Poll about bikes (and me)

[Deleted]

Are you ready to exile me yet with my endless questions?

Should I take the Trek 7.5 back and get the Madone 3.1 WSD that I wanted originally then got scared of then decided after two weeks on the 7.5 (in which I got pretty damn stable and comfortable on road bike tires) that maybe I really did want? Or another road bike not the madone?

Bless them, my LBS has been endlessly patient and is fine with me doing an exchange even after two weeks. DH is ready to kill me for my indecisiveness. But you guys, I'm afraid. The Madone scared me. The 7.5 scared me too though (just less than the madone) and now it's not scary at all after I have ridden it for two weeks. I am such a bike novice. I wish I knew more. The madone was what I wanted after research but it was just such a different center of gravity and a challenge for someone who previously had ridden only bmx kids bikes.

Ohhh, and also, I do ride the bike on bike trails that aren't perfectly maintained and can be sandy. So there is that.

[sadlebred]

Suck it up, cupcake and just get the blasted Madone!! You can ride a road bike off road. Today I ran into a friend and had to ride mine through a grass field in order to get over to the other side and see him. No big deal. I ride my skinny tire road bike w/23 mm tires on gravel roads on a regular basis. Once you learn how to handle the bike, it's not hard at all. It will actually HELP you with bike handling skills to ride it through grass and some gravel.

You will be fine, and you will love the Madone!

[Deleted]

I need someone to tell me this!!! The lovely (female) manager at the bike store also basically told me to suck it up, practice in a parking lot, and get the real bike. But DH has not been helpful, he hates road bikes (a childhood of mountain biking prejudices) and keeps trying to talk me out of a road bike. He's getting in my head. But I know what I want.

[Deleted]

Sadlebredddddddd . . . I want you to live nearby and come hold my hand. I am never a baby about anything. I always know what I want and I'm not normally afraid. But DAMN this bike thing is killing me.

[joenali]

Get a road bike. The more you ride the more comfortable you will become.

[Deleted]

Thank you. I really need to hear this. In my heart I know that's what I want. DH knows a lot about bikes and I'm letting him sway me (because he knows more) when I shouldn't (because he has totally different preferences than I do).

[trigal]

If you want a road bike, get a road bike!!

[allez]

It sounds like you want the Madone. Get the Madone. You won't regret it and, if I can ride a road bike, anyone can ride a road bike. Have fun!