Normal? What to do?

[Sky King]

Yuck, flu I was also thinking vertigo. When I haven't skied in awhile, my first couple runs can make me dizzy. I just have to remember to focus ahead instead of only 15 feet in front of me. Feel Better Soon, love the story of how you became a bike owner again

[sarahkonamojo]

Fainting/dizziness/flu aside, I love the bike purchase story.
Glad that LBS was there when you need it!

[CyborgQueen]

Sorry to hear about your flu!!

If you *really* want a road bike, I would take your bike back to the shop and buy a road bike that you want. If the bike shop is good, the GM or owner will be more than happy to help you out, and will take in the bike to switch to a road bike.

Or you can keep this bike, and use it to improve your training, and save up for a road bike ( and save up for clipless pedals, shoes, saddles, etc as well), then when you get the road bike you'll have better knowledge of what you like and what you don't like and use your current bike as a commuter bike.

Heal up well!!

[murielalex]

Or you can keep this bike, and use it to improve your training, and save up for a road bike ( and save up for clipless pedals, shoes, saddles, etc as well), then when you get the road bike you'll have better knowledge of what you like and what you don't like and use your current bike as a commuter bike.

Heal up well!!

Thanks again, ladies. I'm still home sick, but it's been raining for two days here, so it kinda feels nice to be cosy inside.

CyborgQueen, that's the plan! I've decided to start looking around, and once I get a new bike, I'll keep the other to have on hand for visiting friends and family, or keep using it around town.

I have a professional fitting (Retul) scheduled for Saturday, which I figure is a good place to start prior to trying out everything I can. I know that sounds like overkill for a newbie, but I have issues with a deformed leg and ankle (minor but real), and once I get a bike, the fitting they'll do post-purchase to get things right is what I'm paying for; the before-you-get-the-bike fitting is just included in the price. I've been researching around, and from what I'm reading and looking at, I'm seriously drawn to steel. It seems practical for my needs: some commuting, no speed demon stuff, though want some speed, and I'm thinking mostly weekend warrior runs in the 20-30 mile range (I live one mile from the ocean with nice flat biking territory), and hopefully some longer club rides when I get better at this whole thing. I love love love the old-school aesthetics of the steel frames I'm seeing, and although I think they're attractive to look at, I haven't seen one of the carbon or aluminum models I've been researching that call my name. Of course, once I start testing bikes out, I may completely change my mind. The Jamis Quest is right at the top of my list, and what would be nice, is the the lbs doing my fitting is a dealer, so if I buy the bike from them, the fitting is free. We'll see. I'm going to take my time this time. My budget is between 2-3K, so I have some options.

[missjean]

Feel better soon - congrats on getting back into biking - and great story on how you ended up with a bike!

[OakLeaf]

Hope you feel better soon!

[Owlie]

Flu explains it! Feel better!
(Oh, and take it easy when you get back on the bike. The first time I rode after a nasty bout of the flu, it was a gargantuan effort to ride around the block.)

[murielalex]

Thanks again, ladies. I'm back to feeling almost perfect again. I'm very excited about my fitting tomorrow and getting on with the adventure of finding my bike. Since being home for a few days, I've been researching everything and, of course, am lusting after things I do not need and can't afford. If I return to my senses, the Salsa Casseroll looks good to me as well as the Jamis Quest. I'm going to see what the fitting leads me to and start from there.

[Sky King]

Hope it is all you are wishing for, when reading your femur issue I was thinking a bit more slack in the seat tube (surly LHT'ish) Once you get the bike if it still feels like you want to push back consider the VO Grand Cru seat post for added set back