Can't Decide!

[Kelly728]

Gosh why couldn't this be as easy as finding shoes. Just playing around a REI before I headed over the to bike shop, all the shoes on display just happened to be a 40. I figured hey, why not.. Tossed on the Sidi Zetas and man, those things were made for my foot!

Sigh.

I'm going to get back to LBS #1 hopefully Tuesday and go on about what happened at LBS #2. Hopefully I can get a different sales person so I have more than one opinion. Thinking about it, I'm sure that the only reason I felt more comfortable on the larger bike is because I felt more upright. I'm not used to a road bike so not used to the position at all. At one point at LBS #2 I mentioned that I felt like I was reaching but of course Mr. Bike Dude assured me I wasn't (which I believed him because I don't know!). *Breathing*

[vinbek]

I am 5'2 or sometimes 5'3" on a good day and I started on a used 52 cannondale. I always felt like I was riding on top of the bike and not a part of it. I have very long arms. I acutually went to a 48 and put a longer stem on it. It feels so much better. There are so many things to take into account when buying a bike and especially if you haven't been riding a bike alot lately. You don't know what you like until you've had some time on the road. I would think it through and go with your gut instinct. Good luck! Bekki

[Eden]

Thinking about it, I'm sure that the only reason I felt more comfortable on the larger bike is because I felt more upright. I'm not used to a road bike so not used to the position at all. At one point at LBS #2 I mentioned that I felt like I was reaching but of course Mr. Bike Dude assured me I wasn't (which I believed him because I don't know!). *Breathing*

This is not uncommon - it does take some time to get used to (and get flexible!) a road cycling position. If you are stretched out you won't be able to have a comfortable bend in your elbows when your hands are on the hoods of the bike. If you're arms are straight or elbows locked then the bike is too big. If you cannot stand and pedal without feeling like you are going to fall forward the bike is likely too large also.

I'd be skeptical of most bike dudes.... shops that really know how to fit are not so common. They tried to talk me into a 48cm the last time I bought a bike (I'm 5'0" long legs [28.5" inseam] short torso/arms). I knew I needed a 44.... and even that is a bit long for me. A 48 would have been really big.

[Kelly728]

This is not uncommon - it does take some time to get used to (and get flexible!) a road cycling position. If you are stretched out you won't be able to have a comfortable bend in your elbows when your hands are on the hoods of the bike. If you're arms are straight or elbows locked then the bike is too big. If you cannot stand and pedal without feeling like you are going to fall forward the bike is likely too large also.

More and more the 52 is seeming big. I should have went with my gut instinct knowing that I was reaching and my arms were pretty straight. It really is back to LBS #1! (and I'm going to find #4, #5 and #6 apparently). I wanted to try out a cannondale but LBS #0 showed me a "like 10 years old" bike saying that is all I could get for my money. I'm going to look for another Cannondale and Specialized shops because I really want to try out other things!

(this will probably put me out towards College Park for that shop a bunch of you recommended..)

[Cyclesome]

I'm 5' 5 1/2 " with a 30 inch inseam and ride a 51cm Specialized Ruby Pro. I feel like I am part of the bike when I ride it. Size is important. Take your time before making any decisions.

[uforgot]

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

Maybe I was more comfortable because it was more upright?

Hey, I'm 5'4", no torso! Isn't it fun having your waist right below your bust? Anyway, I have a 32"+ inseam. You and I must be all legs. 50cm bikes have always felt too small for me, and I have several inches of standover on those bikes. Besides standover, I look at top tube length. With being so "leggy" , do you also have the short arms? I find that I can't go any longer than a 52.5cm toptube with 90mm or shorter stem. WSD's are made for us.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get a fitting. Way cheaper than going through a lot of bikes. You can also get a friend to help you and go to www.wrenchscience.com and do their fit system. It will give you a starting point, or at least tell you if you are in range.

[aicabsolut]

Hmm.. I think you need to do a lot more test riding.

I would go and try a larger Specialized bike, and maybe a men's bike. If you can get to Annapolis, Capital Bicycle has a good selection. If you're worried about going all the way out there for nothing, call first and ask about availability. They don't have a big test area, but they do have a good fitting area where they can some measurements while you're on the trainer and give you a good idea of what kind of geometry you need.

See what other brands you can find with WSD bikes, like Cannondale, Orbea, and Blue (Blue has started making a WSD bike for 2009, but their supply is low right now). You might need to come down to the DC area, but I think it'd be worth the drive if you can find a great fit. I know my sponsor shop in DC has a 52cm Ruby kicking around. There's often a big selection of lower end ($-wise) Treks at the shop next door if you want to try some more. Once you find the right bike, you can then see if a shop closer to you can order it for you and then you can take advantage of some free service deals from the closer shop that come with a bike purchase. But to start, you need to seek out some more variety and sit on more bikes. It doesn't really sound like you've got a good feel for what will be right for you yet.

All these WSD bikes are different. They all have a relatively shorter top tube, but they treat the fork, head tube, and rear triangle differently. They will all feel different.

