Moral support needed: scared, paranoid, excited, stressed...etcetc

[Softie]

scared, paranoid, sad, excited, stressed...etcetc :( + :confused: +:D

These are all the feelings I'm getting about having to go in and buy a bike (it's been a few years and a few dozen pounds since last time). Despite the fact I'm totally thrilled at the prospect of riding again, I'm a bit worried about the bike shopping experience. I think this comes down to the fact I'm not a small or average sized rider. When I hear things like replacing tires and broken spokes I'm worried I'll test ride a bike and it'll break under me or I'll end up with something that will last two rides before I need to change something on it to support me. I'm around 275 and will be looking at hybrid bike along the lines of the Trek 7.2/7.3, and possible a couple Specialized (also taking model suggestions). I know there are many other female riders here of similar stature and I could really use some advice on which thoughts are realistic and which aren't, or successful bike shopping/testing stories. Knowing other riders around my size have successfully ridden these will be a big help (I know it's probably silly, but this is a big step for me).

I can't wait to ride *once* I get a bike and I know it's appropriately durable for me, and will be trying my hardest to set aside thoughts about how I look riding on said bike, but it's a struggle to feel good about (or even willing to) bike shopping right now.

[Tuckervill]

Yeah, it's tough for me, too. However, you seem infinitely more knowledgeable about the type of bike you want than I was. You'll be great.

If I were you, I'd go to the Trek dealer nearest you and ask to see the model you're looking for. Take an opportunity to say why you are looking at that bike over a different one. It is likely that if they don't have one in stock (you could call first to find out), they will try to get you on one they have lying around. If you can, narrow down what the Trek has that you really want, and ask if that bike has that feature. If they can't tell you why that bike is better for your needs don't bother riding it.

OTOH, there may be a bike you haven't considered, so don't close the door completely to new bikes. It might just be "the one".

The other thing...be up front about your stature. I guarantee you the young shop guy (it's more likely a guy) is already feeling uncomfortable because he doesn't want to say anything to offend you. Disarm him if you can by mentioning it first. My husband is extremely tall, and let me tell, you some shop people are uncomfortable even mentioning THAT in context of a bike (erm, they don't even MAKE bikes to fit him).

Bottom line, if you go in as an educated consumer, aware of the obvious facts, and let them know, you are likely to get farther and get better help. Be your charming self and you will be fine!

Karen

[txred9876]

I went into several shops and just acted like I had just as much right as anyone else to be there. Afterall.... my money is just as GREEN!

I had a few shops blow me off and I finally found one that has treated me wonderfully. I also asked questions about supporting weight ect....

I have ridden 3 different bikes in the last 6 weeks and all have supported my weight. I started out at 283.

I am currently using a cannondale dual assault hybrid. I like it, it is lightweight yet very strudy.

Tina

[Badgirl]

I agree, be up front with your size and own it. I was probably pushing 290 (& 5'10") at the time I bought mine. I, like my husband, have OCD when it comes to researching a product that I want. I OVERLY did my homework. Kind of have an idea of what you want, go in and talk to them, be open to suggestions, but don't be afraid to question why they are making that suggestion.

Ride the bikes, and don't be afraid to tell them if it doesn't feel right. They should try to make it either fit right or fine another option. At two of the shops I felt like I was squished into an open air sardine can and pretty much left in tears because I felt like a stupid cow. The 3rd shop I went to, was the one my brother used to work at, they had the bike I'd gone to look at (and really wanted) but it was the wrong size, so I tested the same one, a couple of models up, and loved it. It felt right, fit right, felt stable and well made and I felt like even if I never lost a drop of weight, that I wouldn't have to worry about my bike falling apart under me.

Even though I spent twice as much as I had set out to do, I'm happy I did, and I know I have a bike that if I do decide to get more adventurous once I've finished with my back treatments I won't have a bike I've outgrown. I've yet to break any spokes...yet. My husband is 6'5" and not a little guy and has broken many, they are fairly easy to fix and a good shop should have a bike maintenance 101 class.

It is a big step, and I'm excited for you. I still remember the nerves and butterflies I had going into that first shop.

I ride a Specialized Myka Expert, and I LOVE it!

[Mr. Bloom]

Well said badgirl

Stick to a reputable shop and I guarantee that you won't be the first person that they've met with your attributes. Find out who the best fitter is and make an appointment. Explain when you're making the appointment what your concerns are discuss it so he/she can be thinking about options.

If you post your general location/region, I'm sure you'll get referrals of the best shops to seek out for assistance...and it may be worth a drive to get a good fit.

[Softie]

Thanks for the ideas. Not having a car is part of the problem, that's kept me from at least looking at the shops so far and getting a feeling for them. I'm limited to 2 places I can walk/bike back from. Hopefully I'll get a good vibe from one of them.

