conflicted, stressed, and making this too hard!

For something that seemed so easy to do as a child, I'm sure putting a lot of stress on myself picking a new bike.

I think my story is like so many others I've read here. Haven't biked in years (probably 20 or more).

I've got a well-used Centurion LeMans (from the late 70's) in the garage, but that isn't the bike I want to ride.

I've tested a bunch of bikes, and the bikes that feel best now are the hybrids (in particular the Giant Cypress DX, the Specialized Crossroads Elite and a little Jamis Commuter 2 - 8 speed). But, there's a niggling feeling that I'll grow out of that bike very quickly and be buying a new bike fairly soon down the road.

I have tested the Trek fx 2 and 3, the Giant FCR?, a fuji absolute. I just have a fear of getting on and off the mens style bikes. And, I'm not totally comfortable stretched out that much. I saw reference that someone has adjusted their handle bars up on their roadbike, but I'm so new to this, how do I know what bikes will adjust that way?

I like getting out (currently doing all my workouts inside, just did my first 1/2 marathon on a rowing machine). I've walked a few marathons in the past, so I know that once I get going on something, I build up conditioning and enjoy it.

Currently, my budget is $500 and below, but I'm wondering if I need to bump it up to about $700 and see what works? My husband thinks buying the hybrid and seeing if I use it is probably the best way to go, and if I need to buy a new buy next year, that's fine with him.

I've seen reference to Specialized Sirrus, Kona Dew ... any suggestions? First in the $500 range, then up to the $700 range?

Thanks

welcome to TE!

I did kind of what you're suggesting, I bought an intermediate bike.
I didn't want to have a fancy bike that I hated to ride, so I bought something used on ebay and for the last year I have been learning to ride it.
(It's a Bianchi road bike)

Some people say; don't do that; buy the best bike you can buy now.

Come on in, get acquainted; and I promise a bunch of others will post soon and answer all your questions.

Last year I bought a very inexpensive hybrid (Trek 7100). I rode it A LOT and fell in love with biking. My friends bike rails-to-trails, so the hybrid seemed a good fit. This year I have graduated to a road bike but I still have they hybrid for the trails (we did 24 miles of trail last night!!). I like having two, and felt confident in buying a road bike as I knew cycling was my thing. Had I spent $1500 the first year and did not like it, I would have been mad at myself. I say go for the hybrid - it is a great bike for both trails and a bit of road biking. See if you get bit by the bug...
Trish

I bought a Kona Dew ($400) about a year ago. I use it as a utility bike and rode it in a triathlon. It is the "lowest" of the 4 levels of Dew, but it was marvellous for my needs.

Later I bought a road bike, which I use for the long rides (40+ miles) because the Dew's flat bars and aluminum frame just aren't comfortable after about 30 miles.

I like having a "utility" bike for errands and commuting and to lend out to people, and a "zoom" bike for the long road rides.

(Right now I'm in the throes of severe bike lust, yearning for a Surly Crosscheck to be my new utility bike.)

I would recommend buying the bike you love NOW, rather than buying one you think you might love later. (later you might actually prefer something else entirely!)

If you buy a second bike later to meet other needs, no worries! Your first bike still has a purpose as your utility bike.

Agree with KnottedYet--go with what works for you right now, and you can always upgrade. And hybrids are good utility bikes--actually, that was a big part of the reason I went with a hybrid (that said, it probably would have ended up being a mountain bike had I not found the hybrid--I was looking on craigslist and knew I needed something that was sturdy enough for some rough roads).

Thanks for all the replies ... you all make too much sense:rolleyes:

Some times it's easy for me to get too caught up in the details.

I do have 2 more questions:

a 7 or 8 speed internal hub vs a 21 or 24 speed bike. Will they both go up hills equally? My primary place to ride beyond the streets around my house will be a paved bike trail with some hills.

The Jamis commuter is a very nice lightweight bike, but only the 8 gears (no suspension which doesn't sound like a bad way to go). The other bike that would be similar is the Giant Ex (more expensive, suspension, heavier bike).

How do I know what size frame? It seems like some of the bikes I ride, that the LBS salesperson have put me on, my knees were practically to the handlebars and it wasn't comfortable.

I'm not super tall (5' 6 1/2' - 31 inch inseam), but honestly, the bikes I've been the most comfortable on were the larger frames.

Ok, back to work.

