Average Gal's First Time At Bat

[Biking Bella]

Good Morning!

As many others in this forum section have voiced, "help! I'm new!" - I would like to echo the same chord.

For years back in junior high and high school (I'm 26 now), I used my mountain bike to get myself some fun, exciting exercise around my little town and into the neighboring mountain scape. After two moves, I have let go of my mountain bike and want to get into road biking. I live in the Seattle-metro area now and seeing the bike lanes and trails has me itchy to get back into the swing of cycling!

With every new endeavor, there is a learning curve, which is why I'm coming to you gals for some help! I've been starting my online research and I'm finding that simply typing in "best women's road bikes" won't make it. Haha. As I've been reading on these forums, there is little that can replace a simple stop to your local biking stores to get a glimpse and measured up on what to look for. Aside from this wonderful advice, what other nuggets of wisdom or terminology, etc would you be able to offer me in this time of informational infancy?

As a bit of a side note, I'm 5'6 with average/long legs (as per the jeans I buy!), 110 lbs, with a healthy diet.

Again, many thanks in advance for all the help, consider me a cycling sponge!

[lph]

Ride Lots

Don't skimp on your saddle or your bike shorts, or on being seen in traffic.

Ask lots of questions here as they arise.

And welcome!

[Biking Bella]

Thanks! Appreciate the heads up on keeping my bum safe. Good thought!

The thing I'm concerned about is going to a bike shop and being "oversold" for what I need or not knowing the importance to some terms. Should I be wary of this?

[Cataboo]

Thanks! Appreciate the heads up on keeping my bum safe. Good thought!

The thing I'm concerned about is going to a bike shop and being "oversold" for what I need or not knowing the importance to some terms. Should I be wary of this?

Well... it sounds like you do need a women's specific design given your leg length.

Now you should tell us your price range, and we'll tell you what you should expect to get in that price range component wise. And one of us will suggest that you look on craigslist at used bikes once you get an idea of what fits you so you can maximize what you can afford...

And you should tell us what you want to do - commute, tour, race, or just ride.

If I were getting a road bike - I'd want at least an aluminum frame with a carbon fiber fork and seat stays... Aluminum is harsh on bumps, the carbon fiber fork & seatstays'll help with that. I'd want at least shimano 105 level components, but people do use tiagra & sora without any issues...

[Biking Bella]

Well... it sounds like you do need a women's specific design given your leg length.

Now you should tell us your price range, and we'll tell you what you should expect to get in that price range component wise. And one of us will suggest that you look on craigslist at used bikes once you get an idea of what fits you so you can maximize what you can afford...

And you should tell us what you want to do - commute, tour, race, or just ride.

If I were getting a road bike - I'd want at least an aluminum frame with a carbon fiber fork and seat stays... Aluminum is harsh on bumps, the carbon fiber fork & seatstays'll help with that. I'd want at least shimano 105 level components, but people do use tiagra & sora without any issues...

Thanks for the tips and info request Catriona! Let me see if I can answer some of your questions...

Price range - under $1000 USD
Purpose - Just ride, MAYBE commute as work will be less than 7 miles out.
Framework - I definitely follow what you're talking about expect the last sentence. My younger brother used to be into BMX biking when he was younger and I have had friends that race so I know what you mean with the carbon forks and whatnot. Seatstays are another new term to me though.

Any brands that are better than others for reliability and performance?

[ccbloom]

I just went through the whole process of buying. You should be able to get new, old stock with at least Tiagra and above components for $1000, especially since it's the end of season.

After doing a lot of research and reading on the forums, I was dead-set against getting Sora parts, but I eventually ended up with some Sora because price won out and this is my first road bike. I've only had my bike a few weeks, and I haven't had any problems with them. Also, I believe Shimano warranties them for 2 years agains breakage (Sora shifters have a thumb lever which has a tendency to snap). But again, they've been fine for me for a first bike that I paid $500 for. I found a bike for $950 with 105 shifters, and while they were very nice, I couldn't justify the doubling of price. For me, it was more important to get a decent bike, get out there and ride it for a couple years and make sure I loved riding, and then when I know more of what to look for in a more expensive bike for my riding style, I'll spend the money. That's how I thought of it anyways.