Went Bike Shopping Today

[turbojackie]

Owlie, the spinners have a clip that fits about the ball of your foot. Regular biking shoes fit them. Most spinner bikes have clips on one side of the pedal, and a toecage on the other side.

I see you have a Giant Avail. I test rode one a few weeks ago and it was very sweet. I got a little confused on the gears, but I think I would figure it out. I'm use to looking at a number to know what gear I am in. Do you like yours alot?

[turbojackie]

oh, one more thing - what is "105"? Sorry for asking so many questions!

[Roadtrip]

oh, one more thing - what is "105"? Sorry for asking so many questions!

Shimano 105 group set.... Shifters, derailures, gears... They're a little more expensive, but worth it, big upgrade over Deore or some of the more entry level component sets.

Shannon

[Owlie]

105 is a mid-range Shimano component group. Ultegra's one step higher. (I'm a Shimano girl. SRAM makes no sense to me!)

I'm okay with my Avail. It was what fit in my price range at the time, but I discovered after the fact that Giant's WSD geometry doesn't agree with me. I need a short top tube because I have long legs and a short torso. I also want to upgrade the wheels and components once they start wearing out (probably another year or two). She's still a good bike for what I paid ($750) because I had no idea that I'd get into it as much as I did. Don't let me discourage you from looking at Giant. Giant makes good bikes for how much they cost--the geometry just doesn't work for me (and because of my proportions, a lot of bikes don't work). I'm looking at a Ruby for my next bike (and also at a Cannondale if I can find one to test-ride.)

Shannon, I've definitely felt rattled, but not horribly so on parts of the trail, and I'm riding aluminum, albeit with 25s rather than the 23s that came with your bike. (No, I haven't changed them yet.

[Roadtrip]

Shannon, I've definitely felt rattled, but not horribly so on parts of the trail, and I'm riding aluminum, albeit with 25s rather than the 23s that came with your bike. (No, I haven't changed them yet.

I'm riding 25s now.. Tho I do weight a tad more then you do (dang feather-weight you So I may feel those a little more-- dunno. North from Milford is the section I'm talking about. Out from Loveland, north is pretty good trail, but your up near YS now.

[turbojackie]

Thanks for the explanations!

I have short legs and a long torso, so we are the exact opposite!

I currently have a Cannondale Quik. I believe that would be a CX, correct? It is great for the riding I am doing, but I am thinking I might want a road bike, also, for when I want to ride long and on pavement. Just thinking......

[Roadtrip]

By cross or CX, I ment Cyclocross, not a hybrid like your Quick.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...ss/2011-superx
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...clocross-caadx

It's got drop bars like a road bike, but a more aggressive (wider/knobby) tire, so able to go a little off road... Tho not single track like a true mountain bike.

[Mkay]

I had a hard time braking with 105's due to my small hands and decided to go with the Ruby APEX. I absolutely love my Ruby and have no regrets.

[Caddy]

By cross or CX, I ment Cyclocross, not a hybrid like your Quick.

http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...ss/2011-superx
http://www.cannondale.com/bikes/road...clocross-caadx

It's got drop bars like a road bike, but a more aggressive (wider/knobby) tire, so able to go a little off road... Tho not single track like a true mountain bike.

Actually, I took my cyclocross onto the single track last weekend. It's quite common at my park, apparently. There were bits and stretches that I could not pass, such as a very steep uphill with roots, but I believe most of the mountain bikers were also walking it. Course, I was going much slower than they were

And from what I understand, if you have small hands, SRAM is better with less hood and you won't accidentally brake when you try to shift. Unfortunately, I let the local bike shop person talk me into 105s instead, grr!

[Owlie]

I'm riding 25s now.. Tho I do weight a tad more then you do (dang feather-weight you So I may feel those a little more-- dunno. North from Milford is the section I'm talking about. Out from Loveland, north is pretty good trail, but your up near YS now.

Oh goodness, yes. That part is pretty bad.