[mednyc]

I just brought my cheap hybrid bike that i bought from target to NYC, making sure i didn't spend too much until i was sure i wanted to get into cycling in the city. it turns out the cycling here is great because i'm right near the palisades. i would like to really get more into it and ride a lot more, especially longer rides, but i feel like my $200 hybrid from target might not be the best to do that. i went out for a hilly 21mi yesterday and i felt like i'd put my bike through a battle, and my body, and i'm in excellent shape. i'm in medical school so the decision to get a real road bike is certainly tough on the budget. is it worth it? will i get injured down the road if i keep riding a bike like this on long rides? are there cheaper bikes out there that are good for beginners but won't drain my budget?

[JK13]

If you hadnt already bought a bike, I would have suggested that you go to a bike shop and get one that's in your budget. Since you already have this hybrid, it totally depends on how soon/fast you want to take it to the next level.

Let me start by saying, if you haven't been cycling, a hilly 21 mile ride will kick you butt!!! It doesn't matter if you're "in shape". Cycling totally uses different muscles and works you body differently than other forms of exercise. I have friends who are in excellent shape, run marathons, and they tire after an 11 mile ride on a road bike because they aren't used to cycling right now. What I'm saying is, don't let the fact that the ride tired you be the reason you upgrade your bike. How long have you had it??

That hybrid is definately heavier than a road bike you may get, but that doesn't make it a "bad" bike. As long as the bike fits you, and you aren't sore because of an incorrect bike fit, it won't injure you. You're in med school, and you work out, so you know the difference between the pain of a good/hard workout, and that of an injury.
In fact, riding this heavy beast around a while will make you a strong rider once you can afford a road bike.

My husband had a hybrid that he rode all over the place - he did organized rides on it in the 30-40 mile range, it was perfect for our trip to South Dakota when we rode 50 miles on the Mickelson Trail (not going to do that on a road bike!); a nice bike for what he was doing. When I started training for triathlons and working at a bike shop as a group ride leader, although he had no problem riding far, he couldn't ride fast. He would get so mad because I would just drop him and be gone! When we rode with friends on road bikes, there was no way he could keep up with us on the hybrid. 2 weeks ago I bought him a road bike, and after 8 months of riding that heavy beast around, he kicks a$$ on the new bike! It's so light and responsive, and his legs are so strong from pushing around the other bike, that this is super easy for him.

So, it all goes back to what you want to do. Don't dismiss your hybrid. As long as you're riding and the bike fits you, you'll be fine, get stronger and faster, and be able to climb hills easier. Considering you're already thinking about upgrading, I wouldn't waste your money on a "low end" road bike just to have one. Sounds like you would quickly out grow that, too I know from experience, and bought 3 bikes in a year as I kept "upgrading" into a higher price range - fortunately, my bikes are all used for different purposes. But seriously, I'd wait it out until you can at least afford $800-$1000 for a bike (or more), to get something decent that you'll LOVE. There are some nice carbons out there in the $1200 range (Felt makes a beautiful bike at that price).

Hope this helps!!!

[mednyc]

Hello, thanks a lot for the advice! It makes a big difference thinking about things from that perspective; that although I am going very slow on my bike, and the hilly rides are much more difficult, ultimately that will make me stronger. It's a relief to hear that I should just improve on this one for awhile, then get a solid bike rather than spend $500 or 600 on an OK one. I'll consider this training, and perhaps save up for a good bike when the time comes. I will definitely take your advice, and the soreness was indeed a good sore, no worries yet

Thanks!

[wild]

Yea you young guns want to get there in a hurry, us old guys just hope we can rember the way home when we get there . Ride that thing till the wheels fall off, And have fun.

[JTGYK]

you may get a little better performance from your bike by going with a higher pressure street tire rated for 90psi or over. You should be able to go 90psi in a 32 or 35's...higher if you went with 25 or 28's.

[retromike3]

I would go with even smaller tires. on my old touring bike I run 28c, there big enough to handle bad roads but you can pump them up to a hundred pounds or more.

After about fifteen miles a hour most of your power is burned up by moving the air out of the way. Drop bars might be a less expensive way of going. On the other hand It may be cheaper to get another bike than to get handle bars,shifters/brakes levers and the work to have it changed over.

You can spend as much money as you want getting a road bike but it wont make you go any faster(although there is the placebo effect) the main thing to do is I.M.H.O just. get out there and ride.

mike

[jkgramzinski]

I, like you, was afraid to invest too much into a bike in case I didn't enjoy the sport. I found a nice, used bike (Cannondale) for $800, my husband found a trade-in for $500 (but not quite as nice). They were bikes someone else started on and moved up.

I love my bike and can see the addiction growing! I can also see myself upgrading next year.

A good, used bike is a great starter bike. You can get better components for the money invested.

Good luck!

PS- rode my first 25 mile non-stop ride yesterday. I think I am finally ready for my first group ride!

[jagonz456]

riding 9w on a hybrid bike is murder. If this is the path you have decided to ride you need a road bike. I am very familiar with this ride and you will enjoy yourself a lot more in a road bike. You don't have to spend a lot of money i would use craigslist to sell your bike and get some money to buy a new one. use the off season to shop for a bike. FYI most of the bike rental places in NYC rent road bikes you can buy one really cheap from them in the next couple of weeks. they get rid of there whole fleet of bikes at the end of every season. if your not sure you can rent a road bike for about $25 and you can ride and feel the difference.

[michael2u]

I think that you should try building power and stamina and develop some skills for riding on a hill side. Its nothing like you cannot do it or you need some special bike for every different area. You are not a professional that you can do it in just one go, it will take time and then you can go for a new one.

[drwsport]

What about an older Schwinn varsity as a road bike? Is it a decent choice for starting on group rides and rallies? Or would I be shunned?