How did you choose your bike?

[7rider]

I really don't have any women cycling friends around to discuss bikes with, so I was wondering how you all chose what you ride? I know absolutely nothing about bikes other than my Giant. Did you visit different shops and ride what they had available? Living in Phoenix, I am lucky to have a lot of shops around, but some of the people in some of the shops talk down to me or don't seem to have the time for me. The shop I bought my present bike from has great people and I'll probably go back there to talk to them first, but I don't want to limit my options, either.
Any suggestions?

My early bikes were hand-me-downs from my older sister (who is shorter than me and the bikes were always too small) in her efforts to get me to do something active (I was a major couch potato through college).
While working, I lost a whole lot of weight and discovered exercise. Walking was too slow/boring, I can't run to save my life, and I was being treated for a back injury by my chiropractor. He recommended a hybrid bike. So, I just visited local shops and rode a lot around the parking lots. Ended up with a Miyata. Loved it.
A few years later, that was stolen. I caught an article in Bicycling Magazine about a new "trend" in bikes - triple chainrings and integrated brake/shifters. They reviewed 4, including the Bianchi Eros. I went to several local shops who had those 4 (including a Giant, a Trek, and I think a Specialized that my sister ended up getting) - plus a few others of these new fangled things (this was in '95). I got the Bianchi. Loved it.
A few years later, I hook up with a weekly ride with a bike shop. I'm on my steel Bianchi with a rear rack and a headlight I forgot how to remove. The hammerhead shop riders were all on ti, aluminum, or carbon, and left my slow butt in the dust, except for my friend, the shop owner's wife, who escorted me home (I was new to the area and had no idea how to get around). I arrive back at the shop 15 minutes after everyone else (maybe more, and they were just being kind to me). Owner comes over to me. "I've got a bike for you," he said, and rolled over a ti Seven Axiom. Next week, I demo'd it and the rest, as they say, is history. Loved it.
Other bikes have come and gone. I'm still unsure about my mtb, but the rest all have one thing in common: I love 'em. If I were a better mtb'er, I'd probably love that, too.
So...moral of the story? Don't limit yourself to one brand or style of bike. Don't get hung up on "I gotta have bike x" Find a bike you LOVE to ride, because that's what it's all about.

[Dianyla]

I didn't choose the preeeccciousssssss. She chose me. Yup, pretty much jumped up on me and made me take 'er home.

[alforfun]

Only went to two bike shops. The first one, which is where my DH bought his road bike, for some reason just wouldnt give us the time of day when I went looking. Went to another bike shop (1/2 hour away), where they have treks. Tried on a few for size, really liked the WSD much better, (and I am 5 foot 8) but of course the one I wanted (the 1600) was not in stock in the WSD. Had to wait another week, but finally got the blue bird last week in Sept.

[Bluetree]

When I decided to get a road bike, I did my homework.
I asked a lot of different cyclists their opinions about makes, frames, material, gearing etc. I also found helpful information at this site: http://thebikepalace.com/page.cfm?PageID=52

When I started actively looking, I had already decided on:
• My ballpark size - I had my inseam measured
• Max. price for a starter bike: $1500
• Looking for last year's model to get a better deal
• The min. components I would settle for: 105s or Campy Veloces
• Carbon forks and a triple ring

Once I knew this, I pulled up as many bike specs as I could from the web, narrowed it down to 6-7 bikes. I then took these printouts around to experienced cyclists and asked for the pros and cons of each. Down to 4 choices.

After that, it was just a matter of calling or visiting bike shops (13 in all) to see if they had any of these bikes in my size to test out. Some bikes were prefectly fine, but as soon as I sat on them I wasn't happy. The last bike I got on, I sat on it and everything just seemed to fit perfectly. I have no explanation as to why I like it, I just did.
To make room for next year's bikes, the LBS knocked my price down from $1300 to $1000 so I have been able to put in $500 more in upgrades (carbon handlebars, etc.) All in all, a happy shopping trip!

[roadie gal]

I started out on a mountain bike: GT Karakorum because a boyfriend rode. Later I got into road riding. I went to every store in a 60 mile radius and rode every different brand I could. I finally settled on a Bianchi Veloce. A few years later, as a gift to myself for finishing the Death Ride, I bought a Sampson Silverton. I still have that bike and a Sampson Diablo set up as a tri bike. I must have spent a total of 5 or 6 hours on the phone with Eric Sampson each time I bought a bike from him. They're expensive, but they fit perfectly and they're beautiful bikes.

That being said, the key to a bike is the fit, not the price. Each brand is set up just a little differently. Try as many as you can.

My roommate is 5'2". It took a while to find one for her. Now she rides a Jamis. I can highly recommend them as good bikes for the money.

[MomOnBike]

When my wrists and fingers informed me that I was going to get a recumbent if I wanted to keep riding bikes, I resisted for a while, but started doing some homework as to what is out there. My head spun.

Then one day I walked into my friendly LBS (the owner takes fat ladies seriously!) and looked around. I could hear whispering from the back of the store. ("Hey, sweet thing, you look like you need some excitement in your life.")

DH was with me, so I tried to ignore it. ("We'd turn heads together.")

I test rode a bike. Um, not IT. ("I'm back here. We were made for each other.")

I ignored harder and discussed gear ratios with the LBS owner. ("Remember that cross-country trip you've been planning all your life? I can take you. I want to take you. It will be fun.")

I gave in and looked. There in the back corner was a blue and silver long wheel base aluminum bike with a smoke fairing and an attitude.

I fell in love.

And that, my friends, is how William came into my life. I've told people I like him better than DH, and I'm not entirely sure I'm joking - and neither is DH.