One month later and loving new bike/style!
06-21-15, 03:36 PM
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One month later and loving new bike/style!
Three months ago I started riding an old Trek comfort bike and after quickly getting bitten by the riding bug I decided I wanted to get a new bike.
After researching & debating over style (hybrid, cyclo, or endurance) I decided to go endurance and purchased a Specialized Secteur Elite.
I am posting this because I have seen more than a few other posters like myself who were unsure if the transition from comfort/hybrid to road was for them and I just want to say that I have had nothing but great results!
My back was my main concern and after about five weeks and 500 miles I have not experienced one issue with it and am in fact more comfortable on my endurance bike than I was on my comfort bike.
I am also fairly comfortable with the new seat style but I will admit that it is the one thing I am still getting used to. But as I am still using the semi lousy stock saddle and not using any type of padded shorts it is to be expected imo.
I am fairly certain that when I do upgrade I will be a 100% comfortable happy camper.
Another thing I was a bit concerned about was the harshness of the ride on much narrower tires but after the first day or two I stopped even noticing it. I have just made sure to be a bit more careful choosing my line to avoid the worst of the roadside. I ride on fairly busy north Jersey roads that aren't always the smoothest but so far, so good.
My advice to anyone on the fence currently on a comfort or hybrid is to take as long of test rides as possible on endurance bikes and just go for it if your health allows it.
After researching & debating over style (hybrid, cyclo, or endurance) I decided to go endurance and purchased a Specialized Secteur Elite.
I am posting this because I have seen more than a few other posters like myself who were unsure if the transition from comfort/hybrid to road was for them and I just want to say that I have had nothing but great results!
My back was my main concern and after about five weeks and 500 miles I have not experienced one issue with it and am in fact more comfortable on my endurance bike than I was on my comfort bike.
I am also fairly comfortable with the new seat style but I will admit that it is the one thing I am still getting used to. But as I am still using the semi lousy stock saddle and not using any type of padded shorts it is to be expected imo.
I am fairly certain that when I do upgrade I will be a 100% comfortable happy camper.
Another thing I was a bit concerned about was the harshness of the ride on much narrower tires but after the first day or two I stopped even noticing it. I have just made sure to be a bit more careful choosing my line to avoid the worst of the roadside. I ride on fairly busy north Jersey roads that aren't always the smoothest but so far, so good.
My advice to anyone on the fence currently on a comfort or hybrid is to take as long of test rides as possible on endurance bikes and just go for it if your health allows it.
06-21-15, 07:00 PM
#2
I need more cowbell.
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Congrats! You've chosen a beautiful steed.
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2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
2015 Sirrus Elite
Proud member of the original Club Tombay
06-22-15, 07:29 AM
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There ya go.
Three things near and dear to me.
My bike, my rubicon and the dead!
06-22-15, 11:36 AM
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Congrats on picking the right bike - that's 90% of the battle won IMHO.
Now get rid of that stock saddle and you'll be all set...(some would also recommend a professional fitting service, I won't make that recommendation since I haven't done it myself).
Now get rid of that stock saddle and you'll be all set...(some would also recommend a professional fitting service, I won't make that recommendation since I haven't done it myself).
06-22-15, 11:40 AM
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06-22-15, 02:41 PM
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Three months ago I started riding an old Trek comfort bike and after quickly getting bitten by the riding bug I decided I wanted to get a new bike.
After researching & debating over style (hybrid, cyclo, or endurance) I decided to go endurance and purchased a Specialized Secteur Elite.
I am posting this because I have seen more than a few other posters like myself who were unsure if the transition from comfort/hybrid to road was for them and I just want to say that I have had nothing but great results!
My back was my main concern and after about five weeks and 500 miles I have not experienced one issue with it and am in fact more comfortable on my endurance bike than I was on my comfort bike.
I am also fairly comfortable with the new seat style but I will admit that it is the one thing I am still getting used to. But as I am still using the semi lousy stock saddle and not using any type of padded shorts it is to be expected imo.
I am fairly certain that when I do upgrade I will be a 100% comfortable happy camper.
Another thing I was a bit concerned about was the harshness of the ride on much narrower tires but after the first day or two I stopped even noticing it. I have just made sure to be a bit more careful choosing my line to avoid the worst of the roadside. I ride on fairly busy north Jersey roads that aren't always the smoothest but so far, so good.
