To rent or not to rent....

Have you ever ridden a road bike? If you haven't, it's quite a different feel than riding a mountain bike or a hybrid, esp. if you're not a very experience cyclist. A mountain bike/hybrid is a bit more solid and stable, while a road bike is much lighter and can require some handling skills to control. They also go considerably faster, which can be a bit intimidating if you don't feel like you're in control. That being said - the basics aren't that difficult to get used to, so if you had a chance to ride it a bunch before the race, then I'd say, okay. But sounds like you won't. If the bike course of your race is technical (ie, lots of hills and such), I'd say stick with the bike that you know how to work. It could be frustrating trying to figure out how to shift and such on a nasty hill on a bike you're not familiar with, etc.

IMHO, a road bike is a different animal than a mountain bike in terms of the handling, stiffness, and feel. I remember my first road bike ride after riding mountin for years, it was definitely a different feeling.

I don't know that I'd want the first time I hopped on a road bike to be in a race situation. Is there any way you can rent it more times to get comfortable on it a bit? Is it expensive? Can you apply your rental fees towards buying?

The old saying of nothing new on race day is a good one,,,  like the other posted mentioned there is a considerable difference between a mtn bike and road bike if you have not ridden on the road bike before,

is there anyway you could rent the road bike for a sat/sun ride before your event to see how it feels, and if it would be a good idea??

I am going to Ocala to demo some road bikes this weekend.  The rental is $40 for 24hrs.  Also, several members of my family have road bikes I could try...but none of them are sized for me.  At least it would give me the opportunity to try bikes.

I have been riding mtn bikes for years....then took 12 years off in option for a motorized bike....now looking back at getting comfy with a pedal bike again...