New Bike advice....

[Trek420]

"I can't make a suggestion on a specific brand. I ride a 6 year old GT hardtail. I'm not up on the fs bikes at all. But I hope this gives you a direction"

Good news bad news department. The bad news is that I may have to change my user id here from TREK 420 to ...? because my much beloved bike has been stollen from our home. ^%$#!

Good news I suppose is that we're insured so I'll get some help with buying a new bike. I was planning on getting a new bike anyway although I was going to wait until after close of contract negotiations and more important I would have kept the TREK.

will keep you all up to date on bike shopping

[Irulan]

Do I go for a women's specific, full suspension or hardtail (I've heard many people say women don't really need full suspension and that it hurts your climbing...is that true?), etc. Can anyone help?? I'm 5' 8" (ok ok so it's 7.5" but I believe in rounding up ), 150 lbs, and 16 years old. I want to do some serious biking but I'm not a super crazy rider. I do however ride with some guys that like to do crazy stuff...but anyway, I think what I'm looking for is a full suspension (I could be persuaded to go for a hardtail though...I just want to know more about the pros and cons of each), with the lighest frame possible that could still take a medium amount of abuse, and something that climbs well.

I can relate, I had a low end Giant that I beat into the ground and just about went crazy looking for a replacement. I ride moutain bikes exclusively and have almost 700 singletrack miles under my belt for this season.

regarding women's specific, get it only if that style FITS. They didn't work for me. Fit is critical, probably the most important factor to getting a bike you will love. Who ever told you that women don't need FS is full of it. No one "needs" a FS, it's just a different way to go. FS will smooth out the ride, and some feel it's better in rocky rough terrrain. It's a little more forgiving of rider error. In general, hardtails will be lighter.

Re: weight. You have to spend a lot of $ to get a FS that is light. You might really want to look at a better HT than to buy a FS for an equivilant price.... IE a HT for $1500 will be lighter stronger and have much better componetry than a FS that is the same price, wchich will heavy and have crappy, er low end components.
So you have to figure your budget out.

As for climbing "bob"... that's an issue that is not so much of an issue now. The newer rear shock designs function much better than the older ones, and many have lockouts.

I'd take the reviews at mtbr.com with lots of grains of salt. Many of those folks write a review when they've had their bikes for three weeks, and they tend to be filled with vocabulary like "this rocks" or "this sucks". IMO, the only thing those reviews are good for is spotting trends like chainsuck in the treak fuels.

Custom, that is certainly a way to go if it's within your budget. I can highly recommend the hardtails bult by Mark HIckey of Habanero Cycles http://www.habanero.com and there are many other good builders out there.

Let's see... if you have more than one bike shop to choose from, I'd go talk to those guys and test a bunch of bikes. The folks at a good bike shop can be your friends for life.

FAQ Buying a new mountain bike (http://bbauer.gomen.org/newbike/)

news:alt.mountain-bike is probably the best other place to talk about bikes

I ride a Kona King Kikapu FS that weights 25 pounds. I bought it lightly used for one season, in cherry condition, at an excellent price

Irulan

[aka_kim]

Trek420 or ???:

Having a bike stolen really sucks. Be VERY careful about making an insurance claim, however. A few years ago my Trek 7000 was stolen and I filed a claim on my homeowner's insurance for about $700, which was promptly paid. A month later the S*Bs cancelled our insurance because 21 months before we'd filed a $500 claim after a break-in. No other insurer would provide us standard homeowner's coverage either because we were suddenly "high-risk". So, and I've since read this elsewhere, think twice about filing small claims.

Good news, though, is that it's always fun to go bike shopping.

[Trek420]

"A few years ago my Trek 7000 was stolen and I filed a claim on my homeowner's insurance for about $700, which was promptly paid. A month later the S*Bs cancelled our insurance because 21 months before we'd filed a $500 claim after a break-in. No other insurer would provide us standard homeowner's coverage either because we were suddenly "high-risk". "

I don't think we'll have a problem with our agent (knock on wood). there hasn't been a claim here in years, even when a storm knocked the fence down we just lived with it and later replaced the fence ourselves. Who was your insurance with? they sound awful.

