Advice for 1st time purchase

First suggestion: Go to your local bicycle shop and test ride several bicycles of different types. Then go to some more bicycle shops and try out their bicycles. It is vitally important that you get a bicycle that fits and that means that some measurements of your body, not just your height, need to be taken into account. A bicycle that does not fit well is normally uncomfortable and most people will not stick with something that is uncomfortable. Most newbies do not know what size bicycle fits them and the charts that are listed on most online bicycle seller's websites are good for about 75% of the folks using them (the ones who are shaped and proportioned like the other 75%) but that leaves the other 25% (those with slightly non-standard body shapes and proportions) in a not so good position. Your Local Bicycle Shops are not only looking to sell you a bike but are also interested in all of the follow on business that you might give them, be it maintenence, accessories, referrals to your freinds, and future bicycle purchases that you make for yourself. Therefore, most LBSs will make sure that the bike that they sell you is the right size for you and that you are comfortable on it so that you will bring them your follow on business.

OK, now that we have the fit out of the way, Yes a women's specific bike would be best for you unless you are built like a man. Your LBS can help you out with that. A standard derailleur only reguires cleaning a little more often than an internal geared hub, and more frequent lubrication. That's not really a lot unless you ride in the rains, snow, and mud. Both of them require lubrication though, and cable adjustments. If you are on a budget, you will save money going with a derailleur rather than with an infernally geared hub. It wll be easier on the bike mechanic if you have shift performance issuesbecause he can see what is going on with a derailleur.

Electra's are very nice bikes but rather expensive. They are sort of a status symbol on the trails(sort of like a Cadilac Escalade is on the highway). You can get just as nice of a bike for less if you shop for a Trek, Cannondale, Specialized, Raliegh, or any one of the standard quality bicycle manufacturers.

Micargi is junk!!!! This is a bike that is made of heavy high tensile steel. It has the lowest quality everything on it. And it is a "one size fits all" which just means that if their bicycle does not fit you....too bad! Stay away from that and any of the big box store bikes.

Oh, I almost forgot, REI does have a good selection of bikes and their staff is generally pretty knowledgeable, so if you have one nearby, definitely check them out.

kdelong said:

First suggestion: Go to your local bicycle shop and test ride several bicycles of different types. Then go to some more bicycle shops and try out their bicycles. It is vitally important that you get a bicycle that fits and that means that some measurements of your body, not just your height, need to be taken into account. A bicycle that does not fit well is normally uncomfortable and most people will not stick with something that is uncomfortable. Most newbies do not know what size bicycle fits them and the charts that are listed on most online bicycle seller's websites are good for about 75% of the folks using them (the ones who are shaped and proportioned like the other 75%) but that leaves the other 25% (those with slightly non-standard body shapes and proportions) in a not so good position. Your Local Bicycle Shops are not only looking to sell you a bike but are also interested in all of the follow on business that you might give them, be it maintenence, accessories, referrals to your freinds, and future bicycle purchases that you make for yourself. Therefore, most LBSs will make sure that the bike that they sell you is the right size for you and that you are comfortable on it so that you will bring them your follow on business.
OK, now that we have the fit out of the way, Yes a women's specific bike would be best for you unless you are built like a man.

Oddly, bikes made for women often don't fit as well as those made for men. I accompanied a friend's wife today as she shopped for a road bike. She certainly does not have male dimensions, yet the most comfortable bike for her of the many looked at today was a Trek but not one of their WSD frames. The other frame that fit well was a Giant Avail, but the Trek trumped that. She's got the Trek for a few days so that she can test ride longer. The geometry differences between the Avail and the Trek were virtually non-existent. I'd recommend the OP try both men's and women's frames. We need a sticky about buying new bikes. It'd be a good reading for people new to the sport. Do the people running this forum put up stickies?

Thanks kdelong for your helpful advice! I do realize i need to get in-store and try out the bikes but since I don't even know how to ride one yet (blush) I'm thinking I wouldn't even know what felt right. I'm hoping to educate myself a little bit first and then go in. Happily, I wouldn't call my body "oddly shaped" but rather average and petite :-). I was talking to my brother on the phone tonight and he called the electra bikes "granny bikes." He thinks I should get a Brodie - we live in the Lower Mainland in BC, Canada and it's a local company with a solid reputation he says. He also doesn't like the Electra's linear pull brakes and says they are old technology and I should get one with a disc brake. The closest thing that I am looking for offered by Brodie are the following - any thoughts? He likes the technology - he's all about the specs (which I personally don't understand) of a Brodie and I like the style and comfort of the Electra. He'll probably win... damn him ;P

http://www.brodiebikes.com/2012/bikes/pax.php

http://www.brodiebikes.com/2012/bikes/sterling.php

Surprisingly, the Electra doesn't seem to be that much more expensive than other brands I've been looking at like the Brodies and Raleigh. Mostly about the same ballpark...
Thanks for the lowdown on the micargi too!

Alienator
Thanks for the tip on trying both men's and women's frames. Goodness, this is turning into quite the quest. Ha! A sticky would be helpful! I am certainly very appreciative of anyone who takes the time and makes the effort to help out a newbie like me! [IMG]/img/vbsmilies/smilies/smile.gif[/IMG]

"Lowdown" is appropriate for the Micargi. I am not familiar with Broadie but the specs are OK. As good as the Electra's anyway. We don't have an REI in this area and it is rare to see one out in public. They do have distinctive styling and attract a bit of attention in this area. But they also seem to cost a little more when I talk to people that I see riding them. Maybe it is the shipping since we don't have local distribution.

For alienator, back when Steve switched to this forum program, all of the stickies disappeared. When people asked or complained about their disapperance, the reply was that this program does not support stickies. It would be nice if we had one so that we did not have to answer the same questions over and over again.