Is bike-borrowing possible?

Hi everyone,

I am brand new to this Forum and cannot get over what wonderful advice and encouragement everyone is giving to each other. Whoever said women can't be team members never came to this board before. You gals are great!

I have beeing scouring these boards for helpful tips on how to get into cycling. I haven't been on a bike since The-Day-Before-I-Got-My-Drivers-License, which is over 20 years. (Ouch, I just aged myself.) Two ex-boyfriends were heavily into cycling/tri/ironman and got me obsessing about participating. Plus, the Tour of California's final stage was practically on my doorstep (I actually run on that stretch of beach every week) so I figured I'd better do something.

Trouble is, I don't know how to ride a bike anymore. Sounds stupid, I know, but I really haven't been on one, except for spin classes. I want to buy a bike, but without getting on one and getting used to riding again, I am afraid I won't know what feels "right".

My question is... is there anyone is the Southern California/South Bay area who can loan me one of their extra road bikes (47cm or smaller) for a few weeks? I know I'll have the wobbles for a while, but I am not confident about buying one until I am ready to do a significant test ride. I will gladly pay someone for the rental, as well as any replacement or damage should any occur (knock on wood!)

Any help will be immensely appreciated.

Joy

you can always rent a bike.

Yeah, I've called numerous places. None had a 47cm or smaller.

how small are you? (just curious)

I'm a smidgen above 5 feet tall, with a 72cm/28-inch inseam.

Joy,

I think I might be able to help you. I'm about 5'1", live in the south bay, and have an extra road bike. It's my 20 year old Bianchi with an 18" frame.

PM me for the details.

EDIT: Uh oh, never mind. Whenever I see South Bay, I think South San Francisco Bay Area. I'm such a NorCal-centric. Sorry 'bout that, and good luck on your search for a road bike.

-- Melissa

PS Are there any used bikes on craigslist in your size?

Joy,
Just to give you a bit of confidence:
I'm 52. The last time I got on a bike before this month was 36 years ago as a teen!!
I fully expected to be wobbling and falling all over the place.
I borrowed a friend's bike and got on, started down the back road and to my amazement I did not wobble too much or fall! They say you never forget, but I hadn't believed it til then.
Anyway, she lent me her bike for a few weeks (my very OWN bike is now on order) and I practiced circling etc in empty parking lots for a few days. Then I started biking around our small town. Then I did a hilly 18 mile trip, and a level 20 mile back country roads/highway trip. All in a couple of weeks!

I'm still not too agile yet but I'm getting better every day. Don't worry, it'll come back to you! :)

That's awesome, Lisa, thanks for the encouragement.

Well, I called, visited or e-mailed another half-dozen LBS around here about picking up a rental or trade-in. Not only couldn't they help me, but most were not very supportive - a few almost disdainful, IMHO. Not one of them offered any suggestions or help (all of them were men).

I'm really flabbergasted at this attitude. I mean, seeing it as a business owner... don't they realize how much money WOMEN spend??? Not only on bike parts, but on shorts, accessories, clothing etc. Eventually, I plan on plunking down $1500-$2000 for a bike, and these guys just blew my business.
If only I could find a store as helpful a this Forum...!

Joy

Just maybe, try REI? The larger stores do rent equipment, and their house brand comes in a 47 cm in most models.

I'm personally very unhappy with REI's bike folks, but their bikes seem pretty decent. (I keep thinkin' maybe I should apply to work in the bike department at my local REi because I'm pretty sure I know more about the darn bikes than the employees do....)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

I'm pretty sure I know more about the darn bikes than the employees do....)

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That's how I feel about Home Depot.

Summit Bikes in Burlingame rents bikes. Did you try them? TE member Velogirl works there too.