Visit more than one bike shop. Keep trying bikes until you find one that FEELS good, and don't get pressured into a sale.

I agree with KnottedYet and Jolt. Buy something that you can, and want to, ride now. If you aren't comfy and happy on your bike today there's the possibility that you'll stop riding completely. That would be very, very, very bad!

When I was looking for my bike I wasn't sure if I'd like cycling or not so I didn't want to start out with a $1500 road bike. (Actually, I wasn't even sure that I could pedal for a mile.) I took a lot of things into consideration - living near the beach with bike trails that sometimes have a lot of sand on them, living near a rails-to-trails path, possibly riding with my parents, etc. I visited all 4 of the LBSs here and test rode a ton of bikes. Finally I narrowed it down to the Specialized Crossroads Womens Sport and the Trek Navigator 2.0 WSD. I bought the Crossroads and love it! It's perfect for sandy trails and the path that I like to ride on. The shocks/suspension keep me from getting too bumped around. It even works for trips to the pool on a pretty busy road. However, it's a heavy bike and I don't go fast.

I'm starting to want a road bike now. The way I look at is this: I will always have my current bike for knocking around on and in a little while I can buy a road bike for serious riding. And... If i can manage to fly on my current bike, I'll kick some serious tail once I get on something lighter and faster!

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy!

Go for the one that feels good.

IMO 8 gears would be fine - except I am a:on the prairie and overpasses are about as steep as we get! and b: I've never had trouble with hills. However, C: there is no hill too steep to be walked.

I guess one question to ask would be whether you're thinking of doing solo rides or club rides, and if there's a bike club, do they have "entry level" rides? The one place a "slower" bike can be a nuisance is riding with people who have faster bikes and knowing you could keep up if you had better gear. However, in our club we've sort of grown a group of people with "slower" bicycles. It wasn't always thus and I know it's not true everywhere.

In general, though... get what you will *ride.* You might end up trading in for thinner tires - that's good for 2 mph right off - but a decent hybrid can be a friend for life. I am still riding hybrids myself and I can pretty m uch ride with anybody I want to... and it all started with a Giant Nutra "entry level" one, that was the one that *felt* the best.

I just bought my second adult bike. I did a fair bit of riding as a teenager (14-18) and had some very defined desires for this bike.

- I wanted to be able to lift the bike comfortably. I'm somewhat out of shape, and I knew from experience that if I couldn't lift the bike easily, walking it up hills would *hurt*. I grew up in Pennsylvania, the Appalachian mountains are no joke. This was my one and only dealbreaker feature, since I spent years getting around on a 40 lb "mountain" bike that I couldn't ride up hills.

- I wanted a bike that would handle relatively rough road conditions. Gravel surface, potholes, ****ty road patches... I don't intend to ride offroad, but then again, on-road isn't usually smooth as glass in the upper midwest.

- I wanted a bike I could ride in the rain and snow.

- I wanted a bike that fit me reasonably well.

I also had a tiny budget (needed to come in under $500) and I needed a bike *fast*. I don't have a car, and mass transit here is kind of iffy for a lot of the errands I need to run. Also, I walk pretty fast, but more than about a 4-5 mile walk will turn into an all day trip. Fortunately, I'm pretty good at estimating weights by lifting things, and I ended up with a 25 lb mountain bike that clocks in closer to 30 after necessary additions like fenders, lights and a lock. It's a 24 speed, tho I'm not strong enough yet to use about 10 of the gears. Don't worry about not having enough gears - bike manufacturers don't want you to end up walking.

The key is to look for a bike you'll want to ride. If you've ridden recently enough to have ideas, great. If not, just accept that you will outgrow this as a primary bike sooner or later. You can't know in advance what will be best for the you-who-rides-bikes-outside.

Me? I'm already plotting a saddle adjustment. I can *feel* that's one part that's not quite right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mimitabby

Visit more than one bike shop. Keep trying bikes until you find one that FEELS good, and don't get pressured into a sale.

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Well, I can honestly say, I've visited 8 shops so far, ridden 25 different bikes (the specialized twice).

The bike that REALLY makes me smile like a kid is the townie, but I'm afraid that's just too heavy over all.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geonz

Go for the one that feels good.


I guess one question to ask would be whether you're thinking of doing solo rides or club rides, and if there's a bike club, do they have "entry level" rides? The one place a "slower" bike can be a nuisance is riding with people who have faster bikes and knowing you could keep up if you had better gear. However, in our club we've sort of grown a group of people with "slower" bicycles. It wasn't always thus and I know it's not true everywhere.

