New female road rider

[timbo80]

I have been biking for a few years, and my girlfriend wants to start road riding with me. I'd like any advice that anyone out there has to offer concerning bike fit, clothing/shoe considerations, etc.

Thanks

[Mary T.]

Check out the home page of Team Estrogen. It has one of the best comprehensive pages around for new women riders. Also go to the library or e-bay or a bookstore and get "A Womans Guide to Cycling" by Susan Weaver. It is a great book written by a woman for women. Keep reading this page and Biker Girls Forum also.

[Suzanne]

I am new fairly new at road cycling. Last year I invested in a Trek WSD, a bike designe for women. I am 5'0 and this bike fits me perfect.

[milkbone]

I just got into road cycling myself - my boyfriend and I have been kayaking and mountain biking for awhile and I finally decided to join him on the road too. I tried a few different bikes - Trek, Cannondale - what I highly recommend and what helped me most was a great LBS - the got me one each bike, fit me for the bike, then let me go out on a test ride, they had a wealth of information and knew a lot about some of the differences of women vs men, and how they fit bikes comfortably.
I just bought a Cannondale Synapse Feminine 6, Carbon frame and a splash of pink. It's awesome and I love it. Any clothing/cycling shoes - try them on, comfort is a must and some of the brands run small or large.
Hope this helps! : )

[GeoCam]

Suzanne,

Just curious - which Trek did you get? And is it a 43 cm with 650c wheels? I am also 5' tall, and I think that would be the right size for me, but LBS doesn't have any that small for me to try. :(

[cyclinnewbie]

Milkbone...I just got that bike a couple of weeks ago. I like it a lot, although due to weather I haven't been able to ride all that much...just enough to know that I need A LOT of practice handling that bike! I was scared of the pink and black, but dangit...I like it!

[Veronica]

I doubt Suzanne will reply since she has not been on the board since March 2002. :)

This is a very old thread - you can see the dates of posts in the upper left corner.

V.

[cyclinnewbie]

lolol ok...I'm just a sheep following the crowd...

[maillotpois]

Baaa Baaa

[GeoCam]

+1 - Never even looked at the dates!


Baaa Baaa

[milkbone]

Milkbone...I just got that bike a couple of weeks ago. I like it a lot, although due to weather I haven't been able to ride all that much...just enough to know that I need A LOT of practice handling that bike! I was scared of the pink and black, but dangit...I like it!

I love it, too! I took it out just around the neighborhood today for a spin, the roads are rough asphalt - so not much of a smooth ride, but it was still great. I working the night shift now so, can't wait to get back to day shift in another week and get to take it out more. Instead of sleeping all day like a vampire. LOL I need a lot of practice too, and I just love the pink on black, even got pink gloves to go with : )

Happy riding!

[milkbone]

Woops...didn't notice this was an old thread - sorry, still getting used to all this. :confused::confused:

[AJH]

Just wondering if you found a good fit - and if so, what is it?! I too am looking for a bike and having trouble getting to ride because the shops don't have many in my size. That might be an issue with the time of year for me but I was wondering how you made out.


Suzanne,

Just curious - which Trek did you get? And is it a 43 cm with 650c wheels? I am also 5' tall, and I think that would be the right size for me, but LBS doesn't have any that small for me to try. :(

[mimitabby]

This is a hilarious thread. Sorry.

[AJH]

what's so funny?:confused:

[mimitabby]

read the dates of the posts.
that's what's funny

[beccaB]

I have been guilty before of not checking that little detail.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Timbo80 has been waiting with bated breath since 2001 for an answer on her question as to which bike to get. Unfortunately, now she's simply too old to ride anymore. I heard she's getting a 9 speed wheelchair though....

:D

[SouthernBelle]

Which wheelchair did she decide to get? What color? I really don't want a pink one, but if it fits I'll try it. What components did it come with? Are the bars people push you with flat or have one of those curves? I heard the curves are important, but I don't know why.

What kind of brakes does it come with? Will they fit it to me?

[jackster]

This is a very old thread - you can see the dates of posts in the upper left corner.

[SouthernBelle]

This is a very old thread - you can see the dates of posts in the upper left corner.


No kidding

[NbyNW]

Which wheelchair did she decide to get? What color? I really don't want a pink one, but if it fits I'll try it. What components did it come with? Are the bars people push you with flat or have one of those curves? I heard the curves are important, but I don't know why.

What kind of brakes does it come with? Will they fit it to me?

:p
I'm 5'1" and most wheelchairs are too big for me. I use the extra space to carry my water bottles. I'm pretty sure I'm not ready to go custom yet.

Seriously, though -- AJH and GeoCam -- finding a bike as a petite woman is a frustrating problem that gets plenty of attention on this board. Just run a search, I'm sure quite a few threads will pop up.

Good luck!