ParkingTheBus

Ok, this may sound like a stupid question but I just wanted to get some opinions from the "pros" and the big boys.

I am 18 years old, and currently taking a year off of school (attending college next year). I have been into cycling for about 8 months now. I currently own a performance hybrid bike which I use to get me to my destinations and have about 800 km clocked on it. I occasionally take it on recreational rides but my options are limited as it's not THAT fast (my average speed is about 18 mph) and I often get fatigued due to the upright riding position.

I was thinking of getting a road bike to occupy my time until I go back to school and to get into shape. If I get one, I won't be riding competitively.. just solo long rides and stuff of that sort. I enjoy cycling, but want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

So my essential questions are:

Is a road bike worth getting for the "recreational rider"? How much do I need to ride it to make it worth it?
How much faster and efficient is a road bike over a hybrid bicycle?
What brand/type of road bike should I get? I'm working with no bills to pay, so I'm looking to spend in the 1000-1700 range.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks so much in advance.

pdedes

get away while you can

Elvo

This is like asking if you should kiss animals on the animal kissing forums

patentcad

I kiss my dog every day. No tongue for me, but that doesn't stop him.

bobbycorno

1) Yes, buy a road bike. 2) Since you're "working with no bills to pay", put some cash away to go to Europe to ride said bike. And do it while you're young!

SP
Bend, OR

halfspeed

Quit now. Drink beer and chase girls. Then when you're 35, fat, have high blood pressure, a lopid habit and a grumpy wife, come back here and start a thread about how you haven't ridden in a long time and want to get back in to it.

clydeosaur

yeah, pretty much sums it up.

I was where you are a little over two years ago. So glad I got a roadbike. I don't miss the hybrid one bit. It's probably more mental than physical, but I've made some nice improvements and enjoy riding even more.

Mike F

What he said.

Rob13

Gtfo!

tagaproject6

Buy a road bike and you will then discover that there is no such thing as a "performance hybrid bike". Do it!

generalkdi

You'll certainly have a lot more fun on your brand new carbon road bike

rbart4506

Get a road bike, get hooked, start racing...You know you wanna

rjones28 

Yes.

dahut

Is a road bike worth getting for the "recreational rider"? Yes.
How much do I need to ride it to make it worth it? As much as you want. Several hundred miles a week is not uncommon.
How much faster and efficient is a road bike over a hybrid bicycle? Yes.
What brand/type of road bike should I get? I'm working with no bills to pay, so I'm looking to spend in the 1000-1700 range.
Go ride some at several bike stores. Find one you like and buy that.

cleon

Rofl..well put!

mtalinm

this is like asking "should I do a Ph.D?"

if you have to ask, the answer is usually 'no'.

ConradNaff

I'm almost 20 and I've been riding road bikes since I was 17. I go on long solo rides often, and a couple of the bikes I've bought have been in your budget range, so maybe I know where you're coming from. Hopefully I can help.

Is a road bike worth getting for the "recreational rider"? Depends what you call a "recreational rider." Someone who recreationally rides 10 miles once a month probably doesn't need a road bike in your budget. I consider myself a recreational rider. I don't race, I usually ride road solo. I put a minimum of about 50 miles a week on my bike, and that's when the weather's bad, I'm busy, and school work is piling up. Most weeks during the summer I put in more like 200 miles with a few weeks of long rides that's more touring than anything else. I think a road bike is worth it for the kind of road riding I do.

How much do I need to ride it to make it worth it? Depends on how you feel. If I paid between $1,000 and $1,700 I would have to ride it at least somewhat regularly. I know/know of some people who spent a lot more than that on a bike and only bring it out for a 50 mile charity ride a couple times a year.

How much faster and efficient is a road bike over a hybrid bicycle? A lot.

What brand/type of road bike should I get? Depends on what you want to do. There are a ton of choices. This year I bought a Surly Pacer. Without the decals it's a plain looking bike that doesn't look too appetizing to thieves around campus, it can haul groceries, it has fenders, I can put bigger (32c) tires on it, and it eats the road fairly well considering. You wouldn't want to race it, but I use it as my car and as my road bike during the school year. I have room for one bike in college and the Pacer does a lot of things ok. Get a more performance oriented bike if you just want to ride. Something like a Trek Madone 3.1, a Specialized Allez/Secteur, a Giant Defy, Cannondale Caad-something or a gazillion others. Talk to people, get opinions, research and test ride. Used bikes can be a good value, just make sure the bike fits you and is a reasonable price. Any road bike in your budget is going to work for you way better than your hybrid.

