Originally Posted by fauxtoes

I've been biking for a couple months now, and I'm hooked- However, I'm currenty stuck atop a 35 lb. target schwinn, that's too small for me, and doesn't have nearly enough of a gear range for me (I only use the highest 2 gears, and even then, it's too slow for me- I feel like I'm stuck in third gear on the freeway).

I'm trying to rationalize dropping ~$800 on a real road bike, but of course, I have my hesitations. I'm really enjoying cycling, but since I haven't even been riding a real bike, I can't say I can really appreciate the experience of true road riding. I don't have any interest in offroad riding, so the type of bike isn't an issue, but I guess whether I'll stick with it or not concerns me.

I currently ride my bike to work, and I want to continue that, plus go on some longer rides in the evenings and weekends. I've been test-riding some bikes, and man do they feel sweeeeet. I live in New Orleans, so locking new expensive bike outside of work scares me a bit.

Nonetheless, I've pretty much made up my mind to dive in, but come on folks, tell me what I want to hear! Tell me why I shouldn't think twice about it!