Advice needed for new Roadie. Please read

1. My current bike is a 52 inch-frame. It feels a little tall for me, but not too much. Would a 50 incher do, or do I definitely need a 48 inch frame?

Frames can vary somewhat depending on the manufacturer. The only way to know for sure if a frame may fit you is to try one out somewhere. It is possible that one size in one brand could be just fine but in another brand, be too big. But in general, 50 or 48 is going to be close I think.

Is there an easy way to know that you are safe when doing a paypal transaction? I have never done one, and am very apprehensive about spending more than a grand if it is not safe.

I've used paypal myself for several eBay transactions. Never for one as large as 1k but it is safe and secure.

3. Yesterday, after I completed about 85 miles, I had a very uneasy feeling in my stomach. I had to go. Luckily, there was a gas station close by where I could use the restroom, but otherwise, I would have been in quite a bit of discomfort. Is it typical to have an upset stomach during a long ride?

You might have dehydrated yourself. On a long ride especially, and when it is warmer it can come over you quickly. Now I know yesterday in MN was a bit warmer (for this summer) but not that bad, but it's likely you were dehydrated. Also just hard exertion at anything can sometimes cause an upset stomach.

I got my first road bike 2-3 weeks ago but am able to get out most everyday for between 6 to 20 miles in the mountains of New Hampshire. I was unable to find any deals on bikes in my size. I toyed with the idea of buying on the web, driving hours & the like, but when I added up the expense of driving, shipping & service it became obvious to me I had to accept the fact I was gonna pay MSRP.

Yes, I could have paid $200 less for my bike on ebay but being able to walk into the Local Bike Store(LBS), tell them my saddle hurt, walk out 20 min's later with an adjustment to try. Plus knowing I'm able to do this anytime for the next year is worth the $200.

I've been in the LBS 3 times for tweaks & adjustments (handle bars rotated, swapped saddles out, short stem etc). They've *really* worked with me to get the fit correct. The bike is almost dialed in. If I hadn't had their help, I'd be in pain.

DHinrichs said:

1. My current bike is a 52 inch-frame. It feels a little tall for me, but not too much. Would a 50 incher do, or do I definitely need a 48 inch frame?

Frames can vary somewhat depending on the manufacturer. The only way to know for sure if a frame may fit you is to try one out somewhere. It is possible that one size in one brand could be just fine but in another brand, be too big. But in general, 50 or 48 is going to be close I think.

Is there an easy way to know that you are safe when doing a paypal transaction? I have never done one, and am very apprehensive about spending more than a grand if it is not safe.

I've used paypal myself for several eBay transactions. Never for one as large as 1k but it is safe and secure.

3. Yesterday, after I completed about 85 miles, I had a very uneasy feeling in my stomach. I had to go. Luckily, there was a gas station close by where I could use the restroom, but otherwise, I would have been in quite a bit of discomfort. Is it typical to have an upset stomach during a long ride?

You might have dehydrated yourself. On a long ride especially, and when it is warmer it can come over you quickly. Now I know yesterday in MN was a bit warmer (for this summer) but not that bad, but it's likely you were dehydrated. Also just hard exertion at anything can sometimes cause an upset stomach.

52 inch ????? don´t you mean 52 centimeters ?

re the gas - if you try too hard blood gets taken from the gut and peristolsis stops so that gas / food can accumulate and stetch the intestines / bowel and cause a very intense pain . get a heart rate monitor and don´t try so hard - cycling is a hard sport and people CAN DIE from over exertion so make haste a little more slowly , a good rule is 1/2 litre of water a hour MINIMUM in warm weather - if you don´t need to pee at least every 90 mins then you are probably dehydrating yourself so remember to drink BEFORE starting your ride to charge up the system ( and empty your bladder etc ? ) and remember it´s not a competition so stop and rest periodically if you feel the need . 🙂

I bought a windsor fens from bikesdirect.com 3 weeks ago. I was also skeptical about purchasing one over the internet, but it turned out to be great. I think the problem most people have is finding the right fit so I went to a local LBS and had them take some measurements for me and emailed those measurements to bikesdirect. They told me the size I would need and told me to go and test ride a trek b/c they have similar frames. I know this isnt exact but it worked for me. I had the bike within 4 days and it was about 90% assembled. I took it to the bike shop and had it inspected and tuned and was out riding that day. I only paid $795 for it and it has above average components on it. I have been riding everyday and I have had zero problems.

I hope this helps

Hey Bhasu- try 5'6" -28" inseam, and a 46" chest and 40" waist- you got nothing on me man, I am a perfect square.

