First *real* bicycle as a grown up... more drama than I had bargained for...

[Trek420]

... So I go in... but no one comes over to help me even though I see three guys hanging out back, finally the guy helping the other guy .... walks back and tells them someone needs to come out and help me, they still didn't show up for another 5 minutes or so... So I walk around, I must have done 5 laps around that store -- and I guess after 15 minutes they figured I wasn't leaving, so a young guy came over and asked if I needed help

Ah, the invisible woman customer trick! Notice that the guy helping the guy didn't bother to say "someone will be right over to help you!" He was too busy helping the probably uber-fit athletic dude. That's poor customer service, I'm just saying.

Your money is just as green.

When shopping for a bike you're shopping for two things:
the frame, because over time you can upgrade most any bike to make it zippier and peppier as you and your cycling change but you're stuck with the frame. It must fit you.

the shop. they will be your guru, mentor and ally. Buy from the shop that helps you the best.

Both have to fit you. Buy at the shop that helped you best.

[Eden]

Ah, the invisible woman customer trick! Notice that the guy helping the guy didn't bother to say "someone will be right over to help you!" He was too busy helping the probably uber-fit athletic dude. That's poor customer service, I'm just saying.

Personally I get annoyed by the over eager must jump on customer as soon as they open the door kind of thing...... I want to be left alone until I approach them with a question.... One person's poor customer service is another's personal space...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I too like to be left alone for a while when I walk into a bike shop and start mentally checking out the store. I know how to ask for help when I need it.

I agree with Mimi- can you test ride any hybrid bikes somewhere? A hybrid would be great- semi-upright, but usually fairly zippy, and with wider sturdier tires than racing/road bikes.

I wouldn't want an Electra either....way too heavy. Too many hills where I live!

The first guy seems to be trying to sell you a "comfort bike" or "beach cruiser bike"....these generally are for out-of-shape people who only ride to the corner store and back once a month - they are heavy and less useful for any serious fitness riding.

A hybrid would be a good first bike choice- it can do a lot and is sturdy and comfortable.

[Tuckervill]

I like to be left alone, but I still like to be greeted when I come in. Just say, "hi" or something.

Karen

[Trek420]

I like to be left alone, but I still like to be greeted when I come in. Just say, "hi" or something.

Karen

+1. I know it's a fine line but I like it when they say "hi" but don't pounce. Acknowledge my existence, offer to help but let me look.

[indigoiis]

When I first got back into being on a bicycle, i didn't want the skinny wheels. I started back on a mountain bike, which got me comfortable riding again, and then bought an older (92) cross/touring/not sure what it is really bike on Craigslist. It LOOKED like a road bike, but the tires were fatter than a normal road bike, and had a little tread to them. It had these fat brakes, too. This bike made me feel SECURE. Once I rode that enough, it was no problem to "upgrade" to a skinnier tire.

You know, you can always test ride. In fact, you should test ride as many models as possible before you commit. They might wince because they don't know you and you're a girl and you don't *look* like your typical customer, but you ARE a customer, and you deserve to have the same opportunity as that athelto dude they were helping in the second shop. Keep doing your homework -- keep shopping, and keep finding out what it is that you like when you picture yourself on a bike. Make sure you wear bike shorts and if possible good sturdy shoes to your shop so you can test ride in comfort.

Don't buy until it is dreamy! You'll know it when you ride it!

[Grog]

Good for you for sticking with it and asking your questions outright.

Disclaimer: I am a pretty lightweight rider so I don't know much about wheel strength and the like. But my bet is that unless you're really above 300 lbs (I can't remember from the other thread) it's not going to be super big concern. Maybe you'll have to get your wheels trued more often than the average Joe. But you might also lose a bit of weight sooner than later if you stick to that bike. And if it's a problem then you can deal with it when it arises.

I have had a Trek 7.1 fx and now have a Trek 7.2 fx. (Well, still have the 7.1 but it needs to be scrapped because the frame was bent in an accident.) I love both.

I have ridden an Electra bike on my wedding day, it was the bride's limousine. (The groom had his own limousine, a Norco beach cruiser very similar to the Electra.) I drool all over them when I see them. But I would not buy one. While they are gorgeous and fun to ride, they really belong to the boardwalk by the beach, and their weight makes it a big (discouraging) challenge to go up hills. (There I was, a pretty fit cyclist, in my wedding dress on this lovely Electra, trying to go up a 2% incline for only 100 meters, and thinking: how will it look in the pictures if I have to get off the bike and push it up the "hill"? I made it up, thankfully!)

