need help...newbie first bike dont want to make mistake!!!

Hi All, sorry this is so long..

I am so glad I found this forum..I am a newbie to the cycling world and am going to do the 08' MS 150 Houston to Austin and am in the process of getting a bike. A little history, I was planning on getting a 50cm Cannondale Synapse 1 07' (not the carbon) and it was discounted to $1000.00...good deal. But after doing some research I felt a WSD might be better as I am 5'4 and I never even sat on the Cannondale just went in a told him my budget,my goals, my height and BAM there was this bike that he made a deal on...so it was on hold while I scraped my $ together my DH bought a Canondale from this dude as well and got fit..yada yada Then I went into another Lbs and met a cool chick who was a Specialized pusher but quickly built a connection w/her..we are both heavier riders and so forth. She recommends the dole elite 07' but yuck is the color..purple and white..and says she'll sell it for 900.00 so I am kinda exciteed and am ready to just start riding..but I sat on it and it felt GOOD.just had a good feeling about it..still havent riden anything..so I leave to think it over..meanwhile am on the local craigslist ad find a dolce comp decked out with 35 miles on it!!! So I go see it and she is not sure of the size..( sitcker covering size)she bouth it from this same girl at the second lbs...it has a bunch of great things...wireless co puter,upgraded seat,LOOK pedals, shoes my size worn twice,gloves bottle racks,bottles and sells it to me for $1000.00 on the spot. With the understanding that if it is too big she will take it back..so I take it straight ovet to the LBS and she says it is a 53 and I am 5'4 and that I need a 50. so I am bummed...she says well let me fit you this week and see if we can switch out stem,seat post and get you comfortable. Now my probkem is am I trying too hard to fit into a bike that is already too big for me? is a 53 too big for someone 5'4? and should I forget about color and get the elite? I am just starting out and dont want to get the wrong size bike right off the bat!!!

Thanks
Angel

Hi, welcome to TE. That size of bike would be too big for me and we are the same height; but everyone's different. If this woman at the bike shop is good she won't put you on a bike too big.

Keep checking Craigslist.

You'll be more comfortable in the long run on a bike that fits you properly. That said, there could be things that can make that 53cm fit you -- depends on where it's not fitting -- it depends if your height is in your legs or torso.

I know this sounds superficial, but if you don't like the looks of a bike, it could influence how you feel about riding it. I know that I love riding my bikes partly because I think they're beautiful!

With a goal of the 150, you'll need to spend lots of time on your bike -- get the one that fits you best and inspires you to go out and ride as often as you can.

Getting a bike that's a bit too big and "making" it fit you by swapping stems, saddles, cranks, handlebars, etc.....it will never be quite as comfortable as getting a bike that is the correct size frame to begin with and then doing minor tweaking to perfect the fit.

Also, the cost of swapping various parts in search of that elusive "comfort fit" can really add up long after you've paid for your initial bike. You can save a heap o' money by getting a frame that's just the right size from the start.
Just my 2 cents.

Good for you, getting into biking!!!! :)

Not knowing your proportions, it's hard to say whether the 53 is too big. I'm 5'4 and have a 50 cm Bianchi women's specific bike, but I have short legs and long arms. Regardless, I would hesitate before buying a frame that's too big with the hope that I could improve the fit by changing out the sten, seat post, etc. For one, there's only so much you can do to tweak fit when the frame size is too big or two small. For another, you often compromise stability and handling when you do so.

A bike isn't a bargain if it doessn't fit. My advice is to test ride as many bikes as you can to get a better sense of what feels good. Don't settle for a fitting at an LBS that is based solely on your height. Sure, you have to be able to comfortably straddle the bike, but it's your reach to the bars that will most influence your comfort on the bike. There are things you can do to tweak it, but if the bike is fundamentally too big or too small for you in that respect, you'll likely never be happy with it or ride as well as you might otherwise. And don't necessarily assume that you need a WSD just because you're 5'4. Depending on your proportions, you might fit on a men's bike. Again, test ride available bikes and insist on a more comprehensive fitting.

I agree, too, that the look of the bike is important. If it doesn't speak to you in that way, I would wait until you find something that does. Remember that bike shops will soon have--if they don't already--their 2008 models on the floor.

Good luck!

I am 5'3" and I ride a Specialized Tarmac. Mine is a 49CM, XS.

Don't get a bike that is too big, just because it's a great deal. You will only spend more money in the end when you want to replace it.

Good luck!

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Originally Posted by woodlandsrider

Hi All, sorry this is so long..

I am so glad I found this forum..I am a newbie to the cycling world and am going to do the 08' MS 150 Houston to Austin and am in the process of getting a bike. A little history, I was planning on getting a 50cm Cannondale Synapse 1 07' (not the carbon) and it was discounted to $1000.00...good deal. But after doing some research I felt a WSD might be better as I am 5'4 and I never even sat on the Cannondale just went in a told him my budget,my goals, my height and BAM there was this bike that he made a deal on...so it was on hold while I scraped my $ together my DH bought a Canondale from this dude as well and got fit..yada yada Then I went into another Lbs and met a cool chick who was a Specialized pusher but quickly built a connection w/her..we are both heavier riders and so forth. She recommends the dole elite 07' but yuck is the color..purple and white..and says she'll sell it for 900.00 so I am kinda exciteed and am ready to just start riding..but I sat on it and it felt GOOD.just had a good feeling about it..still havent riden anything..so I leave to think it over..meanwhile am on the local craigslist ad find a dolce comp decked out with 35 miles on it!!! So I go see it and she is not sure of the size..( sitcker covering size)she bouth it from this same girl at the second lbs...it has a bunch of great things...wireless co puter,upgraded seat,LOOK pedals, shoes my size worn twice,gloves bottle racks,bottles and sells it to me for $1000.00 on the spot. With the understanding that if it is too big she will take it back..so I take it straight ovet to the LBS and she says it is a 53 and I am 5'4 and that I need a 50. so I am bummed...she says well let me fit you this week and see if we can switch out stem,seat post and get you comfortable. Now my probkem is am I trying too hard to fit into a bike that is already too big for me? is a 53 too big for someone 5'4? and should I forget about color and get the elite? I am just starting out and dont want to get the wrong size bike right off the bat!!!