My advice to anyone on the fence currently on a comfort or hybrid is to take as long of test rides as possible on endurance bikes and just go for it if your health allows it.
After researching & debating over style (hybrid, cyclo, or endurance) I decided to go endurance and purchased a Specialized Secteur Elite.
I am posting this because I have seen more than a few other posters like myself who were unsure if the transition from comfort/hybrid to road was for them and I just want to say that I have had nothing but great results!
My back was my main concern and after about five weeks and 500 miles I have not experienced one issue with it and am in fact more comfortable on my endurance bike than I was on my comfort bike.
I am also fairly comfortable with the new seat style but I will admit that it is the one thing I am still getting used to. But as I am still using the semi lousy stock saddle and not using any type of padded shorts it is to be expected imo.
I am fairly certain that when I do upgrade I will be a 100% comfortable happy camper.
Another thing I was a bit concerned about was the harshness of the ride on much narrower tires but after the first day or two I stopped even noticing it. I have just made sure to be a bit more careful choosing my line to avoid the worst of the roadside. I ride on fairly busy north Jersey roads that aren't always the smoothest but so far, so good.
My advice to anyone on the fence currently on a comfort or hybrid is to take as long of test rides as possible on endurance bikes and just go for it if your health allows it.
Enjoy,
Pat
06-22-15, 11:06 PM
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I can relate to this though my transision wasn't as "quick" as you.
My first real bike for probably 20 years, 2013 Trek DS 8.4, a gift from my wife for my birthday and giving up the stinky sticks. Roads, trails, singletrack, I've been all over on this.
After 1 year of riding the Trek I decided to try a drop bar. Like you I was worried about how well the body would handle the "new" position. I loved the versatility of the DS to do tracks and trails and happened upon the 2012 Ridley X-Bow second hand for a good price so bit the bullet. Didn't really know much about bikes then and in fact the frame was too big for me (so people kept telling me) but I rode the pants off it, road, trail and places where I'm sure it wasn't appropriate
Being a Cyclocross the ride position wasn't too extreme.
8 months later just happened to be walking past the LBS who was having a sale and got "sold" (didn't really take that much selling) on a 2014 Avanti Cadent ER2 (endurance, carbon, mostly 105) . Didn't go in intending to buy a new bike To sweeten it, not only was it on special, I got extra off and the LBS owner told me I could pay it off in installments whenever I had extra money but still take the bike away ( I know him from a previous life).
Sold the X-Bow ( ( part of my payment plan/scheme put forward in the business plan to SWMBO) and kept the Trek for "gravel grinding" duties as it was more versatile.
If I look at Veloviewer, there's not a big average speed difference between the Cadent and the X-Bow (about 1kmh ) but average elevation is about twice the X-bow and Avg distance per ride higher as well.
Next step's probably to slam the stem a spacer or two
Probably a nice transition for me from flat, to CX , to Endurance.
I too was worried about the thin tyres ( again going from 38 to 32 to 25s) but I've easily become accustomed to it (though I did "fall" into a big gap between two road plates the other day and scratched the rims) and even though I'm using the stock saddle I don't even wear padded pants for anything under about 60 kms.
Sometimes I think we underestimate the bodys ability to adapt
My first real bike for probably 20 years, 2013 Trek DS 8.4, a gift from my wife for my birthday and giving up the stinky sticks. Roads, trails, singletrack, I've been all over on this.
After 1 year of riding the Trek I decided to try a drop bar. Like you I was worried about how well the body would handle the "new" position. I loved the versatility of the DS to do tracks and trails and happened upon the 2012 Ridley X-Bow second hand for a good price so bit the bullet. Didn't really know much about bikes then and in fact the frame was too big for me (so people kept telling me) but I rode the pants off it, road, trail and places where I'm sure it wasn't appropriate
Being a Cyclocross the ride position wasn't too extreme. 
8 months later just happened to be walking past the LBS who was having a sale and got "sold" (didn't really take that much selling) on a 2014 Avanti Cadent ER2 (endurance, carbon, mostly 105) . Didn't go in intending to buy a new bike
To sweeten it, not only was it on special, I got extra off and the LBS owner told me I could pay it off in installments whenever I had extra money but still take the bike away ( I know him from a previous life). Sold the X-Bow ( ( part of my payment plan/scheme put forward in the business plan to SWMBO) and kept the Trek for "gravel grinding" duties as it was more versatile.
