Deer in the Headlights!

Brand new to this forum and to road biking! Yesterday I spent all day test riding road bike. I rode an xs Giant, a 44 and 48 Specialized Dolce sport, a 48 2010 Cannondale Synapse Alloy5 and last, but certainly not least a 52 Trek 3.1 Madone. All at different bike shops and all with the sales person telling me that their bike was the right size...? I almost HAD to buy the Giant, as I fell at the very first stop sign I came too! Bent and scratched up the "hood" and got my first case of "road rash" on knee cap. (I'm learning these terms from my hubbie who has ridden all over the place in the last 8years on his beautiful Cannondale Synapse). So now that I am totally confused about the size and the reach, etc,etc,etc, he has found a nice bike for me. The only thing that I am not so sure about is Shimano ST-R700, Short Reach 10 Speed. It tried the 105 shifters and really liked it. anyone care to help me out with the comparison of the two?:confused:

sorry, can't help you out on the comparison of the shifters. just wanted to say that sorry you fell on one of your test rides:( what a bummer. but don't get discouraged, take your time in selecting a bike and keep test riding bikes even if it means going back and test riding the same bike again. at some point you will be able to tell which fits more comfortably and then you can dial in a more specific fit. you didn't mention if you were riding any women specific design bikes, but I would try those as well. IMHO there is a great deal of disparity between an xs giant and a 52 madone so questioning some of those fits?????

I am in the process of researching and eventually test riding a road type bike and it was explained to me that the sizes are not standard as they should be on bikes. Sheldon Brown's website has a great article on frames and bicycle sizing. You might want to read that. Good luck, have fun and be safe.

As far as I know, the Shimano R 700 short reach brifters are Ultegra components, which is a step up from 105s, unless they have changed something since I got mine, a couple of years ago. They will make a world of difference in your confidence, especially in the drops if you are a smaller person.

From my experience, though not great, bike sizing amongst the brands is different....or at least the label they use is. For example, I ride a 52 cm Trek Madone and it fits me great, a 54 Specialized and it fits me great, and a 51 cm Raleigh One Way....you get the idea. Having said that, I would be a little leary of 'fitting' on a 44/48 Specialized and a 52 Trek. That seems to be a little too far off. Go with what feels best to you and hopefully you can get a meaningful test ride to help in that selection process. Let's hope they are not just trying to sell you what they have on hand. Did they do any measuring of your total inseam or anything before putting you on a bike?

P2

My backup bike is a Trek 2100 WSD with the R-700 Shifters...and I absolutely LOVE them! Infact, I will even go on to say that I actually prefer them over my newer Ultegra 6700 shifters that are on my current bike - a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3. I like them SO much, that I have contemplated swapping them out for my 6700 shifters. They feel great in my hands (and I don't have small hands either), and the levers are SO easy to move that I can literally shift with 1 finger...as opposed to needing ALL of my strength and my entire hand to move my 6700 levers (they are THAT stiff in comparison). I would not hesitate to recommend them!!!

Linda

WOW! Thanks for all of the responses! I definitely need shifters that are easy to use. My husband found a Marin Treviso (size small) on the internet. It has carbon seat stays and fork, and all 105 except for those ST-R700 shifters and the brakes are a "house" brand. He says it has very nice upgraded wheels and tires. However, I would have to buy without test riding it...
As far as the test rides that I taken so far-no one has measured anything on me. The Trek dealer did ask for my height and he put a shorter stem on the handlebars before I took it out. That still felt like I ws reaching too far. The 48 Cannondale 2010 Synapse Alloy5 felt the best so far, but I think I really need a triple and it was a double chainring. The seat was pretty hard on the pubic bone area but ischeal tuberosities felt fine...what up with that?

Welcome to TE!