[aka_kim]

Trek420, our problem was with the Allstate underwriters; our agent wasn't involved in the cancellation. Apparently 2 non-weather-related claims, esp. thefts, within 2 years raises a red flag. I've read several newspaper articles saying to avoid making any small claims -- and to even avoiding calling your agent (apparently the fact you called gets logged in your history). I'm sure you'll be fine with this claim, but who knows what may happen if you make another one within the next 2 years. I dunno, just my 2 cents.

[christine]

I've been looking into switching insurance for our cars, and in checking companies (for auto and renter's insur.) I've seen some websites where people complain about their dealings with insurance (quick google search should link you). Gratned, a lot of the complaints do sound like the insured were at fault (eg, complaining that insurance was cancelled b/c they paid late -- tough, but not wholly unreasonable, company position).

On the other hand, there are lots of other stories where people report very small claims and suddenly have their rates increased or xcelled and then become an uninsurable risk to all companies. I've even heard this has happened when some have merely *inquired* about making a claim, even if they never file. Other complaints are about being treated like a criminal when making a claim, esp about something being stolen. These complaints weren't about just one company, but most of the major, national companies.

These may be exaggerations, as I've only read others' stories. Still, as paranoid as I am, I'd probably not make a claim if I could help it (probably what the insurers would hope we'd do). Just something to consider . . .

[Trek420]

"I'd probably not make a claim if I could help it (probably what the insurers would hope we'd do). Just something to consider . . . "

While this certainly was not intended and not the object at all but...since the bike was stolen from the home of my partner of 10 years, 10 months and 8 days who just uncerimoniosly and by complete surprise dumped me... if it effects her insurance so be it ;-)

If we were still together I would forget it and had planned to buy a new bike anyway but not till May when/if my job gets a good contract (any of you who have union jobs know about the uncertainty of a contract year and saving up for that).

Since I'm looking for a home to buy instead I can't afford to just pass off replacement cost of the bike. I really do not want it to increase her rates but the thought is amusing

[christine]

Wow, sounds like you had it rough with her. Sorry you had to go thru that. Well, I don't wish insurance hassles on anyone, but I'm glad at least that it wouldn't be affecting YOUR rates (or mine)! :)

[Irulan]

ABG- have yo looked at used yet? a friend of mine just SCORED an amazing bike, one of the original '96 Independent Fabication bikes, with the tag that has the frame builder's signatures on it, in total cherry condition, for $600! Unbleiveable...

good luck shopping and let us know how it goes.

Irulan

[Trek420]

"have yo looked at used yet? a friend of mine just SCORED an amazing bike, one of the original '96 Independent Fabication bikes, with the tag that has the frame builder's signatures on it, in total cherry condition, for $600! Unbleiveable..."

I'd looooove to find a steal (pun intended) on a used bike but at 5'1" it's hard to find what I want in my size. I am checking auctions (like yahoo and e-bay) for one thing to see if I see MY bike's for sale there. My mechanic says she's probably long gone tho and sold at the local flea market for $20.00. But I still check for cost comparisons, ideas plus you never know, I could find my size.

Related to both-those of you who've baught used online or off what do you go through to make sure the bike is not hot in the first place.

It's a karma thing, I'd want to make sure

I'll let you know how the shopping goes

[Irulan]

I wouldn't buy a used bike that I couldn't inspect hands on first.

Irulan

[aka_kim]

Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org) is a good local resource for used bikes, among other things, here in the Bay Area. That's what I used to sell two bikes, but I don't know if or how the buyers checked to see that the bikes weren't hot. You could possibly check the serial number with the police dept?? I've also heard of people putting identifying info into seat tube, so if you find it you know the bike is stolen.

[Trek420]

"I wouldn't buy a used bike that I couldn't inspect hands on first. "

Irulan

My mechanic says "don't buy a bike from someone you can't kick in the shins later", of course he's lobbying for new ;-)

[missliz]

