picking out a bike . . .

[staceysue]

I thought of some more questions - hope somebody can help out!

Right now, I'm just riding a comfort bike 13 miles at a time. I have a new bike (Trek 7200 - hybrid) on layaway but it's not too late to change my mind. Here's a picture, but I'm buying it locally http://helenscycles.com/itemdetails.cfm?LibId=47536 The handlebars are adjustable - I think they'll go lower. I don't want to be very upright, but I think I want a hybrid bike because I do quite a bit of riding on gravel roads and need something a little more cushy than a road bike. I also need to stay under $500.

1. My hand goes numb after about 7 miles. I'm pretty sure it's because my handlebars are too upright and I have to bend my wrists so much and lean weight on them. I'm wondering - will this be a problem with the new bike? What kind of handlebars are the best? The handlebars are the only thing making me hesitant about this bike - does it look overly upright?

2. My big toe also gets numb. Is this a common problem? I have no clue how to go about picking out a good saddle.

3. Do I REALLY have to get bicycle shorts to get rid of the chafing? It's so nice to just go out and ride in yoga pants. Doesn't anybody make panties without a seam in the crotch area? Maybe I should just go commando - but that may be even worse, because the pants have a vertical seam . . . .

[graceomalley]

Hi StaceySue! I've just very recently experienced everything you're talking about.

I bought my first bike in many years just 3 weeks ago: a Trek 7200 WSD. I kept it two weeks and upgraded to the Trek FX 7.5. The shifting is a bit awkward on the 7200, the grips hurt my hands and it's slower and heavier...BUT.

For what you're going to use the 7200 for, you can't go wrong. The 7200 is simply superb on fine gravel. Today, I went on a 17 mile ride on mostly fine gravel trails. The FX is okay on this surface, but not ideal. I kept thinking throughout my ride that it was too bad I couldn't keep BOTH bikes: the FX for streets and paved trails and the 7200 for the plentiful gravel trails near my home.

As for the hand numbness, I feel your pain. The ulnar nerve gets squashed when your entire weight is on the heel of your hand. Gloves have helped me somewhat. The grips on the FX are better but still not a cure all. I'm working on strengthening my core so I don't lean so hard on the grips. But you're right, an adjustment might help you here.

Like you, I like to wear yoga pants or jeans and resisted the Bike Outfit. However, the FX has no chain guard so that lasted about 5 minutes. And, as much as I went kicking and screaming into REI to find bike capris (I refuse to show my thighs), I am SO GLAD I did. In fact my sit bones are quite attached to the chamois, and thank me every time I get on the bike now.

Your local bike shop (or "lbs" on this board) should help you with a good saddle and proper fit. Your toes should not be going numb!

Welcome! And before you buy the bike, make sure you can trade, return or upgrade should you need to. I tried the Cannondale Adventure and liked it quite a lot as well and that's within your price point. The seat on that bike was super comfortable as well.

I bought with my shop because they were clear that if I didn't like the bike I could return it for a full refund, upgrade, downgrade, whatever within 30 days. I think that's a policy you should go with.

Best of luck and please let us know what you choose!

[staceysue]

Thanks for the response, Grace!

I really wish I could afford 2 bikes. I'm having a very hard time making my decision. I live about a mile down a gravel road, so I only have a short distance before I can reach pavement. I like to take my dog on short rides at least every other day - but I could continue to do those rides on the bike I already have (just a beach cruiser) and get a road bike . . . .

Please tell me what made you decide to upgrade to the FX?

I SO do not want to wear bike shorts. I'll have to look up these capris. Do they have loose ones?

I think my by shop does have the 30-day policy.

[Cataboo]

I think an FX would be fine for a mile of gravel... I'd be worried that if you get the 7200, you're going to want to upgrade it quickly. it doesn't look like a bike that I'd want to ride extended distances on road on. If it's possible, maybe look for a used bike on your local craigslist, it'll make your $500 limit buy more.


As for wrist pain - there's a number of threads about this - get the weight off your wrist, make sure you're not bending your wrist back, ergon grips may help, padded gloves may help, building up your core muscles helps. Handlebars end up being personal preference - but some people on here have switched their trek fx bars to soma sparrow bars or to trekking bars to get more positions. Move your hands about when you ride, don't keep them in one position.

The one saddle that I have that I can ride without short comfortably is the specialized ariel mountain bike saddle (not the sl version), it's pretty cush. It comes in different widths, so if you measure yoru seatbones it may work for you - but saddles are pretty individual - people like different things.

Otherwise I wear bike shorts and I just put real shorts or pants on over them.

[staceysue]

I think an FX would be fine for a mile of gravel... I'd be worried that if you get the 7200, you're going to want to upgrade it quickly. it doesn't look like a bike that I'd want to ride extended distances on road on. If it's possible, maybe look for a used bike on your local craigslist, it'll make your $500 limit buy more.


As for wrist pain - there's a number of threads about this - get the weight off your wrist, make sure you're not bending your wrist back, ergon grips may help, padded gloves may help, building up your core muscles helps. Handlebars end up being personal preference - but some people on here have switched their trek fx bars to soma sparrow bars or to trekking bars to get more positions. Move your hands about when you ride, don't keep them in one position.

