test riding a bike - they both fit, what is the deciding factor?

[rubysoho]

I am wondering what the deciding factor is when considering bike fit. I just test rode three different bikes so I am hoping I can describe the feelings enough and others can chime in with suggestions for my decision.

A little background, the only bike I have recently been riding is a Cannondale Hybrid 600 that is way too big for me and HURTS just to sit on it!

1. '09 Giant Avail, size 54cm: This was the first bike I road. I came back thinking "wow! No pain!" and I felt like I was sitting in a "nook." Does that make sense? Like I just had my "place" and I wasn't going forward, backward, I just felt supported.

2. Giant (something men's), size 54cm: Within 3 minutes the area between my shoulder blades, right below the base of my neck, was starting to hurt. I am assuming this was because the reach was much too long for me and bike store dude and I nixed the bike out of the options.

3. '08 Specialized Dulce, size 56cm: While I was just sitting on it in the store it was very comfortable and I remember thinking it just felt better than the Giant Avail- at least while sitting on it. The test ride was nice. It felt easy to control, maybe not quite to responsive as the Giant but I attribute that to the slightly larger size. It is definitely comfy but I didn't have the safe "nook" feeling like I had with the Giant Avail.



Do the descriptions of the Avail and the Dulce make sense? Bother are pretty much the same in price. I still would like to test ride a Felt, but those won't be in for another couple of weeks. Would anyone be able to hypothesize how the Felt ZW3 would feel compared to the Dulce and the Avail? This will be my first road bike so everything is new territory to me. Originally I wanted to spend as little as necessary but I do have funds available if I wanted to spend more. I guess I am just hesitant because I really want to make sure this is something I want to stick around with. But then, I think, if I do end up sticking it out - wouldn't something like the Felt ZW3 (so long as it fits) work better in the long run?


Thank you for helping this newbie out!

[Zen]

I would pass on that Avail.
You'll soon regret the Sora shifters.

[Kalidurga]

I have Sora shifters and they're a pain in the tookus when you want to shift from the drops. They're actually the main reason I've begun wanting a new bike.

So I second Zen's recommendation. If you can get better shifters on another bike, do so.

[rubysoho]

Thank you for the advice about the shifters. That is important to me. But what about the fit that I was describing? Lets take away functionality of the components (I can always look at more bikes). Do I want to feel like I am in the "nook" as I did with the Giant Avail or do I want something more like how the Dulce felt where I was secure but I didn't feel as though I was fitting into a certain spot on the bike. Or am I just over-thinking this way too much?

I'm so frustrated that I went and blew $500 on a bike that I replaced in 5 months! I hope that I can at least get $200 - $300 out of it selling it in the paper. If you've got the money, go ahead and get a bike that is going to last you...even if you have to use plastic to do it. I was lucky because my LBS was having a 2 years, no interest, no payments special if you financed through them.

This is exactly what I am afraid of happening. I don't want to blow $700 on a bike only to want to upgrade in the next year or two! Hmmm.... I would be putting a portion on plastic. I don't like that idea so much. But I can pay it off within one or two months (depending on how work goes!)... I guess I will let myself hop on a few more expensive bikes for comparisons.

[Kalidurga]

Ultimately, no one can tell you which feel is better. Only you can tell when your body is more comfortable and when you feel more in control of the bike. And just sitting on the bike in the shop really means nothing. How far a distance did you ride each? Perhaps you could decide which feel you prefer if you could get out for another, longer test ride on each.

Depending on how much you're willing to spend, there's always the option of getting that comfy Avail and upgrading the shifters.

[rubysoho]

Oh, I didn't just sit on them in the shop. But my brain did say "this feels nicer" when I was just sitting on it (we were adjusting seat height). I then took each bike out for about 10-15 minutes each.

I called the store back and got a not-so-friendly person on the phone. He had originally helped me out and I just felt like I was a nuisance at the time even though I was the only one in the store. Then I had a really nice person help me out earlier today for my test rides. Anyway, I was trying to ask his recommendation on what other bikes I should try - from their store of course. After a big hefty sigh he mentioned the Avail 1, the Dulce Elite and the Ruby (also mentioned they *might* be getting Felt in but wasn't sure if they were getting in the WSD, which is something I've found I need). I swear I am not a tire-kicker! I should have just asked for the guy I spoke with earlier today.

[Kano]

The Avail may also come in various "levels" like the Dolce does -- the frames should be about the same, I think? But components are different, and so that may be a way to get better parts with that sweet fit.

Also to consider: the close out sales that are/may be going on now at the dealers' shops. When they're discounting prices, sometimes you can find a GREAT buy! My Roubaix Elite was one of those...

Karen in Boise

[Jallora]

I bought an entry level ($500) small men's bike this past April. Like you, I was new to the sport, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money since I wasn't sure it was something that I would continue with. I have been enjoying it, and it is something that I want to continue with, but it didn't take me long to realize that I had a bike that didn't fit me right. It couldn't even be made to fit me perfectly because it was a men's bike and the reach was too long even after changing the neck several times. Last Friday, I paid $2200 for an Orbea Onix Dama, and I am in love! It is so comfortable, and it's a dream to ride. I can't see ever needing any other bike. I'm so frustrated that I went and blew $500 on a bike that I replaced in 5 months! I hope that I can at least get $200 - $300 out of it selling it in the paper. If you've got the money, go ahead and get a bike that is going to last you...even if you have to use plastic to do it. I was lucky because my LBS was having a 2 years, no interest, no payments special if you financed through them.

Good luck!