Before it starts Snowing!

[Shell R]

Holy crap! And I promise, I won’t mention S%*w again, though one salesperson I spoke to showed me a bike that had “all-season” tires, and looked like something out of a Mad Max movie. Your replies were almost as good as a new bike! Ok, not, but your words did have that cool feeling of being cheered on by people you trust. And why do I trust a blog full of strangers? Because you guys all ride bikes! And you’re all women (as far as I know). And your advice was crazy consistent. So, YES, I’ll read Chapter 2 of Every Women’s Guide to Cycling and I’ll get sized by one of the shop pros. BUT, maybe because it’s the end of our mini-season, our 3 bike/hike shops don’t have much for me to ride. The Trek shop has 1 for me to take out but he said it is probably too big. There’s a shop that had a few Jamis and Surly, but they didn’t have any for me to ride, and they seemed more interested in selling me a Globe (offshoot Specialized) which had a monster front carrier thing which looked like it could hold several farm animals. They called it a “lifestyle” bike. Moo. I guess August may not be the time to shop for a bike in Northern Michigan. Which is ok. I don’t mind at all the idea of spending a few months on a bike quest. Great buckets full of gratitude for the encouragement and advice. I loved that I heard from women with a range of experience. It was really helpful. I wish so much I could have access to those 76 bike shops, that woman’s biking group, that smiling middle-aged bike shop lady, and Kathi’s knees that are allowing her to love skiing and so love …uh, that thing that isn’t summer. I am inspired! I go forth to find …the bike!

[KatzPajamas]

Holy crap! And I promise, I won’t mention S%*w again, though one salesperson I spoke to showed me a bike that had “all-season” tires, and looked like something out of a Mad Max movie. Your replies were almost as good as a new bike! Ok, not, but your words did have that cool feeling of being cheered on by people you trust. And why do I trust a blog full of strangers? Because you guys all ride bikes! And you’re all women (as far as I know). And your advice was crazy consistent. So, YES, I’ll read Chapter 2 of Every Women’s Guide to Cycling and I’ll get sized by one of the shop pros. BUT, maybe because it’s the end of our mini-season, our 3 bike/hike shops don’t have much for me to ride. The Trek shop has 1 for me to take out but he said it is probably too big. There’s a shop that had a few Jamis and Surly, but they didn’t have any for me to ride, and they seemed more interested in selling me a Globe (offshoot Specialized) which had a monster front carrier thing which looked like it could hold several farm animals. They called it a “lifestyle” bike. Moo. I guess August may not be the time to shop for a bike in Northern Michigan. Which is ok. I don’t mind at all the idea of spending a few months on a bike quest. Great buckets full of gratitude for the encouragement and advice. I loved that I heard from women with a range of experience. It was really helpful. I wish so much I could have access to those 76 bike shops, that woman’s biking group, that smiling middle-aged bike shop lady, and Kathi’s knees that are allowing her to love skiing and so love …uh, that thing that isn’t summer. I am inspired! I go forth to find …the bike!

Shell R~ I think you are going to fit right it in!

[tulip]

How about looking for a used mountain bike in your size and getting studded tires and just have crazy fun riding it all winter? Studded tires are good on ice, but not so great on deep snow. For deep snow you'll have to rig something up like a Surly Pugsley (I think that's what it's called). But for regular snow, a mountain bike ought to do the trick. And your bike handling skills will improve alot.

[Skierchickie]

SNOW! It's called SNOW! Embrace it!

[zoom-zoom]

For deep snow you'll have to rig something up like a Surly Pugsley (I think that's what it's called).

Ha, we average 96" of snow/season in my part of MI and my hubby LUSTS after one of those!

Shell, I'm with others who have suggested a cyclocross bike. I have a road bike and a 'cross bike. I have only managed 1 ride on my new CX bike, but as soon as it cools-off and the roads become littered with wet leaves and stuff I will be taking to the backroads...and trying a few races, too.

[Owlie]

Cross bikes are nice, unless you can't (or don't want to) do the drop bars. (Or they don't fit--I'm having a hard time finding one that fits my very short torso!)

[ny biker]

SNOW! It's called SNOW! Embrace it!

This much I know: shoveling snow for 5 hours is easier than riding a bike for 5 hours.

Still, I prefer the bike ride.

[Caddy]

Test ride a lot and talk to the bike shop people extensively. There is such a huge difference in what they know and how they treat you.

Don't buy used unless you have a very good idea of geometry and fit - I unfortunately did that with my first bike and my shoulder pain from being stretched out doesn't show up until 30 minutes into the ride.

I'll tell you next week how my hopefully "perfect" cyclocross bike feels (Specialized Crux). I did test ride the Specialized Tricross and it was not a comfortable ride. It was also a lot of work for me to get up to my usual speed. The Giant TCX W that I tested was very smooth and fast, but a shade too big and too expensive for me.

Pretty much nowhere else had a cross bike in my size to test or even any bike in my size.

Northern Michigan? If you have time, maybe a nice trip down to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, or Detroit for more choices.

[tytbody]

Is there a group of people on here that just ride the entry level bikes? Like bikes in the 500 dollar range?

As I read and look at the bikes people are riding, it's 1,000's of dollars. What happen to the toy store bike prices?

I know everything has gone up but I don't recall bikes ever costing as much as they do now. What is so technically different now in the 2000's that was different in the 1960's ?

[Skierchickie]

What is so technically different now in the 2000's that was different in the 1960's ?

