momo15

While there are many great riders on these boards, I know that lots of people are a bit overwhelmed by the advice from people who are veteran riders or racers. I would like to give my little bit of experience to the brand new rider, and let it be known that it comes from someone who only does this for fun, and will never try to be "elite."

1. My bike is good enough. I can't explain how much I enjoy my Allez. I did switch to Tiagra shifters and some Neuvation wheels, but it is otherwise stock. I want a new and fancy CF bike, but I also want a Nissan GTR. I lack the NEED, as well as the skill, for either.

2. I need to ride my bike more. I only logged 2000 miles this year, which I used to think was a lot, but now I realize I could use a lot more saddle time. I'm okay with that for my first year. Some guys go 12k miles the first year, and some ride 200. I think a lot of the low miles at the beginning had more to do with my slow pace, but I did get lazy on the bike during running season. I also put about 80-100 hours on the trainer, for what it is worth.

3. Riding my first century (Sea Otter Gran Fondo) was an amazing feeling. I wasn't sure I was going to finish, as I live in a flat area and didn't spend the time training for those climbs like I should have.

4. I thought I would never wear spandex shorts, now I understand. Take note, new riders, you will too. I still spin around town in MTB shorts, but anything over 15 miles and I need bibs.

5. I have made some great purchases and some seriously lame ones. Best- 3: Giro gloves, 2:Voler Jerseys, 1: Hitch rack for my car. Worst- 3: Schwinn bar end mirror, 2: cheater break levers (gone now), 1: My single speed build (never gets ridden, I prefer my old MTB for around town)
6. I use mountain bike shoes and pedals. The soles are stiff, and I can walk in them. No hot spots. They work just fine.

7. I have gotten better. It kind of comes in waves. It makes me feel good to look at my speed or my distance or my avg. speed (gasp!!!) and see it getting better.

8. I need to get betterer(?). I need a training plan besides stacking up miles or a random interval day. I'll post a specific thread asking for help later. I have a feeling the responses will get ugly, and I'm okay with that.

9. Signing up for events keeps me motivated. I did the Gran Fondo and I just finished a time trial series. Triathlons are coming up in September and October. That is what keeps me going.

10. I have aerobars on my bike, and I use a Camelback. These are for my time trial series, and I don't care what you think about it. My spare helmet is also covered in packing tape. I would like to point out, however, that I did flip it (and removed most of the spacers)

Bottom line, assess what you want to do if you are thinking about getting into road cycling. Don't feel as though you need to buy a $3k bike if you want to get into it and have fun. My motor is holding me back WAY more than my bike. If that is ever not the case, or if I have the spare cash, then we will see. Until then, thanks for the advice, BF, and I hope this can help some of the new people waiting to get into the sport.

lechwe

I'm right there with you. I will never be a racer and that's OK. I enjoy being out there and getting in shape with my Allez. I also wear MTB shoes since they are more comfortable to me and easier to walk in when I do. I have never signed up for an event but would like to enter a couple of century rides as that just seems like a milestone I need to complete. I am also low mileage. I try to keep a log and it is motivating to go back to it and see ride lengths increase and times decrease. I do wish I had a ride partner as it would be much easier to stay motivated and push myself a little harder.

All in all I'm just really having fun.

Oh Yeah, I still want a CF even though I'll never really need it but what does that have to do with anything.

RoboCheme

OP, excellent thread. You're right on track.

WHOOOSSHHH...

Right on point. Highly unusual for this forum. GOOD JOB!

chasmm

I like this...a lot. Good thread.

Charles

pchopper

This thread has a lot of common sense, humility, and good advice, I predict no more than two pages.

tagaproject6

This is good stuff!

I also have an Allez with Neuvation wheels and SRAM Force/Rival Group.

Ygduf

If you want legit training advice, don't start a thread here. Go here: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...ut-recipe-book

Varina Drag

^^^ This!

Good post, OP, I'm right there with you on many points, except I bought my road bike before my mountain bike so I do have the road shoes. Somehow I don't see using them on my mountain bike, though!

dstrong 

Is your spare helmet covered in packing tape because you use it for time trialing and you want it to be more aero? Or because it needs something to hold it together?!?!?!?

momo15

The packing tape is for the "aero" advantage. Who knows if it works. At the speeds that I TT, probably not, but it probably cant hurt.

Thanks everyone! I would also like to note that I calculated that I have burned 30lbs worth of calories, but I still weigh the same. It is time to start looking at my diet.

PaulRivers

+1

cshell

one year and 21 posts.

You spend more time riding the bike than on the BF.

Nice job!

cycle17

excellent post.... the more you ride the better you'll get.

cshell

Reading the post a second time (And it's even better the second time) made me think of a question.

You said, "I also put about 80-100 hours on the trainer, for what it is worth."

Do miles on the trainer NOT count as miles riden? I'd be tempted to count them as miles, if I used a trainer.

BigSean

Great post. Bottom line about buying the expensive bikes for me is, because I want it. That said your post is right on. Id say look at hours in the saddle too, so those trainer hours count, and they do help.

cycle17

If I'm on the bike using my legs to make the peddles go around and the wheels turn...It counts. LOL

coasting 

nice

sfrider 

Congrats on the year of riding! Don't mean to disagree for its own sake, but just like you discovered with lycra, we've all said the above as well. Then we starting spending a LOT more time on our bikes, refine our handling skills, tighten up our shifting technique and braking requirements, ride a lot harder over uneven pavement, descend faster... and suddenly $3-$6k doesn't seem so crazy anymore.

BigSean

Oh I still think its crazy, I just do it willingly.

momo15

I do agree that in time, my day for carbon may come. I was more trying to point out that aluminum and tiagra work increadibly well. I was just making the note for those who are afraid that they are wasting money if the DONT buy something that costs more than 2k. I would love a bike like that, but most any of the big name makers' entry level bikes will hold a lot of riders for a long time.

I came from a music background, and I saw a lot of guys buy Marshall 100w stacks and $4k Gibson Les Pauls to play in little clubs. More power to them if they have the money, but you don't NEED all of that to sound good.

I hope I don't come off sounding like people who do spend big bucks on bikes are doing something wrong. I just know that when I was first looking, one part of my was wanting a flat bar hybrid bike for $450, and some shop people were telling me that I would never be happy on anything less than a $1500 bike. I just wanted to point out how happy I am that I went with this bike. I hope it helps someone else who is just looking at getting into riding.

Thank you for all of the kind comments.

agarose2000

I agree with you on the intro-bikes being awesome. I've posted numerous time about my comparisons with my Cervelo Dura-Ace ($$$$) TT bike vs my intro-level Giant defy 3 ($700) which has Sora/2200 components, and the honest comparison is that the Giant rides every bit as well as the Cervelo does. The biggest shock was how well the Sora/2200 components worked, even on a triple - pretty much flawless shifting unless I purposely make a shift under very hard pedaling. Even the ride quality is superb on the intro level road bike. And I ride my bike hard - with active competitive roadies.

Anyone who tells you that you NEED anything beyond an intro level road bike is giving totally false info. You can win big races outright on these intro road bikes.