Sure an Electra bike would get you started for a little bit, but I think it would be quite limiting in a number of ways. A hybrid of the style of the 7.2 will work well for a number of different functions (commuting to work, errands, fun rides, even long rides up to 3-4 hours long). I have a lightweight road bike but I use my 7.2 a lot.

Don't worry about how "small" it looks. There's plenty of bike in there for you.

Of course you should check out other bikes. And don't be afraid of trying the non-WSD bikes, too. My two Treks have been of the regular type. Unless you plan to go on trails in the woods, I'm sure a hybrid bike (with slimmer, light-threaded tires) will be great for you.

Keep us posted! I can't wait to hear more about your cycling adventures!

[zeWoo]

First off, I really would like to apologize for that first post -- wow, that thing was long-- believe it or not I'm a fairly quiet and shy person, but when I know I have to be assertive, I muster the strength...

Anyway, for all inquiring minds -- my inseam is 32" -- and my arm length is 23" -- that 7.2 FX was tiny, I tell ya...

As for the Electra, he was showing me the 'Townie'... it's kind of interesting you bring up the weight, because that sucker looked heavy, so I told him... I have to carry that thing up a flight of spiral stairs to my apartment -- and he gave me the ol' show of strength move and picked it up with one hand... while straining to say 'see, it's not that heavy' -- I told him I would be riding in the area, which is downtown and I live on a large open mall -- so maybe he had beach cruising in mind -- it's kind of cruisy here.

I'm now looking at the GT Transeo, it has pretty good reviews from what I've found -- even a few people that said they picked it, over the Trek and were quite happy -- I'll have to go back and chat with the guy about it ... although there is the issue that I haven't ridden the bike, hmmm. I decided that why drive all over creation, just because Trek is the name I've become familiar with... My slight annoyance at the big bike shop has remained and the only other Trek dealer is not close -- so if my guy down the street can work with me, then I'm going to give him my business.

I get irritated with overly eager sales people as well.

I here ya, I'm the same way in many respects, IF I know what I'm doing-- in this case, I clearly would have been easy pickins in a game of 'Which One of These Things Doesn't Belong' -- I worked in piano sales for a few years and the bicycle business would appear to be similar in nature, it's intimidating when you don't know anything, all those bikes looked the same to me, so a salesperson can't let someone linger for too long without saying something to them -- it's business suicide, there's always another guy a little further down the street that is happy to take your money.


Anyway, thanks for the advice on shopping for a bike, I'm confident I'll get the right one -- this rivals buying a car.

[Biciclista]

yes, that Transeo sounds like what i was thinking of.

GOOD LUCK!

[aicabsolut]

I didn't read all of the post, but the guys are absolutely correct about wheels. Wheels certainly have weight limits, and you don't necessarily have to weigh as much as 300lbs to start worrying about wheels. For some wheels, 200lbs is enough to cause concern. It will depend on the type of wheel to some extent (a lightweight race wheel for a road bike will have much lower weight recommendations than other types, for example). A thicker metal rim and a high spoke count will definitely be good for a skinny (but not super skinny), sporty wheel. Basically, it's a safety issue. You don't want to be breaking spokes and having maintenance problems with the wheel. The last thing you want is for a broken spoke to turn into a serious crash. I would listen to them on this point. Yes, more durable wheels may cost more.

As for the frame and type of bike, go as sporty as you want. Faster will mean a skinnier wheel rim, a lighter frame, and straighter tube shapes (i.e., not a step-through bike).

It's good to go in and learn about all the different types and make the information-gathering trip you did. Now do some homework and then go back ready to test ride some. Try out other shops and do the same.

[Ana]

Personally I get annoyed by the over eager must jump on customer as soon as they open the door kind of thing...... I want to be left alone until I approach them with a question.... One person's poor customer service is another's personal space...

I get irritated with overly eager sales people as well. I do, however, like to be acknowledged and I don't mind being asked if they are able to help me with anything because I can always say "No, thank you" or "Maybe after I've had a look around."

I absolutely abhor salespeople who belittle your knowledge or ability because of their first impression (size, sex, etc...) and are unwilling to consider your wants/input