For a beginner, I know firsthand how overwhelming all of this new information can be. I kind of dove into cycling, knowing very little except what my boyfriend (now husband) taught me. I bought a Giant OCR 3 in 2003. I didn't do it the proper way- no 'real' measurements were taken. Instead, I knew I was as tall as my husband, weighed less & made the general assumption that if the OCR worked for him, it would work for me. I KNOW- the TOTALLY wrong way to go about it!!

I didn't test ride my husband's because he had it customized to fit his needs (special saddle, handlebars, etc.). Instead, I went to a store and sat on a new one for a while & was even able to test ride it on the street for a while before I purchased it.

I bought the OCR 3 because I was, at the time, in a hurry to buy one and it was the nicest bike I could get at the very TOP of my budget. I now know I may have been able to find something a little better suited to my build, but I wanted to start cycling RIGHT AWAY & didn't really take the time to shop around. I LIKE the OCR 3, don't get me wrong. It has served me well. It's durable... I've been able to take my first falls like a true champ. (Trust me, you'll have yours, too, if you use shoes w/ clips!).

I'm not in the market for a new bike (that ever-present lack of funds!) and I've taken a few years off from riding, as I've moved several times, married, etc. SO- I'm just getting into the cycling spirit again.

I would say.. if you have the TIME and aren't in a hurry to ride just for the sake of riding (as I was), take your time when selecting your bike.