WSD vs Men's Bikes

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Originally Posted by pooks

Do I really need to learn how to shift gears, but how do I test ride bikes when I don't even know how to shift gears?

This learning curve is going to be long.

(Let's don't even discuss clipless.)

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LOL - that sounds like me. I had not been on a bike for around 20 odd years and didn't have a clue. The shop gave me a quick run through and off I went. No points would have been given for pretty shifting but hey I didnt crash or break anything. Hee hee and because I didnt know any better I went clipless straight away. Lets just say Im glad not too many people I know saw me in those first few months. Picture this, rider with no idea (that would be me) going up hill changes to harder gear instead of easier, bike stops suddenly, rider forgets to clip out..... TIMBER. Anyway I survived and Im glad now that I just jumped in clipless feet and all.:D

At least I've gotten used to handbrakes. I had a couple of crashes before I managed those tricky beasts.

Pooks -- a couple of things from my recent bike-buying excursion --

first, the shifters are actually easier than the twisty ones on my old bike, though I've got no numbers on my bike to know exactly where I'm at, so I've got to ride by feel. Probably a good thing anyway, eh? And, my bike guy showed me how to work them before I took off on my ride -- just ask if the guy you're working with doesn't offer the info!

and while I'm talking about the shifters, I saw two kinds. They both worked by pushing the brake levers in toward center, but one had a little lever that you had to press with your thumb to go the other direction and the other had two levers, next to each other -- both push in toward center. I didn't even bother with the ones that used the thumb thing. It looked inefficient, like you had to have your hands in just the right place to use them. The others, with the two levers next to each other, small one inside goes to smaller gears, large one to bigger gears. No more thinking than that.

I suppose that sounds goofy to those who speak bike, as you put it one day, but for those of us who don't, it makes PERFECT sense! little lever, little gear. big lever, big gear. can't get any easier, right? The only other thing to remember is "closer to the bike, easier to pedal" and then if it didn't get easier, I use the other lever! (oh yikes is that wicked when I get the front one wrong!)

There will be ladies here who can tell you more about bike geometry than I can, Pooks, but you probably want "relaxed" so you can be a little more upright. I've been told that the Specialized Sequoia is a good choice, and I am finding that I'm really comfortable on my Roubaix(also Specialized). (neither is WSD) There's also the Sirrus, which has a flat bar like mountain bikes.

I'm finding that I really like having the curvy handlebars, cuz I can put myself anywhere on them. Oh -- there's these funky extra brake levers you can get. They were on the bike I had when I was a teenager -- they go across the flat top part. I wanted 'em, until my bike dude

(who had nasty road rash a few days later, but happily showed me how to work my new presta valves, be sure to ask your bike guy about that when you get your bike! He also helped me pick out new gloves)

oops back to my brake levers -- he said riders with those seem to be more likely to do the endos than the other way. I decided I don't want to be doing any of those endos, and I'd try without, but if I just couldn't live with that, then I'd add them later. I'm good -- happy with the decision! (plus I saved a few dollars that I can use for something else!)

And more about the brakes -- I don't know if it's the different way I'm reaching for them, or what, but I like the way these work better than on my other bike (similar to yours) I felt REALLY uncomfortable with the front brake on the comfort bike, but I can use it any time on this new bike! It's also important to note -- I could touch the ground a little more easily on my other bike, and have to be SURE to hop off the seat when I'm coming to a stop now, Pooks -- I remember you having some trouble when stopping as you started out last spring! (I know, don't remind you! just thought I'd try to help you avoid that again!)

And they'll put block pedals on for you -- you don't have to worry about clipless yet! I went to bike specific shoes before I went clipless -- no cleats until I got the pedals, but my feet were happier in the stiff soles, strange as that may sound!

Karen in Boise, whose bike wants to come in the house and hang out here by the computer if we can't go riding!

Karen, this is all great feedback. Thanks!

And you've taken some of the "yikes!" out of it for me!

great post, Karen.
I did the same sequence you did. new bike, then stiff bike shoes, THEN FINALLY going clipless.

I wonder what it would be like to climb up Table Rock on a bike, Karen? I walked up it once, a long long time ago.

And we momentarily digress from Pooks' new bike search....

I haven't been up that one yet, but we did ride the road next to Table Rock road. It'll be a wicked ride, but I think we just might try it this summer -- now up to Bogus Basin, that's not one I'm eager to try!

And back to Pooks' search -- You're welcome, Pooks! I hope you find it very helpful when you get to the stores! The hardest thing for me to do when I went shopping was to look for features, rather than pretty paint. I got lucky when I found features AND pretty paint!

Karen in Boise