Kickin tires and test riding, shopping for my first road bike
08-28-08, 08:08 PM
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Kickin tires and test riding, shopping for my first road bike
To get exercise I bought a Gary Fisher Zebrano hybrid 2 years ago. So far I've put 3,000 miles on it. I find the bike very comfortable. When I bought it I was impressed with how light I thought the bike was. The Fuji 10 speed I rode 30+ years ago seemed so much heavier.
In May I signed on to ride in my first century, it is on Maryland's eastern shore which is flat. I am in training for the event now and due to my work schedule I have been riding alone. My longest ride has been 68 miles with average speed around 13.5 mph. The area I have been training in is hilly so one minute I may be doing 40 mph and the next I'm in my lowest gear going 4 mph. On more than one occasion while I'm climbing to the top of a steep hill I've wished I was riding something lighter.
I've been lurking around a couple of bike forums trying to gain knowledge about road bikes. I understand that fit is the top priority and that I should test ride different bikes. Fortunately for me there are many bike shops within 25 miles of my home so the test rides have begun. The most I want to spend is $2000, which will get a nice bike with a carbon frame.
Tuesday I rode a 56cm Specalized Roubaix Elite and when I was in the drops it felt like my hands wern't far enough forward as if the bike was too small. Wednesday I rode a 58cm Scattante CFR Elite and I felt like I was stretching out about 1" too far to ride on the hoods. They said I could put a shorter steer on it, so this one is worth a second look. Tomorrow I am going to ride a 58cm 5000 Trek, 58cm Specalized Roubaix, 58cm Cannondale Synapse.
When I test ride the bikes I am changing my hand positions on the bars and going from sitting to standing. I'm just trying to get the feel of the bike. The road bike handle bar doesn't feel as comfortable as the straight bar that I have now. I don't wear gloves, could that be part of the problem? The drops are thin, like the steering wheel in a car from the 60's. Only the first digit of my middle fingers reaches the brake lever, is this normal? I see 99% of people ride on the hoods, is there a sweet spot where it just feels right or is it something I have to get used to?
In May I signed on to ride in my first century, it is on Maryland's eastern shore which is flat. I am in training for the event now and due to my work schedule I have been riding alone. My longest ride has been 68 miles with average speed around 13.5 mph. The area I have been training in is hilly so one minute I may be doing 40 mph and the next I'm in my lowest gear going 4 mph. On more than one occasion while I'm climbing to the top of a steep hill I've wished I was riding something lighter.
I've been lurking around a couple of bike forums trying to gain knowledge about road bikes. I understand that fit is the top priority and that I should test ride different bikes. Fortunately for me there are many bike shops within 25 miles of my home so the test rides have begun. The most I want to spend is $2000, which will get a nice bike with a carbon frame.
Tuesday I rode a 56cm Specalized Roubaix Elite and when I was in the drops it felt like my hands wern't far enough forward as if the bike was too small. Wednesday I rode a 58cm Scattante CFR Elite and I felt like I was stretching out about 1" too far to ride on the hoods. They said I could put a shorter steer on it, so this one is worth a second look. Tomorrow I am going to ride a 58cm 5000 Trek, 58cm Specalized Roubaix, 58cm Cannondale Synapse.
When I test ride the bikes I am changing my hand positions on the bars and going from sitting to standing. I'm just trying to get the feel of the bike. The road bike handle bar doesn't feel as comfortable as the straight bar that I have now. I don't wear gloves, could that be part of the problem? The drops are thin, like the steering wheel in a car from the 60's. Only the first digit of my middle fingers reaches the brake lever, is this normal? I see 99% of people ride on the hoods, is there a sweet spot where it just feels right or is it something I have to get used to?
08-28-08, 08:12 PM
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To get exercise I bought a Gary Fisher Zebrano hybrid 2 years ago. So far I've put 3,000 miles on it. I find the bike very comfortable. When I bought it I was impressed with how light I thought the bike was. The Fuji 10 speed I rode 30+ years ago seemed so much heavier.
In May I signed on to ride in my first century, it is on Maryland's eastern shore which is flat. I am in training for the event now and due to my work schedule I have been riding alone. My longest ride has been 68 miles with average speed around 13.5 mph. The area I have been training in is hilly so one minute I may be doing 40 mph and the next I'm in my lowest gear going 4 mph. On more than one occasion while I'm climbing to the top of a steep hill I've wished I was riding something lighter.
I've been lurking around a couple of bike forums trying to gain knowledge about road bikes. I understand that fit is the top priority and that I should test ride different bikes. Fortunately for me there are many bike shops within 25 miles of my home so the test rides have begun. The most I want to spend is $2000, which will get a nice bike with a carbon frame.
Tuesday I rode a 56cm Specalized Roubaix Elite and when I was in the drops it felt like my hands wern't far enough forward as if the bike was too small. Wednesday I rode a 58cm Scattante CFR Elite and I felt like I was stretching out about 1" too far to ride on the hoods. They said I could put a shorter steer on it, so this one is worth a second look. Tomorrow I am going to ride a 58cm 5000 Trek, 58cm Specalized Roubaix, 58cm Cannondale Synapse.
When I test ride the bikes I am changing my hand positions on the bars and going from sitting to standing. I'm just trying to get the feel of the bike. The road bike handle bar doesn't feel as comfortable as the straight bar that I have now. I don't wear gloves, could that be part of the problem? The drops are thin, like the steering wheel in a car from the 60's. Only the first digit of my middle fingers reaches the brake lever, is this normal? I see 99% of people ride on the hoods, is there a sweet spot where it just feels right or is it something I have to get used to?
In May I signed on to ride in my first century, it is on Maryland's eastern shore which is flat. I am in training for the event now and due to my work schedule I have been riding alone. My longest ride has been 68 miles with average speed around 13.5 mph. The area I have been training in is hilly so one minute I may be doing 40 mph and the next I'm in my lowest gear going 4 mph. On more than one occasion while I'm climbing to the top of a steep hill I've wished I was riding something lighter.
I've been lurking around a couple of bike forums trying to gain knowledge about road bikes. I understand that fit is the top priority and that I should test ride different bikes. Fortunately for me there are many bike shops within 25 miles of my home so the test rides have begun. The most I want to spend is $2000, which will get a nice bike with a carbon frame.
Tuesday I rode a 56cm Specalized Roubaix Elite and when I was in the drops it felt like my hands wern't far enough forward as if the bike was too small. Wednesday I rode a 58cm Scattante CFR Elite and I felt like I was stretching out about 1" too far to ride on the hoods. They said I could put a shorter steer on it, so this one is worth a second look. Tomorrow I am going to ride a 58cm 5000 Trek, 58cm Specalized Roubaix, 58cm Cannondale Synapse.
When I test ride the bikes I am changing my hand positions on the bars and going from sitting to standing. I'm just trying to get the feel of the bike. The road bike handle bar doesn't feel as comfortable as the straight bar that I have now. I don't wear gloves, could that be part of the problem? The drops are thin, like the steering wheel in a car from the 60's. Only the first digit of my middle fingers reaches the brake lever, is this normal? I see 99% of people ride on the hoods, is there a sweet spot where it just feels right or is it something I have to get used to?
Like both now.
You Might try some non padded gloves.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
08-28-08, 08:58 PM
#3
grilled cheesus
6000 miles, 70 pounds lighter, core work that gave me a 3 pack, AND being in the best shape of my life i still dont ride that much in the drops. it comes with time and fitness. later.
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08-29-08, 12:02 AM
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OK, so the discomfort is something I'll just have to deal with. Maybe I won't get a new bike and just tough it out on the one I have now.
