Originally Posted by
TexLex100
This is all very useful information. I guess I will try to rent a bike over the weekend from a local bike store. I found one that rents road bikes for $100 a day or part of day, so I will go check him out. I am guessing that they actually won't do any fitting for rentals?
The information that road bikes can be set with a lower seat and a higher handle bars is quite interesting and new to me. Does this apply to a specific type of road bikes, or do all of them come with this possibility?
Is the $1,000 a decent range or would I only find inferior bikes at this range?
$100 a day for a rental seems high to me... But, I think it is an excellent idea. Partly it will give you an idea of how a certain type of bike feels to you. But, perhaps more importantly, it can help you figure out how and where you will ride...
I ride on packed Limestone Rails-to-Trails and started out on a road bike with slightly wider tires. It worked well for me. Even the drop bars worked well (although I hardly ever use the drops).
Then when I road a friend's upright mountain bike for a week, my back was killing me...
So, when I went shopping for a hybrid, I told the bike shop I wanted a forward leaning position. He said: "Don't worry, I can take care of that". He proceeded to give me a half dozen bikes to ride and, when I liked the Trek DS he flipped the stem and yes, I had the forward leaning position I needed.
So, the road bikes look sleek and fun and fast -- and they are! But they are also limited. And, you don't need to go to drop bars to get the forward lean so many people need for longer rides.
But, you DO NEED an LBS who:
-- Knows what he is talking about (that means years of experience selling AND RIDING bikes)
-- Is looking out for YOU and wants YOU to be a succesful cyclist (and is not just trying to sell bikes.)
-- Can fit the bike to you and customize it to meet your needs
-- Service it after the sale
For myself: I love my road bike with the drop bars and I love my hybrid with a (nearly) flat bar and I ride them both.
But, the biggest difference for me has been the bike shop. The LBS I shop at has supported me, answered all my stupid questions all summer long, and helped me to find the stuff that makes my cycling a safe and pleasant experience.
So, for me: it is half the bike and half the bike shop.
Like Stapfam said: First find a GOOD bike shop...