Road bikes?

[juretrn]

Hey guys, 

 

I'm looking into buying a road bicycle in the near future, in the sub-1000 € range, preferably around 800.

Does anyone have any experience with them? For example, how does it feel to switch from a "normal" bicycle to a road bike? How much faster is it? Is the ride hard? What are your general experience?

I do about 2000-3000 km per season, with distances up to 50 km, no more. Do you think I'd be able to go further with a road bike?

Personal experience only please.

[Ivyk]

It's much faster and easier to gain speed. 50km is a lot if you go 30km/h.

You might want to look for second hand bikes.

[rhyseyness]

Sooooooooooo much easier.

Although getting used to cleates can be a painful experience!

You should be able to go further on a road bike.

What are you riding currently?

[Createinator]

Moving from a normal bike to a road bike can be awkward in the beginning, as the seat is positioned higher and you have a different posture while riding. Road bikes are usually lighter and built to increase distance. You will definitely gain 10-20% distance by switching to road bike once you break into it. For 1000€ you can get top of the line consumer road bikes. I would suggest you to either try one before you make the purchase or buy a second hand bike. Hope it helps!

[AMICLG]

A road bike with thinner 700c tires will make a huge difference also I'd recommend bullhorn handlebars if you want to have a more aggressive position but still be easier on you back. Just something to add you might want to look at an oval crankset which are lower impact on your knees and give you a larger power stoke plus they prevent you from bouncing around when going fast.

[juretrn]

My current bike is a Trek "trekking" bike, a 10 year old POS that is too small for me and has done way too many kilometers.

[juretrn]

Sooooooooooo much easier.

Although getting used to cleates can be a painful experience!

You should be able to go further on a road bike.

What are you riding currently?

Are specialised shoes necessary?

[Nathanv31]

Once you get used to it you'll find it much better to ride than a standard bike. And the reduced weight makes everything easier, especially picking up speed. Pick up a second hand bike if you can't find something appealing to you in that price bracket.

[coen113]

Are specialised shoes necessary?

reccommended. but i would not call them necessary.

[rhyseyness]

Are specialised shoes necessary?

Yes, to clip onto your pedals (if they're clipless).

But you can get normal pedals if you prefer.

Pedals which you clip your shoes into are much more effiecient because you can pull the pedal up when you lift your leg, as well as pushing it down as you would with normally.

[The Sweetroll]

I found the clipless pedals to be the biggest difference to my old hybrid other than that a road bike is simply lighter, more responsive and a lot more fun to ride IMO. The difference i position depends on what road bike you get and what you are used to from before, road bikes can differ from eachother when it comes to geometry quite significantly. On most cycling forums they would tell you that it's most important to get a bike that's the right size but it's not very easy to know the "right" size when you get your first road bike. The ride is generally harder on a road bike, but it depends on your saddle, clothes, frame, wheels and the roads you ride.