New to this group and with a question..

On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:46:31 -0400, [email hidden]

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

The most important thing is going to a shop that you can trust and
that isn't pushing you to get what they happen to have overstock in.
Can you ask around in your local community for what shop the frequent
cyclists use?
--
JT
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"John Forrest Tomlinson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 11 Jun 2007 20:46:31 -0400, [email hidden]

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

The review sites are really hit and miss, as a newbie I wouldn't trust any
of them.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

The most important thing is going to a shop that you can trust and
that isn't pushing you to get what they happen to have overstock in.
Can you ask around in your local community for what shop the frequent
cyclists use?

Even good shops are going to have their biases.

I'd keep an eye on whatever pops up in this thread. Personally I'd get a
Soma or Surly built up with parts according to your budget. But, I'm biased
towards inexpensive steel.

Greg
--
Ticketbastard tax tracker:
http://ticketmastersucks.org/tracker.html
"Run over your friends in stolen Volkswagens
And tell them I sent you, and tell them I sent ... you" - Mclusky

Southern Girl said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

Frankly, most on-line "reviews" of bike equipment is fawning. These
guys never saw a new, expensive part that they didn't like.

It would be much better to talk to riders in your neighborhood. Find
the best shops, the ones with people who know what they are talking
about and are not going to push you to your credit limit.

The single most important thing is to get a bike that fits properly.
Some shops just have you straddle the bike; if your heels hit the ground
before the bar hits you, it fits. Nonsense. Go to someone who will
take the time to fit you, someone willing to swap out stems and saddles
to make you comfortable. This is worth more than the next-better
component set.

--

David L. Johnson

Let's not escape into mathematics. Let's stay with reality.
-- Michael Crichton

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

You might get some good advice on where to shop if you post your
general location. Someone might also know of a local club or regular
group rides where you can get advice on basic riding skills and
ettiquette, in the interest of safety and more fun. --D-y

Southern Girl said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

Thanks,

Alice

PS

My hubby is considering the Specialized Sequoia.

It sounds to me as if you have the order backwards. First, find out if
you're going to enjoy bicycling, especially for longish distances, as
some charity rides cover lots of miles and even multiple days. Once
you're hooked on bicycling, then start joining charity rides if that's
your thing.

If your objective is simply to help those in need, contribute to the
charities of your choice. More of your dollars will go to work than if
you spend them to enter a charity ride.

That doesn't get you any closer to finding the bike that suits you, but
you're already getting some good advice about that in this thread.

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I have actually participated in a
charity ride (I did the 25 mile route) and enjoyed it. I borrowed a bike
from a friend.

I live in upstate South Carolina. George Hincapie lives near my town.
There are some nice bike shops here but I was hoping to gain some
knowledge about bikes before going to one of them. An informed shopper
is usually a wise shopper.

Thanks again and I will check back to the group daily. You guys are
great 🙂.

Alice

Quoted message said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

As others have mentioned, finding a good shop is more important than
spending a whole lot of time trying to find that mythical perfect bike. That
said, you might find this article useful from our website-
www.ChainReaction.com/roadbiketestrides.htm. It will give you an idea of
what to look for when test-riding a bike, and it's one of the few articles
on our website that is brand & material neutral.

--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReactionBicycles.com

Southern Girl said:

Thanks for all the helpful replies. I have actually participated in a
charity ride (I did the 25 mile route) and enjoyed it. I borrowed a bike
from a friend.

I live in upstate South Carolina. George Hincapie lives near my town.
There are some nice bike shops here but I was hoping to gain some
knowledge about bikes before going to one of them. An informed shopper
is usually a wise shopper.

Thanks again and I will check back to the group daily. You guys are
great 🙂.

Alice

You're so lucky you could borrow friends bike and have a good 25 mile ride
Knowing about brands is cool but if you could get that bike back and take
some measurements of the frame, etc then you're ahead of the game because a
good fit is even more important

Good luck

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

Thanks,

Alice

PS

My hubby is considering the Specialized Sequoia.

No bad bikes in bike shops, just bad bike shops. Fit is key, customer
service is key. making the bike fit, having good assembly, good
service after the sale. Not having the bike shop get sweated up if ya
just ask questions, then leave to think about it. Take some time,
perhaps during the wekk when it isn't crazy busy in the bike shop, and
ask some questions.

In article <[email hidden]>,

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I
want to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience
but we are in pretty good physical shape.

