Introduction

[CyclingJenn]

Thank you for the replies, ladies.

Emily, thanks for the suggestion on the shoes. As for other exercises, I know that riding more will ultimately help me get better. I just meant, are there any other things that I can do in addition to riding that will help me. Like yoga, for example. I was trying to use my yoga breathing to help me with my climbing, which helps some, but I still get really winded. I ride with people who are better than me, but my boyfriend hangs back with me. I'm going to look into some group rides around my area. I'm hoping to find a women's group.

Owlie, I am wearing Sugoi bike shorts, with no underwear. Shorts and a helmet were the first two things I bought, and at the LBS. Everything else I waited and bought online. I'll look at that link, take my measurements, and go from there on the saddle. I'm glad it's not just me with the Giant saddle! I thought it might be just because I am new to road biking and needed to get used to the harder seat. But, I've put in some time with it and it is still horrible!

Goldfinch, it was really hard finding a bike that fit me. What bike do you have? I initially wanted to buy a used bike, but after searching for weeks and weeks, I finally realized that a used 44 cm would be hard to come by, much less one that actually worked for me. The two bottle cages just barely fit. I have a larger bottle on the lower one and a small bottle on the upper one. It's definitely a pretty tight fit! I'll look into those exercises. I think strengthening my core will be helpful. Thanks for the tips!

[Koronin]

Welcome. Saddles are most definitely a personal choice. I'm just a bit taller than you, I'm 5'0. I own a Trek 2000 47cm (which I got lucky enough to find used) and last year bought a bran new Felt F5, which I love. I changed out the saddle after two rides with my Felt. The saddle that came on my Trek actually isn't too bad, but the one on that came on my Felt is horrible. I use Forte Pro which is actually a men's saddle.
As for peddles I use ones that are clipless on one side and platform on the other side. I have no issues clipping in with my left foot, but still have issues with my right foot. I also like having the option to wear regular tennis shoes for a shorter ride as well.

[goldfinch]

Goldfinch, it was really hard finding a bike that fit me. What bike do you have? I initially wanted to buy a used bike, but after searching for weeks and weeks, I finally realized that a used 44 cm would be hard to come by, much less one that actually worked for me. The two bottle cages just barely fit. I have a larger bottle on the lower one and a small bottle on the upper one. It's definitely a pretty tight fit! I'll look into those exercises. I think strengthening my core will be helpful. Thanks for the tips!

I have a Trek Madone that is the 43cm size with smaller wheels, 650s. Trek no longer makes a size this small.

You might check with your LBS to see if they have a program to try out saddles. Or, if they have used saddles or exchanged saddles to purchase for cheap or to try out.

[TigerMom]

I love the pink accents with your black/white bike

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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Grits]

Performance and REI will let you return saddles as long as they are still like new. Specialized dealers will also usually let you try a saddle for 30 days as will Bontrager dealers. Make sure you don't go past the allowed trial time, and you might try putting some tape on the rails to make sure they don't get scratched.

[CyclingJenn]

Thanks Tigermom! I think the pink accents are great with the black too. I love, love, love my bike!

Thanks again for all the suggestions on finding a saddle. Two bike shops close to me let you try out the saddles, so I'm going to do that. I'll check out REI too. I'm going to measure my sit bones first and get a general idea of what I'm looking for first. It's just something I'm going to have to research more and then just try them out.

Koronin, what kind of pedals do you use? Are they road or mtb? I like the idea of having a platform on one side, for those times I just want to jump on my bike for a quick ride around the neighborhood without having to change into bike shoes first.

[velo]

Koronin, what kind of pedals do you use? Are they road or mtb? I like the idea of having a platform on one side, for those times I just want to jump on my bike for a quick ride around the neighborhood without having to change into bike shoes first.

I'm not Koronin, but I can tell you what I have on my hybrid... Shimano A530's. I use my hybrid for errands, riding with my family on the local MUPs, and ice cream runs to the DQ. The pedals take the two-bolt mountain bike SPD cleat on one side and are flat on the other. I almost never use the flat side, but like that it's there just in case. I have a pair of Keen Presidio Pedal shoes that I usually wear with them, although I have other shoes that are fitted with this cleat. If you want to be able to walk around, this pedal with a pair of mountain bike shoes would be a good system, IMO.

Awesome bike, btw. Cool pink accents! Good Luck!

[TigerMom]

As a newbie and someone who wants to be comfortable, I bought mountain bike style shoes (so that I don't have to slap on plastic cleat covers whenever I walk around to get food/go to the bathroom).

I have the Shimano PD-M530 pedals/cleats. The clipless pedals have a huge bracket on them so that I can easily pedal with normal shoes or my clipless shoes. They are dual sided for easy clipless entry. However, these pedals are heavy. But I don't have to worry about flipping pedal sides for clipless/regular shoes.

I got them because I was worried that I would not be able to go fully clipless due to my clumsiness.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle