What are your wants and needs?

[Cycling Sister]

Reading the custom related thread, made me curious as to what your personal wants and needs are in a bike, and how you realized that you wanted or needed those features. As a new rider, it's helpful to have an awareness of what improvements to consider.

I'm am in the beginning stages of building a bike and am thinking about this a lot. I went with a titanium frame because I was able to find a frame on sale that fit and my because body feels beat up after a ride from all the bumps in the road. Rode on a road that was being prepped for resurfacing and felt more exhausted than after climbing hills. I also wanted wheels that would help make hill climbs not so sloooow. I was told that because I am short and thin (could lose 5 pounds), a small carbon frame would not absorb the road chatter much more than what I'm riding now, a 47 cm Trek Lexa S. I'm shrinking... used to be 5'3" and now am 5'2". Not sure if the carbon frame part was true from what I've read others say.

As for the frame, one that fits better. The lbs owner sized me, but did not fit me on my current bike. I had originally paid $150 for a fitting where I originally purchased the Lexa and don't want to pay for another fitting. I always feel like I'm having to slide back on my saddle to take the pressure on my hands and wrists. The lbs owner, who compared the fit of my bike to the one I bought, switched out my current saddle and moved it up 1.25". I've been riding for 3 months with a lower seat. Unbelievable difference in being able to breath into my lower lungs, speed, climbing ability, endurance and handling. I can ride without holding onto the handlebars! The first few rides I was very sore as my muscles had to readjust. Too much of a good thing too soon. But, I'm still sliding forward on the saddle. The lbs owner also commented, "No wonder you're miserable on hills, your bike doesn't fit you! And, the cranks are too long. You should be using 165 cranks." Which I can see how a shorter crank would help with smoother pedal strokes and increased cadence.

What are some things you've learned that you wanted or needed in a bike?

[Owlie]

Different bikes for different things. I don't want to use an aggressive road bike for touring! I think you learn a lot, though, by riding the wrong bike.

I'm still riding my first road bike (the 2009 Giant Avail 3 in my signature). VERY entry-level components (Sora rear derailleur, 2200 everything else). Also the frame is slightly too big. I've had it fitted, and while it fits beautifully vertically (with a ton of seat post showing), the top tube is too long. Or so I thought. I had it fitted in March, and the fitter put a very short stem on it. I did a 50-mile hilly ride on the 26th and found that I was pulling my shoulder blades toward my spine to shorten my arms. Over 50 miles, that hurt. The fitter did say he put a shorter stem on it than he would have liked to save me from buying new handlebars, because my bars are a weird diameter.

My next road bike will be carbon. Chip-seal is painful on aluminum, more so on the relaxed aluminum frames. And I want Ultegra--more money up-front, but saves me from buying the expensive group when I want to upgrade. (I'll just be buying 105 one day to put on my Giant.) I also learned that I feel more comfortable on an aggressive frame. According to my fitter, I'm quite flexible. So shorter top tube, slacker seat tube angle, possibly longer reach. I'm still working out some of my other fit issues and trying to find the bikes I'm looking at so I can ride them, though. I would one day like a "comfortable" road bike, but I'm probably going with steel for that. (Just tried out a Jamis Satellite Femme--felt good.)

I'm also looking at a mountain bike and potentially a cyclocross bike, and I'll be looking at nice-ish components off the bat for those. (Perhaps Tiagra/105 mix for the CX, since Tiagra's gotten nicer over the years. no clue for the MTB.)

[Dizzie]

More bikes! This time last year I trawled the shops for the one bike! the bike that would do everything. Everybody told me that one bike couldn't do everything. Over what seemed like months I was not sold a Specialized, Cannondale or Pinarello as my body configuration is odd apparently, I need a 50 top tube but a seat height of 68. It actually is a good way of rapid learning that in England most bike shops don't cater for women or perhaps just women like me!. I eventually ended up back in my local shop and buying an old stock Sabbath Silk Road, Titanium and not pretty, I so wanted a pretty bike like the Cannondale 2010 Super Six. However I had a few bits changed on it, removed and replaced the graphics and changed the bar tape until it looked right. Then I didn't want to ride it in Winter as the salt might mark it, enter Grace my pretty little Felt mountain bike. 16 miles on her is the equivalant of about 40 on the Sabbath. Now I can't go quick enough so need a race bike ..... I've come to the conclusion that bikes are like guitars you can never have enough.
It is interesting though that apart from Specialized and Cannondale the must have bikes there and here seem very different. apart from on-line I haven't seen any Trek. Do you have Bianchi, Van Nicholas, Cube or Orbea?

[Cycling Sister]

Different bikes for different things. I don't want to use an aggressive road bike for touring! I think you learn a lot, though, by riding the wrong bike.

I'm still riding my first road bike (the 2009 Giant Avail 3 in my signature). VERY entry-level components (Sora rear derailleur, 2200 everything else). Also the frame is slightly too big. I've had it fitted, and while it fits beautifully vertically (with a ton of seat post showing), the top tube is too long. Or so I thought. I had it fitted in March, and the fitter put a very short stem on it. I did a 50-mile hilly ride on the 26th and found that I was pulling my shoulder blades toward my spine to shorten my arms. Over 50 miles, that hurt. The fitter did say he put a shorter stem on it than he would have liked to save me from buying new handlebars, because my bars are a weird diameter.