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Great question!

I haven't gotten that far in the thought process. I know there's a team at work, but they seem to all have speedier bikes, and have been together for awhile.

I have a feeling, I'd like to ride with a few friends, but not a large group, but I'm not going to say I'll never try to find a group to ride with.

I live in the same town as Geonz and I need a BUNCH of gears! I'm way more out of shape than her and have had 4 knee surgeries...so when you're test riding run trough the gears and see what works for you. I really wanted a Breezer but the 8 gears were a no-go for me.

thanks for all the replies ... the anxiety level is decreasing. I know I've been stressing about it when I dream about looking at bikes, and it's the first thing on my mind when I wake up.

I think I want to make a final comparison between a Trek 7300 and 7500, Specialized Sirrus, Sirrus Sport, Crossroads Elite, Giant Cypress DX, and the Jamis bike. It still sounds like a big list, but I've actually eliminated quite a few from my list.

I have a feeling that I'll have a new bike by the beginning of June.

Then it will be on to figuring out what I need beyond a helmet (I've got my HR monitor, some tech fabric clothes but beyond that, no idea what I need).

Thanks!

right away, you need gloves and protective glasses!
:D

Assuming you live in Sacramento proper and not up in the foothills somewhere, and assuming you mean the American River bike trail ... 8 gears is more than enough. There's a decent hill on the bike trail as you get up towards Folsom, and there are some overpasses here and there, but I mostly ride out there on a single speed, and even when I ride my road bike I tend to use only a couple of gears. I am not a strong rider by any stretch of the imagination ... it's just a really flat trail.

A hybrid is not a bad option at all for around town and on the bike trail, although I started to hate mine pretty quickly because it was so slow and heavy ... it's a lot of work to get very far on a hybrid, so you ride the same stretches over and over and it gets a little dull. You might do better with an entry-level or used road bike.

It's too bad College Cyclery on Freeport seems to be under new management -- they used to have a very nice selection of used road bikes, but the last time I was in there it seemed like it was mostly a bunch of old Schwinn cruisers (many marked "not for sale"). Bicycle Chef sometimes has used bikes on consignment but they tend to be fairly high-end stuff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xeney

Assuming you live in Sacramento proper and not up in the foothills somewhere, and assuming you mean the American River bike trail ... 8 gears is more than enough. There's a decent hill on the bike trail as you get up towards Folsom, and there are some overpasses here and there, but I mostly ride out there on a single speed, and even when I ride my road bike I tend to use only a couple of gears. I am not a strong rider by any stretch of the imagination ... it's just a really flat trail.

I'm out towards the fish hatchery (probably the spot that I'd park the car). I know there are a few rises along the way, and maybe they just seem steeper when a person is out walking. LOL I don't think I'm ready to tackle the hill heading to Folsom lake yet, maybe some day


Bicycle Chef sometimes has used bikes on consignment but they tend to be fairly high-end stuff.

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The woman at Bicycle Chef was the sales person suggesting the Jamis Commuter with 8 speeds. It's a real light weight bike. I am going to go ride it again (as long as they're open this weekend)

Thanks for the feedback.

I too have a late 1970's 10 speed in the shed and last year bought a new hybrid. There was an Avanti (New Zealand made) bike sale and there were 3 bikes left. The women's bike was not my favourite colour, so I went for a men's bike. At the time we bought 2, one large and one medium (each $600 Aust).

I am 5'6" with 31" inside leg too and found the men's bike to be no problem. Just lift your leg up and over the back wheel (it helps to lay the bike over a little). The top bar of the hybrid women's bike was only about 4" lower than the men's anyway, so I thought it would not be that much different to mount.

Even though I ride the medium, I am just as comfortable on the large. (Have my seat the same height as HB's) Seat height was adjusted so I could touch the ground with toes bent (both feet) while seated, but now after a year, I have adjusted it so I can only just touch if I lean to one side a little. This height seems to suit my leg length, I still have my knee slightly bent on the down stroke and it feels comfortable when I ride.

I find the hybrid good for sealed roads (though I have not experienced the feel of a modern road bike to compare) and also ride quite a bit on unsealed roads and tracks without experiencing problems. I like the wider profile tyres - a bit extra grip in the rough. The 10 speed tyres are narrower and I don't feel as confident on unsealed surfaces, so avoid those when on it.

