Buying a road bike

[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid for 10
weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but serves a
purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at twice my speed -
my past competition experiences prove too hard to let go. Now at 58
there's no way I'm going to be a competitive rider again, though the odd
tri might be still on. It'll be used as a training bike, with the hybrid
used as the commuter as it has panniers.

I seem to be doing some 200 km/week - the hybrid does not look as if it's
going to last too well, already one set of pedals (with old-fashioned
toe-clips) have had to be replaced. I plan to go back to cleats, though my
favoured Keywin pedals don't seem to be around any more.

I live in the Brisbane area, so quite a few average hills, plus I use good
bike tracks when I can find them - but no off-road stuff.

I'm thinking of a straight-handle bar bike (due to back problems),
probably with extension handles. I'm very tempted to add aero bars as I
always used to use Scott bars in the old days.
--------------snip---------------

Giant has some good (and cheap) flat bar road bikes:

http://www.giantbicycle.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?range=128

Karen Gallagher said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid for 10
weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but serves a
purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at twice my speed -
my past competition experiences prove too hard to let go. Now at 58 there's
no way I'm going to be a competitive rider again, though the odd tri might
be still on. It'll be used as a training bike, with the hybrid used as the
commuter as it has panniers.

I seem to be doing some 200 km/week - the hybrid does not look as if it's
going to last too well, already one set of pedals (with old-fashioned
toe-clips) have had to be replaced. I plan to go back to cleats, though my
favoured Keywin pedals don't seem to be around any more.

I live in the Brisbane area, so quite a few average hills, plus I use good
bike tracks when I can find them - but no off-road stuff.

I'm thinking of a straight-handle bar bike (due to back problems), probably
with extension handles. I'm very tempted to add aero bars as I always used
to use Scott bars in the old days.

Suggestions, please - what sort of bike should I be looking for? I'm not
into poseur bikes, either! Funds are not unlimited, but $1k is around what I
think I should be paying, perhaps a little more.

Karen

--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

I'd choose an (Avanti) Blade over a (Giant) CRX. The Giant has a better spec level, but the Avanti rides nicer. Take them both for a spin and see for yourself.

Womens road bikes: 'SUB' range, Specialized have one, as do Trek WS-somethings, and a few more. basically shorter toptube so more female friendly geometry

Visitant said:

[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid for 10
weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but serves a
purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at twice my speed
- my past competition experiences prove too hard to let go. Now at 58
there's no way I'm going to be a competitive rider again, though the odd
tri might be still on. It'll be used as a training bike, with the hybrid
used as the commuter as it has panniers.

I seem to be doing some 200 km/week - the hybrid does not look as if it's
going to last too well, already one set of pedals (with old-fashioned
toe-clips) have had to be replaced. I plan to go back to cleats, though
my favoured Keywin pedals don't seem to be around any more.

I live in the Brisbane area, so quite a few average hills, plus I use
good bike tracks when I can find them - but no off-road stuff.

I'm thinking of a straight-handle bar bike (due to back problems),
probably with extension handles. I'm very tempted to add aero bars as I
always used to use Scott bars in the old days.
--------------snip---------------

Giant has some good (and cheap) flat bar road bikes:

http://www.giantbicycle.com/au/030.000.000/030.000.000.asp?range=128

Yes, I think that both Avanti and Giant are running out their old models, so
now is a good time to buy.

I have just gone through the purchase process myself. I have generally been
encouraging our staff to ride to work, and yesterday bought a 'Specialized
Allez Sport' for one of our guys who is turning thirty. I couldn't have
afforded to get him such a good bike except that it was available at a
greatly reduced price, since Specialized are currently clearing last year's
model.

Although it's a traditional drop handlebar bike, it comes with an adjustable
angle on the handlebar stem which allows the bars to be raised up for
comfort. A Specialized Allez Sport might be close enough to the budget if
you talk very nicely to your local bike shop. If they only offer it at
close to the list price of $1700, then ask them for the run-out price for
last year's model. It is a really, really nice looking bike, with a good
frame and good quality components (Shimano Tiagra/105). I think it would
make a great trainer, too. Of course this is all by my standards: I'm
still riding a somewhat lower quality but quite serviceable road bike.

By the way, I am impressed by anyone doing 200 km per week on a hybrid bike
as a commuter!

Cheers,

Vince

Quoted message said:

By the way, I am impressed by anyone doing 200 km per week on a
hybrid bike as a commuter!

Cheers,

Vince

I'm hoping to progress to the stage where I can join the BNE LA Friday rides
& have some chance of not getting dropped 🙂

As long as the gang will accept a wrinklie joining them. I could possibly
outgun Lotte :-o

Karen

--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

Karen Gallagher said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid for 10
weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but serves a
purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at twice my speed -
my past competition experiences prove too hard to let go. Now at 58 there's
no way I'm going to be a competitive rider again, though the odd tri might
be still on. It'll be used as a training bike, with the hybrid used as the
commuter as it has panniers.

