Road Bike Shopping- Day one, the adventure begins

Aieeee! I think I'm finally making the plunge from hybrid to road bike. I went to my lovely lbs today and spent 2 hours with one of the guys (let's call him "Ian," because that is in fact his name), getting measured, talking about how I'm going to use this bike, testing out different setups/saddles/etc. on a Serotta fitting bike thing. Wow, how incredibly complicated. I'm 5'4, quite overweight, carpal tunnel in my hands, long legs, some low back problems, so it's complicated. We tried a few different shifting systems to see how they felt on my hands, Campys, Shimano and some rapid-fire system. The Campys definitely felt like they were easier on my hands.

So after 3,000 measurements were plugged into a spreadsheet, we're thinking I might do a lot better with a custom frame, but we'll see. He thinks some stock frames would work, but there would be a lot of adjustments.

Anyway, part two will be next week, when I'm going back to take a few bikes out on the road to test so I can see the difference between steel/ti/carbon, because at this point it's all theory to me. I think I'm looking at Serrottas mostly, and also Trek. I imagine if I have to go to a custom frame, I'll get steel cause there's no way I can afford custom carbon, even if I wanted it (I don't think I do- carbon scares me).

I really love these guys- they are willing to endlessly explain stuff to me and never make me feel dumb. Plus, the owner weighs about 300 lbs, and is a great cyclist (I've ridden with him), so he knows some of the issues of being a big girl on a bike (namely, being afraid your bike will smash to bits while your riding it, and your spokes will pop). Plus I went for two fittings there when I went clipless 'cause my knees and feet were killing me, and they very patiently strategized and adjusted me until I could ride pain free.

EEEEE. I'm so excited! Thanks for being there.....I don't really have any riding friends around here to share this with, and it's a big leap for me.

You won't regret it! I went through 3 bikes, with adjustments, before I went with custom. I thought the other bikes fit well until I got my new bike.

The adjustments we did on the stock frames created some handling problems. My custom frame handles so well it took me awhile to figure out what to do with it.

BTW, my bike is a Serotta Ottrott.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8515

I got to demo a Nove, very nice bike. I also demoed a Fierte Ti and Fierte Steel. They were ok, but I'm used to carbon.

Check out the Serotta Forum, http://www.serotta.com/forum/, the guys there will be very happy to help you pick out a new bike.

If you chose Serotta, order soon, they get very busy this time of year. Mine was ordered in mid April and I got it in mid July.

That is one beautiful bike, Kathi.

Yeah, I'm planning on ordering before the end of Feb., and as long as I have the bike sometime in April, I'd be very happy- my local club starts riding in April.

I think with all my issues I will end up going custom, and I think it'll be a Fierte. Of course, I say that without having road tested anything, so we shall see.

The Fierte is not custom, but it does fit a wide range of people. It is a really nice bike.

You might be able to get a steel custom frame for around the same price, depending on the components you put on it.

That's the fun of custom, you chose your components and colors. Basically, the bike is made specifically for you.

Enjoy, I know how exciting this is.

Ah, I get it. Yeah, I think what I meant is I'll probably end up getting a steel custom frame. I think the steel custom is about $500 more than the Fierte steel stock frame, not insignificant.

I think that is a good choice. The guys on the Serotta forum who have the steel frames sure do like them.

Aren't Serotta people wonderful? My bike fit so well that I have made no adjustments to it. I'm also very pleased with the proportionality of the bike. It's built for 650c wheels and it just looks so balanced. The TT has a slight slope to it but you can barely see it.

I got it in mid July and rode 1,800 miles on it by mid Oct. Poor baby is hanging in the basement now. Denver weather just is not conducive to getting her out.:(

Hey Ace, what shop was it? They sound really cool.

She's getting her beauty rest, Kathi.

Are you in the SF bay area, rogue dog? My lbs is Cycle Sports on Grand Ave. in Oakland. They are really good, helpful guys.....in it for the love of the sport.

http://www.cyclesportsonline.com/index.htm

Congrats, Ace! And keep us updated on what you go with. I'm in a similar situation. Just had a fitting last week at my LBS and decided to go with a custom Waterford (I'm 5'1 with stubby legs). We haven't even gotten to picking out all of the parts yet and I'm sooo excited. As this is all pretty new to me, and being the info geek that I am, I am devouring this forum and a few books so that I can have some understanding of the many choices there are for components. Wheee! Let's do the bike dance together :D :D

Cool, BookGnome. Keep me posted on your progress.

I was shocked to find out that I have a 32 1/2 bike inseam. I didn't think I had particularly long legs, but I guess I do. Maybe that's why I have such big feet?

I have to admit, my eyes glaze over at the talk of components. I'm glad I'm working with guys who I trust, because there's only so much I can/want to absorb, and I know I'll get to the point of saying "uh, yeah, that sounds good. Uh-huh...now gimme the bike....."