Hello, I'm a Newbie

[Idali]

Hello Everyone,

My name is Laura and I'm a newbie here, I found this site last night while doing research for my first road bike purchase! I'm so excited to be joining the world of road riding. I'm also so glad to have come upon team estrogen's site, from browsing last night, everyone seems so nice and helpful!

I just moved to Bergan County, NJ from Orange County, NY. I love it here.

I casually mountain bike, well, to be honest, I used to. I need to get myself back into shape!

On Saturday, I went to the lbs Cyclesport in Park Ridge, NJ. It was a great experience! Very helpful and patience sales reps.

I'm looking for a road bike in for less than or around $2,000 for my first bike. I'm drawn to the Specialized Ruby Elite with Compact double chain. It has the 105 components. I also looked at the Cannondale Feminine Synapse 6.

I've just begun my search, haven't tested any rides yet, but was hoping for some suggestions. As a newbie, I'd so appreciate it. Possibly some other bikes I might want to look at, any experiences from owners of these bikes or others I should look at. I'm going to test ride bikes next Saturday.

Oh, btw, I'm 5'6" and approx 140lbs (jik)

Thanks in advance ladies, I look forward to hearing from you and being a part of this forum!

Laura

[short cut sally]

Welcome to the board..ride all sorts of bikes to see which one you like the best. Consider your terrain for the area-I have a triple on the front as I live in hill country, makes it easier for me. Enjoy riding which ever you choose to purchase.

[Grog]

Welcome Laura and good luck on the bike shopping!

[rij73]

Welcome and good luck. That is a great budget for a first road bike. I got my first road bike last year and paid $1700. It was a used frame, though. I took lots of chances and got lucky! But, you should try out lots of bikes. There is a Trek Madone at around $2000. You should try both women's and men's bikes. Just because you're a woman doesn't necessarily mean that a woman's bike is the best fit. For me, a small men's bike with a sloping top tube is what works best.

Edited to add: Where in Bergen County? I'm a jersey girl... :p I've lived in Union City, Cedar Grove, and Montclair.

[Idali]

Thanks for your warm welcome, everyone.

rij73: Is the Trek Madone is highly recommended bike? I will definately add it to my list to review. My mountain bike is actually women's specific, but I got it from a bike shop that did not take any time to check fit. So, unfortunately I ended up with a mtn bike that is waaaay to small and very uncomfortable! I prefer to use my older mtn bike! Plus, I've heard that some women prefer a men's bike to wsb's and that there can be a "stigma" attached to women's specific bikes. So, I am definately not ruling out men's bikes. but I am, as to the bikes I'm currently researching, going on the suggestions of my lbs. I want to test ride a women's specific and men's to see which i like best. I tend to have longer arms and a longer torso than most women (I think anyway).

Oh, I just moved to Elmwood Park,NJ near Paterson. Your currently in Brooklyn? My dear friend lives in Brooklyn. Where do you ride around there?

[vermonster]

I have a Specialized Ruby Expert (compact double) and I love it. It's my favorite bike (I have a Giant OCR2 [my first road bike], a Jamis Nova and an old Fuji I've converted to a single speed). Ruby is the bike I reach for first and ride the most. Do test ride several bikes and make sure you get the shop to fit you properly; it makes all the difference in the world. Happy shopping! New bikes are so exciting!!!!

[rij73]

Yep, the Madone seems to be very popular! And do try everything you can so that you are picking the bike you feel most comfortable on... not necessarily the one your LBS thinks you should ride.

I live 3 blocks from Prospect Park in Brooklyn. It's car-free at all times except rush hour. It has a great 3.5 mile loop, so I can ride laps until I drop! On weekends, DH and I sometimes go out to the country to ride.

[Jen-Jen]

Hi and welcome! I am one of those girls who love TREK! I love to ride a women specific road bike, but need to use a men's mountain bike! Both have sloping top tube and I love it.

I agree with shellyj. Ride them all till you find that fit.

[cyclingnewbie]

I have a 2005 Trek 1500. At every lbs I went to I told them the range of frame size I thought I needed and they basically ignored that and pointed me to the WSD bikes and then were surprised to figured out my legs were too long for any of those frames. Go to every lbs you can find and ride every bike they have and get the one you are most comfortable with. It doesn't matter what they call it (i.e. WSD, Men's, etc.), just get what is comfortable for you. Good Luck!