I've been really interested in getting into road biking lately, and I've decided that I'm going to pull the trigger within the next couple days. My first inclination was to find a decent used bike, but knowing little about the fitment of road bikes, I was afraid I'd pick up something that was a bad match for me. I figured I'd be better off picking up a new bike at the LBS, and letting them handle the fitment.
So for my first question - Do I pick up an entry-level bike, ride it for awhile, and upgrade to something nicer when I'm sure I'll be doing plenty of riding? Or do I start off with something a little nicer? I've been looking at the Allez, though it seems like any bike around $800 bucks or so is going to be pretty much the same in the quality department. I'd like to keep it around $1200, but that also needs to include shoes... Thoughts?
And for my second - and most important question - I've never ridden clipped in, and I'm positive that I'm going to end up on the ground very soon... :biggrin: Any tips for a guy who's ridden nothing but flats his entire life?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
So for my first question - Do I pick up an entry-level bike, ride it for awhile, and upgrade to something nicer when I'm sure I'll be doing plenty of riding? Or do I start off with something a little nicer? I've been looking at the Allez, though it seems like any bike around $800 bucks or so is going to be pretty much the same in the quality department. I'd like to keep it around $1200, but that also needs to include shoes... Thoughts?
And for my second - and most important question - I've never ridden clipped in, and I'm positive that I'm going to end up on the ground very soon... :biggrin: Any tips for a guy who's ridden nothing but flats his entire life?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!