When I was sixteen I didn't give a rats *** about homeowners insurance- so about Alaskans questions- Don't listen to high school boys about sporting goods. At your height, you'll probably do great on a stock bike- the right stock bike. Woman specific bikes are largely for more petite women. I'm 5'6" and ride a standard 16"Zaskar hardtail. The big issue you're going to have is saddles, The stock saddles on bikes are for guys and you'll probably like a womans saddle better. When you buy the bike the dealer should trade out the seat for just a few bucks extra- unless you like it OK and keep it. Or want the hundred dollar Damselfly.
Frankly, I think you need to ride a few bikes to peices before bothering with custom work. You need to find a good shop, and test ride. It's like buying clothes, every brand fits differently. A good dealer will help you, and many of them handle good used bikes on comission. If you want to race, I'm assuming cross country? Buy a hardtail. Learn to ride before you start running downhills and need a high end full suspension beast- don't waste your money on a cheap dualie. (Irulan totally knows what she's talking about.) You need it for shorts and shoes and entry fees. Get good, get sponsered. Besides, there were skilled people riding all sorts of scary stuff before duallies. Good helmets are worth every cent. Wear it.
Magazines will give you some info, but they exist to sell advertising to the products they reveiw, so they never really dis anything.
Almost every Mt bike, even the good ones, has some cheap part that you will need to upgrade. On mine, it had a $5 headset on a $1600 bike. Just remember there will be some extras you'll need in the first six months.
I can't recomend any brands, I haven't bought a hardtail in years and there's been a lot of changes in the business. I've seen some really sweet Gary Fischers, but you'll have to shop. If you go to the races, look at what the women who ride hard are using and ask them about the bikes. So many great brands have gone under or gone to hell lately that a good shop is probably your best guide. Don't buy a bike you think is just butt ugly. You'll be unhappy. You should feel delight in your bike. A good shop will be excited about finding you the perfect race worthy ride, too.
And feel free to bug us with questions. Not all of us are so self absorbed as to hijack your exitement to whine about insurance.

Aunt Lizzy
:D

[aka_kim]

AlaskaBikerGirl's post is nearly 2 years old, she's probably out racing in the Alaska wilds now, enjoying the last days of summer. Questions of bike theft and insurance, while off-topic (and self-absorbed??) are unfortunately something every cyclist should be aware of. So can we keep these forums fun and informative, and minimize the use of perjoratives?

[Irulan]

good catch on the old post... I never would have seen that!! Someone must have been digging way deep to ressurrect that thread...Maybe the "posting education" could focus on not replying to things that are like, 6+ months old? I do agree tho that derailed threads can be disconcerting. There's always a bit of multi-directional flow, but if it's truly a different topic why not just start a new thread?

Irulan

[christine]

Not all of us are so self absorbed as to hijack your exitement to whine about insurance.

Wow that was harsh. I didn't know this group got into it like that. Well, because I'm apparently one of the self-absorbed hijackers on this board, I feel I must apologize to those of you who seem unable to grasp more than one issue at a time.

And is it whining to share experiences so others might learn? I guess I need to look up the definition of "discussion." I agree it might've been easier to follow the topics if a new thread re insurance had been created (and more people could have joined in), but I didn't know we weren't allowed to go off topic in the "open topic" forum.

Well, sorry to hijack the thread -- I'll try to keep my posts on separate threads now. Is there a "whining about the whiners" forum? I'm sure I'm being discussed there.
~Christine

[Irulan]

nope not whining to share experieces, isn't that what this whole forum is about?

I confess I found it very disconcerting to go a thread about bike shopping that I had contributed to and found an (IMO) extreme drift onto "my bike was stolen" For me ( just my opinion here) it was kind of like" huh? where did that come from?" But no matter...let's just move on...

When we want to whine about each other we ususally do it by PM.:D :D

Irulan

[missliz]

Well, sorry, but an excited teenager who's taking up racing deserves to have her questions answered, not be ignored and have the thread run off with by older people carrying on about something she knows or cares very little about. I think we owe the next generation better manners than that ugly trick of belittling kids by ignoring them and talking over their heads. Seen it plenty in person, recognize it for what it is. Alaska Biker Girl deserves the apology here. If you can't support her excitement over pursuing sports, stay out of the thread. Personally, I hope she shows up in the lower 48 some day and smokes you girls- 16 is a great age to develop the athletes who'll go far.

One hopes that women athletes would have risen above the kind of pettiness that most women visit on each other. Having your bike stolen is a good reason to start a thread- but no excuse to stomp on the needs of a young rider seeking support and information. Maybe you all need to have an emotional insecurity thread and trade tips on how to kick kids in the shins of their self esteem? You think I'm harsh? That's not harsh. Treating a sixteen year old girl as inconsequential, that's harsh. And kinda mean.

