Bike recommendations

[TXnewbie]

I am new to cycling. I bought a bike in March in order to do the MS 150. My husband has MS, and I wanted to support him and do something fun in the process. I knew nothing about cycling but being inactive and 40 lbs overweight, I thought that I needed a bike that was upright and comfortable. I bought a TREK 7000 hybrid. I really liked it when I was riding around my neighborhood, but after using it to go 150 miles in 2 days, I found out that it really was not the best decision. I had more people on the ride say that they couldn't believe that I was doing it on that kind of bike! I averaged around 10 mph the whole way. I am really hooked on cycling now, and am planning on training for another 150 in October. Any suggestions on a better bike to make the ride easier?

[Veronica]

Go to as many bike stores as you can and ride as many different brands of bikes as you can.


Try out different frame materials also.

V.

[Fredwina]

Go to as many bike stores as you can and ride as many different brands of bikes as you can.


Try out different frame materials also.

V.

agreed! test ride, test ride, test ride

[rij73]

Of course, you need to seek out a couple of good bike shops in your area and try out various bikes in your price range. Try some lighter flat-bar road bikes (for example something like a Trek 7.5 FX , or a Specialized Sirrus, or a Giant FCR). These hame the same mountain-style handlebar that you are used to, but less of an upright position. They are more geared towards fitness and distance riding than the bike you have.

The other option is a true road bike with the racing-style drop handlebars. Many people say they are much better for long distances. I am new to biking like you, though, and I'm really happy with my flat-bar road bike that is comparable to the ones I mentioned above. I added bar ends to give my hands some flexibility of position, and I find my bike very comfortable but speedy and athletic.

Good luck!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Touring bikes are made for long distance comfortable rides (whether you are loading supplies on them or not) more than road/racing bikes or hybrid bikes, and you can put either flat or albatross or drop bars on them- any bars you want. You might want to ask the bike shops if they have any touring type bikes. They typically have the saddle at the same level as the handlebars, and they have a slightly longer geometry and can take wider tires that can handle dirt and gravel roads. If you do over 100 miles a week a touring bike might be comfortable.

[singletrackmind]

Wow! You did 150 miles @ 10 avg on a hybrid bike you only had for a couple of months? Pat yerself on the back, excellent new rider, you should be proud of yourself!



You mention that other people told you it wasn't the best bike for the job. How do YOU feel about it? What were your likes and dislikes about the ride? What was uncomfortable and what didn't hurt at all? Where would you like this bike to take you? Is it a possibility of more speed that you want? Different handling? A different position?

Pah! I say to those that even well-meaningly criticize a ride....any ride! Ah, but perhaps it wasn't so much criticism as it was awe. You may have a 'slower' geometry, but it sounds like you did just fine amongst many seasoned riders.

[Geonz]

It's usually awe :-)

One thing you can do that's a lot cheaper than a new bike is switching tgo smaller tires.

There are a lot of new styles for bikes; you know you're hooked on going distances so find something that is honestly comfortable. Are you looking to go a lot faster and get out and really work up a sweat? Or are you looking for lots of miles and time out riding...and chatting... and pausing at that interesting shoppe... I fit the latter and really like my 7500FX - which now I think are numbered 7.5 . (However, if money were no object I just might sink the dollars into a carbon frame or fork which I *think* the top of the line 7.whatever has - oh, MY!!! comfortable and light and FAST!!! ... I rode one last week )

[TXnewbie]

Thanks. I never dreamed that I would make it that far, but it was so much fun! I rode with a team from work (who talked me into doing the ride) They were all very encouraging. The biggest problem that I had was the pain in my tailbone. I think that the seat is too wide??? It really hurt to lift off the seat after about 15 miles each day. I might be able to just change the seat out, but I also didn't feel like I was getting enough power on the hills. Plus, it is kind of embarassing to go so slow. I would like to get a road bike, but I am very short (5 ft 0 inches.) My current bike is a 14". Are there any reasonably priced rode bikes for short people?

[Geonz]

"Comfort" style bikes are, ironically, not too comfortable in the long haul! You're sitting down too much...
I've got a hybrid that cost me $400 over ten years ago that I"ve put quite a few miles on - though I changed to skinny tires early in the game, which bumped my cruising speed up 2 mph with the same effort. I got another 2-3 mph when I went to my Trek 7500FX 2002 model (or mabe 2001) which is a lot lighter but I don't have to figure out how to ride a road bike which made me very consistently *cranky* when I tried it before. (Same crankiness happened when we got to sitting poses in yoga. SOmething about back muscles I'm lacking, I think.) That cost me hmmm... $700? Under that. With that bike I can ride with anybody I want to and keep up (though it helps that I ride a LOT, of course!!)
When I think about bikes I think of them as being like furniture. If you wnat something with good pieces parts that's built to last, you get a good one and pay for it... and build a relationship with the bike shop (the folks at mine really love cycling and bicycles and it shows; they see this stuff as a passion, not just a way to bring in dollars).

[rij73]

(However, if money were no object I just might sink the dollars into a carbon frame or fork which I *think* the top of the line 7.whatever has - oh, MY!!! comfortable and light and FAST!!! ... I rode one last week )

The Trek 7.9FX and Specialized Sirrus Ltd are full carbon flat-bar road bikes. They are both over $2000.

I want one too...

http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/bike...d=1347000&f=26
http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=22270