How long does it take to adjust to a road bike?

[2wd]

I''ve just got back into cycling after a 30 year abscence

A few weeks ago I bought a new Felt QX65 Hybrid with the intention of riding more around canal paths and light off road as I thought I wouldn't be confident on the roads

But I ended up doing all my riding on the road.....cut to the point now ,so..........

I bought a Specialized Allez 27 Road Bike,first couple of outings I must admit I did think what the hell have
I done

It felt akward and uncomfortable,just didn't feel as easy as hopping on the Hybrid

Now after a few more sessions out I love it,more choice for the hands and much quicker and more responsive.

Agree on the state of the roads though,you can feel every bit of grit

I am aching a little bit though (walking like been on a horse for a week )

Maybe the different riding position uses different muscles or I need to tinker a bit more with the saddle/bars?

 

[zexel]

To be really honest, there really isn't anything to be gained by using a road bike on a 5 mile commute in London, apart from a bit of extra speed on a windy day.

In actual fact a hybrid would of suited you (commuting purposes) much better:

Bigger tyres - More comfort/more grip (potholes and rain)
Better brakes - (assuming discs) For dodging traffic.
Upright position - To be able to that traffic about to pull out on you.

I know it's not what you want to hear but if you are going use it for weekend rides too then hopefully it will make up for the negatives during the week .

 

[Moodyman]

To be really honest, there really isn't anything to be gained by using a road bike on a 5 mile commute in London, apart from a bit of extra speed on a windy day.

In actual fact a hybrid would of suited you (commuting purposes) much better:

Bigger tyres - More comfort/more grip (potholes and rain)
Better brakes - (assuming discs) For dodging traffic.
Upright position - To be able to that traffic about to pull out on you.

I know it's not what you want to hear but if you are going use it for weekend rides too then hopefully it will make up for the negatives during the week .

Agree. I have two flat bar bikes as commuters and my commute is 12 miles one way. The drops only comes out for long weekend rides

 

[BSRU]

My first commute on my road bike was a little scary after all those miles on my flat barred hybrid but now it's my preferred bike as it better all round.

I am so taken by the road bike that when next years C2W scheme opens I will retire my hybrid from active service and buy a drop bar commuter bike.

 

[rs2k]

Well, 3 days in and I'm already getting used to it! NO more pain in the hands and wrists - the only problem I'm having at the moment is a stiff neck from trying to keep my head "up" all the time.

Apart from that I am loving my bike now!

I think I will still keep it for weekend only use though - but Ive said that every day so far this week yet still rode it in to work!

I'm already looking at upgrades....

 

[ianrauk]

Well, 3 days in and I'm already getting used to it! NO more pain in the hands and wrists - the only problem I'm having at the moment is a stiff neck from trying to keep my head "up" all the time.

Apart from that I am loving my bike now!

I think I will still keep it for weekend only use though - but Ive said that every day so far this week yet still rode it in to work!

I'm already looking at upgrades....

That was always going to happen..

 

[rs2k]

The current list looks like:

new pedals + shoes
better lights
Lighter wheels.
twin carbon bottle cages.
new tyres.

I am more than happy with the shifters and drive train though.

 

[HLaB]

Well, 3 days in and I'm already getting used to it! NO more pain in the hands and wrists - the only problem I'm having at the moment is a stiff neck from trying to keep my head "up" all the time.

Apart from that I am loving my bike now!

I think I will still keep it for weekend only use though - but Ive said that every day so far this week yet still rode it in to work!

I'm already looking at upgrades....

Do you use a peak on your helmet, ditching it along with strengthening in time done wonders for me.

 

[Cubist]

I prefer the ease of walking in spd's and with my road bike I use A520's (touring pedals) and stiff soled Specialized BG MTB Sports. On my summer bike I used SPD-SL's and Shimano Carbon sole shoes. There might be a marginal efficiency gain in the latter but for commuting I'd prefer spd's (walkability), plus the Shimano shoes have an air hole between the toes and other air holes which would make them rather cold for commuting. I also find the spd easier to pedal in when I miss clip and I can clip in at a later time when its safe to do so.

Sound advice... I have A520s and a pair of stiff spesh shoes. Nice big surround so plenty of power transfer, and walkable shoes.

 

[Bman]

I got used to the road bike in just a few rides .

Now, riding the MTB just feels strange!

As for clipless. I went for a cheap pair of road shoes from CRC and a set of M520's (SPD's). Again, this took about a week, maybe two to get used to. On reflection, the cages were much harder to get along with.

 

[biggs682]

i am another person who ride on the hoods most of the time , it almost seems natural , but apart from final tweaks i normally get comfy quiye quickly

 

[lulubel]

Taking it out on the open road (which I expect you've done by now) will make a huge difference. My first ride was, "Wow, this is amazing - scary - amazing - scary." I came back with a huge grin on my face, and went out again an hour later.

I ride complete opposites - road bike and MTB - and the road bike is the one that feels most natural to me, probably because I ride it more and for longer. If I'm just going into town (a couple of miles) I generally take the MTB, though. I feel much more comfortable dodging traffic on it.

 

[JonnyRat]

Hi, I've been riding a road bike after 20 years of absenteeism from cycling for about 6 weeks now. It took me about 4 weeks before I felt reasonably assured on my bike. Took a while to accept the 'hard' ride as being part of the experience. This negative was far outweighed by how responsive and 'slick' the bike felt when in full flight. My LBS took me out on the bike after I bought it. They advised that the default riding position is usually on the hoods. When going at speed or down hills, then you go to the drops. Don't profess to be an expert, but in my limited experience, this has worked for me so far.

 

[HovR]

Took me 10 to 20 miles to get used to the new road bike after coming off my MTB. I started out with some back/neck/wrist aches, but that was fixed with handlebar adjustment!