Private mail has a place, but even if I could figure out how to use it, that's time better spent trying to help out younger riders. Or in this case, painting my toenails. I shouldn't have to make remarks like that to get anybodies attention, and it was intended to do just that. So what are you gonna do girls, tell the whole high school I'm a sl*t? I haven't behaved inappropriatly here- if anything I pulled that punch to a tap with a feather. As I've done with some choice bits here.

All you insurance addled ladies would do well to use PM- to write Alaska, apologize, and ask how you can help. It would be a good example of sportsmanship, which you can look up in the dictionary. And it's the example she's looking to us for.

Liz Claiborne

[christine]

So what are you gonna do girls, tell the whole high school I'm a sl*t? As was mentioned earlier, the teenager is probably 18 by now. At least some people have matured.

It is rather patronizing to think that because of her youth, Alaska would be unable to follow a thread that, as so often happens on message boards, was momentarily off-track. I would also think that if her questions had not been answered, she'd have the wherewithal to redirect us to her original post and not need her "aunt" to shoo away any distractions. To think otherwise is condescending.

Irulan, I appreciate your suggestions and efforts to keep the peace. I realize that by simply answering Alaska's questions, rather than spew vitriolic comments, you attempted to nudge the rest of us back to the original question. In fact, that seemed to do the trick since -- for those of you lacking reading comprehension skills -- insurance was no longer being discussed.

Unfortunately, I don't have the tolerance to withstand obnoxious and ignorant personal attacks. I was hoping to learn from the women on this board, and really enjoyed what appeared to be a congenial atmosphere of sharing. Thank you for an otherwise enjoyable experience.

So, I leave "Liz Claiborne" to the rest of you. Good luck!

[Veronica]

MissLiz I guess you didn't notice that Alaska Biker Girls post is two years old. It was also her only post - ever.

I don't think your last post was harsh. I think it was rude and inappropriate. New users are not going to want to come here and get advice and help when they read the abuse you heap out on people whom you know nothing about.


Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

My name is Susan Otcenas and I'm the President of Team Estrogen.

Although we follow the forums very closely, we have a policy of being "hands off" with respect to active moderation of posts. However, this recent thread and comments made in it disturbs us greatly. While its true that the posts did drift a bit from the original topic, the main thrust of the conversation was bike-related and, in our opinion, wholly appropriate to the forum as a whole.

We have been privately contacted by a number of people on the forum, several of whom have taken offense at some of the impolitic comments posted by some members. At least one has made the decision to leave the forum. We have asked her to reconsider.

I am in the process of trying to personally contact the parties involved. In the meantime, I would like to ask that participants on the forum be mindful of the feelings and sensitivities of others. We do not wish to bar anyone from the forums, but will not tolerate offensive behavior towards others.

Its a perfect bike-riding day here in Oregon. Let's get out and ride!

Susan

[Irulan]

Susan, I understand the challenges here as I moderate an active web forum somewhere else. My goal with this post is to repsectfully offer some commentary from a very long time internet user. I'd like to offer the comment that I feel that it does seriously affect the flow of a board to completely stray off the stated topic. I'm not talking about discussion flow, I am referring to the above example of bike theft in a "new bike" thread which in my opinion is as off base as cutting carbs in a apparel thread, or how to change a tire in a bike fit thread, or any other examples I could make up that haven't occured.

From a reader's perspective, this is why I appreciate the various sub headings in the forums. This way I don't have to read about weight loss or a tandem or anthing else if I don't want to. As a reader, I have a certain expectation when I go to a thread's heading. Like many readers, I have a finite amount of time to spend on a web forum, and frankly I feel it's a waste of time to go to a thread and find out the new posts have zero to do with what the header says. Again, I am not talking about topic drift, I am talking about completely unrelated commentary.

If you believe that
the main thrust of the conversation was bike-related and, in our opinion, wholly appropriate to the forum as a whole why bother with subheading/sub forums then?

I mentioned I moderate a different forum. What we do there is MOVE comments to the appropriate heading if they don't seem to fit. We have several differnet moderators who help out the primary to keep an eye on things.

I'd also like to suggest that members use the ignore function in the software if a particular poster gets under their skin. Or, to take a deep breath and realize that we all have moments when we aren't at our best, or overly sensitive, and to let things go. Life is too short to get all worked up about typewritten comments from someone you don't know.

