Tips for switching from hybrid to road bike?

[dub-no-bass]

Long time, no see..

I'm just about to buy my first road bike. I want something lighter than my hybrid, and which fits me better than my current bike, namely a women's specific design. My LBS only sells Treks, so I'm planning on a 1.5WSD.
I've only ridden MTBs and hybrids before, and the few times I've had a test ride on a road bike it has felt quite 'wobbly'. Can anyone offer any tips on how to transition?

I know I will have to remember that I can no longer roll happily over big potholes, but I can't quite work out what the best hand position is. On a hybrid or MTB, brakes and gears are within reach of your hand in a normal riding position. With a road bike, is it more usual to switch hand positions around fairly often, rather than riding with your hands round the front part of the drops where the brake/gear levers are? Most of the road cyclists I see seem to have their hands on the flat parts on the drops, or have their thumb and index finger resting around the top of the brakes. Neither position seems to lend itself to quick braking.

Any other advice?

 

[ianrauk]

When I got my road bike I felt the very same with the twitchiness, but it dosn't take long to get used to, then watch yourself flyyyyyyyyyyyyy along.

Riding on the hoods with a couple of fingers on the brakes you can actually stop pretty quick, you will find that road bike brakes are very good, much better then on your hybrid I would expect.

Won't take you long to get used to the bike, just get out there and ride.. soon comes second nature and you will thank yourself for switching.

Long time, no see..

I'm just about to buy my first road bike. I want something lighter than my hybrid, and which fits me better than my current bike, namely a women's specific design. My LBS only sells Treks, so I'm planning on a 1.5WSD.
I've only ridden MTBs and hybrids before, and the few times I've had a test ride on a road bike it has felt quite 'wobbly'. Can anyone offer any tips on how to transition?

I know I will have to remember that I can no longer roll happily over big potholes, but I can't quite work out what the best hand position is. On a hybrid or MTB, brakes and gears are within reach of your hand in a normal riding position. With a road bike, is it more usual to switch hand positions around fairly often, rather than riding with your hands round the front part of the drops where the brake/gear levers are? Most of the road cyclists I see seem to have their hands on the flat parts on the drops, or have their thumb and index finger resting around the top of the brakes. Neither position seems to lend itself to quick braking.

Any other advice?

 

[accountantpete]

The various hand positions arise out of maintaining a degree of comfort by alternating ones position throughout a ride - so there is no fixed place to put your hands.

You soon get adept at finding the brake lever wherever your hands are positioned.

If the bike is a bit wobbly you can reduce the tyre pressures a bit -otherwise as Ian says you will soon get the hang of it.

 

[manalog]

I am also new to Road bike, when buying a roadbike make sure you can reach the Brake Levers. Do you have small hands? If this is the case and you buy a road bike with Shimano 105 or Ultegra you'll find that the brakes are not that good due to the force being applied to the Levers.