newbie intro and first bike advice

[lesliesf]

Hi I just purchased a carbon road bike in December. I narrowed my choices down to the Trek 5.0 Pilot and the Specialized Ruby Expert. I also live in SF and tested these bikes going up a very steep hill! The Ruby did a better job of climbing and was more $$ but at the sale price, I got a deal on an 2007 bike.

I tried just about every brand of carbon road bikes in the $2000 range and in the end just felt like the Specialized bikes fit my body better. As another poster stated... the right bike will just stand out and you will know that is the one! Good Luck!

[Starfish]

Hi Bunner! (I love your user name...I used to have a rabbit, and we just called him The Bun.)

Everyone here has good input. The one thing I would add is to see if you can arrange for a longer, calmer test ride one way or another.

I remember trying to find my first bike. I really had nothing to compare anything to, so it was really hard to tell any differences when I rode. The traffic issue on test rides pretty much erased any way for me to tune into how the bike really felt.

There was one bike that I ended up not buying, and regretting it within a few months, all because the test ride was in traffic that I was NOT equipped to handle as a new person.

You might ask the shops if you leave them your credit card, your diamond ring, your firstborn, whatever...if there is any way you can take the bike with your car somewhere calm to really relax and see how it feels to you.

And, the sit bones are likely to be sore for awhile...even if you have the right shorts and a good saddle...my butt always has to get used to the saddle if I am off for awhile.

[RoadBunner]

Thanks everyone, for all the suggestions! Especially in regards to the bruised feeling and triple feed-back. My boyfriend (who already has a bike) and I just bought a hitch and bike rack for our car in anticipation of getting out riding together and for bringing the new bike home.

I'm not sure if this is the way to do it, but I've decided down to two LBS's and will be going back to see what is best for me that they have. I just felt very comfortable with them and for a newbie that's really important for me.

Most likely I'll be between the Trek and the Orbea. The Giant is a great deal and felt nice but I'm not in love with the look of the bike and I'm sad to say it counts for something for me

I am becoming a total geek about this staring at geometry charts (even though I have little clue to what it all means and my small knowledge will probably get me into trouble--I had a prof. in college who used to say, "A little learning is a dangerous thing."). KSH, I will be making charts!

I will try to get out for a longer ride, too. Both shops offered to even get a bike sized for my boyfriend so he could accompany me on a longer ride, but I was too much of a chicken to want to take it out in traffic.

One new question. My boyfriend suggests I get bike shoes and clip-in from the get-go...I'm more inclined to use platform pedals to get my bike mojo back before strapping myself on. But then a part of me thinks maybe it is better to get used to everything at once so I don't have to unlearn habits. Thoughts?

Starfish, I am a total rabbit lover. The picture is of my beloved lop

[Starfish]

Of course looks count in your new steed!!

And, just my .02, go for the clipless shoes and pedals right off the bat. My experience was that it was way harder to flip the cages around and get settled into that than it ever was with clipless. I waited a year or two, and once I got clipless, I was in heaven. It was way easier, and I wondered why I waited.

[RoadBunner]

Oh, I am definitely not going to mess with cages. They would probably be more dangerous for me. I was thinking more along the lines of the type of pedals my bike as a kid had

Thanks also for that comment about the look of the bike. I would hate to say it to someone at the LBS, though!

As a side-note: I am a runner and would wear the ugliest shoes ever if they were the best for my body-type and would prevent injuries...I'm a little surprised this doesn't cross over into bikes!

[Starfish]

Oh, I am definitely not going to mess with cages. They would probably be more dangerous for me. I was thinking more along the lines of the type of pedals my bike as a kid had

Thanks also for that comment about the look of the bike. I would hate to say it to someone at the LBS, though!

Go for clipless.

You know, I have made it clear to my LBS that looks and color are part of the package for the next bike. I'm still on my first road bike, and hoping maybe this summer/fall to get a new one. My bike is OK...but it doesn't make me want to turn around and give it a second look when I put it away...

You know how certain cars just make you want to pinch their butts? The Ferrari 456 GT comes to mind...well, I want my next bike to give me the same feeling. I will not settle for another plain-to-me bike this time around. I want the next bike to be sexy, knowing that it is all in the eye of the beholder.

My experience is that the guys in the bike shops get it.

[rij73]

I think looks definitely count... And I think bike shop guys feel the same way. If not, then the highest end bikes would all be ugly instead of drop-dead gorgeous, right? Part of what has gotten me really into biking is the beauty of a really nice bicycle. Once I started paying attention to the style, it became just as important as the function. I think the car analogy is good... People who are into fancy cars, are really into the looks.