Is bike-borrowing possible?

[Bluetree]

I'm a smidgen above 5 feet tall, with a 72cm/28-inch inseam.

[melissam]

Joy,

I think I might be able to help you. I'm about 5'1", live in the south bay, and have an extra road bike. It's my 20 year old Bianchi with an 18" frame.

PM me for the details.

EDIT: Uh oh, never mind. Whenever I see South Bay, I think South San Francisco Bay Area. I'm such a NorCal-centric. Sorry 'bout that, and good luck on your search for a road bike.

-- Melissa

PS Are there any used bikes on craigslist in your size?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Joy,
Just to give you a bit of confidence:
I'm 52. The last time I got on a bike before this month was 36 years ago as a teen!!
I fully expected to be wobbling and falling all over the place.
I borrowed a friend's bike and got on, started down the back road and to my amazement I did not wobble too much or fall! They say you never forget, but I hadn't believed it til then.
Anyway, she lent me her bike for a few weeks (my very OWN bike is now on order) and I practiced circling etc in empty parking lots for a few days. Then I started biking around our small town. Then I did a hilly 18 mile trip, and a level 20 mile back country roads/highway trip. All in a couple of weeks!

I'm still not too agile yet but I'm getting better every day. Don't worry, it'll come back to you!

[Bluetree]

That's awesome, Lisa, thanks for the encouragement.

Well, I called, visited or e-mailed another half-dozen LBS around here about picking up a rental or trade-in. Not only couldn't they help me, but most were not very supportive - a few almost disdainful, IMHO. Not one of them offered any suggestions or help (all of them were men).

I'm really flabbergasted at this attitude. I mean, seeing it as a business owner... don't they realize how much money WOMEN spend??? Not only on bike parts, but on shorts, accessories, clothing etc. Eventually, I plan on plunking down $1500-$2000 for a bike, and these guys just blew my business.
If only I could find a store as helpful a this Forum...!

Joy

[KnottedYet]

Just maybe, try REI? The larger stores do rent equipment, and their house brand comes in a 47 cm in most models.

I'm personally very unhappy with REI's bike folks, but their bikes seem pretty decent. (I keep thinkin' maybe I should apply to work in the bike department at my local REi because I'm pretty sure I know more about the darn bikes than the employees do....)

[fatbottomedgurl]

I'm pretty sure I know more about the darn bikes than the employees do....)

That's how I feel about Home Depot.

[Trek420]

Summit Bikes in Burlingame rents bikes. Did you try them? TE member Velogirl works there too.