which bike for newbie?

[brigid]

Well, I bought the Trek 7200 and rode it for the first time today. It was great, except the chain came off the front derailer twice when I downshifted on hills. I am going to take it back to the shop tomorrow to see if they can adjust that. I also realized after I got home that I forgot to buy a helmet! So, I used my horse riding helmet, and looked rather silly I'm sure!

The owner of the lbs said I could try out the grip shifts, and if I decide I want to switch to rapid-fire, he won't charge me for labor. I do have to pay the full price of the shifters, even if I switched when i bought the bike, because for some reason he can't give me credit for the value of the grip-shifts, because he said they have no resale value. That sort of annoyed me. I don't know if other shops would have said the same thing, or not. Lots of places nearby carry Trek, but I went to this shop specifically because they had great customer service when I was trying out the bikes, and a friend with a husband who bikes recommended it. I know mine is a "beginner" bike, and the components that come on it aren't the best, so perhaps they aren't something anyone is going to upgrade to and any shop would have done the same thing. I think the rapid-fire shifts were $50.

So, now I'm in the market for shorts, a helmet, sunglasses, a water-bottle cage, flat-tire repair kit, and I'm still trying to get a good deal on a trailer on ebay. This is nearly as expensive as horseback riding! (But, at least the bike doesn't eat or have vet bills or need any training. And, it hasn't once bitten me or picked a fight with another male bike! And, no manure! Oh, and I can keep it in my garage! Though, I must admit that it doesn't nicker to me, or blow sweet-smelling breath at me, either. And though it may be pretty, it can't compare to a horse! )