Talk to me about road bikes and road biking....

banslug

banslug

Cathlete
Please. ;)

In an effort to heal (or is it heel, lol) my Plantar Fasciitis yet set a new challenge for myself, I'm starting to get a bit of interest in road biking. I own a mountain bike that I love (Rock Shox and everything), which I know is not the same as a road bike. But I know NOTHING about road bikes or actually road biking itself.

So, for those of you who know what you're talking about, please fill me in on anything and everything road-biking.

THANKS in advance!

Gayle
 
I have a women's Giant OCR3 and I really like it a lot. Cost me 800.00 2 years ago, but it is a really nice bike that I can ride for years and years. Very light, very fast.
 
Hey Gayle,
Here’s my limited knowledge (although I do own a road bike). When I was looking into buying one about year and half ago, I went into a bike shop and asked tons of questions (it was Beacon, not sure if they are in your area). I told the guy I was looking for an “entry level” road bike so I could train for duathlons/triathlons and some longer distance road events.

He put me on a simulated bike that gave him measurements for what size bike I’d need. They come in centimeter measurements (which was new for me since I knew I could ride a 26” Huffy or Cruiser, lol). He then brought down two bikes for me to try – a Specialized Dolce (a women’s specific bike) and a Trek (I forget the model of this one). Anyway, I ended up buying the Specialized Dolce because it fit me so well. I wasn’t totally stretched out over the bike just to reach the handlebars and it had two sets of brakes, one on the top one on bottom which comes in handy if I’m sitting more upright when I ride. The bike is super light weight (weighs a little over 20 lbs.) so I can lift it just about anywhere with little effort. I love the colors (girly stuff, I know) and the overall performance of the bike. I bought the previous year’s model so I got about $100-200 bucks off (it was still very pricey at $798 though). I know lots of “real” road racers pay A LOT more than that…..it’s an expensive sport!

So anyway, I’ve had this bike for a year and a half and I’ve rode it off and on (done a sprint duathlon and a short bike race). But I’m looking to learn more and get more experience next year (I’m going to cut back on the running a little and bike more). HTH. My best suggestion would be to find a bike shop and ask questions and try out a road bike and see how it feels. There is SO much to learn, it seems more complicated than running that’s for sure. ;)

Kathy
 
meowracer said:
A lot to cover there...where do you want to start?
Click to expand...

Thanks, Dorothy and Kathy!!!

So, specifics I'm wondering....where do I start? lol I have 2 bike shops near me, one that I prefer because I went to school with one of the sons and it's a family-owned (2 generations) business, and I trust them. Beyond that, what do I need to ask about when it comes to a bike? Are there different styles of bikes, for different body types/builds (similar to running sneakers and runners)? Just ANY INFORMATION for a TOTAL newbie, really.

As for biking itself, this may sound silly, but is there any specific biking tips I need to know (beyond basic road rules like always ride with traffic, etc)?

Seriously, this may sound goofy to those in-the-know, but I've never given biking a thought until now, and now that I'm interested in it, I don't know if there's something I SHOULD know.

(am I talking in circles again? LOL)

Compared to running....get fitted for a good pair of sneakers, lace them up and RUN. Is biking the same.....get fitted/sized for a good bike, strap on the helmet and PEDAL?

Gayle
 
Gayle -

I just completed a 100 mile ride on my bike in July. I spend a lot of my time on my road bike and I love it. As you get more used to riding and can go faster, you can get your heart rate up and keep it there. The only thing that burns more calories for me than road biking is running - and I can ride a heck of a lot longer than I can run. :p

First things first - go to the local bike store you trust. They are the ones who will sell you the bike that is right for you. Figure out a budget - for a decent bike expect to pay between $800 to $1500. Prices on bikes did go up last year by about 20%, but it's also end of season and new bikes are out - so you may be able to get a great deal on a 2009 or even new 2008 model.

Then ride as many bikes in the store as you can. Even the ones outside your price range (for comparison - there is a big difference in the way each kind of frame handles on the road - it's nice to know what's out there). What you are looking for more than anything is fit. You want a bike that fits you. Believe me, you'll know the bike that fits you as soon as you are on it. You don't want to feel too stretched out over the handle bars (many brands offer Women Specific Designs -or WSD's in their more popular lines - try them as well if you can). You also want to make sure where you sit over the pedals is comfortable. Saddles can be adjusted, but that range is limited. The actual brand of the bike is not that important. My current stable includes Cannondale, Surly, a couple of Treks and a Klein. I love them all.