Anyway, go ride and forget about EBAY- ride it at the LBS and if I may suggest...
I know your "splittin the twins" on anything you ride over 48cm (I can't fit anything bigger then 46) so I would like to implore you to look at a compact frame. I ride a Giant Medium, which equates to a 17", a full size larger then the traditional frame type I could ride, because the top tube is sloped (and the twins intact). The other positive thing about this design is that the top tube is longer then what it would be in a traditional frame that fit me, giving me the longer cocpit I need. Check it out, I bet it fits like a glove (Giant OCR1) and its got Ultegra
Cheers

DHinrichs said:

1. My current bike is a 52 inch-frame. It feels a little tall for me, but not too much. Would a 50 incher do, or do I definitely need a 48 inch frame?

Frames can vary somewhat depending on the manufacturer. The only way to know for sure if a frame may fit you is to try one out somewhere. It is possible that one size in one brand could be just fine but in another brand, be too big. But in general, 50 or 48 is going to be close I think.

Is there an easy way to know that you are safe when doing a paypal transaction? I have never done one, and am very apprehensive about spending more than a grand if it is not safe.

I've used paypal myself for several eBay transactions. Never for one as large as 1k but it is safe and secure.

3. Yesterday, after I completed about 85 miles, I had a very uneasy feeling in my stomach. I had to go. Luckily, there was a gas station close by where I could use the restroom, but otherwise, I would have been in quite a bit of discomfort. Is it typical to have an upset stomach during a long ride?

You might have dehydrated yourself. On a long ride especially, and when it is warmer it can come over you quickly. Now I know yesterday in MN was a bit warmer (for this summer) but not that bad, but it's likely you were dehydrated. Also just hard exertion at anything can sometimes cause an upset stomach.

Thanks for your reply, DHinrichs!
It was kind of a hot day and I am pretty sure after reading the answers here that I must have been dehydrated. I have since bought a biking jersey that can hold two bottles for my future trips.

I went to a bike store in Minneapolis and test rode a colnago. I loved the ride. I could feel the smoothness that the carbon fork and seatstays bring. I didn't buy the bike, but I a pair of biking shorts, which will ease my discomfort for future rides as well.
Thanks for the reply.

adapa said:

I got my first road bike 2-3 weeks ago but am able to get out most everyday for between 6 to 20 miles in the mountains of New Hampshire. I was unable to find any deals on bikes in my size. I toyed with the idea of buying on the web, driving hours & the like, but when I added up the expense of driving, shipping & service it became obvious to me I had to accept the fact I was gonna pay MSRP.

Yes, I could have paid $200 less for my bike on ebay but being able to walk into the Local Bike Store(LBS), tell them my saddle hurt, walk out 20 min's later with an adjustment to try. Plus knowing I'm able to do this anytime for the next year is worth the $200.

I've been in the LBS 3 times for tweaks & adjustments (handle bars rotated, swapped saddles out, short stem etc). They've *really* worked with me to get the fit correct. The bike is almost dialed in. If I hadn't had their help, I'd be in pain.

I like the idea of buying from a LBS, but there are two viable ones in my area. I am certainly not buying from one of those because they treated my friend, who they used to employ, unfairly. I am not having them make money off me. I will check out Scheels once again now that I know more about bikes. I can imagine what a big difference having them tune up the bike can make, as your esperience suggests.
Thanks for the reply.

52 inch ????? don´t you mean 52 centimeters ?

re the gas - if you try too hard blood gets taken from the gut and peristolsis stops so that gas / food can accumulate and stetch the intestines / bowel and cause a very intense pain . get a heart rate monitor and don´t try so hard - cycling is a hard sport and people CAN DIE from over exertion so make haste a little more slowly , a good rule is 1/2 litre of water a hour MINIMUM in warm weather - if you don´t need to pee at least every 90 mins then you are probably dehydrating yourself so remember to drink BEFORE starting your ride to charge up the system ( and empty your bladder etc ? ) and remember it´s not a competition so stop and rest periodically if you feel the need . 🙂
__________________
' too old to rock 'n' roll : too young to die '

I did mean 52 centimeters. Sorry about that. There was about a half-hour to forty-five minute stretch where I did feel quite thirsty, and didn't have any fluids to drink. I will keep in mind the 90 minute rule and the 1/2 litre a half hour rule for my next long trip, which I think will be a 160 mile ride from Fargo, ND to St. Cloud, MN.
Thanks for the reply. Also, I think, what will help, is my new stem - the old one being twice as long as what fits me.

d22money said:

I bought a windsor fens from bikesdirect.com 3 weeks ago. I was also skeptical about purchasing one over the internet, but it turned out to be great. I think the problem most people have is finding the right fit so I went to a local LBS and had them take some measurements for me and emailed those measurements to bikesdirect. They told me the size I would need and told me to go and test ride a trek b/c they have similar frames. I know this isnt exact but it worked for me. I had the bike within 4 days and it was about 90% assembled. I took it to the bike shop and had it inspected and tuned and was out riding that day. I only paid $795 for it and it has above average components on it. I have been riding everyday and I have had zero problems.

I hope this helps

It seems like it worked out great for you. I am leaning toward buying something at the end of the season from a LBS, and if I can't find a deal I like there, I will keep my online buying option open.
Thanks for the reply.