Since this is your first bike I would recommend NOT buying without test riding first

thanks... I guess I am just anxious to get out there and RIDE! It's been a very long, cold, snowy winter here. Trained for a half marathon from Jan-March and got severe case of plantar fascitis. Ended up walking the 5K instead. I just want to move it and the feet are not up to running or even walking at a brisk pace. Hoping that the road biking will be a great alternative.
Stopping at a shop close to work tomorrow to see what they have and what size they put me on. :cool:

LADY Salesperson! Hurray! She understood my questions and answered them so I could understand. Sized me with some weird kinda thing that goes between the legs up at the crotch. Then she had me sit on a bike on a trainer, then sit on the seat of another bike and lowered the seat until just my tippy toes touched the ground. Pulled a beautiful silver and white Synapse Alloy5. Set me up to go around the block...WOW! z00m z00m! Up a hill into the strong NW Ohio spring wind like a hot knife through butter! Bottom line=hope to be on the trails by Saturday if not sooner!
I guess when it is right, ya know it?! Cannot wait to get out there and ride!

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Originally Posted by KatzPajamas

Pulled a beautiful silver and white Synapse Alloy5.

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My first bike was that same one--in teal and white. :)

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Originally Posted by KatzPajamas

LADY Salesperson! Hurray! She understood my questions and answered them so I could understand. Sized me with some weird kinda thing that goes between the legs up at the crotch. Then she had me sit on a bike on a trainer, then sit on the seat of another bike and lowered the seat until just my tippy toes touched the ground. Pulled a beautiful silver and white Synapse Alloy5. Set me up to go around the block...WOW! z00m z00m! Up a hill into the strong NW Ohio spring wind like a hot knife through butter! Bottom line=hope to be on the trails by Saturday if not sooner!
I guess when it is right, ya know it?! Cannot wait to get out there and ride!

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Congratulations! I only test drove two bikes before i bought mine...a giant avail (small size). It felt good from tje beginning, but even BETTER once i got professionally fitted for it. Took about an hour, but so worth it. Elimated any back pain and now the bike fits like it was custom built for me. Have fun riding...I'm excited for you!

Ok...been soooo excited about the bike! It finally came in and we spent 2 hours at the bike shop last evening getting it all together. Helmet, water bottles and cages, clipless shoes and pedals, even a little cat's eye computer! Stopped at the bank parking lot and rode around a few times with just my regular sneakers on! It is an awesome bike! It has speed and is very comfortable...nice :D Hubby was waiting at the door tonight to take off biking. He loaded the bikes while I changed my clothes and off to the park where all the biking trails are. I am new to the "attached feet to the bike" scene so we decided to stay on trails until I got used to stopping safely. While he got his bike out of the van I took a few spins around the parking lot at the park. Even tho I tried getting in and out of the pedal in the store, tonight it just wasn't happenin. Fell three times! Scuffed up the brand new bike and ripped my knees to shreds!! After about 30 minutes of torturing the bike and myself we loaded them back up and headed home. I fought back tears all the way home...and I NEVER cry!
Very discouraged right now... :(

Goodness gracious. Do not let this deter you! However, ask your husband to put on some flat pedals. No toe clips, no straps, just flat pedals you can ride with some sort of flat shoe. Then get used to the bike in a large parking lot until shifting feels real comfortable. Then maybe take it on a trail of some sort but DO NOT put clipless pedals or toe clips back on for at least a couple of weeks. Your husband sounds like a good guy but if there is any chance he is intimidating you (subconsciously) as you learn to ride, try to ride without him or ask him to go get coffee while you tool around the parking lot a bit.

Good luck!
Steve

Katz, it sounds like maybe your tension on your pedals is set too high. I have mtn. SPDs and still have them set at the lowest tension setting...and I have yet to have issues with my cleat staying in or being hard to clip out. I promise, once you get the hang of clipless pedals they are SO worth it!

I don't feel intimidated...just frustrated. I have thought about little else since I ordered the bike. I am truly looking forward to getting out and riding, and had hoped that we would ride tonight. I grew up on a bike, cannot remember ever falling off of one. Even when I learned to ride as a 6year old kid, I just took my bike to the top of the hill and away I went. Lived on that thing all year round. Rode my one speed Schwinn as a senior in high school 20,30,40 miles trips with friends...who needs more than one speed when you are young and invincible! I will be going to the plain old pedals with my tennis shoes for quite awhile for sure. Thanks for the words of advice and encouragement! Good thing I have a massage scheduled for this coming Saturday...I have a feeling I am going to need it!:o

