Before it starts Snowing!

[Shell R]

I want a bike and I want to ride it a few times before we're buried under six feet of snow. HELP! I live in the far North, in a town with short summers and some harsh hills. But we also have some great bike trails and a bike-friendly downtown area. I just want to get back to the cycling I loved thirty years ago. And there's the problem. I've been away from it and I don't really have someone here to advise me. Two years ago I decided to buy a bike. Bought a cheap one I was told by the salesperson would be "a comfortable commuter with no frills." All true, but the bike felt too big, seemed slow and heavy, and really, really, ...maroon. I felt I was stretched from saddle to grips, and it never felt like we belonged together. I sadly put it in the garage, figuring it was my problem. But all summer I've watched people of all ages gliding by while I walk. And then, I bought a bike for my daughter for her birthday, and that did it. But my last experience has me nervous and all the online info has me confused. I can get sized ok, but ...where do you go to get a matchmaker for a bicycle? I hear all these names. And I see postings here of people who LOVE their bikes. Locally I know we have Specialized, Giant and Trek. But how do they stack up to the names I see here in these forums? I KNOW, if I don't love it, I won't ride it. So please, some kind experienced person, HELP! Where is the e-harmony for middle-aged women looking for a serious relationship with a two-wheeler?

[Biciclista]

cute post, welcome to TE. I guess part of the loveaffair, the "matchmaker" or the person who sells you the bike is important. go to your LBS's (Local bike shops) and see who is nice to you. Who really takes an interest in what you want and what you need and if that bike he/she has really fits you. A specialized, a giant, and a Trek, these are all good bikes, the special ingredient is someone who can help you find the one that fits you!

[spokewench]

I'm really not that up on new bikes these days so I have not advice except find a good LBS where you are comfortable!

[tytbody]

Hi Shell R. I'm Cheryl. I live in MA and your post was just great. Great because that's almost like where i"m at. I feel you. I like how you said *matchmaker*. I never looked at purchasing a bike this way. Now I see... there is a difference. Just speaking from someone who has never rode in races but just wants to ride for fun as I've loved since learning at under age 12.

now it sheds like on all conversations when people say, *it's like riding a bike*. You don't forget. No matter how many years. I get bike envy when I see kids riding and wish I could ride like I used to. Stopped because life got in the way and it drifted.

Well, just today, I found my matchmaker. I didn't know what it was until you posted this. I had been to two other cycle shops... got info.. and left..

Today, I left really feeling like, this is my Bike. !!! it was not there in person to try out but I trust the lady, Beth. Awesome. Just so much different then the last two sales people I had contact with. I think it was her knowledge, her description of what I needed. Her checking out my leg length, torso, how I wanted to sit explaining the different bikes. and it was all GOOD.

I'M 56 and so look forward to smiling again just bike riding. Someone on here will direct you to stores and you go from there. I'm thankful to Cathy for giving me leads and I followed.

you know what got me, the smile on the ladies face from their website also. I felt she had a personal interest in me. And yes, I also chose a Specialized bike, or did it choose me. ??

[ny biker]

One important decision is the type of bike you want -- hybrid, comfort, road, mountain, etc. What kind of riding do you want to do? Flat trails? Tackling those hills? On pavement, off, both? Running errands or just cruising around for fun and exercise, or both? Long rides lasting for hours?

[Owlie]

Please don't mention snow. Despite this summer's crazy weather, I'm not ready to see it again!

Decide what type of bike you want and what you'll be doing with it. Will you be riding paved trails and roads? Unpaved trails? Will you be hitting those hills or riding on fairly flat roads and rail-trails? Why do you want the bike?(Commuting, errands, exercise, etc. A combination?) What's your budget?

Answer those questions, and go to a reputable bike shop. Go to several. Tell them the answers to those questions, and they'll help you. If you feel pressured to buy what's on the floor, go somewhere else. Ask to test everything they show you (that you might be interested in, and even some that you're not for comparison purposes), and see if they'll let you do test rides beyond the parking lot. It may feel good in the parking lot, but 10 miles in you might be in pain.

Specialized, Giant and Trek make good bikes...if they fit!

[lph]

Before it starts...?... LA-LA-LAAAAA, I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!

