Pre-newbie looking for guidance!

[NbyNW]

Wow . . . we've been so focused on spending your money on a new bike that we haven't really addressed some of the other questions in your original post!

We're all going to have our opinions about materials & components, etc. This is a community where people have a great deal of love for their bikes! Your choice should be shaped by your goals, what you're willing to spend, and whatever else might be important to you with this purchase.

You should feel comfortable that your LBS will spend the time to do a proper fitting. Getting a good fitting will go a long way towards your enjoyment of your bike. Regardless of what it's made of.

Fit was what pretty much led me to steel. As a petite person, a lot of "small" production bikes were too big for me. Or not in stock/available for test ride. When I finally found a bike that fit me, it happened to be steel, and I loved it . . . initially because of the fit, but also because it was such a comfortable ride. Maybe I'll consider something lighter in the future if I fall in love with racing, but that's a decision for another time.

Re: clipless pedals & proper shifting. There's a ton of information available on this board, but also you should be able to talk to your fitter about any questions you have about components. There are different kinds of clipless pedals -- some feel that some types are easier to get in & out of or have a quicker learning curve. I have bad knees and a bad hip so my fitter recommended Speedplay Frogs, and they've worked really well for me.

Finally, I would definitely encourage you to find others to ride with in our area. I still consider myself something of a newbie, and riding with others is a great way to learn!

[Geonz]

There's so much difference in what people end up really liking that I would recommend getting something affordable that feels good. THen you can find out what direction your addiction will take.

I love all my bikes

[tulip]

You could have the nicest, smoothest, butteriest titanium bike out there, but if it doesn't fit, you'll have no fun riding it.

Fit is first and foremost. Materials are secondary.

[Trek420]

You could have the nicest, smoothest, butteriest titanium bike out there, but if it doesn't fit, you'll have no fun riding it.

Fit is first and foremost. Materials are secondary.

Yep! Yep! I'd rather ride my $200 bike that fits than a $5 grand bike that does not. (well, the $5k bike fits too )

[mooseamerica]

Thank you everybody for being so willing to share. I am very overwhelmed. I died when I read the post that I should test drive for 10 miles....I'm too much of a greenhorn to get out on the road yet! I need to get used to shifting, the feel, everything!

Wow again. I'm going to continue to shop, and I'll take some longer test rides. I'm running a half marathon this weekend, so shopping is on hold for now. I'll check out Bianchi too.

I'm thinking that I'll probably go for something cheap with the intention of learning for the next bike in a couple of years. I'm still open to more suggestions though!

Thanks again!

moo

[Trek420]

I'm thinking that I'll probably go for something cheap with the intention of learning for the next bike in a couple of years.

Get the best frame you can afford. You may fall in love with the bike and upgrade the heck out of it as you wear parts out with miles of happy riding.

My namesake Trek420 originally cost about $400.00, but the time I was done with it I would have needed a Trek 5200 or so to get equal parts.

[LBTC]

Okay, I'll admit, I did not read all of the posts above.

I have had an aluminum frame that was a little too large, and now ride a carbon fibre bike that fits me correctly. The first bike length on my carbon fibre bike, on our rough paved road, and I was in love. If I had bought it sooner, I would have ridden it so much more over the years.

I just saw that a fellow TEer has a carbon bike for sale, that looks like good spec and good geometry for a newbie like you. It's a good price, (1/3 what I paid for mine), and might be in your price range.
http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=22830

Absolutely most important is that the bike fit you. You'll love carbon fibre, but stick with your budget and buy what feels best. I totally agree with that. And don't forget, with your budget, you'll need to spend on helmet, shoes, gloves, and clothing. Look for deals where you can, and try lots of stuff on.

When it comes to shifting, learning the pedals, biking strategy, motivation, come on back - these ladies are awesome!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Brandi]

$0.50 tour & over generalization of bike frames:

Steel - buttery smooth ride, inexpensive, repairable! - crash it into the carport, get it fixed, beautiful, classic heavy . Don't drool on mine, it'll rust.


Aluminum- fast, light, zippy, stiff, CHEAP, stiff responsive sprinting machine . you'll feel every candy bar wrapper you go over .

Carbon - fast, light, zippy, stiff take out a 2nd mortgage expensive, has less "road feel", feels dead

Ti - buttery smooth steel-like ride, light, fast , sell your soul on e-Bay EXPENSIVE, some find it "noodly", not stiff enough for sprinters or climbing .

Now, enter the designer!!! And the builder and your LBS!

With the right combination Ti can be stiff, zippy, with the buttery steel-like ride, carbon can have great road feel and still be a racing machine (but they are still both expensive-sorry, nothing changes that), aluminum can be comfortable and still zippy yet inexpensive and steel .... now, nothing rides like steel and steel can be light.

Now, get out there and find your LBS (that's local bike shop) and try bikes, try bikes, try bikes! What are you doing reading this? We're living through you, all the thrill of hunting for the right bike but with your money

Get out there and we want to hear the ride reports.

*disclosure, I have 3 bikes and counting, all steel ranging from a free-project bike, a 25 year old commuter, to Italian full-custom dream machine. Yeah, I like steel too but they are all great bikes!

You forgot Magnesium!

[Brandi]

I have a giant xp (Aluminum) with road tires right now. Hard tail. I feel very stable on it no matter where I ride it. Oh my tires do have nobbies just on the outside of the tire so if I hit any gravel or sand i won't slide like if you had regular road tires on. It is a kinda a hybrid bike my dh built for me. I take on and off the road.