First Road Bike

[Snizzlepops]

After cycling on a hybrid for nearly 2 years, and upping my mileage and confidence alot, I will be collecting my first Road Bike at the end of this week! Part of the push to a Road Bike was signing up for London to Brighton, a 100k and 100mile sportives later this year! I am very excited, but any tips for riding a road bike for a beginner?? Having tested quite a few, it feels so different to my Hybrid (Liv Rove 2) and can't wait to kick ass on my usual Strava segments!!

It's a Trek Lexa 4

 

[Dogtrousers]

Not much different to riding any other bike really. The less upright position means that the act of looking behind you is a bit different, so you might want to actively practice that on some quiet sections of road. Take it easy to begin with while the new brake positions and handling get bedded in with your brain circuitry.

 

[rugby bloke]

To be honest its not a lot different. You will notice a change in the riding position and you may want to play around to find your most comfortable riding position. Will you be using clipless pedals for the first time ? If so you will want to become confident clipping in and out before setting out on a ride. Other than that, enjoy !

 

[Snizzlepops]

@Dogtrousers Planning to go out on quiet roads to build up confidence with the new positioning etc.

@rugby bloke I have only ever clipped in when on a velodrome experience - one step at a time. I am thinking about using clips, but waiting until I am more comfortable on the road bike.

Thanks chaps!

 

[mjr]

The brakes are much weaker. On a hybrid, you've probably got 70mm or 90mm pads on V brakes, but road bikes come with calipers and often 50mm pads but sometimes as little as 35mm. Stock pads are often poor too. Experiment early, consider changing to better pads (koolstop, swissstop, techstop?) and always always check the brake qr levers are closed - some vandals seem to think it's funny to open them on parked bikes.

Oh and also, braking from the hoods is harder on the hands than braking from the drops.

 

[rugby bloke]

Forgot to say - You will start to develop a deep distrust of any road surface that is not perfect tarmac ! Avoid potholes - they bloody hurt and can summon the puncture fairy ...

 

[tobykenobi]

I bought a road bike about 3 years ago after years of riding a steel tourer. So the riding position was not that different for me. The main difference I noticed was how much quicker I was - I scared the crap out of myself the first time I went down a steep hill. (In fact that still happens.)

If you're looking at clipless you might want to start with the double-sided Shimano ones. Much easier (I find) to get in to than the SPD-SL ones. Getting out soon becomes second nature.

 

[mjr]

Forgot to say - You will start to develop a deep distrust of any road surface that is not perfect tarmac ! Avoid potholes - they bloody hurt and can summon the puncture fairy ...

Depends on tyre pressure, which depends on width. I think 32mm (1¼") tyres were the default here for non racing road bikes for years for good reason!

And potholes shouldn't cause punctures if your tyres are hard enough, but can cause horrible saddle injuries. DAMHIK

 

[Dave 123]

We need a picture when you get it!

 

[StuAff]

These two points are mjr's opinions only, and I have to say I disagree with both of them.

Same here.

 

[Welsh wheels]

I used to ride hybrids and now I ride road bikes. I have to say I prefer road bikes. They are so much easier to ride because of the thin tyres and light frames. Despite the thinner tyres, I feel more in control and safer on a road bike because my centre of gravity is lower and I'm closer to the ground. It will feel very different to start with so make sure you get plenty of miles in to get used to it before the sportives.

 

[ianrauk]

Same here.

Make that a third.

 

[Snizzlepops]

@Welsh wheels My plan was to get in some miles before the big 100km and 100miler, but may not have time before LtB (67days)

@tobykenobi I always scare myself going down hills - I am aprehensive how fast I will soon be going on my road bike! But at the same time, looking forward to gaining speed on the straights! Whhhiiizzzz!

I was discussing with the Bike shops (who were all super helpful) about getting brakes on the handlebars as well, but chap suggested just trying the bike for a few weeks then having them put on if I still want it.I am super clumsy (I fell off going up a 2inch kerb last year resulting in a fractured elbow) and feel like I might need the extra safety net!!

 

[Welsh wheels]

@Welsh wheels My plan was to get in some miles before the big 100km and 100miler, but may not have time before LtB (67days)

@tobykenobi I always scare myself going down hills - I am aprehensive how fast I will soon be going on my road bike! But at the same time, looking forward to gaining speed on the straights! Whhhiiizzzz!

I was discussing with the Bike shops (who were all super helpful) about getting brakes on the handlebars as well, but chap suggested just trying the bike for a few weeks then having them put on if I still want it.I am super clumsy (I fell off going up a 2inch kerb last year resulting in a fractured elbow) and feel like I might need the extra safety net!!

I doubt if you'd need brakes on the bars as well. As long as the bike is a good fit, you should have no problem applying the brakes easily when your hands are on the hoods.

 

[mjr]

These two points are mjr's opinions only, and I have to say I disagree with both of them.

To dispute the first point, can you or @StuAff or @ianrauk explain the physics of how shorter pads can produce the same braking effect as longer ones?

Secondly, I'm surprised that there's any dispute that braking from the drops is easier (more leverage, better control - unless your bike's set up strangely) as it seems a common view from relaxed riders like me to things like GCN:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28ADO9pC1BY