Average Gal's First Time At Bat

[Crankin]

I do think the component level is important. My first road bike had Tiagra and 105's. I never, ever could get it in the big ring and I dropped the chain constantly. This continued for the whole time I had the bike, even after I had passed the "learning curve" for knowing the right gear combinations. While the bike fit me, I hated it. When I got a new bike, it had Ultegra, but since this was a few years ago, an older version. The front der. was always finicky. Again, I couldn't shift into the big ring and one time I had to commute home from work in the granny gear the whole way! Finally, after 6 months, my DH replaced the front der. with Dura Ace. This was a full carbon bike that cost a little over 2K. It took quite awhile to finally get components that worked!

[Kano]

Dropping the chain -- there's a gizmo for that now!

http://www.acecosportgroup.com/content/

I don't have one -- I'm not sure that my bike is built right, but one of these days, when it's in for some kind of service, I'm going to ask. I don't like when the chain goes...

Seattle hillies: a triple front chainring set will be nice to have. I use all three of my chainrings a lot, and it's not quite as hill in the area where I ride as Seattle. I figure maybe someday for this "compact" thing I read about here...

End of season clearances can be a great way to stretch your budget, and they're on -- if the bike fits, you may be able to get more bike for your buck by "sacrificing" color, or something relatively minor. While WSD is a good thing, a "men's" or "unisex" bike may help with this too -- don't dismiss them out of hand. Try some for feel!

The saddle -- give the one on the bike a shot, you MAY like it! I'm pretty sure that we all find that it takes a little while to be comfortable on even the best fitting saddle as we start riding, as all of it is new to our bodies and we have to get used to so much. MORE important to be sure to include in the initial investment budget is a HELMET -- which seems obvious, but I haven't seen it mentioned yet! These don't have to be expensive.



Other things to consider getting started:

Gloves that fit pretty snug (I have hand pain if they're "comfy" because the slip around) are important for our riding comfort and for just in case. I bought cheap bike shoes early on because of the nice stiff sole -- my feet hurt in "regular" shoes. At the time, I was NOT using the "fancy" pedals. The chamois in the shorts does make a difference in comfort, but I'm guessing that it will be a little while before you'll need the "good" ones, and those clearance racks will be a nice place to start that wardrobe. Like gloves, buy 'em snug, so they're not slipping around down there! (some of us are intimidated by "sausage leg" but at your height/weight, I can't see much possibility for that -- I've got a daughter about your size!)

Lights -- dark season is coming! Don't have to be real expensive, just bright. Something to carry a spare tube and tools in (I really am glad I changed to kevlar tires early on. changing tires isn't my idea of fun, and I got lots of practice the first few weeks!)

I'm finding myself going on and on, have a question I've come up with myself that I'll start a thread on, but oh CRAP! I have to get ready to go to work!!!!

Karen in Boise

[Biking Bella]

You're right, things like gloves, helmet (which is required by law here), etc are important and an investment at the time of purchase. The '09 sales are on and I have started looking around! I'll visit another shop tomorrow (Redmond Cycle) and see what they have at this point.

I'm also looking on craigslist and ironically I'm not finding too much in a 54cm. Then again, that size is really popular so it doesn't shock me. But, can anyone tell me about some of these components? Are they low end? Have you heard of them before? I'm still trying to learn the ropes so I'm sorry for all the questions!!!

Link to Bike

I also saw this one but I can get a Cannondale Synapses 6 (I think?) for $1300 at the local bike shop.

Also, I'm also seeing something on the Cannondale site that they have a "Cyclocross" bike. It seems it's for people that also tackle mud on their rides. By glancing at the bike picture, it looks the same as a road bike, but with mountain bike-type tires. Is that correct? And if so, can that be done with a road bike (or even using half and half tires), or is that a "no-no". I'm just wondering for education-sake, so no "just buy a mountain bike" comments please. haha.

Thanks!!!!

[redrhodie]

I missed the part about why you think you need a 54cm?

[Biking Bella]

I missed the part about why you think you need a 54cm?

Because I went to the bike shop and they "estimated" that's what I would need...??? I will go in this week and sit on the "bike simulator" that they have. You dial in a bikemake an model and it will change the gearing, feel, etc and you bike on that to try it out before you go out on the road with it.

I'm 5ft 6in with longer legs, so they said a 54cm bike would probably be my fit. It's just a guess while I'm doing research. Is there something I'm missing?

[redrhodie]

You're kind of missing some info. All bikes are not built with the same geometry, so you will find some 54cms will be too big, and some may be too small. It's kind of like saying you're a size 4 in jeans, and expecting Gap jeans will fit the same as Calvin Kleins.

I think 54cm sounds big, because I'm 5'5", and I ride a 50cm and a 48cm, both from the same frame maker, but it's not out of the realm of possiblity that a lot of frames in that size will fit you. Also, if you're thinking of a cross frame, the geometry of those run extra big to make room for the mud.

We have some amazing bike builders on this forum who may chime in, and a lot of experienced fitters, which I am not. I just know for sure you may end up with a completely ill fitting bike if you just go by that size. I know that complicates things, but I hope it helps in the long run!

[Biking Bella]

Wow, red. I did NOT know that! Thanks SO much for type of information! It was great that you compared it to the sizing of jeans/pants - good analogy! I thought it was a "if you are between this height and that height, then you're into this bike measurement"...wow.

Looks like I'll have to get on that bike simulator at the bike shop soon and see what they come up with. I'd like to hear anything from those experts on here though!

Keep the good stuff coming!

Next question - handle bars....flat versus drop? Pros/cons?

[Cataboo]

If you're 5'6 with longer legs - estimating comparing you to a friend of mine who's 5'6 with a 33 inch inseam.. I think a 54 would be too big... my friend rides a 52-53... the 53 cms a tad big on him, the 52 cm's just right, a 50 cm is manageable....

Use bikepedia to figure out components... that first bike (the trek), really didn't say what model it was or year. The scattante had campy components which looked pretty good... but you'd either have to buy wheels or ride with his dented ones...

I'm 5'1 and ride a 48 cm frame usually, I can just barely clear a 50 cm frame and ride it, but 48's about perfect.