Respectfully

Irulan

[Susan Otcenas]

Hi Irulan,

Point well taken. What I meant was that the discussion of a bike theft was pertinent to the TE forums in general. I DO agree that saying on-topic in a given sub-forum is important and that new threads should be started if the subjects stray too far.

Thanks for helping me to clarify my original message!

Susan

[christine]

I would like to apologize to all of you for my part in this most heated thread. I realize these were not posts most of you wanted to see on this board, and I'm sorry I was not able to stay above the fray and instead contributed to the thread's downward spiral.

Thank you to those who've intervened in an attempt to preserve the peace. I hope to continue learning from all of you who generously share your knowledge and experience. I still think this is a wonderful group of women and I remain impressed with the overall congeniality of the forum.

Again, my apologies,
Christine

[Irulan]

heh heh, no problem for me. We all have our moments. Can we blame in on PMS here at TE ( R , D and L)**

Irulan

** running ducking and laughing in net-speak

[AlaskaBikerGirl]

First of all, I'd like to apologize for not thanking you ladies who gave me advice back when i posted my original message two years ago. I honestly thought i had but i think i sent out an e-mail message...apparently i was more than a little confused...i thought we got all the messages posted on this forum via e-mail if we signed up. I stopped getting messages over a year ago and sort of assumed the forum had died...life was really busy too so i didn't have much time. But I see the forum is alive and well - great! :) Anyway, I am sorry that I did not thank you ladies who gave me advice earlier - it was much appreciated!



a quick update - I ended up buying a 17" Jamis Expert '01 full suspension frame, Manitou X-Vert air '01, and XT build kit with an XTR rear derailleur. Bribed the guys with cookies and the thrill of putting a brand new bike together to put MINE together and give me free mechanics lessons. ;) It has proved to be an excellent bike, although i still think the geometry is a tad off, and i have put a lot of miles on my beautiful blue baby, although it is definitely showing the results of some of my "epic" adventures. (including a 24 hr race) ;) I also just got in May a 54 cm Trek 2000 WSD road bike!! it's great to have both a mtn. bike, when i want to get out and hit the dirt, work on technical stuff, and enjoy the woods, and then a road bike for the speed rush and extra training, or quick transportation. ;) i still can't decide what fitting i like better - the generic or the WSD...i think i like the WSD...it seems to fit better. but of course, they're two different bikes. I did get professionally fit on one of those machines on my road bike AFTER my mom had bought mine. THe guy at the shop insists that i could fit a regular 52 cm frame but i'm not sure what kind of adjustments i'd have to make. The other thing that i'm not happy with is my saddle predicament...i have a Terry Butterfly that works alright on my mtn. bike, but is uncomfortable on my road bike. My 'sensitive tissue' always hurts like heck after about 30 mins on the road...i've tried changing saddle angle, height, and position...nothing works. BUt i also haven't been able to ride much this past year due to a seriously annoying nagging knee injury (due to flipping backwards off my bike on singletrack) that i've been fighting for the past year. It was misdiagnosed several times, finally had an MRI and it looked like i had a torn meniscus. So they did arthroscopic surgery only to find that there is NOTHING structurally wrong with my knee, including my meniscus. I guess this happens to a few other people though and most of them are actually healed after the surgery. something about the trauma of the surgery forces the body to heal whatever is wrong that's not in the structure of the knee, or there could have been adhesions in the knee that were eliminated with the fluid that was washed through my knee during the surgery. so right now i'm in the recovery process while learning the ropes of college life. I will hopefully be purchasing a low-end road bike for college here in the next two weeks and get to ride again soon. Then hopefully i can build back up to my former biking self and surpass that too...if my knee cooperates.



That's my update on me. I also wanted to say, I took no offense to any of the posts here - i thought the one about the bike being stolen was stuck in a rather odd spot, but my post was so old, it did not bother me at all. I'm very sorry to have caused any arguments or hurt feelings between you ladies, and i hope you will all not take any offense for me, or at anyone trying to help me. I thank you, Liz, for your concern and encouragement to compete. If my knee will start cooperating i hope to be able to compete in the lower 48 sometimes - until then i'll just stick with recreational ridess and low key races. :) Again, i hope i didn't cause any trouble. I think it's awesome that a place exists for women bikers and I would hate to see you all become mad at each other. we need to stand together - our numbers are growing! :) thanks so much



Meghan

[christine]

You, of all people, have no reason to apologize. :)