Every time I read "I want a flat bar road bike because a drop bar bike
hurts my back" I cringe and/or want to smack the person that made the
appallingly bad suggestion to use one in the first place. The
placement of your normal position on the bars is unrelated to the type
of bars you have, and by going to flat bars you take away a lot of
choices re hand positions and if you do ever decide to race again, you
can't on them except in foolathons, and even then, they'll suck even
with aerobars bolted on. There's a *reason* for drop bars being the
way they are - you have at least 6 places (8, if you try hard) where
you can put your hands. On long rides this means you can avoid hand
and wrist problems.

Setting the bike up to suit you is the important bit, and a drop bar
bike set up for you will be just as comfortable as a flatbar, *and* you
can put your hands in different places for a rest - bar ends only give
you 2 places to put your hands, and they both suck into headwinds, up
hills and down hills and in bunches.

quote='Bleve'Karen Gallagher said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid for 10
weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but serves a
purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at twice my speed -
my past competition experiences prove too hard to let go. Now at 58 there's
no way I'm going to be a competitive rider again, though the odd tri might
be still on. It'll be used as a training bike, with the hybrid used as the
commuter as it has panniers.

Every time I read "I want a flat bar road bike because a drop bar bike
hurts my back" I cringe and/or want to smack the person that made the
appallingly bad suggestion to use one in the first place. The
placement of your normal position on the bars is unrelated to the type
of bars you have, and by going to flat bars you take away a lot of
choices re hand positions and if you do ever decide to race again, you
can't on them except in foolathons, and even then, they'll suck even
with aerobars bolted on. There's a *reason* for drop bars being the
way they are - you have at least 6 places (8, if you try hard) where
you can put your hands. On long rides this means you can avoid hand
and wrist problems.

Setting the bike up to suit you is the important bit, and a drop bar
bike set up for you will be just as comfortable as a flatbar, *and* you
can put your hands in different places for a rest - bar ends only give
you 2 places to put your hands, and they both suck into headwinds, up
hills and down hills and in bunches.[/QUOTE]spot on!

I think many go down the flat bar route because it seems the MTB's delivered a "cool" image of sorts in recent years, and the manufacturers have driven the low end with flat bar bikes enmasse , some riders may not like the drop position or feel they never need to get "aero"...but really, they would be better off for reasons also expounder above.

My one and only general porduction bike in my small but growing quiver of N+1 bies ( where N currently equals 4) was originally a flat bar hybrid...I easily converted to drops by taking the flat bar brakes and mounting them on the drop bars without any modification, ...they even work ergonomically and with some etxra bar tape built up they even have hoods for a relaxed position as well, but at least I can get down and boogy when I have to take it to the post office ( 'cos thats the only trip it gets anyway- well except for the odd CM and park cruise)

if you are contemplating riding in any bunch (ie with road bikes), forget flat bar all together and go with drops from the beginning and have a ball.

as for which bike... for $1K, I wont enter into this one...but good luck...if you can increase your budget a little bit then get a cycle-fit first, then go bike shopping!

whatever...ride to enjoy and enjoy to ride

"I'm hoping to progress to the stage where I can join the BNE LA Friday
rides
& have some chance of not getting dropped 🙂

As long as the gang will accept a wrinklie joining them. I could
possibly
outgun Lotte :-o "

<snip>

Well, you'll be more than welcome, Karen!!

Oh, and be warned, Lotte will rise to the challenge... *laughs*

And just as an aside, I reckon get normal drop bars... If the bike is
fitted to you properly, I reckon it'll be more versatile in the long
run.

Cheers,
Abby

Absent Husband said:

"I'm hoping to progress to the stage where I can join the BNE LA
Friday rides
& have some chance of not getting dropped 🙂

As long as the gang will accept a wrinklie joining them. I could
possibly
outgun Lotte :-o "

<snip>

Well, you'll be more than welcome, Karen!!

Oh, and be warned, Lotte will rise to the challenge... *laughs*

And just as an aside, I reckon get normal drop bars... If the bike is
fitted to you properly, I reckon it'll be more versatile in the long
run.

Cheers,
Abby

Sadly drop bars are out - the reason I had to quit triathlon 15 years ago
was back problems, so I need to keep pretty upright.

Karen

--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

flyingdutch said:

Womens road bikes: 'SUB' range, Specialized have one, as do Trek
WS-somethings, and a few more. basically shorter toptube so more
female friendly geometry

I saw a Sub Lime which rather took my fancy, in Riders' at Morningside 🙂
Haven't tried it yet, on my list of things to do this coming week.

Karen

--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

rooman said:

Bleve said:

Karen Gallagher said:

I'm contemplating getting a road bike, having ridden my new hybrid
for 10 weeks now ... its heavy, difficult to *really* get going but
serves a purpose. But I can't cope with roadies zipping past me at
twice my speed - my past competition experiences prove too hard to
let go. Now at 58 there's no way I'm going to be a competitive
rider again, though the odd tri might be still on. It'll be used as
a training bike, with the hybrid used as the commuter as it has
panniers.

