So I bought a road bike...

Boy Lard

Never even been on a road bike before. I wanted to improve my general fitness and my pedaling technique, (I'm a fairly new mtber, only started this year).

I picked up my new Giant Defy 3 on Tuesday. The LBS set it up with me, making sure saddle height was correct, and tried to make it an 'average' riding position.

Tuesday when I got home it was dark and absolutely bouncing down. I went out anyway. I had to adjust the saddle position very slightly, and I also rotated the bars to bring the hoods up a bit because my thumbs hurt after only about 10 minutes on the bike. This seemed to work. I really didn't do much more than ride round the block a few times.

Wednesday I took the afternoon off of work and went out on my first proper ride. I did 22 miles, couple of climbs, averaged just over 15 mph. After about an hour in the saddle my hands ached a little bit, but it seemed easy enough to change positions and give them a rest. My shoulders and neck really started complaining though.

Overall, it felt like I was steering a barge, I realised I had to think much further ahead, the (lack of) instant stopping power freaked me out to start with. When I got off the bike I was shaking and my legs felt like jelly, seems like a very different type of fitness. The speed felt awesome.

I am still pretty concerned about my ability to climb hills, I am hoping it is something that I will be able to improve pretty quickly. The first time I have to get off and push, the bike will probably end up in a skip and I really don't want that to happen. It has a triple up front. I know this seems to be scorned by 'proper' roadies and I can understand why, but I already felt like I was running out of gears at the top and bottom of the range.

In summary,
1. Fast felt great.
2. I am crap at climbing and worried this may restrict my riding.
3. I am hoping the neck/shoulder pain will go away on it's own with more time in the saddle.

danowat

Boy Lard wrote:

In summary,
1. Fast felt great.
2. I am crap at climbing and worried this may restrict my riding.
3. I am hoping the neck/shoulder pain will go away on it's own with more time in the saddle.

1. It does, for sure!

2. Don't worry, it will come with time, it won't get "easier" per say, but you will get better / faster at climbing for a given effort, you might need to find out whats better for you in the way you climb, some people like to "sit in" in a low gear a spin, others prefer to stand and mash a bit, I am somewhere between the two, which works for me.

3. It should do, however, the fact that you had to rotate the hoods up a bit might mean you are overstretched (which would attribute to the neck / shoulder pain too), if it continues you might want to consider a shorter reach stem, or a proper bike fit session.

Paul E

The fitness with come with miles, climbing is still a challenge for me and it's the first thing I notice if my fitness drops off.

You will adapt to the riding position, it's taken me ages to get the seat height and angle right so I don't get sore from the saddle, although I have removed all the spacer under the stem to lower the bars as sectuers already have a high front end and like you I rotated the bars so the transition to the hoods was level.

Mine has a triple as that's all my model came with, I don't care I hardly ever use the lower ring now if at all and I go past plenty of people on my commute on so called inferior heavier bike.

Good gel gloves do help with sore hands btw.

Boy Lard

The back/neck pain thing worries me a bit, because after 3-4 hours on the mtb I get the same discomfort, and that is set up like being sat in an armchair.

Overall, I was surprised, after my initial shock of not being able to steer and feeling like I was balanced on a knife edge, just how comfortable the road bike was. I'm going to try and do a good 30-40 miles tonight and find out exactly where it hurts and how much.

andy46

I have to agree with you, i'm about 3/4 weeks into owning my first road bike and i love it

You are right about the steering and braking though, i'm still getting used to it now coming from a quite nimble xc full sus mtb with hydraulic discs. First ride out on the road bike was a bit scary

Almost a month in now and i'm still adjusting my riding position!

alp078

Boy Lard wrote:

In summary,
1. Fast felt great.
2. I am crap at climbing and worried this may restrict my riding.
3. I am hoping the neck/shoulder pain will go away on it's own with more time in the saddle.

Congrats on the purchase. I have been riding a Defy 3.5 for just over 2 months now (my first road bike too). I've been having a lot of fun, but also experienced the same 'teething' issues as you.

1. Fasterer-er feels even better
2. Crap is relative i reckon. Certainly to start with anything more than a bump in the road had me gasping and looking to pull over. Much less so now, but part of me thinks I will always perceive some degree of crap in my climibing ability. Love the crap, don't hate it. It's what drives us to improve and get stronger. Or, maybe love to hate it, if it motivates you more. I'm rambling now...
3. I still get a stiff neck/shoulders but only when i spend longer in the saddle than I have ever before. This will improve. Though if it's pain you are experiencing, rather than stiffness/soreness, I would suggest you consider your fit/riding poistion. Also mix upi your position, time in the drops/up on the bars or hoods and just generally give your muscles a breather by shifting about a bit now and again.

Keep at it. Enjoy. Please don't skip the bike. :shock:

wlshyd

I am also only a month or so into road-ing and absolutely love it, I can't get out on it enough.

I also felt concerned about the stopping power, not because of the brakes (which are superb) but the friction of the tyres on the wet, greasy roads at the moment. You certainly don't get the confidence to mash the brakes on fully like you do on a good MTB, especially if you're using clipless pedals cos you're always wary that if you do skid, you ARE going down!

I bought a double - just because I live in Cheshire and there arent that many big hills, and when i do meet one i just stick it in a higer gear and stand-up and give it the beans.

Overall though couldnt be happier (specialized Allez 16 '10 btw...)

redstuart

3 weeks in to my brand new road bike...commuting 3 days out of 5 on average and went out for my first 'just for the hell of it' ride on Saturday...brilliant fun!

I love the solitary nature of gliding along the road with just your thoughts for company. It's good timing too as this year's xmas will be dead easy for the family as I've a list as long as my arm full of cycling goodies I "need"!

Have to say, having the bike fitted seems to be good advice all round. I've not had any problems so far as a mate of mine sorted me out with decent advice / setup.

I'm up for joining a club but not got the guts to mix it with anyone experienced yet - being too competitive for my own good, I'd kill myself early doors then need dragging home :oops:

Keep at it!

(Giant Defy 2 - 2010)

bianchimoon

when i first got my road bike i had all the same worries/issues, the neck ache in the main was caused by a combination of new position and more importantly i was using MTB helmet with peaked visor which meant i had to lift head higher than normal causing neck pain after a while. soon sorted with a road bike helmet