Hybrid to Road bike

g0g

No, it's not another of those threads looking for advice on whether to upgrade of not. I've already taken the plunge recently and bought a road bike. I thought I'd go on a rant (well not really!) about how fantastic it is to make the move! I can't believe I didn't do it sooner. The fact that I haven't serviced the hybrid since buying it and the disc brakes are always rubbing doesn't help, but oh my god the difference overall is incredible! This evening was just a short spin in the Phoenix Park yet one of my best spins ever! It's so quiet (all I could hear was wind), smooth gear changes (and easy enough to get user to these gears in the brakes), brakes that work well and don't rub, fast (easy to accelerate!) etc etc etc! Feels like cycling the old bike was like having weights tied to me or something! Also, is it just me or is it easier to look behind you while cycling a road bike - I find with hands on the hoods you're more inclined to steer the bike straight.

I do however have a possibly silly question - I'm using SPD pedals. when either foot is in the forward position while pedalling it would hit the wheel if I turned sharply - is this normal? Seems like if I were to adjust the SPD cleats forward a bit on the shoe to allow my foot to move back I'd need to nearly be pedalling with my toes to keep the foot behind the wheel.

Anyway, just thought I'd celebrate how great cycling is given that people are often on moaning about other stuff!:)

G rock

glad you're enjoying it! considering how well you were doing on the hybrid last year i'm looking forward to hearing more about how you get on now you're on an even better bike; there'll be no stopping you!

i think you're referring to toe overlap, probably to do with the road bike's geometry (shorter wheel base makes it more responsive i think but i stand to be corrected!), you won't notice it after a while at all, i wouldn't move the cleats

jimm

Best of luck with it g0g, and as G rock said, you will soon get used to the toe overlap.