Every time I read "I want a flat bar road bike because a drop bar
bike hurts my back" I cringe and/or want to smack the person that
made the appallingly bad suggestion to use one in the first place.
The placement of your normal position on the bars is unrelated to
the type of bars you have, and by going to flat bars you take away a
lot of choices re hand positions and if you do ever decide to race
again, you can't on them except in foolathons, and even then,
they'll suck even with aerobars bolted on. There's a *reason* for
drop bars being the way they are - you have at least 6 places (8, if
you try hard) where you can put your hands. On long rides this means
you can avoid hand and wrist problems.

Setting the bike up to suit you is the important bit, and a drop bar
bike set up for you will be just as comfortable as a flatbar, *and*
you can put your hands in different places for a rest - bar ends
only give you 2 places to put your hands, and they both suck into
headwinds, up hills and down hills and in bunches.

spot on!

I think many go down the flat bar route because it seems the MTB's
delivered a "cool" image of sorts in recent years, and the
mnanufacturers have driven the low end with flat bar bikes enmasse ,
some riders may not like the drop position or feel they never need to
get "aero"...but really, they would be better off for reasons also
expounder above.

My one and only general porduction bike in my small but growing quiver
of N+1 bies ( where N currently equals 4) was originally a flat bar
hybrid...I easily converted to drops by taking the flat bar brakes and
mounting them on the drop bars without any modification, ...they even
work ergonomically and with some etxra bar tape built up they even
have hoods for a relaxed position as well, but at least I can get
down and boogy when I have to take it to the post office ( 'cos thats
the only trip it gets anyway- well except for the odd CM and park
cruise)

if you are contemplating riding in any bunch (ie with road bikes),
forget flat bar all together and go with drops from the beginning and
have a ball.

as for which bike... for $1K, I wont enter into this one...but good
luck...if you can increase your budget a little bit then get a
cycle-fit first, then go bike shopping!

whatever...ride to enjoy and enjoy to ride

I did use drop bars for many years, along with genuine Scott bars when I was
a triathlete. The physios & orthopaedic surgeon both recommended staying
away from that posture. I must admit, the straight bars on my hybrid have
given me no back problems whatsoever. Now sore hands, that's a fair comment,
I am experiencing that after even a short 20km ride.

I'll happily extend the $1k budget for the right bike, btw ... just an
opening figure, having seen some around that price in various shops that
look as if they might suit. Even tried a recumbent in the expectation that
it would be easy on my back - wrong, wrong, wrong. It left my back crippled
the next day after only a 5km test.

But thanks for all the input, it's highly valued if not all agreed upon 🙂

Karen

--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

Absent Husband said:

"I'm hoping to progress to the stage where I can join the BNE LA
Friday rides
& have some chance of not getting dropped 🙂

As long as the gang will accept a wrinklie joining them. I could
possibly
outgun Lotte :-o "

<snip>

Well, you'll be more than welcome, Karen!!

Oh, and be warned, Lotte will rise to the challenge... *laughs*

And just as an aside, I reckon get normal drop bars... If the bike is
fitted to you properly, I reckon it'll be more versatile in the long
run.

Cheers,
Abby

I'll have to take my Winchester .223 WSSM along to the cycle shop & see if
they have a suitable handlebar mount for the dual then 🙂

That should deal with Lotte's shotty except at shorter ranges :-o

Karen
--
"I'd far rather be happy than right any day."
- Slartibartfast

Karen Gallagher said:

Sadly drop bars are out - the reason I had to quit triathlon 15 years ago
was back problems, so I need to keep pretty upright.

Karen

Karen I have similar problems with my back, but still went with drop
bars anyway. When I got fitted for the bike I explained this was the
case and got the fitting based on my usual position being on the hoods.
As Carl said in one of the other posts, the drop bars give you a lot of
variety in where you can place your hands. I rarely venture onto the
drops but the dropbars themselves give me three common positions I can
move between which is good for varying position to stretch my back.
That's something I miss on my MTB on a long ride.

DaveB

Bleve said:

bar ends only give
you 2 places to put your hands, and they both suck into headwinds, up
hills and down hills and in bunches.

what? you cant place your hands on the same bits of the 'tops' you would in a headwind or bit of TT'ing?
and those lil' barends really suck at goin uphill. just look at all them hopeless climbers in XTC racing 🙄

So can I replace my flat bars with drop bars? Is it that easy???
If I have bar ends as well as aero bars, isnt that as many alternative
hand positions????

Karen Gallagher said:

I did use drop bars for many years, along with genuine Scott bars when I was
a triathlete. The physios & orthopaedic surgeon both recommended staying
away from that posture.

Where they are, and what they are, is a different thing.

grapet said:

So can I replace my flat bars with drop bars? Is it that easy???
If I have bar ends as well as aero bars, isnt that as many alternative
hand positions????

you can lead a horse to water ...

quote='Bleve'grapet said:

So can I replace my flat bars with drop bars? Is it that easy???
If I have bar ends as well as aero bars, isnt that as many alternative
hand positions????

you can lead a horse to water ...[/QUOTE]

horses are using barends now??? 😄

"Bleve" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

grapet said:

So can I replace my flat bars with drop bars? Is it that easy???
If I have bar ends as well as aero bars, isnt that as many alternative
hand positions????

you can lead a horse to water ...

.... but drowning it takes quite some effort