conflicted, stressed, and making this too hard!

[SactoGal]

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

[mimitabby]

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.

[Darby361]

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

[KnottedYet]

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.

[Jolt]

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).

[SactoGal]

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

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.

[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.

[fizzgigg14]

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!

[Geonz]

Go for the one that feels good.

IMO 8 gears would be fine - except I am an 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.

[Torrilin]

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.

[SactoGal]

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

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.

[SactoGal]

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.

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.

[Pax]

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.

[SactoGal]

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!

[mimitabby]

right away, you need gloves and protective glasses!