Questions about bikes...

[ribbit_zap]

Hey Everyone! I just joined...you ladies seem really nice, and I could really use some advice. I really want to start cycling. I was on the rowing team in college and received a fairly severe back injury from it, so I am limited in what I can do. I am also asthmatic, and I have heard that cycling is really good for people with asthma because it is "easier on the lungs". Any truth?

My second question. What kind of bike should I get? I have read some of the other posts about specific bikes, but what type of bikes did you guys start out with? I have looked at a bunch of different kinds online, but I definitely haven't made any decisions yet. Are the women's designs good? I have been doing some cycling classes and the bikes in the ususal cardio area of the gym, but I am ready for a road adventure. Plus, I live in Southern California. Are there any good places to ride besides streets? Any good roads out in the middle of nowhere? (is that even possible in southern california?)

Thank you so much! I am really excited to get started, but I have no idea where to start! Thanks for your help!

[KnottedYet]

The first question I would want to ask is: what do you want to do with this bike? When you imagine yourself riding it, how are you riding and where are you riding?

[Popoki_Nui]

Definitely check with your doctor re your asthma. I have exercise-induced asthma and bronchitis; hard riding -especially in dry/hot/cold- weather causes me problems. If you intend to ride hard, you will be working your lungs as hard as rowing, so be careful.

Welcome to TE!

~Sherry.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Also, you say you suffered a "fairly severe back injury". That would definitely effect what kind of bike you'd be wanting. I would suggest you go to a good bike store and test ride the differences between "hybrid" bikes and "road" bikes. Your body position will be quite different on the two types. Try them out- that's way better than just listening to other people's suggestions or bike store sales pitches. Once you've test ridden 10 various bikes, you will know first hand a lot more about what people are talking about. And it's free!

[aicabsolut]

Also, you say you suffered a "fairly severe back injury". That would definitely effect what kind of bike you'd be wanting. I would suggest you go to a good bike store and test ride the differences between "hyrid" bikes and "road" bikes. Your body position will be quite different on the two types. Try them out- that's way better than just listening to other people's suggestions or bike store sales pitches. Once you've test ridden 10 various bikes, you will know first hand a lot more about what people are talking about. And it's free!

Ditto. Think about what surfaces you want to ride on (road, off-road), and what body position you need for your back.

As far as geometry, women's bikes are great for some but not for all. It depends on your build. But not all unisex bikes are created equal, even for road bikes. Some have a more upright position (and can be modified even more so with some stem changes etc) than others that are more aggressive for racing.

Go to the shop, describe your goals and limitations to them, and then get on and start riding. If something is really wrong, you'll know it fast. If something feels good, go back and ride it a few more times, and try a longer ride (even if slow) to see if any problems will start to nag you after a while that don't seem like a big deal in the first few minutes.

[HappyAnika]

As far as the asthma goes, I also have asthma, and I have never breathed so hard with my heart pounding so fast as on my bike going up a steep long hill. (For comparison I jog, do aerobics, snowshoe, and hike at high altitudes). Luckily my asthma is easily controlled with my inhaler so I don't consider it a set back. I would say that cycling can be as easy or hard on the lungs as you want it to be, depending on where you ride, how long you ride, and how hard you ride.

I have women's specific road bike, Trek 1500 WSD, which fits me well. Its all about the fit and the only way you'll know which bikes work for you is to go test ride them. For some women, women's specific just doesn't work. Good luck.