, and I want them to have a father that wont pass out just playing with them. The bike I bought was an older Specialized Epic Comp. It served me well. Now I am going to get a new bike this year. Looks like I will start off with a Jamis Ventura Race. We have two dealers here. One is Specialized, and one is Jamis. The Specialized dealer is not that great with customer service. IE...Pricks. The Jamis dealer on the other hand has be great so far. The Jamis dealer even offered for me to take a bike home today, but the wind is gusting up to 50mph. So maybe in a few days.

Does anyone have advice on getting started in road bikes? I have personal goals, but no real plans of racing in the next year or two. My fist goal is to do a 35 mile ride, and it's a hilly one.


Oh, I also have no idea what a fred is.

10 Wheels

Ride slow to start with.
Try to find some others to ride with.

I started two years ago. Rode 1000 miles before meeting a group of retired riders that went out 6 days a week.
I trailed behind them for six months, before I could keep up with them.
I now have 27,000 miles on my legs.
Have Fun.

Daytrip

Freds are riders who, in the eyes of Road Nazis, look like dorks. That includes me, 10 Wheels, you (probably) and perhaps 90 percent of the other members of BF.

First off, plan to spend some money on accessories, including: helmet, padded shorts, cycling jersey(s), clipless shoes and pedals, tools, seat bag, floor pump. The list goes on and on. You won't spend it all at once, but within a year, you'll probably have it all and more.

The most important element of cycling longer distances, in my experience, is proper hydration and nutrition. There are numerous threads here on that topic, but just remember that if you are deyhdrated or undernourished, you're going to be very uncomfortable on the bike. And you have to work at keeping both satisfied.

My only other suggestion is to learn how to pedal standing up for brief periods. This gets the blood moving around your sit bones, and you'll have a lot less pain. I stand up while climbing steeper hills, which works for me. Simply standing and coasting is not good enough.

Enjoy your new bike!

stapfam

Hopefully the Jamis dealer will help with the bike fit. That is the second thing to get right- The first is to find the right LBS.---- Hopefully done.

Hilly first ride? Try a couple of bikes on the hilly bits. One with a triple and one with conventional gearing. You will improve with riding but if you can do it on the Conventional gearing- don't bother about thinking you need a triple. BUT- if you need the triple- get it.

Once you have the bike- Get riding. Get used to the gearing- steering and brakes. Then go for a 35 mile ride with a few hills. Just as you plan. Then keep riding.

BillyD

Have you read the Introduction To Road Cycling thread above? Tons of information there . . . TONS!
I would spend a couple days exploring various topics there before doing anything else. Seriously, it's the best move you can make as a newbie.

Go ahead, get moving . . . chop chop!!!

10 Wheels

My Real name is FRED:

trey.a

I am currently reading the Introduction To Road Cycling thread. I purchased some shoes the other day. They were are Sierra Trading Post. I live local to one, so I can go in the closeout area and get some deals. They were Sidi Zeta's for $70! Even in my size (47).

They Jamis dealer will fit me to the bike. Looks like I'll start off with them ordering a 61cm, and we will go from there.

Quel

Even though the jersey is from Nashbar, I'm going to have to dock some fred points for having shorts that match.

10 Wheels

Nashbar Shorts $15.00

Daytrip

Dock a few more for the 27K mile guads.

ahsposo 

Boy this rings a bell with me. I had the same realization 17 years ago.

All good advice here, trey.

Geez, you live in hills with 50mph winds? You're gonna have to plan your routes with care...

caloso

Jamis is a fine bike brand. Pick the bike that fits you best and the shop that treats you best. Budget for a decent set of bibs, jersey, helmet, and shoes. You'll also want a pump, spare tube, patch kit, multi-tool, and saddle bag to carry them in.

Then, ride the bike as much as you can.

Eventually, you'll probably want to buy more clothes, fenders, lights, and blinkies so you can ride any time of day or night and in any season.

And eventually, 35 miles is going to seem like a ride around the block.

coasting 

here's the best advice ever. just do whatever you like, whatever you enjoy, ride however you want, as fast or as slow as you want and as far as you want. And don't mind all the ball busting in this forum. we're all nuts here.

coasting 

look at that. the archetypal fred and unashamedly so. i liked 10 wheels and then he became a mod.

^oZ

Don't listen to these Freds, get into the racing forum and read THIS

trey.a

Not yet. I have a lot of work to do. I just got done reading the throwing up thread, and I'm no where near that level!

Yes, we have high winds and large hills here. And no trees. Good ol Wyoming.

trey.a

Well, no new road bike yet. Tax returns went to family entertainment things. (VW Camper)

I did have the money for new pedals and shoes. I tested them out today. Took a 10 mile ride. Went pretty good. I was amazed at the difference clipless pedals make. Different muscles hurt today. It had been a while since the weather was nice enough for me to ride. It was 34 today, so I went for it. I feel pretty good now. I think I will probably sleep good tonight!

I get a bonus from work in June. I plan on getting a new bike with that. The shifters on my bike are worn out. Sometimes it shifts, sometimes it doesn't. I don't know that a tuneup will help. It feels like the ratchet mechanism inside is worn. I thought about getting a second job to pay for a bike, but then I'd have less time to ride! And, one job is enough for now.

trey.a

The weather decided to turn sour here again. I would really rather ride outside any day. I'm considering trying to do spinning on a more regular basis. Is there anything else I can do to help with my winter down time?

ahsposo 

What kind of shifters? You know they can probably be rebuilt. You might try asking for advice on the mechanics forum.

ahsposo 

Watch "The Shining" over and over?

Forgive me it's April 1 and I'm a little punchy...

cuda2k

Welcome! Best advice I can give is keep the rubber side down, ride with people faster than you to get faster yourself, and don't take yourself too seriously no matter how fast you get. Sounds like the Jamis dealer is a good shop to work with. Having a good shop with good service goes a long way to continuing to enjoy your time on the bike.

NickDavid

Hi trey.a. Welcome to bikeforums.net. You will learn so much important information about bicycles, maintenance, etiquette and secret tricks on climbing hills faster. Be sure to visit the highly popular "commuting forum" for more information on new bicycles.

I highly recommend reading THIS WEBSITE for people who have personal goals.

Best of luck.

Oh ya, rubber side down! Hardy har har!

carpediemracing 

I'm a big trainer fan. Most folks aren't but I'll ride the trainer instead of outside throughout the year (cold, hot, humid, bugs, rain, wind - I have lots of excuses to sit on the trainer).

Find someone who doesn't like their trainer and get it cheap. Get a good one, not a cheap one. With CycleOps you can swap out the resistance units.

Rollers work too but I find them too much mental work. Good for form. Consider this a "second trainer".

Welcome to cycling,
cdr

trey.a

Finally! I put a bike on layaway today. 2010 Specialized Allez Comp. Hopefully I can get it paid off just in time for winter. I'm pretty excited about it!

LowCel 

Woohoo!!! Congrats on the new bike, hopefully you will get it in time to put a few miles on it before winter hits.