What kind of Road Bikes do you ride?

[Nanci]

Another thing- if you find a ibke you love, not at the shop you love, you can buy it and take it to the shop you love from then on. I bought my Trek on eBay because I have always found the owner of the local Trek shop to be rude- for years and years. So my bike goes to a Cannondale/Felt/etc. shop and they take perfect care of her.

Nanci

[hirakukibou]

I ride a Luna and I love it. The woman who made her does mostly custom work but you can get some prebuilt models (that's what I did). It fits me beautifully and is a wonderful ride. Check out her website www.lunacycles.com. Goood luck!

[Trek420]

I ride a Mondonico Futura Legero. It's made by the same man who builds the more-often-seen Torelli bikes. He makes a few each year with his name on the frame. He just retired and now his son is the 3rd generation of frame builders.

Most people who ride Torelli know someone who loves the bike. In my case that was my ex-GF and she loves hers. So when I needed a new bike I tried lots and lots and lots...but had the Mondonico built.

If I was getting one "off the rack" I'd get the Torelli, I've been told it has a slightly shorter top tube.

It's a great bike and rides as good as it looks.

[cherinyc]

My first 2 experiences on a road bike were to test ride the 2003 Lemond Wmns Tourmalet, and the New Specialized Dolce Comp. The Comp has these Zirtz inserts that are for shock absorption - which is probably why it was smoother to ride. It's a more expensive bike as well, but- go figure - those were the only 2 women's bikes they had for me to compare, so probably not a fair comparison.
My bf actually rides a Lemond road bike with a steel frame, and says the steel makes for a smoother ride, so it's possible that the bike, since it was hanging around for 3 years, needed some adjusting.

[GLC1968]

I spent my first year riding on a bike that was too big for me. I went into the LBS, the college kid who helped me had me stand over a bike and then I took it for a spin. He adjusted the seat and said "it looks good!" and, not knowing any better, I believed him. It was a Fuji Roubaix in a 49cm. I just traded in it on a 44cm Specialized Dolce Comp and I love it so far (I've only done about 4 rides on it). I ended up getting it at the same shop I got my first bike, but after 3 fit-related visits on the Fuji, one of the fit specialists basically admitted that they shouldn't have sold it to me as it is clearly not the right size. He did what he could to make it comfortable, but now that I've ridden the right sized bike for a bit, it's amazing to me that I didn't hurt myself on the bigger one!

It just astounds me that I can continue to have so many different types of experiences at the same LBS based solely on who helps me. After 7 years in retail management, I can say that I'd have made some major staffing adjustments if that were happening in my shop! Anyway, my point is...if you don't feel good about the help you are getting, you may find that the person you need is actually in the same shop!

[cherinyc]

that's a great point about it varying by person. the first place I went, a kid - maybe 15 yrs old? came to help my bf and I. he wasn't completely unknowledgeable, but his knowledge seemed very cataloguey (nothing too deep). Besides that - I don't know that I feel comfortable making a 1200-1500 purchase from a 15 yr old. thing is, since the store was somewhat out of the way, I doubt I will go back to even talk to anyone else, so...that's where the sales team is so important. I was in retail as well, and I am VERY picky about customer service.

[li10up]

I guess I just got lucky...when I bought my bike I didn't have a clue. Bought the first one I stood over. The LBS owner checked standover height and asked if the handlebar was covering the hub while I was seated. That was it. I either got lucky that the fit was right or I just got used to the fit. I was very uncomfortable at first but attributed it to not riding for 25 years.

So what should a newbie look for in fit? LBS won't let you take the bike further than the parking lot right? How do you know if it fits you? How do you know if it's comfortable if you just ride it around the parking lot? I don't understand all the talk about sloping tubes, etc. Anyone have the short, concise version for newbies? I do know about saddle height but that's about it. I played around with moving my saddle forward and back to relieve elbow pain but don't know where it's "supposed" to be...other than front of knee over pedal spindle. How stretched out or upright are you supposed to be? Or is it all individual preference?

[mimitabby]

Cheri
your story sounded pretty much like mine. Only i got tired of not finding any bikes within my price range and in my size at stores so i bought my bike on EBAY!
same thing. Got on the bike, straddled fine. I have long enough arms but my torso is apparently shorter than the average 5'3" guy!

I took the bike (a bianchi veloce like my avatar) to the lbs and they fitted me.
It feels better but I haven't had a chance to test it out very well since it's been a major busy week. I'll let you know.
Fitting made a big difference.
And you just have to educate your boyfriend about the problems we gals have
that guys don't even understand.
they can be uncomfortable on a bike and they can just move their boy
parts over to the side and... he's okay! now you try that
good luck
mimi

[cherinyc]

on top of that, the bike shorts are supposed to ease the pain, but I've never worn those before either. I got a pair of the women's padded bike short looking underwear, thinking it would be like training wheels for the bike shorts. I wore them to a Spin class, and I went the whole hour despite being in firey pain for the last 45 minutes. That was about 2 months ago, and I haven't touched them since. These things should come with directions...especially for an overthinker/worrier like me. Is there something I am missing about that chamois thing?

[FreshNewbie]

Shorts is another hot topic here! I think everybody has their own prefference and soon you will find out that you will too. Not all shorts are the same and some of them can be a real killer on a bike!!!! I have 3 pairs right now Sugoi, PI and SheBeest. I am sure you will be able to find a comfortable pair for yourself once you get your bike and find a right saddle. Good luck

[mimitabby]

you should check out some of our earlier discussions about shorts.
How old are you?

one lady said she trims her pubic hairs and that solved HER problem.
Some of us lather lubricant on our girl parts and that helps
and some of us have to get VERY NICE saddles (bike seats) like
Brooks 67... before we are comfortable.

[mtbdarby]

Cher,
I also had the same lbs problem so I did my research and bought both a Trek 2100 wsd and a Terry symmetry, both 15". I'm still trying to decide which one I like better although I'm leaning toward the Trek. I'm bringing them both in Thursday to get fit but I think part of it is I'm still not used to the "road" position. I'll be posting the bike I'm getting rid of on the for sale spot so keep an eye out. Best of luck on finding what you're looking for - it will be money well spent whatever you decide.

[cherinyc]

well Dar - I hope that between the 2 of the bikes, there is a definite yes, and a definite nope. would be quite costly to keep both.

[cherinyc]

you should check out some of our earlier discussions about shorts.
How old are you?

one lady said she trims her pubic hairs and that solved HER problem.
Some of us lather lubricant on our girl parts and that helps
and some of us have to get VERY NICE saddles (bike seats) like
Brooks 67... before we are comfortable.

hi mimi - i am 31. just got my first pair yesterday - tried on about 15 pairs. i went with a pair of shebeest - fairly light padding, not long, not short - very stretchy. closer to a jersey material than that shiny spandex stuff. i like them ok i guess, but i am still weary to wear them without my boyshort underwear underneath. does that lubricant make you feel all slimy?
ik!!!

[Brina]

I ride a Specialized Ruby. I have had numerous shoulder problems and wanted the smoothness of carbon. I tried a number of men's bikes - Felt, Trek, Marin - and all felt too stretched. The Ruby fit like a glove.