Forgot to add.... the Avanti is 24 speed and I have really only used 14 of these in various conditions, including some hills. Not sure if I will ever need to use No. 1 front cog - haven't yet. Love the digit gear shift levers.:D

Hey SactoGal,

I live in Folsom and normally I'm able to do that Beals Point climb without resorting to the "granny gear" (I have a triple 21 sp. mtn. bike right now). BUT, this past weekend I didn't fuel/hydrate myself properly and ended up using that "granny" for even the smallest inclines on the trail toward the end of my ride.

One thing I've learned in my test-riding is that you need to speak up and be really specific about what you need. Or, if you don't really know what you need (which is how I was in the beginning), just inundate the lbs employees with information about your riding style, goals, things that feel good or don't feel good about your current bike, etc. In the beginning, I thought I was communicating okay with the lbs guys, but turns out I wasn't because I didn't know what I needed to communicate! The more test-riding I've done the more I know what I want/need now.

Good luck to you! :)

Are you riding your 70's vintage bike right now? I am riding an early 80's bike. For my current needs, it is probably the best thing for me, except for the low handlebars. I am not very flexible, and and thinking about swapping out the handlebars. I am riding on a paved bike lane with very low traffic, on flat terrain.

I was going to say not to worry about the accessories, but actually, there is a fair amount of essentials to buy: helmet, gloves, shorts are nice (now that I finally have a pair, I think they are worthwhile), and sunglasses, and a lock.:rolleyes: But sorry, you said you were already stressing:o .

I had the 'knees rubbing my ears' experience, and the shop owner told me, "Well, inexperienced riders feel more comfortable lower to the ground." It made me unhappy that he would purposely put someone on a bike too small, rather than educate them. But I guess I can't blame him, if that get's someone to buy a bike. (Although, now I have second thoughts about going to his shop, so he's possibly lost a more discriminating customer.)

Remember, your doing this for FUN, so quit stressing;) . And don't feel pressured into buying a bike. Take it for granted that there is probably not one 'perfect' bike for you. Just buy what is best for the needs and style of riding you anticipate right now. And enjoy the process:D .

Mary

Accessories:

Are you going to ride in the rain? If yes, you need fenders. Also, a rain jacket.

Are you going to ride in the dark? If yes, you need lights. Also, reflectors and reflective tape. Go nuts.

Are you going to fall? If yes, you need a helmet and gloves. (Everyone falls btw). I'm stalling on gloves some while I figure out what I want out of them.

Are you going to ride for more than 20 minutes at a time? If yes, you need a water bottle and a way to carry it. (This doesn't mean you need to buy a water bottle cage right away... I refill a cheap 20 oz recloseable water bottle and carry it in my backpack)

Are you going to get flats? If yes (and everyone who rides will eventually answer yes) you need a spare inner tube and a way to inflate it.

I tend to forget about safety glasses. I wear regular ones and unless I'm doing serious metal shop or chemical lab stuff, they're usually ok. If you don't wear glasses, at least get *something* to protect your eyes.

All the rest of the accessories can wait til you know what you (and your bike) need.

Hi there!

I had an 05 Giant Cypress DX. It was my first "adult" bike. It was perfect for what I wanted: running errands, riding paved trails, tooling around comfortably. Sadly, some scummy bike thief stole it a couple of weeks ago.

I loved it and miss it. (That being said, I did go and spring for a road bike less than a year after I got the hybrid. But I think both bikes have their purpose. A hybrid will NOT end up being a waste of money if you wind up getting a roadie. The hybrid serves a lot of purposes, well!)

Good luck, and have fun! I hope you get hooked as fast as I did!

That orange Jamis Commuter they have at Bicycle Chef calls out to me every time I walk in the shop. I think that would be an excellent bike trail bike and general commuter. And Bicycle Chef is my favorite local bike shop so I think it is generally a good place to buy.

(The shop owner is giving me hand-me-down baby clothes so I am obligated to plug them, but they really are my favorite shop, they won't ever rip you off, and they seem to be pretty good about matching the bike to the customer. I've never bought a bike from them but my husband has, and they have been building a bike for me this summer using a frame I bought on eBay. They have been very patient with my many changes-of-mind, and it has been a lot of fun choosing components for that bike with them because they are tolerant of my wacky ideas and often make them wackier.)

