the right fit

[ZinGurl]

i am going to test ride roadies soon. i'm a first-time buyer of a road bike.
as i am understanding it, fit is the most important thing.
how can you tell when the bike fits you right?

Whatever you do get fitted, it will make a riding so much move enjoyable.

[SadieKate]

Hey, quint! Great news that you found Fit to Ride.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

this seems awefully cheap. is there something wrong with it? something i'm not seeing? whats the catch?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...5915?n=3375251

Hmmm...click on the More Details linkn and read some of the unhappy customers' comments...

[madisongrrl]

she also said any bike can be fitted to me, so just make sure i get the right frame, and i can have everything else adjusted. does this sound right?

I would not agree that any bike can be fitted to you. For example, bikes that have long top tube lengths will never fit me (I'll never own a LeMond, for instance). While I'm sure many people can be fitted on a variety of different bikes, I don't think it is entirely accurate to say that any bike can necessarily be fitted to you (without compromising the way the bike handles and "should" handle on the road).

[quint41]

Tree -- It seems to me the shops should be discounting 2006 models soon to make way for their '07's. Keep an eye out for sales. You might be able to get a better bike for lesser money.

I know what it's like to not have the money -- everyone says you must spend at least several hundred dollars (if not more) to get a bike that barely passes inspection. (I ride in a group, and I'm hearing the same thing from them -- got to spend at least $1,000, $1,200, $1,500 -- come on! Easy for some people to say! I don't have that kind of money either!) Get what you can afford, even if it is a $500 bike. As time goes by and you have a little money here and a little money there, you can upgrade parts to make the bike better. Three years from now, you'll be riding so well you'll need a better bike, and you'll have more money to spend.

Just do yourself a favor and don't buy a bike from Toys R Us, Sports Authority, etc. Go to a bike shop. Ask if there is a woman you can speak with. Instead of joking and making light of being a newbie, tell them you are new at this and want to learn! Ask questions -- show me the deraillieurs, show me how things work. People with knowledge love to give it away! Test ride something, then leave that shop and go to another. You won't believe how quickly you'll gain knowledge and know what everyone's talking about. I'm a newbie, too, but have learned so much listening to my group friends, reading this board, and talking to bike salesmen. AND ASKING QUESTIONS!

After you visit several shops, you'll find one that you're comfortable with. Good luck!

[roguedog]

Hmm.. understand where you're coming from since I'm shopping myself.

I'd take Velogirl's suggestion to heart. She'd know.

In my travels I seem to have found Giant offered decent bikes for the price. I thought Specialized wasn't too bad either.

You're in luck in that it's just about the time when new inventory comes in so lots of shops are looking to get rid of 06 or even 05 stock. Don't give up.. just keep looking.

I was even going to the diff shops to try out the new bikes and figure out what size I am and to see which ones I had a penchant for so that I'd be somewhat more informed when looking on craigslist. Plus it's fun and I learn a lot.

Giant is offering their retailers some sort of discount right now til the end of the month so many of the Giant retailers are having sales.

It's hard looking for a bike if you're a smaller women cuz most shops have only like 1 bike for you to test ride. At least that's what I found. Just keep trying. I just have the attitude that if they can't treat me nice when I'm tryign to give them money.. heck, what are they gonna be like after the sale?? Just move on to a place that makes you feel welcome and will work with you.

[roguedog]

Oh and Fuji bikes are also good deals for what you get...

[inatree]

well i went to that LBS that velogirl mentioned and tried a few, but test riding is always a pain because they usually only have one or two bikes small enough for me to try. i did find one that felt pretty good, a trek 1000, the womens model im pretty sure (altho the salesguy didnt mention this, i dunno why) but i was wondering... it was a 43cm and even tho the guy swore it was my size, it felt a little small. i thought i was more like 48-50, and he did too, but he said the 43 seemed like a better fit. it did feel pretty good tho, no discomfort at all. i looked it up online and the next size up is a 47 i think but i doubt they have any, which means they'll have to order it, which costs. and it might be too big anyway. are the sizes really that different on different brands? is it actually worth tracking down a LBS in the city who has a 47 in that model just to try it out?
also this store does fitting when you buy a bike from them which i like because at other places its not included. i was going to pay to have it done anyway. i couldnt afford this bike right now, but they are having a big sale this weekend on road bikes and so i will come back and see if anything's affordable. but if i can get it, i'll be spending almost all my money. i wont be able to get the other stuff, but i have the necessities, most of them anyway. i'm just hoping i'll have enough left over to get a tire kit, pump and some tubes. i think thats the only real important thing i need, right? ive already got the helmet, lock, and lights from the other bike.

i bet i sound like such a dork.


btw, i havent seen any giant bikes around here. it seems they are more affordable for me, but of course i havent seen any.

[roguedog]

These are the Giant dealers in your area listed on the Giant site:


BICYCLE TRIP 1127 SOQUEL AVE
SANTA CRUZ CA 95062-2105
831-427-2580

ANOTHER BIKE SHOP 2361 MISSION ST.
SANTA CRUZ CA 95060
831-427-2232

Family Cycling Center 914 41st Ave.
Santa Cruz CA 95062
831-475-3883
merlin573@eaarthlink.net

BREAKAWAY BIKE SHOP 14410 BIG BASIN WAY
SARATOGA CA 95070
(408) 867-6100
breakawaybikeshop@gmail.com

Fuji Dealers (I'd call to confirm since site was broken and this was the 2005 listings)

SANTA CRUZ ADVENTURES, LLC.
303 POTRERO STREET
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
(831) 425-5858
robert@santacruzadventures.com

SPOKESMAN BICYCLES
231 CATHCART STREET
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95060
(831) 429-6062
mike@spokesmanbicycles.com


1576 DEL MONTE BLVD
SEASIDE, CA 93955
(831) 899-1300
bikenxs@redshift.com
Visit Web Site
Click for Map/Directions

CAMPUS BIKE SHOP
TRESIDDER UNION / 459 LAGUINITA DRIVE # 12
STANFORD, CA 94305
(650) 723-9300

I know the Campus bike shop stil has Fuji bikes and they have a 2005 Fuji Provence (WSD) for like 899. DOn't know if they have you're size. HOwever, they are nice in there but they're not a full service bike shop where they totally fit you and give you all sorts of attention.

Actually I found this to be true of the Giant dealers too. You have to be more selective with both of these. Since they are more mainstream you don't get the kinda of service like those who go buy Serottas. You can.. you just have to find the right shop is all I'm saying.

good luck