Blanchje

Great, another old man going through his mid-life crisis and wanting to be a bike rider you say? Nope. The motorcycle took care of that I am old(ish) as 50 is bearing down like a freight train but really I've loved riding a bike since I was 5 years old. For the past 20 years or so it's been my mainstay means of warm weather fitness in part because as much as I enjoy riding I hate to run. Hate hate hate... Anyway, my riding for years has mostly been around home on a mixture of paved and gravel roads and in the 10-12 mile range for rides. Last summer I started looking to challenge myself a little more and began pushing myself with distance. I did a 20 mile ride which was a record for me and really changed my mindset. By summers end I'd pushed my best to 45 miles. That got me thinking that I'd like to push the distance envelope more but riding a bike where I sit upright and catch the wind like a sail and with wide tires it might be time to think about a real road bike. So here I am. Mostly to learn. Hopefully to contribute a little and particularly hopeful to have a little fun.

Jeff

East Hill

Hi Jeff, what kind of road bike were you looking at? Do you like vintage steel bikes? Looking for that sleek modern carbon fibre?

Price range?

Welcome to BF!

East Hill

Blanchje

To be honest I haven't got a clue as I really don't know anything about them. That's some of what I'm hoping to learn here. I want something that is comfortable, durable, and reliable. I don't see myself racing. I'm hoping to keep the cost in the range of $1000 give or take. I do have one question on fit as all my experience has been standing next to a bike and saying "yep, looks like it fits". I was loitering around a LBS recently and they offer a 2 hour fitting session. Price is $150 and you can get some of that back if you purchase. They claim to measure everything including hip and knee angles, power output, how you sit on the bike, the length of your eyelashes, etc. Does that make sense to go through or am I setting myself up for a sales pitch that the only bike in the world that fits me is made from weapons grade plutonium and costs $10,000?

jsharr

Go into the LBS with a clear idea of budget. You can get a very nice bike for $1000. Ride as many bikes as they have in your price range and buy the one that feels the best. If you are getting into long distance riding, save a bit for shorts, jersey, helmet, basic tool kit to change tires, do emergency repairs on teh road.

Clipless pedals and shoes are nice, but not a must have item.

If you ride roads and gravel, a cyclocross bike might be worth looking at.

Best of Luck and welcome to the forums.

East Hill

Fitting sessions can be very helpful indeed, but you certainly won't be steered to the lower end bikes! Check out the regional forums, and ask if that particular LBS has a good fitter, and go from there.

East Hill

Tude 

<pout> Turning 50 does not make one old.


(of course I won't be saying that in July)

RonH

Holy crap. Another kid thinking he is old because 50 is just over the horizon.
I'm 63 and I'm not old. There are lots of us here older than you. We stay young riding our bicycles.
Now get a grip and go ride your bike.

BTW: Welcome to BikeForums.

jstava

I agree entirely, at age 56, RonH. The trick is to just keeping doing those things, whatever they are, that keep one fit and active, and enjoy.

Blanchje

Oh, I totally agree. My age doesn't bother me in the slightest. Amazes me a little but I wouldn't trade to be 20 again for anything. Secret is to keep living life and keep moving.

East Hill

Being twenty is not nearly as much fun as you would think! Too much angst .

East Hill

Blanchje

I well remember. My son is just turning 17. It's bad enough watching him go through it. I'm more comfortable with who I am than I've ever been.

voldemort

First, eyelash length is critical, but not without an actual eyelash [U]count[U]. Plutonium is nice, but once you consider its half-life...

Anyway, look at a few of your nearby shops to test ride different bikes to narrow it down. You might want to consider buying from a shop that provides the formal fitting. Some shops provide it for free if you buy your bike there. But if you get measured, then go buy somewhere else...obviously they've lost time/money. The right fit, though, will make your riding a LOT more comfortable, especially long distance riding. You can get a carbon front fork, carbon chainstays, and carbon seatpost from several manufacturers for a little over $1000. You might want to look at what's called "relaxed geometry" if you've been riding relatively full upright. It's for those of us who no longer have (or never did have) the need, desire, or ability to ride with our parallel to the ground for 100+ miles.

Welcome, and happy riding!