For what it is worth, over the years I went from a Hybrid to Sirrus to regular road bike.

The Sirrus is closer to a road bike and may be a good way to start. I now will use it as my commute and errand bike, so nothing lost.

~ JoAnn

I would definitely say go for the bike that fits the now, tho' if waffling think "a little lighter" - so I think you're right about the Townie. Last night on our Pedaling For Pleasure ride there were four or five folks there on hybrids who did fine but the lady on the real fat tired thing regretted her choice and worked very hard.
And I have to encourage thinking "practical cycling," too, though I suppose you don't actually have to get an Xtracycle :) http://www.xtracycle.com/images/new-sub-models.jpg

My minimalist rider friends, I noticed when I started *all* still had three thigns: gloves, helmet and toe clips. (I didn't think about glasses because I got those anyway - hate bugs in my eyes :)) You don't even need toe clips or clipless (or Power Grips which I have ordered and will try!) right away. Then you add what you like...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by michelem

Hey SactoGal,

I live in Folsom and normally I'm able to do that Beals Point climb without resorting to the "granny gear" (I have a triple 21 sp. mtn. bike right now). BUT, this past weekend I didn't fuel/hydrate myself properly and ended up using that "granny" for even the smallest inclines on the trail toward the end of my ride.

well, maybe it was probably lack of conditioning, but I was testing a bike at the Folsom bike shop near the new bridge, and I had to use what I assume would be considered the granny gear to get up that little hill that goes behind the shop ... I was pleased that at least I could get up the hill!

One thing I've learned in my test-riding is that you need to speak up and be really specific about what you need. Or, if you don't really know what you need (which is how I was in the beginning), just inundate the lbs employees with information about your riding style, goals, things that feel good or don't feel good about your current bike, etc. In the beginning, I thought I was communicating okay with the lbs guys, but turns out I wasn't because I didn't know what I needed to communicate! The more test-riding I've done the more I know what I want/need now.

Since I haven't ridden in so long, I'm not sure what it is to ask. I think it comes down to "I don't know what I don't know". I am learning fast, and reading forums like this really helps!

Good luck to you! :)

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THANKS! I appreciate the info:) :D :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by plantluvver

Are you riding your 70's vintage bike right now? I am riding an early 80's bike. For my current needs, it is probably the best thing for me, except for the low handlebars. I am not very flexible, and and thinking about swapping out the handlebars. I am riding on a paved bike lane with very low traffic, on flat terrain.

I haven't ridden the bike since the mid 80's. I asked at the first bike shop about putting different handle bars on the bike, and was basically told it wasn't worth it. I'm sure the bike needs a lot of things to bring it back to riding condtion? At least it's been stored inside the garage entire time.


Remember, your doing this for FUN, so quit stressing;) . And don't feel pressured into buying a bike. Take it for granted that there is probably not one 'perfect' bike for you. Just buy what is best for the needs and style of riding you anticipate right now. And enjoy the process:D .

Mary

---

Thanks Mary. My stress level has actually gone down quite a bit! I plan on riding a few more bikes, letting the info roll around in the brain, and then I'll figure out what's best for me at this point in my life.

I have a lightweight hybrid with 21 speeds that I rode on my first group ride. The group is definitely more social but there were definitely some hardcore riders with us that I managed to keep up with for a good while before my endurance started giving out. My bike didn't feel at all cumbersome. I'm considering a used entry-level bike now for longer rides but know that my lightweight hybrid can definitely take me a good distance. Check your local Meetup.com for more social riding groups. That's where I found mine and I'm so glad I did!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Torrilin

Accessories:

Are you going to ride in the rain? If yes, you need fenders. Also, a rain jacket.

I've got a good "shorter" coat that was too short for walking, so it'll probably work well for riding, it's even a bright yellowish color. I like the idea of fenders regardless ... I do have memories of that splat of mud up the center of my shirt back from riding in damp conditions.

Are you going to ride in the dark? If yes, you need lights. Also, reflectors and reflective tape. Go nuts.

Not sure about this one .. but I would think the reflective items could be good even at dawn and dusk (if I get out at that time ..LOL)

Are you going to fall? If yes, you need a helmet and gloves. (Everyone falls btw). I'm stalling on gloves some while I figure out what I want out of them.

I was planning on a helmet ... is there a brand that's better than others. I understand they all have to pass the same saftety standards, but all they all considered equal? Gloves ... sounds like it's something to learn more about.

