Buying a bike for a new rider
Hi, I just joined this forum and I have some questions about buying a bike. I'm new to riding and having a great time. I actually look forward to the time when I can get on my bike and go! I haven't felt this way about any type of exercise before.
Right now I'm riding my son's old mountain bike. I'm 5'1" and about 105 pounds. His bike is a nice older 14.5" mountain bike. It fits okay but I swear it weights 300 pounds. I also feel that I am the slowest biker out there which I am convinced that part of it is that bike. It has very small, very treaded tires and it just hard to haul around.
I'm riding trails and roads, riding for about 1 1/2 hours at a time. I'm not going very far, about 8-10 miles. I'd like to increase my mileage and my time on the bike.
I'm having a devil of a time with the bike shops and the bikes they have where I am. First of all, the bike shops want to sell me a "comfort" bike. I really don't want a comfort bike, I'm not an old lady and that's what I feel like on a comfort bike. Also the bikes weight about the same as the bike I'm on already and I think considering my size, I think that I would be happier in a lighter bike.
The other problem is that there are no bikes in my size! I have been to 5 or 6 bike shops and I have been able to try out one bike. It's crazy to look at bikes and not know what they ride like. Anyways I've talked to the bike shop people and I've have a couple of ideas of what I might like.
1) A Specialized Sirrus. This is the only bike that I was able to test ride. It felt great.
2) A Trek 1000c WSD. Looks like a great bike but 1, it's quite a bit more money than the sirrus and 2, they are sold out of this bike and can't even get anymore until at least Sept. That's not a problem but...
3) A Giant FCR 4. Looks like a nice bike but I've only seen pictures. They didn't have any FCR's in the bike shop. This is the cheapest bike, cheaper than the trek by almost $200.
Any comments on these bikes. Any suggestions about other bikes that I could look at. I'm not in a big hurry to buy a bike, I want to take my time and get the bike that will be best for me.
Also, has anyone bought a bike on ebay? I could get a much nicer bike on ebay than what I can buy new. It seems that people buy bikes or husband's buy bikes that people end up not riding. Also my H thinks that people my size won't put as much wear and tear on a bike as someone his size, so a used bike wouldn't be beat up.
I haven't received much customer service from the bike shops around here. It's fustrating.
Thanks for any help.
DEB
Wait for a little while...
hi deb,
i just bought my new bike in June. but i was able to test-ride several bikes at different shops just to compare.
if you are not in a rush, i'd recommend waiting just a little bit longer for 2006 models to come into the shops. you may have more choices then since a lot of shops now cannot order certain bikes anymore (out of sizes, colors, etc).
however, i can comment on the Trek 1000 -- i test-rode the WSD not the "c" model. and i thought it was fine but, the shifting was a little rough.
my heart was originally set on a Specialized Dolce Elite which is a WSD and also something i'd recommend you try out. you might be able to get a good deal now on a 05 bike if you are able to find one.
i am a little taller than you -- 5'6". so i was able to ride a regular bike but, i had everyone trying to sell me a WSD bike at every shop. and i really didn't need it. i ended up buying a Specialized Allez Elite. (a word of caution : on the Treks, i was able to ride a 54 but on the Specialized, i needed a 52 for the Allez. that's why it's important to test-ride the bike before you buy.)
as for the Sirrus, my husband tried it and felt it was ok. he also tried the Sequoia but, he ended up buying a road bike (Trek 1500).
my advice is that if you think you want to ride a while and a bike to last a while, try to buy one with the Shimano 105 component set. everyone told me that and i resisted for a while but, then when you compare the shifting to the lower group (Tiagra/Sora), it is so much smoother.
this will put you in a higher $$ range (closer to $1000).
if you can't, then buy the best you can afford. and don't let them talk you into anything you haven't ridden yet!! i would never buy anything i could not test-ride!
as for e-bay, it is ok for some but, i like having the warranty and support of my LBS. my husband is no wrench by any means and does not understand all the workings of a bike. so if you need mechanical support, if you buy it used, you are on your own (cost-wise). if you buy it new from a shop, they usually give you at least 3 months of free service plus at least one tune-up on the bike.
so in short, if i had someone at home who knew how to service bikes, i think that'd be fine to buy it used. otherwise, i'd think twice.
hope this helps! and i hope you find a great bike soon!
frances
