Test riding experience

[dachshund]

Well I decided to listen to my own comment and go back to the store where the sales people seem to have a better grasp on what size I am, instead of... other stuff. I rode the Bianchi Veloce with a 49 frame. That didn't feel at all "stretched out", it just felt like riding a bike. I'm going back Sunday to do the sizing with their fitter... And, they're having a big sale, so I'm saving some $$. Pacific Bicycles in SF, CA, in case anyone wants to check out their sale.
And, it's celeste green

[salsabike]

I got a size 50. It fits perfectly and I absolutely love the bike. Have put about 400 miles on it so far and am totally happy with it. It's bleached celeste, by the way---nice color.

The PT who did my bike fit is Erik Moen. He's a great guy and an expert cyclist himself. He was written up in the Seattle Times' Sunday Pacific Magazine a month or so ago. You can find him at http://www.bikept.com/. He also works at a physical therapy shop in Kirkland, I believe. I found his name on a local cyclist's blog as well as on the local bike club's message boards. He is very well known around here and well thought of. I went to him because I'd hurt my back muscles a bit riding up a hill on a bike that was too big for me, so I wanted both exercises/consultation and a bike fit. He not only took measurements, watched me ride, and provided basic fit numbers for me but offered (for a consultant's fee, of course, which was totally fine with me) to meet me at the LBS and do a fit on the bikes I wanted to test ride. Which he did do.

It was really nice not to have to count on a bike shop, which is trying to sell me a bike they want to move, to make fit recommendations. I know that some LBSs do good fits--it's just nice to not have sales pressure going on at the same time.

[Starfish]

He not only took measurements, watched me ride, and provided basic fit numbers for me but offered (for a consultant's fee, of course, which was totally fine with me) to meet me at the LBS and do a fit on the bikes I wanted to test ride. Which he did do.

Thanks...this guy sounds like a great resource. Good to know!