What do I need to know about road bikes?
Discussion
Over the last few weeks I've started riding to work again - 7 miles each way. I've done this in spring/summers in the past but this time I'm enjoying it a bit more as I'm a bit fitter. So as I'm doing it more I'm thinking of getting a road bike.
I have the cycle to work scheme option, but I've had my current MTB for about 4yrs or so now so am thinking of saving that option for a new MTB and getting a second hand road bike from ebay or a local bike shop. At the mo I try and ride 2 or 3 times a week depending on the weather so think its worth spending about £300 - will that get me a reasonable bike? Or should I use the cycle to work scheme and get a decent one straight off as I seem to be doing less weekend rides lately. And if so, what do I need? I notice they seem to come with varying numbers of gears - are more neccesarily better? And I assume I should look for a bike with those fancy pedals with clips on and get some compatable shoes? If I brought a bike of ebay what sort of frame size should I go for, I'm 5'9".
Sorry for the dumb questions but my only experience of road bikes was a 2min ride on mate at schools about 15yrs ago and all I can remember is that the handle bars made me wobble!
I've already got my commute down to 23mins from 27mins over the last 3weeks so am hoping a road bike will help me crack 20mins... does that seem reasonable? (Currently on a full suss with no lock out option but its quite light)
I have the cycle to work scheme option, but I've had my current MTB for about 4yrs or so now so am thinking of saving that option for a new MTB and getting a second hand road bike from ebay or a local bike shop. At the mo I try and ride 2 or 3 times a week depending on the weather so think its worth spending about £300 - will that get me a reasonable bike? Or should I use the cycle to work scheme and get a decent one straight off as I seem to be doing less weekend rides lately. And if so, what do I need? I notice they seem to come with varying numbers of gears - are more neccesarily better? And I assume I should look for a bike with those fancy pedals with clips on and get some compatable shoes? If I brought a bike of ebay what sort of frame size should I go for, I'm 5'9".
Sorry for the dumb questions but my only experience of road bikes was a 2min ride on mate at schools about 15yrs ago and all I can remember is that the handle bars made me wobble!
I've already got my commute down to 23mins from 27mins over the last 3weeks so am hoping a road bike will help me crack 20mins... does that seem reasonable? (Currently on a full suss with no lock out option but its quite light)
Hmm, looks like I've started a bit of a road v MTB debate here!?
Surely there's people on here who have a bike fit for each purpose?
It just seems crazy for me to carry on using my MTB for road use when I'll be clocking up 30 to 50 miles per week soley on the road.
Also, I wana know if I'll still get overtaken by guys on their road bikes if I had a road bike too.... or are they really that much faster and fitter than I am? (more than likely!) How much faster are road bikes compared to MTB's? 10%? 20%?
Anyways, after reading this entertaining thread I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser for what I need on a road bike. i.e. how many gears ideally, roughly what frame size, and do the clipless pedals really make much difference?
Surely there's people on here who have a bike fit for each purpose?
It just seems crazy for me to carry on using my MTB for road use when I'll be clocking up 30 to 50 miles per week soley on the road.
Also, I wana know if I'll still get overtaken by guys on their road bikes if I had a road bike too.... or are they really that much faster and fitter than I am? (more than likely!) How much faster are road bikes compared to MTB's? 10%? 20%?
Anyways, after reading this entertaining thread I'm afraid I'm still none the wiser for what I need on a road bike. i.e. how many gears ideally, roughly what frame size, and do the clipless pedals really make much difference?
Thanks Nick and Prand, thats exactly what I needed to know. Can start browsing ebay properly now. Anywhere else I should look for a second hand road bike - had a brief look at BikeRadar forum at lunchtime and there seems to be a fair few bikes on there.
Anyways, carry on with your MTB v Roady debate.... who really is coolest?!
Anyways, carry on with your MTB v Roady debate.... who really is coolest?!
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