*pulls fingers momentarily out of ears to say*

Yes, do find a friendly bike shop. If you don't feel it's friendly, go find another one. You'll know, if you tell them you want a bike that will make you love biking and their faces light up, that's the place. And welcome

[Velocivixen]

I rode bikes from age 10-24, then bought a car. After that I bought several "wrong" bikes (sort of like your story) and didn't ride much. I HIGHLY recommend that you seek out the book, recommended to me by folks here, "Every Woman's Guide to Cycling" by Selene Yeager and read CHAPTER 2. There is a wonderful questionairre in this chapter and based on your answers will help you narrow down the type of bike. It gives great explanations about the answers and what it means to you personally. This will totally help narrow it down. Then you will have a good foundation of a starting point. For example, I knew I wanted a drop handlebar bike. Well....there are many bikes with drop bars - race geometry, touring geometry, cyclocross geometry, etc. Part of the questionnaire asks "Who Am I", for example do you buy the best money can buy or do you go for basic function? When you start a new hobby do you stick to it like glue or is it a passing phase, etc.
Once you sort of know what type of bike you want you will find that often different shops cater to different types of riders. Portland has over 76 different bike shops & that doesn't include nearby towns. Some shops cater more to the race crowd, a few are "all purpose" type riding meaning they try to please everyone, a few are very specific to commuting, and we even have places that specialize in the cargo bikes with big boxes on the front! The only way I figured this out is by going to them all over a few months. Now I know who has what and how they treat me.
So, figure out what you want and about how much you're willing to spend (the book will guide you on that too), go to some shops and test ride many bikes, ask questions and repeat. Then come back here and will help guide you.
You can do it!

[Zippinalong]

It's like shopping for anything else, you try different brands, do some research, etc. You'll know when you find the bike you want. I was in the same position as you a year ago. It was overwhelming all the choices. But you start with one brand and work through them until you find the bike you like. Best thing to do first though is get sized. Once you know what size bike you are, then you can compare much easier.
Good luck and will find your dream bike.

[KatzPajamas]

56 years young here too! I got back into cycling in May of this year. Got loads of terrific help from the TE family. Found a fantastic bike shop with a middle aged lady cyclist who took great care of me. Also, have a patient hubby who encourged me all along the way...I have gone from having an 8 mile ride kick my butt to the 31 miler last Saturday, complete with steep hills and traffic! Go out and get info, bring your questions to the TE fam, and you too can be having the time of your life before you know it!

[Kathi]

Snow! Hard to believe it's only been 6 weeks, (July 1st) since I last skied But I'm thinking about snow already. Bought a new ski jacket and pants last week and am thinking about new skis. Mid to late Oct. I'll be skiing again.

Oops, sorry for highjacking this thread!

Shell R, I did a bike tour in Wisconsin about a month ago. We rode from Iron River to Superior then to Bayfield and back to Iron River. Superior seemed like a nice town and I'm sure you can find a bike shop that will help you find the right match.

The advice here is very good, do your research, find a good fit and have fun.

[Skierchickie]

Hmmmmm - Houghton, by any chance? If so, there is also Jamis, Felt, Norco, ......

Just go and ride bikes. Find something that feels fun. As NY Biker said, you need to figure out what type of riding you want to do, and go from there. When you go to a shop, describe your past experience, and why that bike isn't working for you.

Oh - and the brands you listed are all good brands. That doesn't mean the bottom of the line Trek would be as good as the top of the line Trek, etc. Once you ride a few, you'll get a better feel for what you like.

And we will have snow in the air in a month, and on the ground in mid-October, and (I'm hoping) covering the trails by mid-November.

[KatzPajamas]

let's not forget CANNONDALE! LOVE my Synapse

[redrhodie]

I'd get a 'cross bike, if I were you. You'll have clearance for studded tires, so you'll be able to extend your riding season into winter, which you may want to do someday (when I started riding, I never in a million years would have thought I'd like riding year round, but I do!). Skinny tires for summer, and it will be pretty much like a road bike. Thicker tires, and you can ride some trails.

Maybe check out a Specialized Tricross. I know a few people with it and they love them; but of course, fit is paramount, and it's best to work with an lbs who is nice.

[Velocivixen]

How about a Surly Cross Check? Commuters and bike mechanics ( not because it needs repairs often, but because they are bomb proof) all LOVE this bike, but I'm not biased I have one and just celebrated my 1 month anniversary with it. It is a steel bike (chro-moly), lighter than my aluminum bike, drop bars for multiple hand positions, ability to mount fenders, racks front & back, tire sizes up to 40mm with fenders. Cost about $1,075 for a 2011 model and comes in black & Robin's egg blue. Comes with slightly knobby tires but my shop switched them out for Kevlar belted smooth commuter tires.
Good luck and tell us what you think.