I am new to all sport/cycling life!

[Zen]

Hey! Stop that!
I just ETA craigslist posting

[Cataboo]

Hey! Stop that!
I just ETA craigslist posting

We don't even know how tall Marta is!

If my niece was like 5 inches taller, I'd get her your bike... I thought she was 9, but apparently shes 7. But shes like 4'8?

[martaw]

Catriona - thank you so much for all the info! well appreciated! What's 49cm? I'm 5'5 tall

Zen - I see the bike I have no idea about bikes, how old is it? what make? I'm 5'5 short hehe.

Do you buy your gear on line or stores? I can't wait to start riding!!!!!

[Cataboo]

Martaw, Zen & I are both about 5'1 (least I am and she's not much taller).

What's your inseam measurement? This is where fit starts coming into play - women's specific design (WSD) bicycles are made for women who have relatively long legs in proportion to their body, and short torsos. So if you have a long inseam, then you might want a WSD.

What part of the greater DC area are you in?

I mostly get my bike stuff online... I've gotten reasonably handy about doing most repairs or installations myself, and what I can't manage, my bf can... I've currently got 4 bikes - 2 road, 1 flat bar/road/commuting/rough road bike, and 1 mountain bike. 2 were craigslist purchases, 1 was an ebay purchase, and 1 was a frame someone was selling on here that I built up... So I definitely believe in buying used... However, if it's in your price range, most people recommend going to get a good bike shop and having a professional fit done & having them set you up on a bike for you.

I'd just say that while you're still getting used to cycling again, buying a bike somewhat like Zen's is a good idea - it'll be something not too intimidating and comfortable to learn on, get your cycling skills back, and will let you explore cycling to figure out what you really want in a bike... and then go get that. And then you'd still have the first bike to use as a commuter or towpath or trail bike as well.

I wouldn't recommend you buy a bike online, you really need to test ride now.

So sites to look at for buying stuff online:
teamestrogen.com
reioutlet.com
backcountryoutlet.com
performancebike.com
nashbar.com
sierratradingpost.com
bonktown.com
chainlove.com
realcyclist.com

If you're interested in a bike or other cycling related items - you can always post on here to see if someone's tried it or what people think.

[Cataboo]

Bike sizing is usually done by the length of the seat tube... so from the middle of the cranks up to either the top of the seat post (center to top) or to the center of where the top tube hits the seatpost (center to center)

Center to center sort of determines what the standover height of the bike is going to be (the angles come into play here as well...) ... while center to top pretty much determines size.... The seatpost has to be an appropriate length so that your feet can reach the pedals when you're on it.

So 48 cm for the size was the length of the seatpost... I usually ride about a 48 cm road bike (5'1, 29 inch inseam) - however, I tend to like to ride a bigger bike than some would recommend and I ride in a more relaxed touring position (upright) than an aggressive racing position (more bent over)

[beccaB]

If I may-I'd like to recommend the Trek 7.3 fx. It's lighter than a comfort bike, but really durable. We have HORRIBLE roads where I live, but the bike just takes it and takes it. Me however....

[martaw]

Catriona - that's so much info, wow! Thank you!

Inseam hmmm is it the lenght of pants you wear I tend to wear short I have short legs and big 41-42 feet!

So Zens bike be OK for me,no? and than after a while I can get a road bike...