Just bought a bike!

Where I live I checked 2 fitting options, one is about 10$ other, 100$. So it may depend a lot on the store, or fitting method they use (expensive one means measurements with cameras, lasers, computer, takes an hour or two - it's for more advanced cyclists I guess).

Welcome to cycling, I started 7 years ago, just going to work and back (a distance of about 5-6 km one way). For 3 months I had sore muscles continuously, that was because a) I was 30kg overweight and b) I never did any sports in my life before.
My first trip ever, after buying the bike, was 27km long and by the time I got there my butt really hurt. Then I had to come home as well. I bought a cheap, but more padded / wider seat and used it for a few months until I realized at that time the old, more sporty seat became more comfortable... so it's always a LOT about getting used to it and a little less about the seat itself.

Just so you know what may be ahead, I used a cheaper, quite noname MTB (straight handlebar) for years then last year I upgraded to a Specialized road bike (Specialized Diverge actually) and I'm loving it.

Cycling is great, I use it to go wherever I can - work, smaller errands etc. I hope your experience will be as positive as mine. Don't do too much too fast! other than that, you'll probably come to really like it. I never met anyone that used to cycle and decided it sucks and dropped it.

ps. I was always afraid down hills as well, lol, last week I broke my speed record at 54 km/h on a not-so-good quality road, guess I trust my new bike more

joehempel wrote: »

Will definitely be taking this in for a fit at some point. I don't really mind putting money into it because as long as the parts are replaceable I can go ahead (even though the frame is a bit heavier) and make it a more expensive bike for a little less money (at least that's the idea, I could be very wrong).

Fit's are generally low cost?

You can do it yourself for free.

joehempel wrote: »

Will definitely be taking this in for a fit at some point. I don't really mind putting money into it because as long as the parts are replaceable I can go ahead (even though the frame is a bit heavier) and make it a more expensive bike for a little less money (at least that's the idea, I could be very wrong).

Fit's are generally low cost?

Cheap bikes are great to find out if you enjoy cycling but don't waste your money upgrading it. It will have been built to meet a price point so welds will be weak and the structural integrity poor. Additionally, it will be hugely expensive to replace cheap components with better ones and will actually work out cheaper to buy a better spec bike.
If you take to cycling you could either sell this bike when you buy a more expensive model, or keep hold of it for turbo trainer or roller work (either of which are tough on the tyres and cycles)

Best thing I ever did was hit You Tube. Search for Global Cycle Network and watch their 'how to' videos for all hints & tips.

joehempel wrote: »

Well, learned the gearing system.....my ride was much better and I averaged an extra 1.6 mph on the roads....I just wish they weren't so curvy sometimes I maxed at like 23 on the straights at one point.

Excellent, that's a good average increase.
That's good advice above on not upgrading a cheaper frame, it's actually better value to just replace it.
If you're maxing out at 23mph, that will just be the limit if your gearing although being able to hold 20mph over 10 miles is very good going and it's a good way to practise increasing your cadence!

Hopefully your bike will serve you well though, keep it up!

padded shorts will be your friend, I bought a cheap pair at first then some cycle friends told me to buy the more expensive ones the difference in padding was amazing