new to cycling

CindySue48

Hi Rick. Haven't bought one yet. Neck decided to start acting up, so I've been limited in what I can do the last few weeks. I'm glad it happened when it did....I would have blamed the bike if it had acted up after I started riding!

I found a new bike store today....The Green Machine in Carrboro. It's right near the butcher I go to for bones, etc for my dogs, so it's convenient, even tho it's in CH and I'm in N Durham (county, right outside city)

The salesperson at GM was very nice, knew a lot about bikes, reassured me that they'd have me test-ride, and all adjustments would be made. I've also tried 2 other The Bicicyle Chain stores, in CH and Durham....I really didn't find their sales people very helpful. It was like they expected me to know what I want! Performance ignored me, so they're out.

The bike at GM is a Gary Fisher. Tuburon S. I just came online to see if I could find out any info on these bikes.

You mention the Tobacco Trail....is this safe for a lone rider? Lone female rider? I don't currently have any friends that ride, so until I'm comfortable enough and a bit more physically fit so I can join a riding club, I'm on my own. I originally wanted to teach my dogs to ride with me....but a friend who is a triathelete warned against it. She does it, but only after years of riding and working with her dog in other areas. I'm not the paranoid type, and usually feel quite comfortable wherever I am (even downtown Durham! lol), but i also avoid situations that can put me in a compromising position.

Thanks for posting!

Once I figure this out and get going I'll be a lot happier! With the weather getting nicer I'm really looking forward to riding!

unicos

I don’t know what your budget is but I would recommend the Trek 7.X or 7XXX. The 7000’s have a front shock and the 7.X’s don’t. Both should do what you are looking for and provide a price range to meet the budget. I would say you will need a 17.5” or a 20” frame. Basic strategy is that a larger frame is more comfortable, and a smaller frame is more maneuverable. Have the LBS fit you. Most people don’t fit a frame perfectly and are between two sizes. You will then need to pick the one that feels best to you. They should let you take them for a little spin; at least around the parking lot. It’s amazing what you can get from a parking lot test ride.

CindySue48

I've been looking at the Trek 7000 and 7100 online and think I agree that it might be a good fit.

I'm a bit agravated in that when I go into the bike shops they're pointing me towards comfort bikes when I clearly specify hybrid. They say "the lines are blurring" between the categories, but reading the manufacturers sites it seems to me that there's a big difference!

I am overweight....one of the reasons I want a bike. Maybe that's one reason they're so big on selling me those?

Also, I'm about 5'8", but with long legs and arms. Can't find my tape measure, but I've always needed at least 34-35" inseams for jeans, etc....and have a lot of trouble finding women's long-sleve shirts that are long enough. I'm not sure if I should go for a "women's" bike or not. Thoughts?

unicos

Based on height and inseam I don’t think a WSD is necessary. It doesn’t hurt to try one if it’s available. I think you would be at the top of the available frame sizes in WSD. My thought would be a standard frame. I don’t understand why the LBS would be steering you towards the comfort bikes unless you are talking about going on a lot of unpaved paths. The wider tires, on the comfort bikes, would be much better for that. If you are going to stay on the road and paved paths then the 7 series Treks would be best.

gclark8

Try the Giant FCR range: http://www.giant-bicycle.com/us/030...6.asp?range=254

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RickF

I think the American Tobacco Trail is safe during daylight hours. The Durham County portion from NC 54 at Southpoint Crossing to the Durham Bulls Athletic Park is all through urban areas and, for the most part, runs parallel to Fayetteville Road. I have seen several single females either jogging or biking along that section. My daughter and her fiance ride that section. It is paved, so any bike will work there. The Durham County portion south of NC 54 and the Wake County portion are granite screenings. I would not want to ride that section on a bike with tires smaller than 32 mm, but the Trek 7xxx series (700x35 mm tires) or the Specalized Expedition series (700x38 mm tires) are perfect for that portion.

The salesman is correct that the lines between comfort and hybrid are blurred. There is a continum from mountain to comfort to hybrid to cyclecross to comfort road to road bikes. The "comfort" bikes have the same tires (generally 26x1.95") as mountain bikes, but much lighter frames and slightly higher gear ratios. Some manufacturers also classify these as "hybrids" The bikes you are calling "hybrid" generally have 700x38mm or 700x35mm tires, a chainring that typically is larger than a mountain bike, but smaller than a road bike, and a cassette that has a much wider range of gears (11 to 32 teeth) than a road bike (12 to 25 teeth). The frame is heavier than a road bike, but lighter than a mountain bike. Cyclecross bikes have 700x35 or 700x32 mm tires, gear ratios similar to hybrid bikes, but frames similar to road bikes. The comfort road bikes typically have 700x32mm or 700x28m tires with gear ratios like a road bike and a light frame but with a more upright riding position than a road bike. The road bikes typically have 700x25mm or 700x23mm tires and a more layed out riding position than the comfort road bike.

I would look at the WSD bikes, if you can find one with an extra large frame. In general, the WSD bikes have a shorter top tube length (reach) for the standover height than a men's bike. I am 6'0" but only have a 30" inseam, so obviously, I need a bike with a shorter standover height, but a longer top tube length than you would. Try them both, and see what feels best to you. If you were like two of my daughters, who cannot find women's shirts that are long enough to reach their waist, then you probably would be better off with a men's frame. My other daughter has long legs and a short torso. She ended up with a WSD bike.

