New and perplexed

[bikegranny]

Thanks, Oakleaf, I called northland cycle this morn, and they do have one Day 6 bike in the shop to test ride. so I will do that Monday, when I have a free day.

[bikegranny]

Thanks, Muirenn. I will carefully consider your advice on the Day 6. It does cost more than the Trek Pure, not sure about the electra. but will check both of them out. Monday is a free day for me so I plan to visit bike shops all day.

[Catrin]

My LBS has a Townie section (an entire separate room) filled with a large number of Townies of every possible type. It really is amazing how many different options there are for those bikes, and a number of them are quite sharp!

[Melalvai]

I'd like to hear more about bike stabilizers if you try them. They look like kind of big training wheels? I'm sure a lot of people are intimidated about riding again after so many years, who would benefit from a transitional sort of thing like that. I am approached a lot for advice about cycling, so I'd love to have information about these sorts of things to pass on, and someone else's experience with it would be just the thing.

[bikegranny]

My excitment over them is tampered a bit after I checked the price...........$150 to $200. would probably only be used two or three times, just til I get the details of pedaling, shifting, brakes, etc. well remembered. sigh...........everything comes down to money! perhaps I can find a pair to rent.....

[malkin]

Hey granny! Welcome to TE!
I haven't got much to add here; you have received some good advice, and you certainly have pluck!

Best wishes for your bike shop visits! May you find a helpful and friendly place with lots of bikes to try.

[bikegranny]

Thanks for the very good advice. I'm so glad to have found this site, it's wonderful.

[bikegranny]

P.S. nope, I'm not the horseback rider.

[Melalvai]

I've heard the "best practices" for teaching someone (child or adult) how to ride a bike, and I imagine similar principles could apply for someone who is re-learning how to ride a bike. I don't know if you need to do all this, given that you once knew how to ride, but here it is if you like. I haven't had an opportunity to try this out on anyone yet myself. I heard it from someone who has taught many, many 9 year olds and a few adults how to ride a bike. He doesn't recommend training wheels at all.

Lower the seat fairly low, so you can sit on it with your feet flat on the ground. (This is the last time you want the seat like that. Once you have learned to ride a bike, if your feet touch the ground while you are sitting, your seat is too low, and it will cause your knees to hurt when you pedal.)

Take the pedals off if you can. (A pedal wrench is handy but I have done it with a regular crescent wrench.)

Sit on the bike and scooter it around, pushing or walking it with your feet. Only as fast as you are comfortable with. Get to where you can push off and keep your feet off the ground as you coast a little bit, maybe down a gentle little slope.

Once you can do that, put the pedals on, and try coasting one pedal stroke at a time, keeping your feet near the ground to catch yourself.

I've been told most people can learn to ride a bike with about an hour's worth of practice like this.

[bikegranny]

Thanks Melavai, good to know. I'm going to try this, sounds good to me.

[Trek420]

I'm a little concerned about the overlarge seat with a backrest. That would affect handling and balance. And be rather top-heavy and unweildly.

I agree. The trail is what bothers me too. What I mean is the handlebars are so far behind the wheels that it will make handling dicey. I don't imagine it feeling stabile.

I also question the bars are so high. Cute but seems uncomfortable and the longer you ride the more it would be awkward.

I highly recommend you test ride a Townie. My MIL got one and is very happy with it. She's very active but had a stroke and finds it stabile and fun.

[breeze]

bikegranny, if you're in Columbus, you might check out one of the Roll shops. There are a few in town (one on Lane Ave, one in Bexley, and another at Polaris), and the vibe is very much geared towards beginner/inexperienced cyclists. Last time I stopped in the Lane Ave location, they had a full range of the Electra bikes on the floor, and the shop sits in front of some quiet residential streets of Upper Arlington (fairly low traffic) so you can try out the ride. The employees seem to trend young, but enthusiastic.

Good luck!

[breeze]

Oh, also: if you haven't checked it out yet, take a look at the "Consider Biking" group based in Columbus. There's lots of info about local cyclist activities, maps, etc.

http://www.considerbiking.org/

[bikegranny]

Again, thanks to you all. Today I shopped bikes. First, let me get this off my chest: I did not ride a bike. because, I'm terrified of falling. Yes, shame on me. But, in all fairness to me, my ribs are still very very sore, and my daughter would kill me if I come home even more damaged. and I will ride again, just not right now So, I did learn enough to know that I want the Electra Townie. 99% certain! It fits just right, can reach the ground when seat is adjusted, and it's beautiful. it's more comfortable than the Trek Pure, and I felt safer on it. even tho I wasn't moving! do like the Pure tho. and have ruled out the Day 6 altogether. The guy at the Trek store, and Bike Source #2 were very nice and willing to spend time listening to me and evaluating my fit needs. Said daughter objects strongly to the whole idea, and that is a bit discouraging to me. but is not a deal breaker. so thats my story. Thanks for listening.

[PamNY]

Bikegranny, that's great. I'm glad you found a good bike shop -- and it sounds like you've found the right bike as well. I look forward to hearing about your adventures when the time comes!