Are you going to ride for more than 20 minutes at a time? If yes, you need a water bottle and a way to carry it. (This doesn't mean you need to buy a water bottle cage right away... I refill a cheap 20 oz recloseable water bottle and carry it in my backpack)

Ah ... got lots of bottles from my distance walking ..I think I'm covered, although I do need a way to put them on the bike.

Are you going to get flats? If yes (and everyone who rides will eventually answer yes) you need a spare inner tube and a way to inflate it.

Can I just skip the flat thing? LOL ...

I tend to forget about safety glasses. I wear regular ones and unless I'm doing serious metal shop or chemical lab stuff, they're usually ok. If you don't wear glasses, at least get *something* to protect your eyes.

I've got quite a few pairs of older, prescription sunglasses, I hope they'll do the trick.

All the rest of the accessories can wait til you know what you (and your bike) need.

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Thanks for all the info, my husband is going to love the shopping list!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by xeney

That orange Jamis Commuter they have at Bicycle Chef calls out to me every time I walk in the shop. I think that would be an excellent bike trail bike and general commuter. And Bicycle Chef is my favorite local bike shop so I think it is generally a good place to buy.

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Thanks for the feedback. It is one of my top contenders ...

I'm also trying to find a bike shop that will support me in my journey and not make me feel like a total spaz when I don't know something. I liked the vibe in the shop.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Laterider21958

I am 5'6" with 31" inside leg too and found the men's bike to be no problem. Just lift your leg up and over the back wheel (it helps to lay the bike over a little). The top bar of the hybrid women's bike was only about 4" lower than the men's anyway, so I thought it would not be that much different to mount.

Even though I ride the medium, I am just as comfortable on the large. (Have my seat the same height as HB's) Seat height was adjusted so I could touch the ground with toes bent (both feet) while seated, but now after a year, I have adjusted it so I can only just touch if I lean to one side a little. This height seems to suit my leg length, I still have my knee slightly bent on the down stroke and it feels comfortable when I ride.

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This may sound silly, but I took a pretty good fall when I was in 6th grade, broke a front tooth, so I to have this fear of falling on my face. I was very comfortable on the larger bike, but it's just the getting on and off that I need to conquer!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Geonz

I would definitely say go for the bike that fits the now, tho' if waffling think "a little lighter" - so I think you're right about the Townie. Last night on our Pedaling For Pleasure ride there were four or five folks there on hybrids who did fine but the lady on the real fat tired thing regretted her choice and worked very hard.

Well, that was my fear, but the townie was SO FUN to ride! I want to enjoy the journey, and I don't mind working hard, but I'd rather go farther, faster and enjoy the ride.

And I have to encourage thinking "practical cycling," too, though I suppose you don't actually have to get an Xtracycle :) My minimalist rider friends, I noticed when I started *all* still had three thigns: gloves, helmet and toe clips. (I didn't think about glasses because I got those anyway - hate bugs in my eyes :))

You don't even need toe clips or clipless (or Power Grips which I have ordered and will try!) right away. Then you add what you like...

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Thanks for the info. I know I'll be starting with bike, helmet, bottle holder ... maybe some padded shorts, beyond that .. I guess I learn as I go.

Glad I could help. I'd like to skip having more flats, but I know it's not in the cards :).

One thing on the lights that may or may not be obvious. Just like on a car, they're not just there so you can see. They're also there so other people can see *you*. I figure if it's a bit rainy or a bit foggy, my bike lights should be on. Visible is good. Batteries are cheap. My life isn't.

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

If you're scared of falling, go practice with a spotter or two. Find a big grassy field or an *empty* parking lot and just take some falls. A quiet cul-de-sac works well too. Try stopping too hard. Try swerving. Turn too tight. Do everything you can think of to lose your seat. Make sure you wear suitable clothes, like sturdy pants with good leg coverage and a long sleeved shirt. Wear your helmet. Wear gloves if you have them. Take breaks if you're scaring yourself silly. Eventually, the falls will stop being scary tho and you'll have learned how to fall.

I did this as a kid, and it has helped me in a lot of near misses. It may have saved my life when a car buzzed me as a teenager and scared me off the road... at a point where there was a 6" drop. I ended up still straddling my bike, with only a bruise to show for it. The other benefit to falling practice is you end up with a much better idea of your limits, and much better balance. You really really really don't want your first fall to happen by accident. It's a good way to get hurt.