Hmmm. Well, some of it is technology, and some of it isn't. Constantly making components lighter & lighter costs money, for one thing. Your basic 10-speed of the 1960s is the basic 20 or 30 speed today. Etc. Faster, lighter, stiffer, ....

Material prices fluctuate, and a few years ago they skyrocketed. Steel. And oil prices drive everything up. It really seems like bikes have doubled in price in just the last 10 years. Maybe I'm just always looking at bikes that are better than whatever I currently have (after all - why trade down??), so maybe my perception is skewed. I just know that when steel prices went way up for stuff I was having made at work, bike prices were also increasing sharply. Of course, material prices tanked with the economy, but what ever comes down in price?

And, also, it seems like people are willing to pay more and more to have the best. So the best keeps getting better (and more expensive), and everything trickles down. Some of it is a status thing.

Just my thoughts - I may be out to lunch. Have you compared the price (and size) of a loaf of bread to 1960s bread?

Northern Michigan? If you have time, maybe a nice trip down to Grand Rapids, Ann Arbor, or Detroit for more choices.

If she's near Lake Superior, those places could be 500 miles away. They are for me. She could be a bit closer than I am, but could also be 2 hours farther away. There is Northern Michigan and there is Upper Michigan. Northern Michigan is what they call the northern part of the Lower Peninsula. The Upper Peninsula is on Lake Superior, and is farther north. Weird, I know. Minneapolis and Madison are both actually several hours closer than Detroit or GR, unless she's way over on the eastern end.

[Velocivixen]

@tytbody, bikes used to be sold as "toys", when in fact a good bike is a simple, yet durable piece of machinery that is human powered. They're not toys. I know people who have sold their cars and rely solely on their bikes for all transportation. You get what you pay for when it comes to components, how frames are welded and their material, wheel, hubs, you name it. It's worth the effort to do some research and know what kind of riding you anticipate doing. Don't buy a bike for your needs right now, because there will be a learning curve, but try to anticipate how you will be riding in a year and buy a bike that fits that need. I'm not saying that if you're new to cycling to go buy a $2,000 commuting bike, but sometimes cheap bikes that aren't fit correctly and have problems just aren't enjoyable to ride, so the rider gets discouraged and quits. So there's that $500 bike collecting dust, when if they spent more for a better quality bike that fits they may find riding to be completely enjoyable.

[tytbody]

Velocivixen - I don't think what I'm looking at right now is going to be outgrown by me.I'm not planning on racing anyone. Where I live, I sure won't be riding to work. For me, the bike is for fun, exercise, and riding with people. I'm not needing a commuter bike. If I wanted one before, I guess I'd want one now but no, I have no plans on doing that. So, my cheap bike will work just fine and I do believe it will be fitted properly because it is fro my a reputable Bike store and reference on this forum.

What will make me quit is living in New England and cold weather, possibly. We shall see.

And thank you SkierChickie for your thoughts on how they have escalated to now.

[Crankin]

Tybody, I live in New England, ride my bike for fun, fitness, and friendship, and have no intention of ever racing. What I think people are telling you is that there is often a progression of what people want in their bikes, as they get more miles under their belt. Even though I don't race, this is my sport and I am serious about it. I didn't start riding seriously until I was in my later forties and 11 years later, I am not about to be on a bike that doesn't fit me correctly. Unlike when we were kids, bikes are not toys. They are serious pieces of equipment, and like with anything else, there are different price points. Big box store bikes are often made poorly and put together incorrectly. That said, you can buy a nice entry level bike for the price you spoke about. But, having a bike fit is important so you are comfortable and happy when you are riding. Otherwise, your bike will just gather dust because you want want to be on it.
Keep an open mind. I am doing a lot of things I could never imagine doing, even 5 years ago. Riding gives you confidence in ways that are unexplainable. And there are cycling clothes that help you deal with cold weather , most of all wool! Not old fashioned, scratchy wool, but modern day merino or synthetic blend wool , that you can often find at discount or second hand stores.

[tytbody]

I'm not upset, I was hopefully trying to explain that I don't plan to do the upper level I guess riding. Maybe things will change. it would be fun if it does for me. i'd be glad.

things in my life haven't changed much from what ever it is I do I guess so I don't feel that my deciding to bike now is going to change. But, it could if this time i get into a group and learn more about the sport.

I hear you on the old fashion wool. The kind that itched my neck I hated. Hated wool sweaters. But I've heard Alpaca wool is great and worth the money...

I want the spirit of riding and exercise.

[KatzPajamas]

I have a hybrid that does not fit me very well. It seemed OK for a few miles, but would have neck pain for hours and days after just a short ride. It has big tires which makes it difficult to go very far. I am old and just wanted to have a bike that I could enjoy and go places. My Synapse was $1200, it is considered and entry level road bike. It has skinny tires and is very light. I can fly like the wind and longer distances with very little effort. I struggle to do more than 25 miles and cruise at average of 14mph, so ya gotta know I'm not a racer. But the bike is such that it enables me to do what I want to do without completely incapacitating me for days. I have a 30 gears which makes it much easier to negotiate any hills that I may run into. Not sure what you mean by upper level riding, but I seriously doubt that i fall into that category. I happen to be 56 years old and hope to be able to enjoy this bike for years to come. I take good care of it and am definitely getting my money's worth so far. I, like youi just want the spirit of riding and exercise...one day at a time.