Thanks
Angel

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Hi Angel, and welcome!

I noticed you live in The Woodlands--me too! If you want local opinions, I'll be happy to help. I'm pretty sure I know the LBSes where you're doing your shopping.

I'm 5'4" also, close to 5'5", and a bigger girl (~200 lbs). Even though I have the traditional long legs/short torso & arms combo that most benefits from women's specific geometry, WSD did not work for me. I have long thighs, so the more upright seatpost angle on most WSD bikes puts my knees all up in the handlebars. By the time the saddle is moved back far enough to accommodate that, the reach is just as long as a standard. So, like everyone else has said...it depends on your proportions more than your height. I ended up with a 52 cm Trek Pilot as my first road bike, and moved to a 51 cm Orbea Orca this year. Both are standard geometry, and fit fine with a shorter stem and narrower handlebars. (Oh, and color totally factored into both my bike decisions...looks are important!)

Though I'm hardly an expert, my advice to you is to not buy anything before riding it. It's hard to get a feel for how a bike will really handle until you get out there on it, and sometimes a bike that feels right in the store feels completely different on the road. As someone else said, the best way to figure out which bike works best for you is to ride lots of 'em. And take long test rides...it's also hard to judge a bike by a quick spin around the parking lot.

Also, have you looked into the Woodlands cycling club at all? It's a great club, totally friendly, lots of recreational riders at all ability levels. We have a beginner and ultra-beginner ride that go out of the Ashlane YMCA at 8:00 on Saturday mornings (I lead the beginner one). Though we do love new members, you don't have to be a member to ride. We'd love for you to come out and join us. Once you get your bike, of course. :)

Joy

The bike shop is Bike Land by Fox and Hound...Danielle has been helping me..she is great! Also was almost getting the Cannindale from Ken at Bike Lane on 1960..he has lots of years under him and is even on the MS 150 commitee but zero personality..I like to talk so he and kinda didnt hit it off but my husband likes him so he bought a bike from him. I am going to see how I feel on the used Dolce comp 54cm but if it doesnt feel right and hopefully I will notice I will try the Elite even though the colors are not my fave...I am kind of drained and am just ready to get a bike already..my husband is out in the garage on the trainer and I am on the boards researching bikes..lol I have never even seen any other bike but a Cannondale or Specialized so maybe I need to branch out?? Yhanks for listening and I would love it if you would email me directly and I will definitely do the sat am ride!!

Angel
woodlandsrider

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The bike shop is Bike Land by Fox and Hound...Danielle has been helping me..she is great! Also was almost getting the Cannindale from Ken at Bike Lane on 1960..he has lots of years under him and is even on the MS 150 commitee but zero personality..I like to talk so he and kinda didnt hit it off but my husband likes him so he bought a bike from him.

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I thought so. :) I don't think I've met Danielle, but I shop over at Bikeland once in a while (I like Specialized's accessories...bought my Ruby handlebar there). Ken built my Orbea...he is a man of few words, but he knows his bikes. Bike Barn Champions is also a good shop, if you're interested in looking at Treks. They also carry Specialized and Lemond there, I think.

I'll email you about the ride!

Take the used 53 cm for a ride, just see how it feels. (well, first be sure you can stand over it safely)

Since you've already bought it, think of it in terms of trade-in value. If you absolutely love it when you try riding it, you have some decisions to make (is it worth fitting with the various things Danielle told you about? Is it so close to perfect that you feel it needs very little extra investment?)

If you take it for a ride and don't like it (or if you can't stand over it without pain) then look at it as your trade-in for a smaller bike. Or see if the seller will take it back. (if it's a fabulous deal, see what your LBS offers for trade-in. They might offer the same you paid. Makes life a little simpler.)

I'm 5'8" and ride anything from a 56cm to a 52cm, depending on brand. Your best knowlege comes from some experimenting with your favorite brand. Ride a few sizes and see how you feel on each one before you make any decisions.

Feel the bike love!

Bike Land, Bike Lane, and Bike Barn! How do y'all keep them straight?!?!

tell me about it...I was and still get confused...my husband and I are always trying to discuss a lbs but we each will be meaning to call it another name...pretty darn funny...:) :)

I am currently searching, too.

My most adamant piece of advice would be to keep trying out more bikes!

The first bike I tried, I liked a lot. I thought it was "the one." (It also happened to be a screaming deal.)

Then I went out to more shops. Tried more bikes. Took my time. Have now tried maybe 12 bikes. When I say "tried" I mean, I left my credit card/drivers license in the store, took the bike outside, and rode on both flats and hills.

In short, the bike that I initially thought was "the one" - Well, it's still very nice, but meantime, two other bikes that I found at other shops were EVEN BETTER.

Also, I learn something new about biking at every shop that I visit. I ask a lot of questions. Get a lot of opinions.

So glad I didn't just get that first bike. It was not as good of a fit as some others; it had components I don't want; I don't care as much for the fitting/equipment philosophy of the shop; and one of the other bikes I found at a different shop offers a lifetime maintenance plan. None of this is something I would have figured out had I not gone out and explored more shops.

Good luck!