Another newb :)

[jaybee]

I haven't owned a bicycle since I was a kid, but I've rented and ridden in several national parks over the past year and it's made me really feel like I want to buy a bicycle and make riding a bigger part of my life. Eventually (obviously I'll work up to this gradually), I'd like to commute by bike at least a few times a week - it's 44 miles round trip.

I'm just looking for general tips on what I should be looking for in a bike - I am leaning toward a Jamis Satellite or a Surly Pacer, but I've never ridden a road bike and have been told it can be a big adjustment.

Thanks in advance for any advice - I have been and will continue to spend time browsing other new riders' posts and I know I'll find great information. I can't wait to join this world!

[Nick]

Welcome, Jaybee! I'm not much help in advising on road bikes -- I mountain bike -- but just wanted to say hello.

[Velocivixen]

Hi Jaybee & welcome. Those two bikes you mentioned are a good place to start. Regarding the "big adjustment" some of it might be physical so ensuring that the bike fits you really well is paramount. Stand over is important, but I would venture to say that reach is even more important. I think the other part is "mental" -meaning that if you think it's gonna be a big deal then it probably will.
Do you have local bike shops where you can test ride these bikes in different sizes? Can you tell us how you came to choose those two bikes? That will help us figure out how to best provide the type of info. you're looking for.
There is a woman on this forum who just bought a Surly Pacer yesterday and I hope she will tell you something helpful.
I had not been on a road bike for 27 years, had the "wrong" bikes off & on for about 15 years, then in October bought a Trek Hybrid. I have already grown out of it and just bought a Surly Cross Check in Robin's Egg Blue. It's technically a cyclocross bike, but around here it gets built up for all sorts of riding. For me it's my all around bike. It didn't take me long to get used to different handlebars and the bar end shifters. So just make the decision to do it, then do it. You'll be fine.
Happy riding.

[jaybee]

Thanks Nick and Velocivixen!

I started leaning toward those two bikes because I want a steel bike - the good advice I've gotten and read tells me that steel will be much more comfortable on long rides. Someone also suggested something in the Jamis Coda line if I don't feel comfortable with drop bars.

I do have good bike shops around here (DC metro area), so I'll start shopping around and test-riding in person - just hoping to have a teeny bit of knowledge under my belt so I'm not an easy target. Cynical I know :)

Thanks again for the welcome and advice. I'm really looking forward to being a part of this board.

[Owlie]

Welcome to TE!

Jamis and Surly make some nice bikes. (A steel Jamis is a strong contender for my next road bike, and I've been looking at a Coda as a possible commuter.) For what it's worth, I had never ridden a road bike before I bought my Giant. It is a little bit of an adjustment (the bikes can feel squirrelly at first), but you get used to it--just relax! And make sure you get a bike that fits you properly.

How tall are you and what's your inseam (crotch to floor, not your jeans)? If you have proportionally long legs, the standover height becomes less of an issue than the reach/top tube length. If that's the case, you either need a size smaller than the shop might otherwise measure you for, or a proper women-specific bike, depending on your specific proportions.

[jaybee]

Hi Owlie! Thanks for the welcome :) I'm 5'9 with a 33 1/2 inch inseam. I'm going to go try to get a fitting in the next few days and maybe go on some test rides - I feel less and less nervous about the differences in road bikes since I've been hearing from so many people that it's mostly just an issue of relaxing!

[roo4]

FWIW, I'm 5'9" with a 33 inch inseam and just got a 56 cm bike. A good bike store will measure you and put you on the right bike.

[jaybee]

Thanks Roo4 - I was thinking 56 or 58 would be a good fit. I'm going to go get a real fitting this week.