Originally Posted by javna_golina
Well I've had my road bike for a few days now, and I'm starting to think maybe I'm not cut out to be a roadie. It's gotta 53/39 front ring and a 12-25 9spd (yes!) cassette, and on the flats I'll rarely get to the middle of the cassette on the small ring. That, and my cadence is very low. on the plus side, I have clipless pedals sussed.
I am working harder though. I'm 17 and a little bit overweight with athsma. Will the bike mould me into a better athlete or should I slap a compact crank on there and hope for the best?
I was there too, don't worry about it, just keep riding. What happens is you will get stronger in the specific muscle groups that road cycling involves.
When I had to use my mountain bike for commuting a few weeks ago (after a 8 month hiatus), I was dyin out there....it's just how each bike's geometry uses your muscles, so you had to adapt.
Just give it time. I was running a 46-23 for the longest time, and now I spend most of my time on a 53-19, and sometimes the ever so fun 53-11, all in due time, all in due time
