Tried out some bikes - any thoughts on these?

[mimitabby]

Those are all good popular bikes. Of course, the more you pay, the higher quality are the components. There are gals here that have all of those kinds of bikes, and they fit nicely too.

Get the best bike you can afford. You won't regret it.

[Velobambina]

I'm in Arlington. What shop did you go to?

I have two Specialized Dolces, both 2005 editions (an Elite and a Comp). Both are solid bikes and each trade off time as the designated "beater bike" to ride in rain, wet pavement, winter grime, etc. Now that I have a couple (ahem) steel bikes w/campy components, the Dolces are not prime-time rides for me, although I still enjoy them.

The 2005 Dolces are quality bikes and have endured through some tough weather conditions, in my experience. I'm pretty sure Specialized changed the components on these models after they released the Ruby, so I can't vouch for the newer editions.

[wurkit_gurl]

I'm in Arlington. What shop did you go to?

I live at the Vienna/Fairfax border and went to a shop called Spokes, Etc - on Maple Ave (aka Chain Bridge). I can't quite bring myself to go to Revolution Cycles- I get a snobby vibe from them. And Performance Bike didn't have any bikes within my price range.

[Velobambina]

I live at the Vienna/Fairfax border and went to a shop called Spokes, Etc - on Maple Ave (aka Chain Bridge). I can't quite bring myself to go to Revolution Cycles- I get a snobby vibe from them. And Performance Bike didn't have any bikes within my price range.

You aren't too far from me

I've been to the Vienna Spokes. It's pretty good. Revolution (the one in Clarendon) has a lot of snitty employees, plus they ripped me off once. They are very close to my house but I refuse to go there. I like the Spokes in Alexandria--their mechanics are tops. Very down to earth folks, too. They love to tease me about my pink Lunas (in a good way).

[wurkit_gurl]

You aren't too far from me

I've been to the Vienna Spokes. It's pretty good. Revolution (the one in Clarendon) has a lot of snitty employees, plus they ripped me off once. They are very close to my house but I refuse to go there. I like the Spokes in Alexandria--their mechanics are tops. Very down to earth folks, too. They love to tease me about my pink Lunas (in a good way).

Alexandria is too far, especially since I plan on moving closer into Arlington. I used to live in Courthouse and have gone to Revolution Cycles with my ex-boyfriend, who is a total bike snob. I got a snobby vibe from them and actually, my ex had issues with them fixing something and not doing it right and then having to do it again and charge him more. The guy at the Vienna Spokes was very nice and helpful and not condescending at all.

[aicabsolut]

I've been to the Alexandria Spokes. Good shop. Seems to have good people who will probably fit you properly. Don't get a bike from Performance.

While you may save some $ buying second hand, it's not the best if you don't know much about bikes yet and what you need, or what parts of the bike to inspect (and what to look for). Plus, some shops will give you free services, swap components, and developing a relationship with them can save you more cash in the long run.

[wurkit_gurl]

While you may save some $ buying second hand, it's not the best if you don't know much about bikes yet and what you need, or what parts of the bike to inspect (and what to look for). Plus, some shops will give you free services, swap components, and developing a relationship with them can save you more cash in the long run.

Yeah, I sort of think it might be better to get my first bike new (maybe on sale, but definitely new), so that I can ask them stuff that I don't know, instead of just ending up with a very expensive machine that I don't know how to take care of! I would also rather have for a new bike, one that I know has not been slammed around, messed with, etc. I don't want to inherit someone else's bad mechanical skills the first time around.

[Grog]

I agree that a good bike won't be a waste.

Do keep in mind thought that you will need to buy other things on top of the bike itself, like automatic pedals (the ones you clip into), shoes, gloves, a seat bag to hold your repair kit, spare tube, etc., bike shorts if you don't own a pair already, helmet if you don't have one, etc. These things are important, but they add up. So if your budget has an absolute upper limit, make sure your bike AND the accessories fit in it. (Be aware that although you cannot really get a discount on a bike, you can get 10% or more on the accessories very often...)

Enjoy!

[wurkit_gurl]

I agree that a good bike won't be a waste.

Do keep in mind thought that you will need to buy other things on top of the bike itself, like automatic pedals (the ones you clip into), shoes, gloves, a seat bag to hold your repair kit, spare tube, etc., bike shorts if you don't own a pair already, helmet if you don't have one, etc. These things are important, but they add up. So if your budget has an absolute upper limit, make sure your bike AND the accessories fit in it. (Be aware that although you cannot really get a discount on a bike, you can get 10% or more on the accessories very often...)

Enjoy!

I have a helmet and bike gear (padded shorts, gloves, jersey), because I do at least have my crappy hybrid. The helmet is not specifically a "road" helmet, but it will suffice for now- it's not as if I'm planning to race, so I can find a good deal on a better one down the road. I am going to go without the clipless pedals for the moment until I'm more used to it, which was advice given to me by a few people I know who ride. So I don't need to spend money on that right now. And I can certain afford a repair kit and tubes, etc, so I should be all right. My main concern for the bike, pricewise is that I don't have a ton of extra cash to drop all at once, know what I mean? Buying a pair of bike shorts and a jersey is a smaller hit to my bank account than the actual bike itself. Plus, I'm a newbie and don't need to spend a fortune on the bike.