Got my first road bike.

[Con]

Well I can honestly say I'm hooked on this cycling thing now( bordering on obsession ).12 months ago I had one mountain bike collecting dust in my shed until my wife decided we needed to get fit so begrudgingly I got a bike for her and got off my lardy arse and rode for about 2 miles before I thought I was going to die. Fast forward to today I'm riding at least 25miles almost every day and now this is the fifth bike to join the household. I got its form a local second hand bike shop and I can't believe what good condition it's in for a 10 year old bike it hasn't got a single mark on it so I quite chuffed with it.

 

[Ratchet Cat]

Ooh nice! I have a cheapie road bike now after years of mountain bikes, which I still prefer.
The road bike has brake levers that are further away and this is taking some getting used to.
Well done for getting out there.

 

[cyberknight]

Ooh nice! I have a cheapie road bike now after years of mountain bikes, which I still prefer.
The road bike has brake levers that are further away and this is taking some getting used to.
Well done for getting out there.

Just reading your post about how a road bike is different , what did you get ?

 

[Ratchet Cat]

I got a Dawes Giro in a sale. It was for use on a turbo trainer but it will be used on the road in the summer.
I'm used to straight bars. I'm not sure if the brake levers are adjustable to make them easier to reach. Shimano Tourney levers.
As I said, it's very basic. Stuff will probably get upgraded as it wears out.
I'm not interested in getting anything more expensive. I know enough to get deals online and build new wheels and fit new stuff as it needs it.

 

[Con]

Ooh nice! I have a cheapie road bike now after years of mountain bikes, which I still prefer.
The road bike has brake levers that are further away and this is taking some getting used to.
Well done for getting out there.

I know what you mean about the levers I've only done about 5 miles on it so far and it's completely different and quite scary as I keep going for the brakes on the top of the bars and go oh s##t they aren't there. It seems a lot faster though but I haven't got a speedo on it yet so I don't know by how much yet.

 

[Ratchet Cat]

I've been riding with my hands on the hoods. Resting on the rubber boot part of the lever. This makes it easier to brake.

 

[cyberknight]

I got a Dawes Giro in a sale. It was for use on a turbo trainer but it will be used on the road in the summer.
I'm used to straight bars. I'm not sure if the brake levers are adjustable to make them easier to reach. Shimano Tourney levers.
As I said, it's very basic. Stuff will probably get upgraded as it wears out.
I'm not interested in getting anything more expensive. I know enough to get deals online and build new wheels and fit new stuff as it needs it.

Tourney are not adjustable afaik , are you riding on the drops or the hoods as most people ride on the hoods most of the time
http://lovelybike.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/drop-bar-hand-positions-introduction.html
If you feel your over stretching you could put shorter stem on , flip the stem or is it just reach to the brake lever from the bar ?

EDIT , you just answered my question .
If you find it hard to reach the brakes from the drops you might need to reposition the brake levers or go for a compact bar .
And you can get reach adjusters i stand corrected ....
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-sp...00-adjustment-block-left-hand-8-deg-6lt-2400/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-sp...0-adjustment-block-right-hand-8-deg-6ls-2400/

 

[cyberknight]

Have a look at...
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

 

[Ratchet Cat]

Thanks for your reply. The bike fits me. Its a women specific 2016 Dawes Giro 300.
I think the brake levers are a bit big for my hands. It already has a short stem and compact bars.
The position is definitely different from my mountain bike though. I have fitted it with a better saddle.

I have noticed that braking and changing gear feel different because of the position of the levers. That is where they have to be on a road bike.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Hi @Ratchet Cat
I fitted these to my wifes road bike..she struggled with the brakes. You can then brake with your hands on the flat part of the bar .
You may need a bike shop to fit them as there fiddly to fit .

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/tektro-rl720-cx-brake-levers/rp-prod34842

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Tektro-RL...hash=item19f7980f55:m:mpbHhaB0MdmnsT1Beu1XlbA

 

[cyberknight]

Thanks for your reply. The bike fits me. Its a women specific 2016 Dawes Giro 300.
I think the brake levers are a bit big for my hands. It already has a short stem and compact bars.
The position is definitely different from my mountain bike though. I have fitted it with a better saddle.

I have noticed that braking and changing gear feel different because of the position of the levers. That is where they have to be on a road bike.

You can mount the shifters higher or lower on the bar curve to later reach a bit dependent on the curve of the bar a bit but if you have small hands it can be an issue @vickster has small hands and swears by sram groupset as they have smaller hoods and independent reach adjustment for brakes and shift levers.I think the shims would be your best bet for your shifters .

 

[Drago]

Those 2300 levers are ideal for riding on the hoods, what with the little thumb lever for up changes. Not everyone likes them but I find them joyful for commuting or urban riding.

 

[cyberknight]

Those 2300 levers are ideal for riding on the hoods, what with the little thumb lever for up changes. Not everyone likes them but I find them joyful for commuting or urban riding.

I liked them, only moved to claris when i did a self build and as i have arthritis in right thumb joint i thought better not to do anything more on it than i have too.
Microshift is also compatible with shimano as another option
http://www.microshift.com.tw/road_r8.html

Now i am using bar end shifters, sram apex and shimano tiagra so i am reaching for non existant levers for the 1st few miles when i change bikes