Complete Newbie converting from running.

[Crankarm]

Another newbie here, rather than start a similar thread I thought I'd jump in and hijack this one!

Recently took up riding (have been training all summer for a sponsored ride of 85 mile next week) and have really enjoyed it and will keep it going. I'm currently on a cheapish hybrid, I'm defintely going to upgrade - my query - i have been training with a couple of other lads on road bikes and while at similar fitness levels after a bit of practising they could leave now me for dead at any stage, which I like to think is down to the quality of the bikes . If I buy a better quality hybrid could i compete with these guys assuming similar levels of fitness and that none of us are any great shakes tbh.

(I plumped for the hybrid as I do have chronic back problems, tried a couple of 20m stints on a (cr#p) road bike and could hardly walk afterwards, but the hybrid has been great in this regard. Having read a bit of this form I noticed talk of Audax? bikes - are they more forgiving on backs?)

Nope. The only way you will keep up is on another road bike, assuming your companions are reasonably strong cyclists.

 

[Peter10]

Go for it, just bite the bullet and you won't look back.

 

[bennydorano]

Nope. The only way you will keep up is on another road bike, assuming your companions are reasonably strong cyclists.

What about the Audax bikes, does anyone know if they are better for people with back issues and if so would they still be competitive in my situation? Could anyone recommend a type/brand that would suit my needs?

 

[fatboysoontobeslim]

What about the Audax bikes, does anyone know if they are better for people with back issues and if so would they still be competitive in my situation? Could anyone recommend a type/brand that would suit my needs?

excuse my thickness but what is a audax bike

 

[Globalti]

You need a sportiff bike, this is a bike with most of the speed and excitement of a race bike but a more comfortable position for older riders who don't fancy the arse in the air ride and who want to go in for longer rides

I ride a Specialized Roubaix which, as the name suggests, was designed for rough roads. It is extremely smooth and comfortable and still light and fast enough for someone at my level. It is not built for touring or carrying panniers, it is built for 2-6 hour rides in dry conditions with compact gearing to suit an amateur. I can fit mudguards but TBH I have little interest in riding in the rain; I found out my personal limits during my mountaineering years and have no need to prove anything to anybody!

Almost every manufacturer has a sportiff bike in their lineup.

 

[bennydorano]

You need a sportiff bike, this is a bike with most of the speed and excitement of a race bike but a more comfortable position for older riders who don't fancy the arse in the air ride and who want to go in for longer rides

I ride a Specialized Roubaix which, as the name suggests, was designed for rough roads. It is extremely smooth and comfortable and still light and fast enough for someone at my level. It is not built for touring or carrying panniers, it is built for 2-6 hour rides in dry conditions with compact gearing to suit an amateur. I can fit mudguards but TBH I have little interest in riding in the rain; I found out my personal limits during my mountaineering years and have no need to prove anything to anybody!

Almost every manufacturer has a sportiff bike in their lineup.

Thank you very much.

 

[amaferanga]

A sportive bike is just an excuse for manufacturers to fleece the new generation of mamils

Most (but not all) road racing bikes can be set up with the bars high enough for most people with a few spacers under the stem and/or you can get a stem with more rise. So there really is no need to pay the premium for a bike aimed at the mamil market.

 

[bennydorano]

A sportive bike is just an excuse for manufacturers to fleece the new generation of mamils

Most (but not all) road racing bikes can be set up with the bars high enough for most people with a few spacers under the stem and/or you can get a stem with more rise. So there really is no need to pay the premium for a bike aimed at the mamil market.

I had the max spacers on the crap road bike I had refferred to previously, didn't make a great pile of difference, but I suppose I need to try with a good road bike before I know for certain that my future isn't being left for dead on hybrids!

 

[bennydorano]

I like the look of this yoke (59cm one), any way/tips to tell about suitablility without sitting on it?

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/bianchi/via-nirone-7-xenon-2010-road-bike-ec021257#features

 

[bennydorano]

I like the look of this yoke (59cm one), any way/tips to tell about suitablility without sitting on it?

http://www.evanscycl...021257#features

Discovered this on further investigation a road bike with flat bars, would they be more suitable for my needs? the reviews all seem very positive

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...flat-bar-2010-road-bike-ec020708#BVRRWidgetID