Hi SactoGal,

You mentioned old sunglasses you have . . . I would not recommend regular rx sunglasses. You want something that will not shatter or break if hit by a rock. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes bits of gravel will fly up and hit. I've taken to wearing my contacts when I ride (I never wear them otherwise), with a pair of sport sunglasses that wear close to the face and wrap around somewhat. I don't want little buggies getting in there behind the lenses either! I found mine on the REI outlet website and had them delivered to REI so no shipping fee. If I didn't like them, I could have returned them right then and there upon pickup for no fee as well. I've read that some people have gotten rx sport sunglasses, but those are a bit pricey and I am partial to glass lenses for my rx glasses anyway.

You asked about gloves, and for me, I don't want any more sun on my skin than absolutely necessary (which, for me is the face and ears - everything else is covered from neck to toes), so I go for full-fingered gloves. They have fingerless gloves too. You just want something to protect your hands if you fall.

CA law says you must have reflectors on your bike, as well as lights when you ride at dusk/evening. Supposedly, the CA bike shops are supposed to comply with this as well and include reflectors on your bike when they sell it to you. http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/tocd11c1a4.htm


For me, the things I've bought so far are:

- 2 pr. chamoised shorts - these really help for longer rides
- 2 pr. non-chamoised tights (one cold weather, and one warm weather) to wear over the shorts - I don't want sun on my skin, so that's why the tights; also the tights protect the skin a bit better for falls; I found out right away that regular sweatpants or jeans get caught in the chain too easily!
- 1 long-sleeve SPF 50 cycling jersey and 1 SPF 50 cycling jersey-like top (no back pockets, so not really a cycling jersey)
- 2 pr. cycling socks (they are thin and wick away moisture)
- 1 pr. clipless cycling shoes
- 1 pr. clipless pedals
- 1 helmet (as long as it is certified, it doesn't matter how much it costs - the price increases with the number of vents and the weight of the helmet - more vents and lighter weight equal more money)
- 1 pr. sport sunglasses
- LOTS of sunscreen
- 1 floor pump
- 1 underseat bag, which houses spare tube, 2 tire levers, 2 c02 canisters and 1 attachment thingie, and small tire patch kit
- Chain cleaner and lube (this keeps your bike in working order - helps shifting, etc.)
- Bike computer with cadence and heart rate (this is teaching me about gearing - you want to keep your cadence and heart rate steady - if cadence goes down and heart rate goes up, then shift to an easier gear, and vice versa)
-My bike already has a water bottle cage on it and I already have water bottles.

The reason I have two of some stuff is so I can handwash and drip dry one the night before and have another set of dry stuff to put on in the morning. The chamoised stuff usually takes a bit longer to dry. If you're not going to be riding every day, you can probably get away with one of everything. The clipless shoes and pedals are not a necessity. I'm still learning (and falling). Of course, the bike computer is not a necessity either - just helpful.

The stuff adds up! I've found great deals on the REI Outlet website and by waiting for their member sales.

Hope this helps! I'm still pretty new at this as well, but there is a wealth of info to be found from these gals and on this site! :D

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Originally Posted by Torrilin

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

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With the mirror, make sure you get one that stays in the proper position so it's actually useful. My experience with a handlebar-mounted mirror was that it wasn't worth a hill of beans because it strapped around the bar right where my left hand was..consequently it never stayed put, so I ended up taking it off and have gotten good at doing a look-back so it's not an issue. This may be less of an issue on drop bars; on my group ride yesterday I saw quite a few of the road-bike folks with mirrors and on those bars, you're generally not holding the bar right where the mirror straps on.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Torrilin

One thing on the lights that may or may not be obvious. Just like on a car, they're not just there so you can see. They're also there so other people can see *you*. I figure if it's a bit rainy or a bit foggy, my bike lights should be on. Visible is good. Batteries are cheap. My life isn't.

Oh, hadn't thought about it from that perspective. Any lighting systems that are better than others?

I would like a rearview mirror (or two), a horn, and a bell as tools for riding in traffic. The mirror is the biggie, cause I'm finding I have a hard time looking over my shoulder far enough while maintaining a good line on the road. Horn for communicating with cars. "Hey, dude! No crashing into the bike!" Bell for communicating with pedestrians. "Look behind you!" I'm doing bike == car tho, and you might not be.

