<p>I had a pretty crappy bike (about $60) that I was able to get decent wear out of (I bike A LOT). As far as getting around on campus, it did the job, but I’ve been looking through craigslist for a better alternative. In particular, I was looking at road bikes, although the posture required is somewhat questionable for me. Could I adjust the handlebars so I wouldn’t be so hunched over? I like how the bikes are lightweight, but I don’t really want to risk neck/back pain over a method of transport to class. For this, I was just thinking about picking up a mountain bike. Thoughts? I’m in school in Cali btw… lots of hills.</p>
<p>ok i can definitely help you here. I have been riding a road bike for nearly two years and i love it. If you’re goal is getting from point B to point A on roads (note the key words are A —> B and roads) then you want a road bike. If you like to take off road shortcuts and tread on grass a lot then a mountain bike is for you.</p>
<p>Do not worry about your posture. It’s not that you are more hunched forward, its that your body aligns more vertically than horizontally. To get the most out of you’re legs (like torque and brute power) you’re body will have to be more vertical. With a nice tail wind i’ve gone up to 26 mph with a commuter road bike, not a racing road bike.</p>
<p><a href=“http://neckpainsupport.typepad.com/.a/6a010534db265a970c011570294e36970b-800wi[/url]”>http://neckpainsupport.typepad.com/.a/6a010534db265a970c011570294e36970b-800wi</a></p>
<p>If you are still concerned with being too far forward on a road bike, then yes, you can adjust the angle at which the handle bars protrude from the stem, and you can also lower or raise the height of the stem. Also, make sure you get drop handle bars (just google it). Most if not all road bikes come with this type of handle bars. With drop handle bars, you have three very different angles with which you can rest your hands on your bike thus affecting your posture. The conventional handle bar grip which mimics the posture of a mountain bike, the “over grip” as i call it, which puts your posture more forward, and the suicide grip for those days you just want some speed (with suicide grip, your back is virtually straight!). Note that you may not have followed everything i’ve said, but ive put all this information to assure you that yes, a road bike has so many possibilities for the configuration of posture that you shouldnt worry about it.</p>
<p>Talk to someone knowledgeable in bikes. If your lower back hurts, they’ll say “oh, then just raise your seat” or something. There are so many configurations on a bike that you won’t have any problems if you set your bike up right.</p>
<p>Please, please, please PM me if you have any questions. One of my many goals in life is to convert the masses to road bikes because…they are…just…better in every way imaginable. I LOVE my road bike. no joke, it is my most priced possession! </p>
<p>Remember road bikes are faster (nearly twice as fast), lighter, and better.</p>