Very uncomfortable on my Bianchi road bike

[sheffgirl]

I tried riding a road bike and found it very difficult. I'm too used to my mountain bike. When I tried to brake, I couldn't stop, and ran into the kerb
Maybe the bike is the wrong size for me I don't know, it's my partners old one (we're the same height) I'd really like a hybrid bike (that is the correct size) but I don't have any spare money
I've agreed to do a sponsored bike ride with work in a couple of months (100 miles over 2 days, lots of hills) and I may end up doing it on my hardtail which I ride to work on, but I know its not ideal, but I'd rather be comfortable and have confidence in my bike.

 

[youngoldbloke]

The important thing is to get used to braking from the hoods. I rarely, if ever, brake from the drops. On the hoods you can cover the brakes at all times.

 

[Kajjal]

I tried riding a road bike and found it very difficult. I'm too used to my mountain bike. When I tried to brake, I couldn't stop, and ran into the kerb
Maybe the bike is the wrong size for me I don't know, it's my partners old one (we're the same height) I'd really like a hybrid bike (that is the correct size) but I don't have any spare money
I've agreed to do a sponsored bike ride with work in a couple of months (100 miles over 2 days, lots of hills) and I may end up doing it on my hardtail which I ride to work on, but I know its not ideal, but I'd rather be comfortable and have confidence in my bike.

Rim brakes are nowhere near as good as mountain bike disc brakes. The cheaper rim brakes are borderline dangerous as i found out on my old road bike. Depending on what brakes are on the bike upgrading to 105 or r650 for long pull brakes can make a big difference.

Appart from that road bikes take a few rides to get used to and a bit of tweaking to get the riding position right.

 

[vickster]

The important thing is to get used to braking from the hoods. I rarely, if ever, brake from the drops. On the hoods you can cover the brakes at all times.

That works if your hands are the right, size and shape to get enough power. Personally, I never can effectively with the shimano tiagra or 105 hoods. And I'm not petite nor especially small handed

I can with SRAM, but even so I like cross lever brakes on the bikes I ride most often and in traffic, as my hand start to ache if braking a lot from the hoods

 

[youngoldbloke]

That works if your hands are the right, size and shape to get enough power. Personally, I never can effectively with the shimano tiagra or 105 hoods. And I'm not petite nor especially small handed

..... well, I am only 5'5" (and shrinking !) and have small hands for a male. I use Tiagra, Campag and Ultegra shifters without problems.

 

[cyberknight]

Its funny because i ended up converting my mtb to drops as i couldnt get comfy on flat bars , i tend to ride more on the drops on it as i have the bars pretty high up as it has bar end shifters, on my other bikes i brake on the hoods but they have more of a drop to the bars .
But this article might throw some light on it ..........
http://bikeretrogrouch.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/changing-positions.html

 

[rugby bloke]

I tried riding a road bike and found it very difficult. I'm too used to my mountain bike. When I tried to brake, I couldn't stop, and ran into the kerb
Maybe the bike is the wrong size for me I don't know, it's my partners old one (we're the same height) I'd really like a hybrid bike (that is the correct size) but I don't have any spare money
I've agreed to do a sponsored bike ride with work in a couple of months (100 miles over 2 days, lots of hills) and I may end up doing it on my hardtail which I ride to work on, but I know its not ideal, but I'd rather be comfortable and have confidence in my bike.

When I converted from a mtb to a road bike I found the new brake position very strange at first. My initial rides were very nervous and circumspect. With a little practice though I did get used to them and it seems second nature using them now. Having said I'm in Northampton rather than Sheffield so the hills are not quite as challenging !
I would recommend persevering with the road bike, its certainly going to be more comfortable over the longer distance.