My advice to you is to buy as much bike as you can comfortably afford if you think this is going to be a long term thing for you. There is a lot of difference between an $800 bike and a $1500 bike, but a lot less between a $2000 bike and a $5000 one. But an $800 bike is so much better than a $400 one.

Keep in mind all of the fun accessories that go with bike riding:

* Helmet
* Gloves - I highly recommend
* Water bottle cages and water bottles (go thermal - REI carries them - they keep the water cooler longer - and get two cages and two water bottles)
* A new saddle - most stock saddles are painful - expect the spend another $75+ on this - your Local Bike Store should be able to help you measure your sit bones to determine which saddle is best for you
* Possible bike shoes and pedals - you really do get better leverage and full rotation with clipless pedals - but that is something easily added on when you are ready.
* Bike shorts - I personally think a good saddle is far more important than good bike shorts (I can ride my saddle for hours with no padding, but I have been on saddles were no matter how much padding in my shorts, I'm in pain after 10 miles).

The ladies over at Team Estrogen (http://forums.teamestrogen.com/) have much more wonderful advice. Go to the "New Rider" section and do a search on finding a bike. There are all sorts of riders over there and all sorts of excellent advice. It's a good group.

Have fun!! I now ride with my daughter and I'm so happy to be able to do that.
 
My OCR3 is a woman's bike, and what a difference it makes riding a bike made for a woman. The bike I had before I got in 1980, and they just looked at your leg length. With this one, the handle bar neck could be changed around depending on what you are comfortable with, and other things as well, so have them make adjustments until you are comfortable.

If you have never ridden a good road bike, keep in mind...they are fast. Mine actually scares my daughter who likes her hybrid. She says it is just too light and too easy to go fast on. I did crash in June, going about 21MPH around a turn, and luckily it was mud that made me slide out, and mud that saved me. Still I had some pretty nasty abrasions, and going at that speed really could have hurt myself badly.

But I love the speed always have. I never got used to riding with clips, so don't have them, although the store recommended them.
 
Well, I got home to reply and you have already gotten great info. I will go over the basics of what I was going to say...you will want a great saddle, good fitting shorts, and a bike fitted to you. And once fitted, it will probably still need some tweaking so be aware of how it feels. If you want effeciency, you will want the pedals that you clip your shoes into. This means buying pedals and shoes too. And you will want socks that don't restrict your feet too. Good gloves, helmet of course, but I guess you already have one. Do you clip into your mountain bike? How long do you ride that bike for? Maybe you already have the shorts/gloves, etc too?? Do you have a place where you can safely ride? Do you want speed and distance, or just exercise and fun? I found that group rides are amazing. You can learn so much from those guys. I have the Orbea Diva bike (a WSD bike). I am tall and most WSDs were to small but Orbea's bikes are a bit longer. Mine is all carbon but nothing that you have to have...I just NEEDED that bike! :) You can get a partial carbon bike. And there are varying grades of carbon, so don't get a carbon bike just to have one. An aluminum bike could be ok too. Just depends on what you want out of it. Definitely ride as many bikes as you can - brands, sizes (although the shop should be able to tell you pretty close what your size would be), WSD/nonWSD (depending on your height). Also, I have SRAM shifting and love it. Look into different shifting options. And will you be climbing hills or riding more flatlands? This will have an effect on the gearing you get. I did not want a compact crank so went with a 53/39. Depending on your level of riding and your terrain, you can top out on the compact, and besides, I do love my big gears :) Just ask 3 million questions, and then ask some more. You will learn a lot.
 
banslug said:
As for biking itself, this may sound silly, but is there any specific biking tips I need to know (beyond basic road rules like always ride with traffic, etc)?
Gayle
Click to expand...

  • Make sure drivers notice you. Wear bright colors during day and white at night and use lights front and rear plus reflectors. Don't ever assume that you've been seen, make eye contact with drivers.
  • ride defensivly but not timidly. Be predictable. Use hand signals, let drivers know what you are intending to do.
  • Ride well into the lane-don't hug the curb where you are less visible and drivers are tempted to squeeze by. The entire lane is yours-take it.
  • Look through windows of parked cars for someone who might throw open a door or to spot pedestrians stepping out from in between cars.
  • Beware of sun glare which makes it difficult for drivers to see you.
  • use a rearview mirror and check it constantly. listen for revving engines and slowing, squealing tires and gear changes too.
  • when passing a line of parked cars, don't weave in and out between them, hold a straight line and again watch for doors to open.
  • follow all traffic laws for cars-they do apply to bicyclists too. I'm amazed at how many bicyclists i see going through stop signs and red lights.
  • drive with traffic. runners and walkers are told it's safer to go against traffic. Bicyclist should go with traffic.
 
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