Can you help me decide? (kind of long-sorry!)

I'm really impressed with how friendly everyone on this board is, so I was hoping you could provide me with some guidance.

I won't even call myself a newbie, since I don't own a bike yet (well, haven't in the last 10 years anyway). Here's my situation:
The guy I'm seeing lives for riding, racing, etc. and would really like me to get a bike too so that I can join him once in a while. I would like to, but don't have much money to sink into it. I feel like he would like me to spend more than I want to, since he is into high-end bikes, so I thought I would ask for your advice, and see if I'm being realistic or not.

First off, I'd like to keep the cost around or under $250. Are there any bikes in that price range that will not fall apart with normal wear and tear? I intend to ride on bike trails through state parks, paved trails and roads. No hopping, stairs, or any other form of "rough" riding. Do I need front suspension?

Also, I'm pretty short (5' even), so I need a bike that's 14" or less. This has narrowed my choices tremendously. Stores do not usually stock bikes that small, so I can't just test them out and see what feels best. I've also read that being short/small makes for really rough rides on aluminum frames. Is this true?

Anyway, the bikes I've narrowed it down to are these:

Diamondback Sorrento
Trek 800 or 820
Giant Boulder
Trek 3500
Gary Fisher Tarpon

I would welcome anyone's opinions, insights or ideas on alternatives. Thank you all so much for your help!

bayleigh.

I know what you mean about trying bike out I also am 5' tall. and I found I had to got a cannondale road femm to get one small enough for me. I have a friend thaqt has the fisher and she is also short and she really was not happy with it. MY hybrid is a little big for me I wish it was shorter. Your really do need to get the bike sized to you you should look into cannondale ot terry's they make small bikes for women. You will find size is everything. If it is not right then you will not like t am there goes riding. You will feel uneasie when you ride. try your local bike shops and see if they can order they size in the bike you want.

Hi bayleigh: I'm calling myself a newbie even though I don't have a bike yet either! I'm only 4'10" so I've been searching for that needle in a haystack too. I got tons of great advice on the "Bikes" board in the "Gear & Accessories" forum. I'm sure you can get lots of help from there too.

First, I just had to say that I hope you're buying the bike for you, not the guy you're seeing. I think it's great to have a healthy activity/hobby you can do together, but I hope it's something you really want to get into for yourself. I haven't started riding yet myself, but I think it will be more enjoyable because I'm excited about doing it for myself, not just to ride with my husband (which is a great plus!). For example, are you looking into mountain bikes because your boyfriend has them? Otherwise, you might want to try road bikes with flat handlebars or hybrids (some people hate hybrids, others love them), or other types of bikes depending on what type of riding YOU want to do. It's also easier to part w/ the cash if you really want that bike. Of course, that's just one, speculative opinion! Sorry if I'm preaching. :)

Anyway, as far as finding bikes for shorter women . . .

I think the biggest obstacle might be your price range, so you might want to consider going a tad higher or looking for a used bike.

Terrys are the only brand I've seen so far that fit me, and they have a board on their website where people buy/sell used Terrys (I wasn't comfortable buying used online, but willing to check used bike stores). Otherwise, the cheapest Terry is the Susan B hybrid at $450. Other models are on sale too but start at $900 (some 2002 demos are $675 or $750). Some people just don't like Terrys, though, so I think you'd want to try them out. Unfortunately, they're not commonly stocked in stores so it may be hard to test ride. The Terry people are very helpful, though, and they'll ship one out to you, which you can return if you don't want it and owe only shipping costs.

The good news is I doubt you'd be limited to Terrys, since you're a whole 2 inches taller than me! From what I've seen, I think you'll find a lot of more bikes that fit. If you haven't already, it helps to measure your inseam and look at standover heights for the bikes you're checking out. You can find that on the "geometry" link when you find your model online.

I found standover height and top tube length were most important in determining if a bike would fit, rather than frame size. Also, some frames are designed specifically for women (WSD), or come in women sizes. These generally have lower standover height and top tube length, handlebars and levers are set for shorter arms, narrower shoulders, etc. For example, I tried a Gary Fisher women's bike and really liked it, but I wouldn't fit a men's frame. And, although I usually tried 12" or 13" frames, I just ordered a Terry Classic 16" and I'm pretty sure it will fit.