The one saddle that I have that I can ride without short comfortably is the specialized ariel mountain bike saddle (not the sl version), it's pretty cush. It comes in different widths, so if you measure yoru seatbones it may work for you - but saddles are pretty individual - people like different things.

Otherwise I wear bike shorts and I just put real shorts or pants on over them.

Thanks for all the great information, Catriona.

I'm really glad I put the bike on layaway instead of using my credit card - it's giving me lots of time to think things over. I've been calling around looking for used bikes and one bike shop said somebody had a note up selling a Lamond Reno for $600.00. I imagine by the time I come up with the cash it will be gone - but maybe I can find something similar for $500.

Maybe "l'll put a "wanted" ad on Craigslist.

I don't know anything about bikes - but I've seen those handlbars that curve down and have rods sticking up, so you can ride more upright with your hands on the top of the curve or crouched down with your hands on the bottom of the curve, or put your hands around the rods. I'd like to find something like that.

Of course - if I get a fast bike and bike shorts, I'll probably end up going fast enough that I'll need a helmet . . . . good bike + good shorts + helmet = big bucks, even if I do find a good used bike! Plus - I feel like I'll look silly on a road bike with my butt up in the air. Not that it matters - I'm in much better shape than the average woman my age - but the only people I see riding bikes like that are skin and bones. Wouldn't do wonders for my body image!

[maryellen]

I wonder if the 7200 will be enough of a move up from your comfort bike?

PS, I love my trek 7500FX.

[momtohanna]

I had a lot of problems with my hands going numb and then I got new grips and some gloves and haven't had a problem since. Here's a picture of the new grips I got. I love them!! They totally support the palm of my hand and make longer rides so much easier!

[Crankin]

You need a helmet, no matter what bike you are riding. Head injuries can happen at any speed. The cheaper ones have to pass the same safety standards as the expensive ones. Please, please buy yourself a helmet.

[Cataboo]

Don't worry about the body image - I'm usually so sweaty and exhausted after riding my bike, that I really don't care how crappy I look in spandex shorts. I just try to tuck the rolls away so I'm not an absolute assault on some poor bystanders eyes.

It sounds like you probably need to go down to your local bike shops and do a lot of test riding of different types of bikes and really figure out what you want out of a bike - you can get fit on a road bike without having your butt sticking high up in the air. You can ride more upright in a touring fashion.

And you need a helmet

Thanks for all the great information, Catriona.

I'm really glad I put the bike on layaway instead of using my credit card - it's giving me lots of time to think things over. I've been calling around looking for used bikes and one bike shop said somebody had a note up selling a Lamond Reno for $600.00. I imagine by the time I come up with the cash it will be gone - but maybe I can find something similar for $500.

Maybe "l'll put a "wanted" ad on Craigslist.

I don't know anything about bikes - but I've seen those handlbars that curve down and have rods sticking up, so you can ride more upright with your hands on the top of the curve or crouched down with your hands on the bottom of the curve, or put your hands around the rods. I'd like to find something like that.

Of course - if I get a fast bike and bike shorts, I'll probably end up going fast enough that I'll need a helmet . . . . good bike + good shorts + helmet = big bucks, even if I do find a good used bike! Plus - I feel like I'll look silly on a road bike with my butt up in the air. Not that it matters - I'm in much better shape than the average woman my age - but the only people I see riding bikes like that are skin and bones. Wouldn't do wonders for my body image!

[Owlie]

I don't know anything about bikes - but I've seen those handlbars that curve down and have rods sticking up, so you can ride more upright with your hands on the top of the curve or crouched down with your hands on the bottom of the curve, or put your hands around the rods. I'd like to find something like that.

Of course - if I get a fast bike and bike shorts, I'll probably end up going fast enough that I'll need a helmet . . . . good bike + good shorts + helmet = big bucks, even if I do find a good used bike! Plus - I feel like I'll look silly on a road bike with my butt up in the air. Not that it matters - I'm in much better shape than the average woman my age - but the only people I see riding bikes like that are skin and bones. Wouldn't do wonders for my body image!

Yeah, you need a helmet. They're all safe (if you're in the US, it needs to be certified by the Consumer Product Safety Commission before it can be sold); what the extra $$ buys is coolness--both in number of vents and in styling.

And don't worry about the body image. I think I look silly in spandex (and people think I know what I'm doing), but it's about being comfortable and having fun. I'm not a stick either. If you shop clearances, you can get good stuff for relatively cheap.

[staceysue]

Thanks for all the help everybody!

I found a 2006 or 2007 Lemond Reno WSB for $500.00. It's a racing bike. Good price? Good idea? It has aero bars - would that help with the hand numbness? Do you think it would make it the 1 mile on gravel to pavement?

I don't think I want another upright bike. If I'm not going to get a comfort bike, it might as well not be upright. Agree/disagree?

(thanks for the pics of the grips you got, momtohanna)