The very first thing I learned? Not all drop bar bikes are created equal. At the time, a touring bike, an endurance bike, a race bike and a cyclo-cross looked the same to my untrained eye.
After doing more research and thinking about what sort of experience I was looking for, I opted for a road endurance bike. Not a race bike nor a touring bike, but somewhere in between.
Armed with information, I went to bike shops and started test driving. When I first tried out the Norco, it seemed like a perfect match. I was very comfortable on it and it seemed to be extremely responsive. It had an aluminum frame but packed a front carbon fiber fork and seat post to help dampen road vibrations. If I had liked carbon more and wanted to burn a bit of cash, I could have gone for the Valence C1 but I am a big lad and just feel safer on aluminum.
I test drove several bikes, before and after trying the Valence. But once I had tried the Valence, every ride after was just a comparison to how great the Valence felt.
The group-set (gears, derailleurs, braking) use Shimano 105 components almost everywhere (the cassette is a 10 speed Shimano Tiagra). Most bikes in the Valence price range come equipped with Shimano Tiagra group-sets.
So far I've had this bike for a little over a month, and I've clocked over 1000 km on it. I've gotten further than I ever have, faster than I ever have, with a lot more comfort. And I've been enjoying it every inch of the way, even the painful ones up a steep incline.
I feel like I need to hit a high level of fitness to take complete advantage of this bicycle. I know as I drop weight it will be easier to go faster (more muscle for power, less weight to log around overall). Since cycling is an activity I enjoy, its a great catch 22; the more I enjoy it the better it will get!
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