Women's heavy cruiser bikes: ever recommended them?

[Lelani Carver]

Bought my current step-through Specialized hybrid with husband in tow at my LBS last year, and didn't get good direction from the employee that sold it to me.

I had a specific problem in my head, that I no longer felt confident about lifting my leg over the saddle. So I bought the bike that felt better than 2 other choices after riding around the parking lot.

The first time I took my brand-new bike on a Meetup ride on a long bike path, other more experienced women cyclists were shaking their heads sadly over it. After struggling up very minor hills and spending most of the ride chatting with the sweep guy, I had to agree. Falling at a tricky road crossing (90-degree turn and a lamp post next to the path) sealed the deal: I had bought a bum steer. Still, it has decent gearing and I can do 20-30 miles on it on easy paved paths. It's a small frame with the seat jacked up, and I should have been guided to a medium frame at the very least.

Back to the LBS on Saturday for REAL test rides, having done a lot of reading here. The shop owner or manager and I had a good talk last week, and he sized me on either a Specialized Vita Elite or a Giant Alight 1 in medium frames. Much better fit either way, but we couldn't ride that day.

Tonight we visit 2 other LBS's and see what they recommend, but that Vita was almost a perfect fit. We'll take serious test rides to be certain this time.

The price range will be midrange this time, and I won't feel limited to the lower end stuff that happens to be in stock.





Saturday

[Crankin]

My friend started riding on a Vita. It is a good beginning bike. After 2 years she upgraded to a Ruby.

[Jolt]

The first time I took my brand-new bike on a Meetup ride on a long bike path, other more experienced women cyclists were shaking their heads sadly over it. After struggling up very minor hills and spending most of the ride chatting with the sweep guy, I had to agree. Falling at a tricky road crossing (90-degree turn and a lamp post next to the path) sealed the deal: I had bought a bum steer. Still, it has decent gearing and I can do 20-30 miles on it on easy paved paths. It's a small frame with the seat jacked up, and I should have been guided to a medium frame at the very least.

That sounds kind of like the used hybrid I bought when I first got back into biking shortly after college...it was a low-end steel Giant step-through that in retrospect, was too small (I actually had to replace the seatpost with a longer one to get the saddle high enough). I did a lot of riding on it though, particularly for transportation (it was decent as a city bike, not so great for longer distances), and it was enough to get me interested in riding more. Good luck with the test rides, I'm sure you will find something that suits you. Don't rule out drop-bar road bikes either...flat bars are really not comfortable for longer distances and you might find you outgrow a hybrid (even a nicer one) as you start doing longer rides. What price range are you looking at, if you don't mind sharing? That may help us give you some ideas.

[Trek420]

You should really look into the Soma Buena Vista;

It's a mixte, so the ease of a step through frame. Got braze ons so if you want it to be the errand commute bike there are plenty of options for a rack, panniers and such. And it's deceptively light, nimble and fast. So when you pedal up to those gals who shook their collective heads at your hybrid they can think whatever they want. You may blow right past 'em on the ride.

The ride on my Soma is surprisingly similar to my fancy schmancy hand made full custom blah blah blah road bike. Heavier, yes, but nimble and responsive ride even loaded with groceries.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showt...t=24182&page=5

Edited to add; really sounds like you need help on the bike fit. We've gotta find you a shop that does a good job on fit and then organize a ride!