Here are links to articles re selecting & fitting bikes I found helpful:
http://gorp.away.com/gorp/gear/biking/biketypes.htm
http://bikeempire.com/bikefit.asp
http://www.titusti.com/techtalk_frmset.html (click on women's section)
http://www.caree.org/bike101bikesforwomen.htm

Since you're looking into mountain bikes, here are some "shorter" bikes I was looking into when I was considering MTBs (I'd planned to change tires to "slicks" to get a comfortable ride I could use on pavement). Like everyone else says, I think it's best to just go to the stores, and test ride several bikes until you find "the one." Still, I made lists of potentials beforehand so I wouldn't waste time trying to find bikes that were too expensive or would definitely not fit. Remember, I'm 4'10" so I had to limit these to the shortest bikes -- there should be more possibilities for you. :)

-Bianchi Ocelot - http://www.bianchiusa.com/site/bikes/02_Ocelot.html

-Fuji Mountain - Performance line - http://www.fujibikes.com/mountain/default.asp?yr=2004

-Gary Fisher Tassajara GS - http://www.fisherbikes.com/bikes/bik...e=Tassajara_GS

-Giant Boulder Women's [you've listed already. unlike men's, the women's is a "step through" frame, ie "girl's bike" style]

-Jamis Cross-Country 1.0 - http://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/03_2crosscountry1.html

-Novara Piedra Women's (sold by REI) - http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500839

-Novara Bonita Women's (REI) - http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...ory_rn=4500839

-Raleigh M20 Women's - http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?...itemid=20&va=0

-Schwinn Mesa - http://www.schwinnbike.com/products/...ail.php?id=282

-Specialized Hardrock Cr-Mo Women's - http://www.specialized.com/SBCBkMode...c2sw59m.j27004

-Trek 800, 820 [you've listed already]

-Trek 4100 - http://www.trekbikes.com/bikes/2003/mountain/4100.jsp

I didn't get to test them all, and since I don't know much about bikes you'd have to get info from others on the brands, models, etc. All these bike brands were recommended to me by others (except Schwinn, which no one mentioned to me, good or bad). Also, I don't know all the prices for these, but I was trying to get a bike under $500, so if I got the MSRP, they'd be in that range. I've also heard aluminum is harder to ride on a smaller frame, but I don't know much else about that since I've just been hoping to find a bike that fits!

Hope this helps some. Good luck and have fun! ~Christine

Thanks to both of you. I appreciate the help.

Not to worry, I am buying this bike for me, not my BF. That's why I asked your opinions, so I could feel that I chose this bike, not him, even though he works in a bike shop and owns numerous bikes of his own. He wanted me to get this butt-ugly bike that he liked, but I want to learn what to look for, how to know if it fits, and all that other important info, and get a bike that I pick out, and to fit what types of terrain I think I will ride (not him).

We don't have a Terry dealer anywhere within a couple of hours of my house, but one day I'd like to give them a try (maybe down the road if I get more serious about biking). After reading many many message boards, opinion sites, etc., I decided to cross the Diamondback off the list, since I want a bike from a "real" bike shop that can provide advice, service, etc. I went back to the Trek dealer, and the guy was soooo helpful. I tried out a hybrid (Nav 100/200), but didn't like the way it fit me. I also looked at the 820. Then, like Goldilocks, I tried the 13" 3700 and it felt just right :)!! It was like everyone said- I didn't have to think about it, I just knew it was the one I wanted. Plus, it comes in a beautiful purple and silver that I think rocks.

So, now I guess I am about to officially enter the world of cycling, and I'm really excited. I can't wait to get out there and see what I can do. Thanks again for everyone's help. I look forward to reading this board often and learning tons and tons of helpful information. I'm sure I'll be posting again with more newbie questions. Take care! -Bayleigh

That is sooo great you found your bike! And you even got your color! :) Sorry if I sounded preachy in my post. It sounds like you've really thought this through.

I'm also looking forward to learning lots from everyone here (and it sounds like you've got a good source in your BF too!).

Looking forward to your posts . . .
~Christine :)

Christine- I didn't think you were being preachy at all. After I read your post, I went back and re-read my original one, and realized I probably should've mentioned that he didn't push me into this. My bike is on order now, and I should have it by the end of the week :D

Mine's not coming for a few weeks -- aarrrgghhhh!
Let us know how yours rides when you get it, ok? :)

Sorry I've been away so long. Things got a little messed up for a while. When I told my BF I wanted this Trek, he got kind of mad, since that would mean buying it from a competitor, instead of the LBS where he works. The reason I was shopping around was to get his attention by saying "see, THIS is what I want"- because hinting "so when are you gonna help me buy a bike?" every other day didn't seem to be sinking in with him. Guess that subtlety just wasn't working :D. Anyway, after a little discussion, I ended up going with a Gary Fisher Action instead. It seems to be spec-ed just a little better, and I got it for less than the Trek would have cost too, because of his discount. It's not purple, but it's bright yellow- totally cool!! No blending into the trees for me!

After what seemed like an eternity it finally came in last night, and tonight I took it for my first "real ride". Wow- the difference between this and the department store 10-speed I remember is absolutely incredible. I was just going to go around the block, but instead I ended up going and going and going. It was SO fun! I can't wait to go out again.

Anyway, thanks everybody, for your support and help. I know I will be talking to all of you again soon. Bye!

Enjoy your new ride!

Veronica

Sounds great, Bayleigh! Enjoy your new bike.