I'm so happy that you love your new bike! Isn't it a great feeling to get one that just seems to "fit"? Years ago I bought a mountain bike as my "ride around" bike and it was very "advanced" for me. It had clipless pedals and I bought the shoes and everything. I was practicing in a quiet neighborhood and was actually fairly proficient at clipping in/out, but one day I was practicing and was going at a slow walking speed and simply tipped over and forgot to put my foot out and fell down! It happens, so don't be hard on yourself. Pretty soon you'll be posting all sorts of accomplishments on here.
I think people who are somewhat new on bikes should keep a journal of their accomplishments, mistakes, errors, feelings, etc. because I think if we did there would be a lot of change in about a months worth of riding.
I rode a Schwinn Le Tour 10 speed from ages 13-early 20's and never thought once about the drop bars. Now I'm 47, thinking of getting a bike with drop bars and am terrified to even go on a test ride.
You're brave in that you went to all those stores and did all those test rides. You go girl!

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Originally Posted by KatzPajamas

Ok...been soooo excited about the bike! It finally came in and we spent 2 hours at the bike shop last evening getting it all together. Helmet, water bottles and cages, clipless shoes and pedals, even a little cat's eye computer! Stopped at the bank parking lot and rode around a few times with just my regular sneakers on! It is an awesome bike! It has speed and is very comfortable...nice :D Hubby was waiting at the door tonight to take off biking. He loaded the bikes while I changed my clothes and off to the park where all the biking trails are. I am new to the "attached feet to the bike" scene so we decided to stay on trails until I got used to stopping safely. While he got his bike out of the van I took a few spins around the parking lot at the park. Even tho I tried getting in and out of the pedal in the store, tonight it just wasn't happenin. Fell three times! Scuffed up the brand new bike and ripped my knees to shreds!! After about 30 minutes of torturing the bike and myself we loaded them back up and headed home. I fought back tears all the way home...and I NEVER cry!
Very discouraged right now... :(

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My heart goes out to you, here you were all excited you could hardly think of anything else but your new bike and getting out to ride it and here comes a dissapointment to throw cold water on you and rain on your parade. I can understand fully why you were near tears, most people would be in that situation.

But now that you've had some time to think about it you can see how you were biting off a lot to chew all at once. I know that would choke me! Too many new things all at once - lordy girl, give yourself some time to get used to your new bike all my yourself with nothing between you and the bike, except maybe clothes so you don't have to bike in the buff. Agreed with another poster, don't think about a different style of pedaling until you are "one with your bike."

I am excited for you because you sound so happy about it. You've been dilligent about trying several bikes and put time into it, now relax and go enjoy the fruits of your labor and your NEW BIKE!

That does sound frustrating! I'm sorry your first ride was ruined by those pedals. Take a do-over with the flat pedals, and let us know how it goes! A new "first" ride is in order! :)

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Originally Posted by redrhodie

That does sound frustrating! I'm sorry your first ride was ruined by those pedals. Take a do-over with the flat pedals, and let us know how it goes! A new "first" ride is in order! :)

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Sounds like a great plan! Consider it done!:D

Boy! Have I been busy! I got those flat old fashioned pedals and away I went:D I rode this morning and was back by 1pm. The mail came @ 2:30 and so I stopped housework and went out to get it. All the way to the mailbox, I was thinking...I should be out riding my bike!:rolleyes:
I may not be fast but I am LOVING EVERY MINUTE OF BIKING!:cool:

Katz, 1st of all welcome to the wonderful world of biking and of course to TE! Good choice to share here. You got lots of advice and look at you now!!!

Have a great time riding. Those pedals will be there when (and if) you are ready. Until then, just have a great time. Took me a couple of years to get to clipping. Wow, you tried on your first ride. You are way more brave than I am.

When I did learn, I sat on my bike in the lawn and held onto the fence and clip and unclipped about two million times before venturing out into the lawn!

I still unclip (with both feet) any time I even think I might need to be unclipped. Works for me.

Have fun.

265 miles on the Cannondale as of this morning @9:30am! Rode 15 miles this morining at an average speed of 12mph and max of 15.8mph. Last three Saturday I've been doing 27 miles (a loop of biking trails that circles my home). WHOOWHOO! :cool:

Excellent! Glad the new bike is loving you back! Keep on truckin'! ;)