conflicted, stressed, and making this too hard!

[mimitabby]

Visit more than one bike shop. Keep trying bikes until you find one that FEELS good, and don't get pressured into a sale.

[fizzgigg14]

I agree with KnottedYet and Jolt. Buy something that you can, and want to, ride now. If you aren't comfy and happy on your bike today there's the possibility that you'll stop riding completely. That would be very, very, very bad!

When I was looking for my bike I wasn't sure if I'd like cycling or not so I didn't want to start out with a $1500 road bike. (Actually, I wasn't even sure that I could pedal for a mile.) I took a lot of things into consideration - living near the beach with bike trails that sometimes have a lot of sand on them, living near a rails-to-trails path, possibly riding with my parents, etc. I visited all 4 of the LBSs here and test rode a ton of bikes. Finally I narrowed it down to the Specialized Crossroads Womens Sport and the Trek Navigator 2.0 WSD. I bought the Crossroads and love it! It's perfect for sandy trails and the path that I like to ride on. The shocks/suspension keep me from getting too bumped around. It even works for trips to the pool on a pretty busy road. However, it's a heavy bike and I don't go fast.

I'm starting to want a road bike now. The way I look at is this: I will always have my current bike for knocking around on and in a little while I can buy a road bike for serious riding. And... If i can manage to fly on my current bike, I'll kick some serious tail once I get on something lighter and faster!

Good luck with your purchase and enjoy!

[Geonz]

Go for the one that feels good.

IMO 8 gears would be fine - except I am an the prairie and overpasses are about as steep as we get! and b: I've never had trouble with hills. However, C: there is no hill too steep to be walked.

I guess one question to ask would be whether you're thinking of doing solo rides or club rides, and if there's a bike club, do they have "entry level" rides? The one place a "slower" bike can be a nuisance is riding with people who have faster bikes and knowing you could keep up if you had better gear. However, in our club we've sort of grown a group of people with "slower" bicycles. It wasn't always thus and I know it's not true everywhere.

In general, though... get what you will *ride.* You might end up trading in for thinner tires - that's good for 2 mph right off - but a decent hybrid can be a friend for life. I am still riding hybrids myself and I can pretty m uch ride with anybody I want to... and it all started with a Giant Nutra "entry level" one, that was the one that *felt* the best.

[Torrilin]

I just bought my second adult bike. I did a fair bit of riding as a teenager (14-18) and had some very defined desires for this bike.

- I wanted to be able to lift the bike comfortably. I'm somewhat out of shape, and I knew from experience that if I couldn't lift the bike easily, walking it up hills would *hurt*. I grew up in Pennsylvania, the Appalachian mountains are no joke. This was my one and only dealbreaker feature, since I spent years getting around on a 40 lb "mountain" bike that I couldn't ride up hills.

- I wanted a bike that would handle relatively rough road conditions. Gravel surface, potholes, ****ty road patches... I don't intend to ride offroad, but then again, on-road isn't usually smooth as glass in the upper midwest.

- I wanted a bike I could ride in the rain and snow.

- I wanted a bike that fit me reasonably well.

I also had a tiny budget (needed to come in under $500) and I needed a bike *fast*. I don't have a car, and mass transit here is kind of iffy for a lot of the errands I need to run. Also, I walk pretty fast, but more than about a 4-5 mile walk will turn into an all day trip. Fortunately, I'm pretty good at estimating weights by lifting things, and I ended up with a 25 lb mountain bike that clocks in closer to 30 after necessary additions like fenders, lights and a lock. It's a 24 speed, tho I'm not strong enough yet to use about 10 of the gears. Don't worry about not having enough gears - bike manufacturers don't want you to end up walking.

The key is to look for a bike you'll want to ride. If you've ridden recently enough to have ideas, great. If not, just accept that you will outgrow this as a primary bike sooner or later. You can't know in advance what will be best for the you-who-rides-bikes-outside.

Me? I'm already plotting a saddle adjustment. I can *feel* that's one part that's not quite right.

[SactoGal]

Go for the one that feels good.


I guess one question to ask would be whether you're thinking of doing solo rides or club rides, and if there's a bike club, do they have "entry level" rides? The one place a "slower" bike can be a nuisance is riding with people who have faster bikes and knowing you could keep up if you had better gear. However, in our club we've sort of grown a group of people with "slower" bicycles. It wasn't always thus and I know it's not true everywhere.

Great question!

I haven't gotten that far in the thought process. I know there's a team at work, but they seem to all have speedier bikes, and have been together for awhile.

I have a feeling, I'd like to ride with a few friends, but not a large group, but I'm not going to say I'll never try to find a group to ride with.

[SactoGal]

thanks for all the replies ... the anxiety level is decreasing. I know I've been stressing about it when I dream about looking at bikes, and it's the first thing on my mind when I wake up.

I think I want to make a final comparison between a Trek 7300 and 7500, Specialized Sirrus, Sirrus Sport, Crossroads Elite, Giant Cypress DX, and the Jamis bike. It still sounds like a big list, but I've actually eliminated quite a few from my list.

