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Date: 23 May 2007 22:01:54
From: ralegre65@gmail.com
Subject: New Bike
How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
experts have would be helpful.
Thanks,
Rich





 
Date: 25 May 2007 05:19:10
From: Qui si parla Campagnolo
Subject: Re: New Bike
On May 24, 6:36 am, Just A User <k...@up-yours-spammer.net > wrote:
> ralegr...@gmail.com wrote:
> > How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
> > to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
> > a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
> > would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
> > each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
> > lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
> > experts have would be helpful.
> > Thanks,
> > Rich
>
> I agree with most of the info you have already received. About test
> rides, ride as many as you can, wait a week or two, then ride the same
> bikes again, then let the bike choose you, this will make sense after
> you ride them for the second time. About bicycle shops, some are very
> helpful, some are not. Same goes for the guys that work at them. Some
> shops will only let you ride around the parking lot, others will let you
> ride "around the neighborhood" a bit.

And some, with a credit card and driver's license, will let you ride
the bike for a couple of hours, like we do. Not many will do this but
some will. Ya just gotta ask.
>
> Ken




 
Date: 25 May 2007 01:22:19
From: Michael Press
Subject: Re: New Bike
In article
<1179982914.628558.289150@h2g2000hsg.googlegroups.com >,
"ralegre65@gmail.com" <ralegre65@gmail.com > wrote:

> How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
> to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
> a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
> would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
> each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
> lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
> experts have would be helpful.

What kind of hills on the commute? What kind of hills
generally in your area? For long rides you probably
should get drop bars. Fitting a bicycle is a job. As
_you_ become more fit you need to readjust the bicycle.
It is complicated. It can be done, and it is fun; but
do not expect it to be perfect initially.

Start talking to people at bicycle shops. They want to
sell you a bicycle; however some want to get you onto a
suitable bicycle as well. Good luck.

--
Michael Press


 
Date: 24 May 2007 08:36:09
From: Just A User
Subject: Re: New Bike
ralegre65@gmail.com wrote:
> How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
> to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
> a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
> would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
> each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
> lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
> experts have would be helpful.
> Thanks,
> Rich
>

I agree with most of the info you have already received. About test
rides, ride as many as you can, wait a week or two, then ride the same
bikes again, then let the bike choose you, this will make sense after
you ride them for the second time. About bicycle shops, some are very
helpful, some are not. Same goes for the guys that work at them. Some
shops will only let you ride around the parking lot, others will let you
ride "around the neighborhood" a bit.

Ken


 
Date: 24 May 2007 04:54:12
From: Rich
Subject: Re: New Bike
On May 24, 1:27 am, "Bill Sornson" <a...@ask.me > wrote:
> ralegr...@gmail.com wrote:
> > How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
> > to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
> > a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
> > would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
> > each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
> > lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
> > experts have would be helpful.
> > Thanks,
> > Rich
>
> Visit a few (more than one!) "Local Bike Shops" (LBSs), look around and ask
> questions. You should ANSWER a lot of questions, too, like the info above.
> (Intended use, budget, experience, etc.)
>
> Test ride a few bikes. Then a few more. Buy the one that /feels/ best and
> makes you want to ride it every time you look at it.
>
> The "vibe" you get at the LBS is almost always even more important than the
> bike selection. If they don't take the time to truly help you, walk out the
> door.
>
> Good luck, and report back on how it goes!
>
> Bill S.
>
> PS: Get the red one :)

How long of a ride should I go on? Well most LBS let me do this? I
am a little weary that they might feel this entitles me to buy the
bike.
Thanks for the info,
Rich



  
Date: 24 May 2007 21:57:14
From: Michael Warner
Subject: Re: New Bike
On 24 May 2007 04:54:12 -0700, Rich wrote:

> How long of a ride should I go on? Well most LBS let me do this? I
> am a little weary that they might feel this entitles me to buy the
> bike.

I think you mean "requires". If it helps, mention beforehands that you're
still looking around and not planning to buy on the spot. If they lose
interest at that point, you've avoided an awkward situation.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw


   
Date: 25 May 2007 04:42:41
From: wizardB
Subject: Re: New Bike
Michael Warner wrote:
> On 24 May 2007 04:54:12 -0700, Rich wrote:
>
>> How long of a ride should I go on? Well most LBS let me do this? I
>> am a little weary that they might feel this entitles me to buy the
>> bike.
>
> I think you mean "requires". If it helps, mention beforehands that you're
> still looking around and not planning to buy on the spot. If they lose
> interest at that point, you've avoided an awkward situation.
>
Bike fit isn't about feel it's a group of measurements of body and limb
taken at different point of the stoke,when you first ride a bike that is
properly fitted to your body it might not feel quite right until you've
ridden it enough to get your body in the proper position.


    
Date: 25 May 2007 21:17:06
From: Michael Warner
Subject: Re: New Bike
On Fri, 25 May 2007 04:42:41 GMT, wizardB wrote:

> Bike fit isn't about feel it's a group of measurements of body and limb
> taken at different point of the stoke,when you first ride a bike that is
> properly fitted to your body it might not feel quite right until you've
> ridden it enough to get your body in the proper position.

That's the problem for people who haven't bought a road bike before.
They don't really know what ought to feel right for them.

--
Home page: http://members.westnet.com.au/mvw


 
Date: 23 May 2007 23:27:04
From: Bill Sornson
Subject: Re: New Bike
ralegre65@gmail.com wrote:
> How do I go about finding a bike that fits and works for what I want
> to do. I understand that this is the most important part about buying
> a bike, but considering I have not rode a bike in ten years... What I
> would like to do is commute back and for to school. Its about 17 miles
> each way or so. Ultimately I would like to do a century ride buts
> lets see how I handle school and back. Any advice you bicycling
> experts have would be helpful.
> Thanks,
> Rich

Visit a few (more than one!) "Local Bike Shops" (LBSs), look around and ask
questions. You should ANSWER a lot of questions, too, like the info above.
(Intended use, budget, experience, etc.)

Test ride a few bikes. Then a few more. Buy the one that /feels/ best and
makes you want to ride it every time you look at it.

The "vibe" you get at the LBS is almost always even more important than the
bike selection. If they don't take the time to truly help you, walk out the
door.

Good luck, and report back on how it goes!

Bill S.

PS: Get the red one :)