Popped my road bike cherry!
houston26
Posts: 115
After years of mountain bikes and convincing myself that road bikes are just for people who like to wear Lycra I've taken the plunge and bought a specialized allez off eBay, all because my brother bought a giant scr and keeps leaving me for dead.
So first ride today, was very nervous, thought I'd just take it slowly, then I glanced at computer, 15 mph, eh? How am I goin that first when I'm just dawdling, so this is why all those times I've been overtaken on my mtb it's not been cos there fitter (which they prob are) but the difference in bikes is astounding, so me and my brother did a 25 mile ride and I've loved every second of it, even the uphills, which it turns out my bike isn't geared for, and another note, I've always said gears is gears and never believed in the extra spending, till this 105 has astounded me, can't hear anything when it changes gear and I feel I have to check its worked!
Not quite a full roadie as I refuse to wear Lycra, but definitely see the error of my ways.
So first ride today, was very nervous, thought I'd just take it slowly, then I glanced at computer, 15 mph, eh? How am I goin that first when I'm just dawdling, so this is why all those times I've been overtaken on my mtb it's not been cos there fitter (which they prob are) but the difference in bikes is astounding, so me and my brother did a 25 mile ride and I've loved every second of it, even the uphills, which it turns out my bike isn't geared for, and another note, I've always said gears is gears and never believed in the extra spending, till this 105 has astounded me, can't hear anything when it changes gear and I feel I have to check its worked!
Not quite a full roadie as I refuse to wear Lycra, but definitely see the error of my ways.
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Comments
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Well done for broadening your enjoyment of cycling.
I'm a mountain biker but bought a road bike for when I can't get out on my MTB. For me, getting out on that means putting in the car and driving somewhere to ride it. Road biking is more convenient for where I live, straight out the front door and off I go. I love road and MTB equally.
Why do you refuse to wear lycra? It doesn't instantly make you a deviant or sex pest or anything. You will enjoy road cycling a lot more if you wear suitable clothing and as lycra is much more comfortable it is better for muscles and body temp than baggy clothing.0 -
Probably the fear of bulges in the wrong places, weird that I don't want to call myself a cyclist, nothing wrong with it but I just have the stigma of it. Maybe once I can pull off the look I may invest.
Only real fault I have is the brake levers are swapped, left lever does front brake, not the way I like it, lucky the brakes aren't the greatest or I would be otb a few times.
Do I have to pull all the cable through to swap them or is there a trick to it?0 -
That's right, you have to give it a couple of months :evil:R0B75 wrote:Why do you refuse to wear lycra? It doesn't instantly make you a deviant or sex pest or anything0 -
bompington wrote:
That's right, you have to give it a couple of months :evil:R0B75 wrote:Why do you refuse to wear lycra? It doesn't instantly make you a deviant or sex pest or anything
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houston26 wrote:Probably the fear of bulges in the wrong places, weird that I don't want to call myself a cyclist, nothing wrong with it but I just have the stigma of it. Maybe once I can pull off the look I may invest.
Only real fault I have is the brake levers are swapped, left lever does front brake, not the way I like it, lucky the brakes aren't the greatest or I would be otb a few times.
Do I have to pull all the cable through to swap them or is there a trick to it?
Your bike is not setup the way UK bikes are normally. Left is normally back brake. To swap them you would have to pull the cable through, though I suspect you'd have to replace the cables as they would be likely to fray once released from the caliper. Take it to a bike shop unless you're comfortable doing it yourself or just get used to it.
Bulges in the wrong places? Are you a freak or possibly endowed like John Holmes? Who cares, embrace the lycra!0 -
I'm happy to work on the bike myself but just couldn't figure where the cable is attached, everything's hidden
John Holmes, maybe if I wore my padded shorts back to front, lol.0 -
Jon_1976 wrote:houston26 wrote:Not quite a full roadie as I refuse to wear Lycra, but definitely see the error of my ways.
Hah
I was like you. But after a few rides wearing 'normal' clothing it just felt wrong. Trust me, you'll stick out like a sore thumb with flappy clothes on a road bike.
I was the same after coming over to the dark side.
What convinced me was one very windy day, battling into a headwind, when I realised my baggy shorts and jacket were one enormous sail!!
[edit] and the difference is: as you go so much quicker on a road bike, as you have seen yourself, aerodynamics become increasingly impactful.0
