Buying road bike

[nevtrik]

Hello!

I have a 7+ years of mountain biking already, and want to start road biking this spring (yeah, it's -4F now here, in my place ;)).

I already read all these articles about how difficult to fit road bike to a woman and so on and so on, and got too afraid to select it myself ;) Now I just want to get some advises about concrete models for ~$1000-1500, if possible.

And if someone have successful stories about buying bike online without fitting it prior, please share your tips :) Like which parts of my body to measure and how then put them on frame size. I'm sure that there are some "for dummies" guides about already and you can just give me a link ;) As it's rather difficult to buy a road bike here, and I will need to order it online anyway.

Please help and thank you :)

[tulip]

Go to a reputable local bike shop and ask questions and try different bikes. I also recommend getting your bike fitted by the bike shop (if they don't know what that means, find another shop--before you buy the bike).

[Zen]

And if someone have successful stories about buying bike online without fitting it prior, please share your tips :)
I doubt there are any
Like which parts of my body to measure and how then put them on frame size. I'm sure that there are some "for dummies" guides about already and you can just give me a link ;) There are on-line guides for that
As it's rather difficult to buy a road bike here, and I will need to order it online anyway.



where is "here"?

[nevtrik]

Go to a reputable local bike shop and ask questions and try different bikes. I also recommend getting your bike fitted by the bike shop (if they don't know what that means, find another shop--before you buy the bike).

That's the problem, nobody rides road bikes here, in Siberia -- they are just not popular. And here's about 1-2 road bike models per store usually -- not so much to select from.

That's why I have to buy online.

[tulip]

Siberia! Well, you should have said so in the first place!

I can't help you, as I (fortunately) have a few local bike shops around and have never bought a bike online. Do you ever get to a place with a bike shop? I'd be tempted to wait until I could get to a shop, assuming that's not more than a few months. Can't be too good bike riding weather in Siberia right now, anyways.

[nevtrik]

Siberia! Well, you should have said so in the first place!

I can't help you, as I (fortunately) have a few local bike shops around and have never bought a bike online. Do you ever get to a place with a bike shop? I'd be tempted to wait until I could get to a shop, assuming that's not more than a few months. Can't be too good bike riding weather in Siberia right now, anyways.

Yes, I visit US and some Europe countries from time to time, and I review transferring the bike from there as one of the options, but I don't very like traveling with large baggage :)

And I want everything and now - like I think almost all woman do ;)

[tulip]

Yes, I visit US and some Europe countries from time to time, and I review transferring the bike from there as one of the options, but I don't very like traveling with large baggage :)

And I want everything and now - like I think almost all woman do ;)

It would simply be best to try some bikes out when you are abroad, find one you like, and have it shipped to your home. Otherwise, you will likely end up with a bike that you don't ride because of fit or some other thing that you couldn't possibly notice from the photographs.

[elk]

if you bought a custom built bike maybe it would work...or at least ask a bike builder for advice...
I totally understand your desire...but I think in the long run...trying them out will make you even happier.

vacation time!!!

[tulip]

if you bought a custom built bike maybe it would work...or at least ask a bike builder for advice...
I totally understand your desire...but I think in the long run...trying them out will make you even happier.

vacation time!!!

Ooh, custom, of course! Lunas are very nice (lunacycles.com) are quite nice. I also really like Bike Fridays, and they fold up so you can bring them places on the train and plane and such (bikefriday.com)

[RoadRaven]

Hi there Nevtrik

We have bought some of our bikes online. I recommend you write down what you want from a bike and then from your "wish-list" find that type of bike online. Research the bikes on your short-list specifically... sometimes there will be recommendations for rider weight and rider height.

You could also email the manufacturors or retailers of the bikes you like best and tell them you are contemplating purchasing one of this style, and what do they recommend regarding frame size and your height.

If you get abroad, Tulip's idea is a very sensible one too. Try bikes out whenever you get he opportunity and if you can, note the frame size (usually listed at the base of the tube that is topped by the seat.

Good luck in your shopping

[madsolitaire]

It is important to get a proper bike fit at the shop unless you already have a bike and you know exactly what bike dimensions you need.

[Trek420]

if someone have successful stories about buying bike online without fitting it prior, please share your tips :)

Nah, but we have plenty of disaster stories :)

Do a search here, you'll find some.