I weighed 262 pounds in December. I have been riding for an hour a day three or four days per week, and now I am 225. When I loose 5 more pounds I will go from "obese" to "overweight". My goal weight is 180. I ride a Specalized Crossroads Elite, which is similar to the Trek 7300. I have had the bike for almost two years, but I have only been riding regularly for about five months. There is no problem with that bike standing up to my weight.

beatupoldvet

Saddle height:

Rule of thumb is to put heel of shoe (that you'll be riding in) on pedal with the pedal at its lowest position. Your leg should be slightly bent but you should be able to straighten it without raising your rear off the saddle.

If the frame is the correct size, you should still be able to put the ball of your foot on the ground, or at least steady yourself with your big toe.

A word of warning however - if you really get the bug, you will need to earn more work bonuses

CindySue48

Thanks for the explaination. It's more info than I've been able to figure out on my own. When I say "Confort bikes" talking about what they're trying to sell me, I'm talking about bikes that are basically "cruisers" but with gears (Cruiser/beach bike, like what I had as a kid) These are bikes that are for "leisure riding". I want to do a bit more than that. I am not interested in racing, but would like to get a work-out when I ride.


I'm going to try both. I've got long legs, but I also have a long torso. Basically my pelvis is short. "low cut" pants are waisted on me. "High waist" is up to my chest! On reason I always liked men's jeans was because they're not cut as high in the pelvis.....well back in the day that is.


Great job on the weight loss! Crossroads is definitly one I'm considering. I was going to stop by one of the bike shops today, but got there too late. I think I'm going to one closer to home tho....oh I don't know....the more I think about it the more confused I get!

CindySue48

Thanks....good to know. I am probably going to start off with the seat lower....so I feel more confident in putting my foot down if I need to. But I figure get fitted with the seat at the right height, then lowering it.

Is this with the seat at the correct position? How do you tell if the seat should go higher or the frame bigger?

Oh well....at least if it happens it's a good way to spend my money!

RickF

Frame size depends on two things - the height of the top tube and the length of the top tube. You should be able to stand over the bike with both feet flat on the ground and have at least 1" clearance between you and the top tube. The length of the top tube determines the reach to the handle bars while you are sitting in the saddle. WSD models have a shorter reach in proportion to the standover height than do men's or unisex models.

Even though the ideal situation would be to match both the reach and the standover height, the reality is that one of these will limit the other. Once you have the best frame size, then the seat height should be adjusted as beatupoldvet suggested. It is normal to have to lean to one side to reach the ground while sitting in the saddle. The saddle is too high if you are not able to reach the pedal with your heel when the pedal is all the way down, but since the pedal is higher than the ground, you will not be able to stand flatfooted while sitting in the saddle.

If you ride for any length of time with the saddle too low, you can experience knee pain.

Geonz

It's a **lot** better with the seat at the right place, and easier on things like knees.

The putting feet down thing is what inspired these:
http://www.breezerbikes.com/index.c...FTOKEN=77369438

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gtd

Hope your search is going well. Here's my experience (my wife's, that is.)

She bought a hybrid -- an Iron Horse Adventure. Not expensive, but a good bike. It does not have the best components (gears, etc.), but she loved the looks of it, and pride in ownership goes a long way to actually getting on the bike and riding it. It's all she needs or wants, because unlike me she is not hard on a bike.

You see, I will ride my road bike through the yard, on a 100-mile charity ride, to work with a loaded backpack, etc. And then I'll fix all the broken stuff before the next ride.

My wife (who also is tall, like you) rides a few miles at most at moderate speeds. She wants to have fun and get moderate exercise. She doesn't need the best of the best, she needs what she likes.

So the most important things are these:

1. Proper fit. The hybrid provides an upright fit, which is great for her back (replacement disc surgery) and neck ("slipped disc") problems. If you get one with front or seat suspension that might help a little, too.

2. The hybrid has gearing designed for moderate riding, more toward comfort than speed. This means that you can climb hills without exhausting yourself. You need that low gear for slow, easy crawls up steep hills.

3. Don't worry about hand brakes, just learn to use them. They are much better and safer, once you get accustomed to how they work.

4. Get your bike from a good bike shop, as you know, where you'll get good professional service.

5. Bike shorts -- if you do a little research you'll find that bike shorts are a must for long rides. You'll also find (ask at the bike shop too -- they'll tell you this) that you do not wear underwear with bike shorts. Why? Because the padding is designed to touch your skin to prevent chafing. Seams from underwear or pants, like jeans, cause the chafing. If you ever have a chafing problem there, you will not repeat your mistake! The padding is not really meant to "pad" your sitting position like a pillow, it is really meant to eliminate any friction to that area caused by your bicycling movements.

I hope you get on that bike really soon!

gtd

Topsi1208

Hi Cindy,
Colorado Cycling has a very good explanation of how to measure yourself to fit on a bike. It takes into consideration all seat, height, reach & everything. If you like your handlebars high, you may need to buy a Hybrid & then get a longer stem for the handlebars. Also try Women's specific designs by Trek and Windsor. The crosstubes are shorter so you aren't so stretched out on the bike. Happy cycling!

CindySue48

Well, I finally got my bike!

Picked it up today, bought it at the closest bike store, about 8miles away. I got a Specialised Crossroads. It's not the women's bike, but it does seem like an excellent fit. I also checked out what they had for Trek bikes, but none in my price range were the right size. Got the helmet, lock, and water bottle too!

I rode around in my yard for a few minutes before heading out to the street. It's amazing....but I guess you don't ever forget how to ride! lol

Thanks to all for your help! It was nice going back to the store with some knowlege of how the bike should fit! The sales woman was much nicer and much more helpful than the guy I ran into first time in this shop.