Average Gal's First Time At Bat

[Cataboo]

Btw, cyclocross bikes have a higher bottom bracket, so they have more clearance for off road... (typically). They have burlier wheels, etc. to deal with it as well. Typically on a cyclocross bike you want more standover height than you want on a road bike, just because of how you use it... So you'd want to get a smaller frame for a cyclocross bike. They're a bit more versatile, but they won't be as fast on road as a road bike (unless you swap the tires), and they don't have suspensions like mountain bikes...

You can put thicker tires on road bikes, depending on the road bike... it depends on how much clearance the bike has around the fork and rear triangle to fit a thicker tire... some of them can take more, most can take a 700x23 instead of a 700x25....But many of them can't do much thicker than that.

[Owlie]

I'm about your height, and my bike's a 50cm (I think that's Giant's definition of "medium"...) BF's bike is a 53-4 cm, I think, and I can barely ride it.

[Biking Bella]

*nods* Good to know ladies. I'll start looking into 50cm more and get a definite number (or at least close to it) when I hit up the bike store!

Thanks for the clarification on the cross bikes and the tires that I could use on a road bike. I'll jot that down for later use.

To answer a question about the Trek, here is the response I got from the owner: It is a 2008 aluminum frame with Tiagra shifters and a 105 deraileur. The seat stays are the only carbon parts on a trek 2.1c bike. Most other parts on the bike including rims and seat post are Bontrager.

I noted that there is a used cycle shop in downtown Seattle. Maybe once I get a measurement from my local bike shop, I can then call down and get a laundry list of what they have...?

[Cataboo]

I think $1000 for a used bike with tiagra shifters is too much. at that price point for used, you want 105 level components or ultegra. Preferably ultegra.

Used bike wise,

[Biking Bella]

I think $1000 for a used bike with tiagra shifters is too much. at that price point for used, you want 105 level components or ultegra. Preferably ultegra.

Used bike wise,

Yep! I totally agree with you there! When I got the stats back from the owner, I couldn't understand why I would pay $1300 for a new '09 C'Dale Synapse 5 compared to that bike for $1000. I think I'll leave that one go. Thanks for the look on that!

Anyone on flatbar versus drop with pros and cons?

[redrhodie]

Anyone on flatbar versus drop with pros and cons?

I can't speak to the pros of flat bars, since I have wrist issues that were aggravated by my old flat bar mtb (but lots of people love flat bars), but I love me some drops. Drop bars give a lot of options for hand placement, which means you can easily change your body position for different conditions (like on the top of the hoods for a more relaxed position for better breathing and while climbing, or in the drops for improved aerodynamics while descending or riding into the wind). Just being able to move my hands has really helped my wrist issues from flaring up.

[indigoiis]

Hi Bella,
You're getting lots of good advice here.
You CAN get a bike on Craigslist - that's how I got my first road bike - but if you can, take it for a good long ride first. A good seller will let you ride the bike for at least a half hour. Bring a tool to raise or lower the seat as comfortable (or if the bike has a quick release seatpost, use that.) The saddle should be set so that when your foot is in the down pedal at six o'clock, there is a slight bend to the knee while seated on the saddle. If you can wear bike shorts to your test ride, do.

Also, like RR said, size is different on different models and frames. I ride a 49cm cross style tourer that is a little small for me but is very aggressive and fun to ride, while my road bike is a 54. I am 5'6 with very short legs and a long torso, so women's specific design (even though I have it on my road bike) is not the best geometry for me.

The only way you'll know is to take the bike out and ride it. The bike shop's horse isn't going to tell you if you'll love the ride.

Enjoy the shopping!

[redrhodie]

I'll start looking into 50cm more and get a definite number (or at least close to it) when I hit up the bike store!

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that I think you're a 50cm! I guess it sounded like that's what I meant, but I meant you may be a 54 in some bikes, but probably not all bikes.