I have a feeling that I'll have a new bike by the beginning of June.

Then it will be on to figuring out what I need beyond a helmet (I've got my HR monitor, some tech fabric clothes but beyond that, no idea what I need).

Thanks!

[mimitabby]

right away, you need gloves and protective glasses!

[xeney]

Assuming you live in Sacramento proper and not up in the foothills somewhere, and assuming you mean the American River bike trail ... 8 gears is more than enough. There's a decent hill on the bike trail as you get up towards Folsom, and there are some overpasses here and there, but I mostly ride out there on a single speed, and even when I ride my road bike I tend to use only a couple of gears. I am not a strong rider by any stretch of the imagination ... it's just a really flat trail.

A hybrid is not a bad option at all for around town and on the bike trail, although I started to hate mine pretty quickly because it was so slow and heavy ... it's a lot of work to get very far on a hybrid, so you ride the same stretches over and over and it gets a little dull. You might do better with an entry-level or used road bike.

It's too bad College Cyclery on Freeport seems to be under new management -- they used to have a very nice selection of used road bikes, but the last time I was in there it seemed like it was mostly a bunch of old Schwinn cruisers (many marked "not for sale"). Bicycle Chef sometimes has used bikes on consignment but they tend to be fairly high-end stuff.

[Laterider21958]

I too have a late 1970's 10 speed in the shed and last year bought a new hybrid. There was an Avanti (New Zealand made) bike sale and there were 3 bikes left. The women's bike was not my favourite colour, so I went for a men's bike. At the time we bought 2, one large and one medium (each $600 Aust).

I am 5'6" with 31" inside leg too and found the men's bike to be no problem. Just lift your leg up and over the back wheel (it helps to lay the bike over a little). The top bar of the hybrid women's bike was only about 4" lower than the men's anyway, so I thought it would not be that much different to mount.

Even though I ride the medium, I am just as comfortable on the large. (Have my seat the same height as HB's) Seat height was adjusted so I could touch the ground with toes bent (both feet) while seated, but now after a year, I have adjusted it so I can only just touch if I lean to one side a little. This height seems to suit my leg length, I still have my knee slightly bent on the down stroke and it feels comfortable when I ride.

I find the hybrid good for sealed roads (though I have not experienced the feel of a modern road bike to compare) and also ride quite a bit on unsealed roads and tracks without experiencing problems. I like the wider profile tyres - a bit extra grip in the rough. The 10 speed tyres are narrower and I don't feel as confident on unsealed surfaces, so avoid those when on it.

[plantluvver]

Are you riding your 70's vintage bike right now? I am riding an early 80's bike. For my current needs, it is probably the best thing for me, except for the low handlebars. I am not very flexible, and and thinking about swapping out the handlebars. I am riding on a paved bike lane with very low traffic, on flat terrain.

I was going to say not to worry about the accessories, but actually, there is a fair amount of essentials to buy: helmet, gloves, shorts are nice (now that I finally have a pair, I think they are worthwhile), and sunglasses, and a lock. But sorry, you said you were already stressing .

I had the 'knees rubbing my ears' experience, and the shop owner told me, "Well, inexperienced riders feel more comfortable lower to the ground." It made me unhappy that he would purposely put someone on a bike too small, rather than educate them. But I guess I can't blame him, if that get's someone to buy a bike. (Although, now I have second thoughts about going to his shop, so he's possibly lost a more discriminating customer.)

Remember, your doing this for FUN, so quit stressing . And don't feel pressured into buying a bike. Take it for granted that there is probably not one 'perfect' bike for you. Just buy what is best for the needs and style of riding you anticipate right now. And enjoy the process .

Mary

[Geonz]

I would definitely say go for the bike that fits the now, tho' if waffling think "a little lighter" - so I think you're right about the Townie. Last night on our Pedaling For Pleasure ride there were four or five folks there on hybrids who did fine but the lady on the real fat tired thing regretted her choice and worked very hard.
And I have to encourage thinking "practical cycling," too, though I suppose you don't actually have to get an Xtracycle

My minimalist rider friends, I noticed when I started *all* still had three thigns: gloves, helmet and toe clips. (I didn't think about glasses because I got those anyway - hate bugs in my eyes ) You don't even need toe clips or clipless (or Power Grips which I have ordered and will try!) right away. Then you add what you like...

[SactoGal]

Visit more than one bike shop. Keep trying bikes until you find one that FEELS good, and don't get pressured into a sale.

Well, I can honestly say, I've visited 8 shops so far, ridden 25 different bikes (the specialized twice).

The bike that REALLY makes me smile like a kid is the townie, but I'm afraid that's just too heavy over all.

[Pax]

I live in the same town as Geonz and I need a BUNCH of gears! I'm way more out of shape than her and have had 4 knee surgeries...so when you're test riding run trough the gears and see what works for you. I really wanted a Breezer but the 8 gears were a no-go for me.