[Fujichants]

I wanted to try out a cannondale but LBS #0 showed me a "like 10 years old" bike saying that is all I could get for my money. I'm going to look for another Cannondale and Specialized shops because I really want to try out other things!

Run away from this LBS! You can get nice bikes for your price range, so for them to say that is unacceptable. It seems like they are trying to push that 50 cm Trek onto you.

I really recommend test riding lots of bikes (and not just around the parking lot. If possible, see if you can ride it for a couple of miles, even if that means they need to send somebody else out with you). $1000-$1,200 is a lot in this current economy so the LBS has to treat you like a valued customer, not just somebody they can get money out of. After all, if they treat you well and are honest, you'll keep coming back there to buy other things (clothes, shoes, helmets, bike accessories, maybe even an upgrade).

Nothing worse than buying the wrong bike. Trust me, been there, done that. After 7 months I was ready to give up cycling, until I got my Trek, which fits me like a glove.

Don't rush into it, and try to find an LBS that also offers professional bike fittings - not just somebody who knows how to set up a bike on the trainer and pulls out his little rulers and all he does is adjust the seat height.

Good luck!

[Kelly728]

Run away from this LBS! You can get nice bikes for your price range, so for them to say that is unacceptable. It seems like they are trying to push that 50 cm Trek onto you.

Oh I did, that's why it is #0!!

Next Saturday I'm going to make a day trip of a few of the AA county/north east of DC shops since it isn't something I can do during the week at all. Bike Doctor, Capital Bike, Proteus, any others that should be on my list?

uforgot- I do have pretty short arms as well. Its pretty funny when it comes to my running clothes. My shorts look like hot shorts and my shirts come down below my hips! I swear my hips are way up near my belly button.

ETA: I sent an email to Jill at Proteus to see when/if she'll be in this weekend.

[aicabsolut]

The Bicycle Place and City Bikes (Conn Ave store in Chevy Chase) are both right off 495.

If you want to take the GW Parkway down south (pretty short drive), then you can learn more about Trek, Specialized, Cannondale, Time, Colnago, Giant, and Orbea from Revolution Cycles and Bicycle Pro Shop (though the Giant and Orbea bikes are only at their Alexandria or Clarendon stores, I think). They will let you do some good length test rides, but they will be on fairly crowded roads or trails--which aren't so bad this time of year when it's too cold out. If you go on a Sunday, you'll probably run into some of my friends working at both shops. Revolutions tends to have a decent selection of lower priced bikes and WSD bikes. BPS not so much except for Cannondale. They do have one 52 Specialized Ruby Elite in stock, I think.

[Kelly728]

Thanks for the other suggestions.. I'll see just how far SW I get! Leave the house early, hit about 6 different shops and be home to make dinner.. Sounds good.

[divingbiker]

I know you said college park is far from where you are in MD, but the owner of Proteus did my bike fit (and several other folks on the board if I'm not mistaken) and I just loved her!!! She really helped me a lot, made a ton of changes that all seem to have worked out well for me, and didn't try and sell me anything else. Just to toss out that as a recommendation for a fit. I'm going to have her fit both my nieces this year and I think my sister is going to bring her bike in from Philly and have her do one for her too. Obviously, I highly recommend her.

Ditto. Check out what they have at Proteus and talk to Jill about fitting.

Edit: I see that you're planning to talk to Jill. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[Aquila]

I'm 5'5" and ride a 54cm wsd Trek Pilot, and it feels great. The modifications we've made have been to put on narrower handlebars and a piece with a slightly higher angle so the handlebars are slightly higher. The stand over is fine (a couple cm clearance); I'm in better shape now, and could probably change back to a less high angle so the handlebars are lower.

When I was trying out bikes, it seemed like the numbers were different and felt different with different models, even within the same brand.

Let us know how your adventure looking went, and good luck with it.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I agree on getting fit with a fit kit. Did anyone actually measure your inseam, torso, and arms? or when you said they "fit" you did they just put you on a bike? Measurements are where a bike shop should start the fitting process. Then they compare your measurements to the bike charts.

You can't determine the right bike size by your height!

BTW I have the Trek 2.3, 50cm. I got the triple because on the Treks there are issues with chain clearance on the smaller frames w/ doubles. I am 5'2", have short legs and a long torso so did not get the wsd. We put a more upright stem on it to ease my shoulders and neck. I love my Trek. She is fast and climbs and corners great! Hope you find the right bike for you too.

The components on the Trek and Giant are similar. I would take the WTB Deva saddle on the Giant over the Treks Bontrager any day of the week.

[Kelly728]

Yes, the other "fittings" were just me hopping on a bike and them uncomfortably watching me pedal on a trainer.


I'm heading down to College Park on Saturday. I wrote down everything I (think) I didn't like about the other bikes I tried, just so I know a bit of what I want. Now, do I take the credit card just incase? eek. I was previously planning on waiting until my next paycheck so I could buy the whole thing with actual money, but I don't want to leave any of the shops empty handed if I do find something I love.

So many decisions, but I'm excited again rather than stressed. (Just stressed how my budget seems to be slowly inching up...)