I think the best suggestion so far was that on your travels try bikes. Do the research online, develop a "short list" and make that part of your vacation or work travel to visit bike shops that carry them or similar bikes if you're able to do that.

Even those of us here in the land of many bike shops do that. Sometimes there's a builder or a make of bike that's hard to find built here.

You may find your perfect bike. You could have the shop ship it to you - no luggage!

[RoadRaven]

I think the best suggestion so far was that on your travels try bikes. Do the research online, develop a "short list" and make that part of your vacation or work travel to visit bike shops that carry them or similar bikes if you're able to do that.


+1
:)
Well said

[anneimall]

I too live in a Siberia of sorts and totally understand your situation (although its not bike shops we're short of here). While I would also recommend doing your best to test drive a bike before you buy it, a came across a website that specializes in online 'fitting' and sales, etc.: www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes. They ship demo bikes so you can try out a bike for a week before buying it. They don't, however, seem to have any women specific items on their site, so they may not have what you are looking for, but they could probably give you some good advice at the very least.

Hope that helps ...

[Zen]

Here are two sites to help you measure for your frame size

http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determine-correct-frame.html

or

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

Lets us know how this story ends :)

[RoadRaven]

Nev...trik...

Where are yoooooou?

[tulip]

Maybe she's gone down to Italy to the De Rosa factory for some test rides:)

[RoadRaven]

Ah… de Rosa… when I first joined TE I was in love with de Rosa bikes and drooled all over them as I made a thread drift…

Now I know more about racing bikes, I wouldn’t get a de Rosa… but I still lurve the purty seductive dreamy curves they have….

[3weight]

Hey RoadRaven~
What kind of bike would you suggest for a first year racer?
Thanks!

[tulip]

Ah… de Rosa… when I first joined TE I was in love with de Rosa bikes and drooled all over them as I made a thread drift…

Now I know more about racing bikes, I wouldn’t get a de Rosa… but I still lurve the purty seductive dreamy curves they have….

It's just something...Italian, sexy, but not for the long haul. But oh, a de Rosa once in your life...mmmmm

[tulip]

Hey RoadRaven~
What kind of bike would you suggest for a first year racer?
Thanks!

You didn't ask me, but...one the fits!

There are so many good bikes out there. Get one that fits; it'll be better than the fanciest bike that doesn't fit.

[RoadRaven]

Ah, well, I don't like to give advice on this type of question, and if you do a little search around the site you'll find loads of recommendations.

Tulip has hit the proverbial nail on the head though - get a bike that fits - thats the essential component.

My first race bike was a Scorpio RA300
I now race on an EMC2 FemetapePro, and a Giant TCR2

I think the best advice I can give you is to buy a mid-range bike. An entry-level is not enough and you will find it wanting. Until you are sure this is what you want to do, you also don't want to spend loads.

If money was no object, I would suggest you found a Cervelo in your frame size...
But frame size is the key. Think about about the type of racing you want to do.
If it is criteriums, you will want something responsive
If you race on loads of hills, then you will want a light frame
If you do time trials, then the weight of your bike is not so much a factor as how aero you can make it.

Now, my Giant has a semi-aero frame but it is not a time-trial bike per se. But it fits me well so we have added components to make it ideal for me... a bladed seat post, bull horns, aero bars and bar-end shifters, aero wheels...

Lots of women here ride Specialised, but I don't like them.
Lots of people have Treks (probably a Lance influence) but again, I don't like them.

Having said that - Specialised and Trek both have good bikes...

Hmmm, what am I trying to say?
Try riding different types of bikes - different brands, different styles, different specs.
Focus on a frame that fits you well - everything else can be added to/changed.
Read what people have said here, reviews in magazines, talk to your LBSs, and to members in your racing club.
Check out what the pros choose to ride (or more importantly, what they DONT ride)

And have fun doing it.

[3weight]

Thanks for the advice, ladies! It pretty much comes down to personal preference. Time to do some test riding!
Thanks again!

[RoadRaven]

pssst... 3weight... you do know one bike is not enough, don't you...
... you do realise this is only the beginning....??
:p;):cool:

[3weight]

Oh, I already know it's a slippery slope.....this will be my fourth bike.....:)

[Geonz]

So you have four bikes now??

[3weight]

I have three bikes. Looking for the fourth! :p