If you want to go on longer rides budget in things like clothes, shoes, and bibs if you don't have any. They're worth it.

SlimRider

So you walk into the Long Branch Saloon, and you ask "Louie Pheeters", if it's alright to share a drink or two with him!

.....Wonder what he'll say....?


Most of us asked this question at one time or another. At the time, we didn't know whether it was a stupid question or not, either.

Most people dream about it and think about it, until they just do it!

It's sorta like your first real girlfriend...You dream about her at night. You think about her all day. Then one day...Bingo!

Hey! Just lock that hybrid up....

Go to your nearest Cannondale dealer. Get fitted. Then buy a Cannondale CAAD8 5 105 and try to ride back home without a smile on your face!

Then comeback here and tell us how she feels...

- Slim

PS.

You might wanna try the Giant Defy 1, as well!

After your purchase, join a road bike club in your area.

My road bike was the second best feeling I ever got in life when I was your age. Since then, it's moved up to first place!

tadawdy

I hate cycling. I just like arguing about it.

Deademeat

Hey - thats offensive. I resemble that remark.

catonec 

road bikes are much cooler than hybrids however an average speed of 18 mph solo is pretty decent (unless you have absolutely no hills, then it sux), you wont see much increase.

I would say take that 1700 and buy yourself a bare frame off ebay then piecemeal the components together, thats what I did, and got a $5000 bike for around $2600 total. sure some components are slightly used but still look and perform like new. I always find it more rewarding to build myself rather than buy off the shelf, plus I taught myself all the mechanical aspects of my ride.

as far as how many miles to make it worth it.... this is an item you may have for 30 years or more. If you have one enjoyable ride a month, every month, untill you retire...well worth doing it right.

mazdaspeed

Is a road bike worth getting for the "recreational rider"? How much do I need to ride it to make it worth it?

Absolutely. If a hybrid is a toyota camry then a good road bike is a porsche 911. Night and day difference all around

How much faster and efficient is a road bike over a hybrid bicycle?

Depends on the hybrid, but a road bike will be measurably faster since it is more comfortable and you are in a more aerodynamic and powerful riding position.

What brand/type of road bike should I get? I'm working with no bills to pay, so I'm looking to spend in the 1000-1700 range.

You can get something really nice in your price range, a week or two ago REI was clearing out the caad10 with ultegra for $1600 (normally $2k), that would be on the top of my list for a new bike however you need to include things like bibs, probably a saddle, clipless pedals, shoes, etc... so it might put you over budget, and you don't really need that much bike to start off with anyhow. There are lots of good options, use the search function and good luck.

Accordion

I didn't read all the posts but here's my take on it:

You're 18. Start riding now. I used to ride my MOUNTAIN BIKE (Specialized Rockhopper) back in 1987 to college. This was 13 miles each way. Then I'd play basketball, football, stop by the gym and play racquetball, then ride home. I did this five days a week. I was in the best shape of my life.

Then a job. Then a wife. Then a mortgage. Then a son. Then about 60 pounds. I was an ex-athlete pushing 262 on the scale at one point. So I started running. I hate running. HATE IT. I got down to 200 pounds but I just hated the sport.

Then I started thinking, what did I really enjoy when I was younger? Bike riding. So I bought a CAAD9. 8000 miles later I was 185 pounds. Your legs get huge. Your arms get toned. Your cardio is through-the-roof. You get a year-round tan for free.

Then 6 weeks ago a car right-hooked me and totaled my bike. I've put on 18 pounds since then. I'm tired. I'm fat. My cardio is gone. I'm bone-white. Depressed.

So I went down and ordered a CAAD10 two days ago. I'm back into it. I need it. It's zen-like for me.

Get into it now at your age. Without all the encumbrances of life right now you'll really enjoy it.

Good luck!

banerjek

Does he perfect his technique on his own butt first to make sure you never get a crappy smooch?

banerjek

I like your sense of humor...

But to get straight to your question, it's worth it if you enjoy riding. As is the case with other things, the better you get, the more fun you have. That makes you ride more so you get better and have yet more fun. It's a vicious cycle that can go on for decades.

If you like long solo rides, you definitely want a road bike. For the 1000-1700 range, there are many good choices, and what's right really depends on what type of riding you do and where. I'd recommend going to some local shops and seeing what you like.