I am a 53 year old male looking to purchase my first road bike. I have been riding a comfort bike by Diamondback for about 5 months. I average about 200 miles/mo. I have never ridden a road bike but hope to try a few before I purchase. I am concerned about the small seat. I currently have a large gel type comfort seat. How long does it take to get use to a small seat? I am also concerned about the bent over riding position. Like I said, I have never done that. I do have a stiff neck from an automobile accident several years back. It is not serious, just a little stiff. Do you think this problem will only get worse as I bend down and try to keeping looking up?

I am currently looking at the TREK 1500 and the TREK Pilot 2.1. The Pilot is supposed to be a more upright riding position bike, and is a little more expensive, but it may be a better fit for me. I am fairly active for my age. I am 5 ft 7" and 150 lbs. Thanks.

I am a 53 year old male looking to purchase my first road bike. I have been riding a comfort bike by Diamondback for about 5 months. I average about 200 miles/mo. I have never ridden a road bike but hope to try a few before I purchase. I am concerned about the small seat. I currently have a large gel type comfort seat. How long does it take to get use to a small seat? I am also concerned about the bent over riding position. Like I said, I have never done that. I do have a stiff neck from an automobile accident several years back. It is not serious, just a little stiff. Do you think this problem will only get worse as I bend down and try to keeping looking up?

I am currently looking at the TREK 1500 and the TREK Pilot 2.1. The Pilot is supposed to be a more upright riding position bike, and is a little more expensive, but it may be a better fit for me. I am fairly active for my age. I am 5 ft 7" and 150 lbs. Thanks.

Since you have lingering neck problems a more upright position might serve you well. The trek pilot is certainly a nice bike. I would test ride both, and see if the more classic geometry gives you problems.

As for the seat, you'll get used to it, along with the new position of a road bike. The more you ride, the more adjusted you will get to the new bike. Pick up some cycling shorts if you don't already have some and you'll be good to go.

Silas

There are several other bikes with upright geometries - Giant has the OCR series, which are more inexpensive than Trek, Cannondale calls their the sport series...

Road bikes feel very odd at first, but you rapidly get used to the stretched out position - IF you ride regularly. You can attain a more upright position just by moving your hands to the straight part of the bar, behind the the brake hoods where you normally will ride. One of my friends got a Giant comfort bike some months ago, then a hybrid which she took back, and now has a Giant TCR composite. She put an adjustable stem like a comfort bike on it, which allows the bars to be place as in a regular road bike or pretty close to the comfort bike position. While many will find this appaling, it works for her.

The Pilot is the better of the two bikes you mentioned, but you can change the stem out to a more upright one that would make the position of the two bikes more similar.

Most importantly, have fun riding. There a lot of riders over 50, many of whom race.

Sinclair

yep, a lot of road bikes aren't really 'comfortable' but one tends to get used to riding them and then they become so.

I 'gree, stick w/ something that gets you more upright - less aero, but more 'comfy. My dad got into recumbant cycling - talk about comfortable - and of course, recumbant bikes haul azz. If you're uncomfortable w/ the 'comfort road bikes' that you're looking at, then the recumbant may be something to look at.

the good news is that there is not a huge difference between manufactures bikes w/ compairable geometry and parts - and whatever brand you buy, you will likely be happy with.

Thanks to all for the quick replies and good advice! I do have one more question that may seem stupid. When in the upright position, is it possible to reach the brakes and shifters or do you have to lean down and forward? I know that the main purpose of getting down is to lower the wind resistance and thus go faster. I will do this at times, but others time I may like to just sit upright with a faster and lighter bike. Is it dangerous to go fast in the upright position with yours hands away from the brakes?

Thanks again for all of your advice. This is a great site for a newbie!

Thanks to all for the quick replies and good advice! I do have one more question that may seem stupid. When in the upright position, is it possible to reach the brakes and shifters or do you have to lean down and forward? I know that the main purpose of getting down is to lower the wind resistance and thus go faster. I will do this at times, but others time I may like to just sit upright with a faster and lighter bike. Is it dangerous to go fast in the upright position with yours hands away from the brakes?

Need a little clarification. When you refer to the "upright position", do you mean having your hands the flat horizontal part of the bars, near the stem, or are you referring to the "upright position" of the Pilot as compared to the 1500?

Unless you add extra levers, you're hands need to be on the hoods (on the control levers) or down in the drops (the curved parts you see guys holding when they're zooming down a hill) in order to shift and brake. This said, I ride with my hands on away from the brakes all the time, it's not dangerous.

The difference between a bike like the Pilot (or a Specialized Sequoia, or some Lemonds) and more aggressive models is that when you're hands are in the same position on the bars, you'll be a little more upright. This was one of the main reasons I got my Lemond instead of some racier models.

jeff

Thanks for the reply Jeff. I drove to Birmingham, Al. today, about 80 miles away and purchased the TREK Pilot 2.1. They had a very knowledgeable salesman there and he fitted me with a 54 cm 2005 model at a discounted price. He showed me how to sit with my hands on the horizontal bar and quickly slide them to the brakes. He also showed me additional brake levers I can add. I will try without for starters. I believe I will like this bike because I can sit almost upright or get down for speed. I am excited about the new bike, however, it will be a Christmas present and I will have to wait!

Thanks again to all of you for your advice. This is a great site! See you later.

granny, did you even read the thread? he already bought the pilot.

buy the most expensive thing you can afford

how come your advice is always the same?