ClaretMike

Well after much deliberation....bike shop visits and internet surfing, today I purchased the Giant Defy 4 2015.....my first road bike.

Cant wait for it to arrive in my LBS and get out there, get fresh air and get some much needed exercise.

Happy happy Clyde

dagray

Congrats, ride the heck out of it.

Now you get to pick out pedals and saddles

Dave

ClaretMike

Thanks....I intend to.
They didnt have a medium frame so its on order but due to work commitments I cant collect it until a week tomorrow.

Cant wait to get into the roadie cockpit.

dr_lha

Congrats, enjoy it!

Chitown_Mike

Listen, we can't REALLY comment until there is a picture....I'll wait.....

I kid, congrats and enjoy! But seriously, we need pics!

ClaretMike

Thanks guys
As soon as it arrives at my LBS and I pick it up, I certainly shall be putting pics up.

Separate note....has anyone had experience of clipless pedals? How easy are they to get used to?

gjhsu

Congrats! You'll definitely rack up the miles fast, whether you go 5 miles or 50 miles a ride. It's so much fun!

gjhsu

I was hesitant on the clipless pedals at first, but it only took a couple of rides to get used to it. Just remember to adjust the tension pretty loose at first, or you'll get to do the slow-motion fall that everyone does. Better yet, get the slow-motion fall out of the way early

mikiek

I'll answer the opposite - tried cleats, HATE them. I've been riding almost a year with some good platform pedals. I get a few scowls from the pretty uniform crowd but who cares. Shimano and maybe others also make a pedal for cleats on one side, platform on the other.

jjjjjjay

Shimano M520 have worked out well for me as first set of clipless pedals. Have them on both of my bikes.

If I was going to do much off-road riding, I would likely remove. Alhough many serious off-roaders use them too, from what I gather.

For the road, there is no question they are an upgrade and a must for the full roadie experience... haha...

Null66

I love crank brothers combined with mountain shoes.
Easy in, easy out, great float and can walk around w/o walking on metal...

ClaretMike

I'm now in possession of the beast. Took it for a quick spin around the block......feels strange but I suppose it takes some getting used to. Plan on starting small and just taking it around the block every night to get used to the shifting and geometry and slowly increase the distance week by week. Not because I feel unfit but just to get used to the bike and feel.

Many happy miles ahead.

WonderMonkey

Awesome! Last year was my first and I felt odd as well. All year I eased into it from just getting used to the critter to venturing into the drops and so on. If you have not already make sure you get a fit from a qualified person and as your body changes get the fitting done again.

My road bike has it's own facebook page. I set it up as the bike doesn't like me and doesn't even know my name and makes fun of me.

ClaretMike

Looking forward to properly getting used to it now bit by bit.
What is your cycles facebook profile? I might add it and get some useful ideas and inspiration.

WonderMonkey

https://www.facebook.com/Ravi.Revenio

I don't post a bunch on it but here and there I throw down some words.

vesteroid

They are nice bikes, I owned a similar one for several years.

Dont fall into the "fit" trap at this point. Get the bike set up for you by the LBS to close enough. Any bike shop worth its fee is able to set it up for a brand new rider, in the least aggressive position possible. They should be able to get the seat set correctly in both height and setback.

Before you start changing things, get some miles under your belt. Its going to hurt, get use to it. Its going to make your hands numb, your knees hurt etc. Your shoulders and tricepts will get tired, sore, etc. Your butt is going to hurt.

Ride a month, get use to riding. THEN worry about the bits and parts. It is very hard to do a real proper fit on a brand new rider as they have not even gotten down the mechanics of riding.

If you start throwing money at the problems now, you will only throw more money later.

Black wallnut 

This makes some sense. I will take issue with the level of pain though. I agree that you should expect to become tired and have small aches and pains. Seat discomfort is likely to happen. Knee pain and numbness anywhere should be dealt with sooner rather than later.

Enjoy your new bike. Keep it fun and you will be more likely to keep riding. Clipless pedals may be a good move for you. It is doubtful you will fall as much as I did but I evntually got over it and now can track-stand for short periods of time.

ClaretMike

Thanks.

Took it for a small ride tonight. A bit twitchy as I'm used to mountain bike sized tyres but it felt really smooth. Just planning on doing small rides to get used to the posture etc first. Its a learning curve.

There's a cycle track not far from where I live so I'll be heading down there in the coming weeks to ride away from traffic.

vesteroid

Not trying to be opposite, but let me clarify. I have never done a ride of any length without seeing people letting go of the handle bar with one hand, holding their arm down, and flexing the fingers back and forth. Every one gets numb hands at some point (or getting tingly). I have had knee pain every time I have gotten back on the wagon. Never debilitating, just there. IT goes away after a few months and I get better in shape. I have seen so many people take the fit thing to heart and go buying new bars, stems, saddles etc, and they never get use to riding. I have seen post on here where people have changed those things 3 times and dont have 300 miles on their bike. Its easy to believe a new xyz will make you more comfortable, but until you get use to riding, and harden up a bit, your never going to get a toy to take that pain away.

Each to their own however, just trying to save someone a few bucks based on past experiences.

ClaretMike

Feels good and fast but i'm trying to peg the speed back for now and just get used to the bike in general. Feels twitchy but i suppose thats par for the course coming from a steel framed tank of an MTB.

Not getting any real pains apart from the saddle. Again par for the course.

I'll put some pics up when i figure out how to do it

HvPnyrs

WHOA, WHOA, there young man, settle down.

One most show Proper, "RESPECT", "REVERENCE" and "DECORUM".

Roadie Must Never refer to their NOBLEST of techno steeds as 'twitchy',
such DISRESPECT PERISH the very Thought.
Rather, the Appropriate Term is "RESPONSIVE"
Similarly, narrow, high pressure tires coupled to stiff frames are NEVER "harsh riding". The Correct Expression is "SPIRITED". MAKE NOTE of these "APPROVED TERMS".
You HAVE BEEN WARNED!


Small suggestion,
My experience has been that riders transitioning to roadbikes, from low pressure fat tire bikes, tend to be a bit careless of tire pressure ( pffft, I aired this bad boy up at the gas station a few weeks ago, should still be good to go ). It's just such a good habit to spend a few seconds to check and top up your tires, before heading out on your thoroughbred.