A woman at one of the bike shops told my husband she would ride around with a whistle in her mouth. It got the attention of drivers better for her than a horn. Sounded like an interesting concept.

If you're scared of falling, go practice with a spotter or two. Find a big grassy field or an *empty* parking lot and just take some falls. A quiet cul-de-sac works well too. Try stopping too hard. Try swerving. Turn too tight. Do everything you can think of to lose your seat. Make sure you wear suitable clothes, like sturdy pants with good leg coverage and a long sleeved shirt. Wear your helmet. Wear gloves if you have them. Take breaks if you're scaring yourself silly. Eventually, the falls will stop being scary tho and you'll have learned how to fall.

Well, I live on a nice quiet cul de sac, and I can see the value in doing what you describe, but it made my ankle with the plate and six screws start aching ... just thinking about falling on purpose. I was such a clutz as a kid, my family nicknamed me "grace".

The other benefit to falling practice is you end up with a much better idea of your limits, and much better balance. You really really really don't want your first fall to happen by accident. It's a good way to get hurt.

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Thanks for providing more great info. I appreciate all that people share with me.

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Originally Posted by michelem

Hi SactoGal,

You mentioned old sunglasses you have . . . I would not recommend regular rx sunglasses. You want something that will not shatter or break if hit by a rock. It doesn't happen often, but sometimes bits of gravel will fly up and hit. I've taken to wearing my contacts when I ride (I never wear them otherwise), with a pair of sport sunglasses that wear close to the face and wrap around somewhat.

well, I don't have contacts, and my sunglasses are prescription, but I also need my close glasses if I ever have to fix a flat ... I'll need to see what works. I think my lenses are plastic, and they uvb, and are polarized so I may end up starting with them.

You asked about gloves, and for me, I don't want any more sun on my skin than absolutely necessary (which, for me is the face and ears - everything else is covered from neck to toes), so I go for full-fingered gloves. They have fingerless gloves too. You just want something to protect your hands if you fall.

Sounds like something I need to look at and ask around to see what will work for me. I've seen a reference to gel gloves?

Thanks for the dvm url, I'll check it out. I'm hoping there will be some memorial day sales that I can take advantage of this weekend for some of the gear.


I'm still learning (and falling). Of course, the bike computer is not a necessity either - just helpful.

The stuff adds up! I've found great deals on the REI Outlet website and by waiting for their member sales.

Hope this helps! I'm still pretty new at this as well, but there is a wealth of info to be found from these gals and on this site! :D

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I plan to spend some time this weekend reading the postings.

I can see me getting plenty of gear, but I do want to make sure that I'm utilizing the bike before I go too far overboard.

I guess I'll be reading a different section of the REI sales circulars when they come out ... LOL ... won't my husband just be thrilled!

Well, went out and rode three bikes yesterday ...

Trek 7.3 fx
Trek 7.5 Fx wsd
Specialized Sirrus

I think it was a bit of mistake to ride the 7.5 (more than I intend to spend). I really liked the bike. It was comfortable and felt great.

Actually, all the bikes felt nimble and beyond the seat being tough on the privates, once I got the height right, they all were really nice rides.

I rode them at a bike shop that's got a nice little hill behind it, and they felt much lighter coming up the hill than the Specialized Crossroad Elite that I rode last week.

I think I'm also getting beyond needing a step-through bike.

Today will be a quick trip to a bike shop a bit more of a distance away to try out some of the Jamis line.

Have a great holiday weekend.

and it's now out in the garage.

I went to a bike store about 25 miles from my house, because I really wanted to try the Jamis Sport Coda. I really liked the little Jamis Commuter that I rode, but I wanted something a bit more.

I really liked the feel and ride on the Sport. Just to be sure, I tried a Jamis comfort bike (not the commuter), and even though it was a comfy ride, I liked the quickness on the Sport better.

I need to figure out now how I'm going to incorporate the riding in my life. I think to begin with it's going to be short rides in the afternoon around the neighborhood. The seat feels a bit hard to me, but until I ride it a bit, I don't want to trade anything out.

I bought a lock, a helmet, a bottle holder, a patch kit, a tube, and a pack that goes under the seat. I need to check out the pump we have and see if it's still any good, if not, I'll go get a pump. The accessories sure added up fast, and I know it's just the beginning.

Thanks for all the input. I'm looking forward to many miles on the new bike.