If I look at Veloviewer, there's not a big average speed difference between the Cadent and the X-Bow (about 1kmh ) but average elevation is about twice the X-bow and Avg distance per ride higher as well.
Next step's probably to slam the stem a spacer or two
Probably a nice transition for me from flat, to CX , to Endurance.
I too was worried about the thin tyres ( again going from 38 to 32 to 25s) but I've easily become accustomed to it (though I did "fall" into a big gap between two road plates the other day and scratched the rims) and even though I'm using the stock saddle I don't even wear padded pants for anything under about 60 kms.
Sometimes I think we underestimate the bodys ability to adapt
Last edited by limbot; 06-22-15 at 11:59 PM.
06-23-15, 10:09 AM
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Back in my law enforcement days, I did arrest a guy who had a tattoo of Jerry Garcia and I have a couple of Jerry Garcia ties. That pretty much sums up my Grateful Dead experience.
06-23-15, 10:37 AM
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06-23-15, 04:02 PM
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Been into the Dead ever since i saw them at the Filmore East in 1969.
And i also purchased a new bike this past winter. I replaced a very nice bike with a rather expensive one half trying to convince myself that it's worth it.
Well... the more i ride it the more I appreciate how much nicer it is and how much enjoyable my rides are. My rides are more frequent, longer and faster.
It was money well spent.
You'll see a SYF sticker on the back quarter window of my car.
And i also purchased a new bike this past winter. I replaced a very nice bike with a rather expensive one half trying to convince myself that it's worth it.
Well... the more i ride it the more I appreciate how much nicer it is and how much enjoyable my rides are. My rides are more frequent, longer and faster.
It was money well spent.
You'll see a SYF sticker on the back quarter window of my car.
Last edited by GlennR; 06-23-15 at 04:06 PM.
06-23-15, 04:03 PM
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I did date a lady once, back in 2012, who had the ashes of an uncle in a box on her fireplace and his old car was parked in her front yard. I wasn't sure what "dead" was important to you but hey, this is the 21st century and I need to be more open minded and accepting of other people's proclivities.
Back in my law enforcement days, I did arrest a guy who had a tattoo of Jerry Garcia and I have a couple of Jerry Garcia ties. That pretty much sums up my Grateful Dead experience.
Back in my law enforcement days, I did arrest a guy who had a tattoo of Jerry Garcia and I have a couple of Jerry Garcia ties. That pretty much sums up my Grateful Dead experience.
There is a Grateful Dead SYF decal on the back window of the Jeep in the picture.
Sorry, that's why I didn't specify
As for your lady friend with the Uncle's ashes and car on the lawn I suggest heeding Coughlin's Law:
"Bury the dead. They stink up the joint"
Sorry, but I just couldn't resist using a classic quote from a classicly bad movie
06-23-15, 04:09 PM
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October 1980 my dad passed away. My mom got me tickets to both shows at Radio City in December and told me to enjoy.
I really needed that.
06-23-15, 04:19 PM
#21
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Not sure if you need to be more open minded or more observant lol.
There is a Grateful Dead SYF decal on the back window of the Jeep in the picture.
Sorry, that's why I didn't specify
As for your lady friend with the Uncle's ashes and car on the lawn I suggest heeding Coughlin's Law:
"Bury the dead. They stink up the joint"
Sorry, but I just couldn't resist using a classic quote from a classicly bad movie
There is a Grateful Dead SYF decal on the back window of the Jeep in the picture.
Sorry, that's why I didn't specify
As for your lady friend with the Uncle's ashes and car on the lawn I suggest heeding Coughlin's Law:
"Bury the dead. They stink up the joint"
Sorry, but I just couldn't resist using a classic quote from a classicly bad movie
The movie quote was good.
06-24-15, 07:13 AM
#25
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NDS =Non-drive Side, the left side of your bicycle, we like to see the crank-set and derailleurs in the pics.
Bill
Bill
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I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13
Semper Fi, USMC, 1975-1977
I Can Do All Things Through Him, Who Gives Me Strength. Philippians 4:13