My next road bike will be carbon. Chip-seal is painful on aluminum, more so on the relaxed aluminum frames. And I want Ultegra--more money up-front, but saves me from buying the expensive group when I want to upgrade. (I'll just be buying 105 one day to put on my Giant.) I also learned that I feel more comfortable on an aggressive frame. According to my fitter, I'm quite flexible. So shorter top tube, slacker seat tube angle, possibly longer reach. I'm still working out some of my other fit issues and trying to find the bikes I'm looking at so I can ride them, though. I would one day like a "comfortable" road bike, but I'm probably going with steel for that. (Just tried out a Jamis Satellite Femme--felt good.)

I'm also looking at a mountain bike and potentially a cyclocross bike, and I'll be looking at nice-ish components off the bat for those. (Perhaps Tiagra/105 mix for the CX, since Tiagra's gotten nicer over the years. no clue for the MTB.)

Isn't it fun considering all the options for different bikes!

Fitting is so overwhelming for me to comprehend. Will you be switching out your handlebars? The good thing about having to squeeze your shoulder blades together is that so many people need to strengthen that area to correct poor posture/slouching... not for 50 miles though. So, I can understand the need to change that!

I hate chipped and sealed roads! A lot of good roads I ride were chipped and sealed this summer. On Wednesday, my friend and I actually turned around and changed course when we saw a crew doing that to an awesome downhill road. There was one road on a route that I love that wasn't finished properly. Made it an obstacle course of avoiding huge rumble bumps made up of loose gravel. It gets worse closer to the berm where I have to ride when there are cars coming from behind.

The lbs owner told me that a carbon frame would not help much for me because I'm small. He said that the smaller the frame, the more stiff it would be. Has that been your experience? That was another reason I went for the titanium frame. I haven't tried riding a carbon bike. So, I wouldn't know.

I have thought about upgrading my Lexa. I think in the end I will sell it as it is, a good entry level bike, and use that money towards another bike. I would love to get a cyclocross for winter rides.

[Cycling Sister]

More bikes! This time last year I trawled the shops for the one bike! the bike that would do everything. Everybody told me that one bike couldn't do everything. Over what seemed like months I was not sold a Specialized, Cannondale or Pinarello as my body configuration is odd apparently, I need a 50 top tube but a seat height of 68. It actually is a good way of rapid learning that in England most bike shops don't cater for women or perhaps just women like me!. I eventually ended up back in my local shop and buying an old stock Sabbath Silk Road, Titanium and not pretty, I so wanted a pretty bike like the Cannondale 2010 Super Six. However I had a few bits changed on it, removed and replaced the graphics and changed the bar tape until it looked right. Then I didn't want to ride it in Winter as the salt might mark it, enter Grace my pretty little Felt mountain bike. 16 miles on her is the equivalant of about 40 on the Sabbath. Now I can't go quick enough so need a race bike ..... I've come to the conclusion that bikes are like guitars you can never have enough.
It is interesting though that apart from Specialized and Cannondale the must have bikes there and here seem very different. apart from on-line I haven't seen any Trek. Do you have Bianchi, Van Nicholas, Cube or Orbea?

Dizzie, Some of my favorite people are from across the pond! I take it for granted that everyone has access to the same bikes. But, then I remember how I have to stock up on certain brands when I'm in a different country because we can't them here. I'm not sure about the Van Nicholas and Cube. I think we can get them here. I'd have to travel over an hour to shop for a Pinarello and Cervelo. Still I see those on the road frequently. Trek, Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Bianchi and Orbea are quite common here.

LOL on the bikes are like guitars. I'm starting to realize that is true. I saw a used Sabbath Silk Road at the lbs where I bought my frame. I thought it was a nice bike! That particular lbs has bikes that are not commonly found at most dealerships. The Cannondale Super Six is a beautiful bike! If I ever decide to shop for a carbon bike, I'd like to test the women's Cannondale Evo. I thought the Super Six was a racier bike? How does it handle for you?

I would love to see pictures of your bikes.

[Koronin]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5). I have an entry level Trek mountain bike (aluminum) which is just fine, since I still have issues riding any bike anywhere other than on pavement of any kind. Also have an entry level cruiser type bike that is most likely what we'll be taking on vacations. Actually bought it specifically to take to Bristol for the NASCAR races. The farther away from the track you can park the cheaper it is to park and the easier it is to get out. However, who wants to walk 2 plus miles to and from the track. So enter buying a bike specifically for that. The other idea is we plan on eventually taking a vacation to Oakracoke Island (part of the Outer Banks in NC). It is much easier to get around that island on bike than with a car, so the hope is to take the bikes with us so once we get to were we are staying we can leave the car (well pick up truck) parked for the time we're there and use those bikes as transportation.

[TigerMom]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5).

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

______________________
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

[Koronin]

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

______________________
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

I'm just slightly shorter than you are. 5ft0in. I did look at the Amira which I was considering. I would have had to get the 44cm, as the 48 is a good bit to tall for me. I had the same feeling with the Dolce that you had with the Ruby. I also had that same scrunched feeling with the Trek Lexa.