[shootingstar]

Appreciate that you don't have a car..and neither do we now and then, when I lived in Toronto for several decades and went bike shopping when I first returned to cycling awhile ago.

Hope you will consider using the subway system there during off-peak hrs., since there are several bike shops near the subway line about no more than 20 min. walk for some. Of course, not all the subway stations have elevators to get the bike out of the station without lifting the bike up a staircase..but you will know from signage the wheelchair accessible stations in T.O.

And you can bring your bike onto the G.O. train on weekends, if you are out in the suburbs.

After that, once you will discover good interconnected bike routes in Toronto that really can allow you build routes that are small in distance to huge..ie. riding 100+ kms. in 1 day all within Metro Toronto.

[Mr. Bloom]

Not having a car is part of the problem,

well, this should open up a whole new world to you!:)

[tulip]

Not having a car is part of the problem...

Actually, it's part of the solution. Thanks.

[Softie]

well, this should open up a whole new world to you!:)

That's definitely a major reason I'm looking forward to it. There are a lot of practical getting around implications, besides fun and fitness.

[Fontinalis]

I too was absolutely paralyzed at the thought of going into a bike shop and looking at bikes. And having the salesperson look at me and think that I didn't belong there because of my weight at the time. I literally felt like an elephant in a bowling alley. I agree with so much has been said so far in this thread : go in as an educated shopper. And that they, the salespersons, are probably even more uncomfortable then you are. Be the first to openly address the issues : will this bike, will these tires do, etc. What are the manufacturer's indications regarding maximum weight, etc. And find a salesperson that will really take you seriously, and that is knowledgeable, really knowledgeable. They are out there. They are passionate about bikes, and if they are really into biking, they are into biking for everyone.

It is all, in the end, about your attitude. I had done lots of research, I had asked around some friends who know more about bikes then I did, and I had done a bunch of phone calls. Some stores I didn't go to just because of how they answered my questions over the phone. Other stores I went too, and left within 5 minutes, because the salespersons obviously didn't know their stuff. But when I finally went into a store, a small neighborhood shop that had a great reputation, it was not nearly as traumatic an experience has I had envisioned. lol The guy had an infinite patience with me, and tweak that seat post a zillion time, and tweaked the handlebar a godzillion time. Actually, the guy trying to help me find the right bike was as tickled as I was to finding me a bike. He took it as a personal challenge I think.
And although I had done some serious shopping, narrowing it down to half a dozen make and models, I was open minded, and ended up buying a very different bike, one I didn't even know about. I test drove it on that small neighborhood street (thank god deserted!), and nothing broke, and the ride felt wonderful and natural. I was a kid again! And I was on my way to a whole new life, literally! I have been to the bike shop a few times since, and I don't feel odd anymore. I own a bike TOO you know, is what my attitude is telling people now. lol
Actually, once you ride your bike, that in itself is a huge confidence booster.
Just go and do it. Don't let anything stop you. Once you will have that bike, you will be so thrilled you did.

[Becky]

The other thing...be up front about your stature. I guarantee you the young shop guy (it's more likely a guy) is already feeling uncomfortable because he doesn't want to say anything to offend you. Disarm him if you can by mentioning it first.

This is great advice! It's sometimes difficult to address a customer's needs without feeling like you're making assumptions about the person. If you're up front with me about your concerns, I don't have to tip-toe around potential areas of concern, and that makes the whole process more fun for both of us :)

To the OP: Good luck with your bike search, be honest about what you want in a bike and the type of riding you're planning to do, don't be afraid to tell the salesperson that s/he's going in the wrong direction, and provide lots of feedback about what you liked or didn't like. And have fun!

[GLC1968]

There is a lot of excellent advice in this thread!

Something else that you might want to keep in mind is that biking is a very unique sport. There are no limits to ones ability to bike just based on size. Because of this, there are lots and lots of stories about people (men and women both) who started out heavy and through their developing love of biking, are now much thinner. Some of them are now racing, starting to run, doing triathlons, etc.

With the exception of the typical jerk (and there will always be those types out there), I would imagine that most cyclists (particularly those who work in bike shops and presumably know tons of other cyclists) know of at least one person personally who started out biking when they were very large. In fact, one of my riding buddies from my old job was that way...he started biking at well over 300 lbs. By the time I met him (and started riding myself) he was down over 65 lbs and still losing.

I guess my point is that while you'd imagine that most of their customers are skinny little racer types, that's not likely the case. Even if it is, that doesn't mean that they don't know of a bike fitness success story first-hand. You may not be as out of place as you feel!

And good luck - to all of you soon-to-be cyclists...you're gonna love it! :)

[sundial]

Softie, keep an open mind about bikes and just try different kinds--commuter, hybrid, mountain bike, cyclocross, and road. The first 3 types of bikes I mentioned will have a more relaxed geometry and will give you a more upright position. For larger people, this allows more room for the tummy and opens up the chest more.

A hardtail mountain bike can serve as a road bike with slick tires and can be very versatile. Put a rack and lights on it and it's good for commuting. :cool:

A cyclocross bike has the road bike geometry and is built for off road use, making it durable. I would recommend this if you are looking for a road bike. Specialized makes the Tricross as the cyclocross bike with 36 spoke wheels which is recommended for touring/commuters and larger riders.

Road bikes can be fitted with adjustable stems that allow many riding positions, giving you a more upright position in the handlebars which will put less strain on your hands and wrists. :)

Regardless of what bike you decide on, make sure the bike shop truly listens to you and is willing to work with you. If you don't feel they have your best interests at heart, go to another bike shop. :) And when you do decide on that special bike, please keep us posted and show us pictures. :D

[Softie]

Thanks for the advice. I am checking out a few bikes tomorrow with my boyfriend. Hopefully things will go well!

[Fish_Lady]

Good luck in your bike shopping! In Maine I found that each bike shop I went into was easy to deal with and treated me like any other customer. Here in OK, it's been more of a hit or miss. Thankfully though, I finally found a fabulous bike shop.

[Softie]

I'm happy to say the bike shopping experience wasn't nearly as bad as I feared (or it could have been). I went to two bike shops and even tried bikes at both. My boyfriend came along for support and encouragement, which really helped too (and I don't look that big when I'm standing next to a 6'7 350+ lb football player:p).

Going in with a lot of information about what I wanted and needed really helped (thanks to all here and other info I read online) so I knew I beforehand that the bikes I was looking at were appropriate for my size, good quality, and suitable for my needs. The employees at both were helpful, nice, older men (which probably made me more comfortable than if it were the cute young very fit guys). I also found, as I suspected from my readings online a women's design would be a bad fit for me.

Now for the next challenges getting in shape, my butt used to this, and comfortable on the unfortunately busy streets with no shoulders or bike lanes in my area. :eek: I'm hoping that will come pretty fast so I can really enjoy the full benefits of having a bike soon :)

thanks again all

[badgercat]

So wait, you bought a bike?? What did you get? Post pictures! :p

[Softie]

Haha yes I did :D It's a Trek 7.3fx, which I'm sure many people here may be familiar with (as they suggested it ;)), also the first non-mountain bike I've owned since my 10-speed at age 10 probably! I had also tried a Specialized, and looked at Marin's as well, but felt pretty at home as soon as I hopped on this (and confident it would handle me just fine). I think it will be perfect my needs of exercising and getting around town on something that is pretty quick, reliable, and in my price range. Well...maybe not quick yet, but one day I hope to give it a run for it's money, so to speak. I'm full of giddy feelings about my bike and biking all the time now.

Even though I've biked as a child, and to college and work a fair bit a few years ago this is the first time I've really had a sense of a really strong connection to biking...if that makes sense. When we're young they're so much a part of our lives that we may not have thought about them a lot, besides the feelings of fun and freedom it gave us, and buying a bike new from an actual bike shop after research and thinking about all these bike related factors, and the idea of having that freedom and fun again on my own two wheels is a feeling I'm not sure I've had before, and I like it! :) I hope I'll get in shape again pretty quick and used to the busy streets so I can really get out there and both enjoy and take advantage of it.


http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/6766/sspx0341.th.jpg (http://img259.imageshack.us/my.php?image=sspx0341.jpg)

[badgercat]

woohoo! Welcome to the FX club. :D I'm glad you're so excited about your new ride. May you have many, many happy and safe miles together!

[Grog]

Awesome!

Now go for a ride!

[Softie]

Awesome!

Now go for a ride!

Every day so far! They're small ones so far, but I tell myself I'm building up to bigger and better (and further) things. :)

[wackyjacky1]

Welcome to the FX club. :D
Yeah, welcome to the club! :cool: (There is a secret handshake, but only Zen knows it. :D )

Congrats on your new bike, and may you have many happy miles on it. :)

[Zen]

I wonder how many FX owners there are on this forum?

[Grog]

Me. Two in my lifetime.

[txred9876]

Every day so far! They're small ones so far, but I tell myself I'm building up to bigger and better (and further) things. :)


I am almost shocked at how far I have come in just 9 short weeks..... its amazing....welcome to the club!!

Tina

[sundial]

Softie--YAY!! You have a Trek FX! Yippeeee!!!

[Softie]

Softie--YAY!! You have a Trek FX! Yippeeee!!!

I think the same thing every time I look at it! :D