Having been a cyclist for, well, 40+ years if we go back to when I
learned to ride a bike, I have forgotten what it's like to be on the
front end of that process. I would not refer to bike review Web sites-
the ones written by "professional" staff may tend to favor the products
of sponsors and advertisers; those written by amateurs may reflect other
biases (including reviews written here).

Two of the posters thus far are bike dealers with good reputations and
they both said two important things. First, how the bike fits you is of
critical importance. A bike that doesn't fit right can be uncomfortable
and can discourage you from riding. As a woman you'll have more trouble
finding a bike that fits than will your husband.

Second, it's wise to shop for a good bike shop. Local reputation is one
way- ask around of people who look like experienced cyclists. Check
with local cycling clubs. You want a shop you feel comfortable in,
which won't pressure you to buy a suboptimal product just because they
have a lot of them.

If you tell us what town you live in or near, it's quite possible that
someone in the newsgroup can give you a specific recommendation.

(Southern Girl) said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

Thanks,

Alice

PS

My hubby is considering the Specialized Sequoia.

Both Peter Chisolm (Vecchio's in CO.) and Mike Jacoubowsky (Chain
Reaction in CA.) have given you some good input.

I'll add that whoever pointed your husband toward the specialized
Sequoia put him on the track toward the right *type* of bike for
recreational riders interested more in fun rides and charity events
than in long distance, "loaded" touring or in racing. It has pretty
wide range gearing (especially low gears to make the hills easier to
cope with) and more relaxed handling (IOW, less 'twitchy' and
'nervous'😉 than a racing bike. The only outright quibble I have with
that bike as it comes is the tires, which are on the narrow side for
your purposes. You might want to see how wide a tire that (and any
other) bike will accept before making a purchase. Wider tires will
give greater comfort and fewer flat tires (in general). The other
thing to check is to be sure the handlebars can be adjusted high
enough to be comfortable on the bike as it comes from the shop. Don't
worry about making them lower, that can come later.

So, using the Specialized Sequoia as a starting point, look for other
similar bikes from other brands. As Peter said, the fit and the
quality of service at the shop are the most important aspects.

PS- Specialized also has a "woman specific" bike (Dolce?) similar in
design abd price to the Sequoia, it might be a good choice for you. If
you find that appealing, you might want to check out the best source
for such designs, Terry Bicycles:

http://terrybicycles.com

Good luck!!

Ozark Bicycle said:

I'll add that whoever pointed your husband toward the specialized
Sequoia put him on the track toward the right *type* of bike for
recreational riders interested more in fun rides and charity events
than in long distance, "loaded" touring or in racing. It has pretty
wide range gearing (especially low gears to make the hills easier to
cope with) and more relaxed handling (IOW, less 'twitchy' and
'nervous'😉 than a racing bike.

Agreed. The Sequoia is a sensible design. Similar lines worth
considering if they're available in the OP's area include the Trek Pilot,
Fuji Newest, and Raleigh Cadent.

For what it's worth I looked at the Sequoia when I bought my last bike.
What tipped the scales was a few quibbles with the base model Sequoia's
component package and a well-established relationship with the local
Trek shop. Other than having to pay $1100 to not get Sora shifters, I
didn't see anything wrong with the Sequoia.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Southern Girl said:

What are the best online sites on bicycle reviews? My husband and I want
to start doing the charity rides and we need sound advice before
purchasing our bikes.

We are both in our thirties and have little road biking experience but
we are in pretty good physical shape.

Thanks,

Alice

PS

My hubby is considering the Specialized Sequoia.

That's a fine bike to be looking at IMHO, reasonable price, good
components and easy to get a comfortable position on. Another bike
you might look at is the Trek Pilot. The most important part of
biking is getting a good fit and no bike review site in the world
will be able to figure out whether a bike can be adapted to fit
you or not. You want reviews of the shop, not of the bikes.

_ Booker C. Bense

I want to thank again everyone who posted an answer to my question. I
now have another one.

How does a person get a proper fitting for a bike? Do you need the exact
bike in order to get a proper fitting? I ask this because my local
Specialized dealer does not have a Sequoia in stock at this time.

In other words, how can a shop fit a person for a particular bike if
that bike is not available in the shop?

Alice

Quoted message said:

I want to thank again everyone who posted an answer to my question. I
now have another one.

How does a person get a proper fitting for a bike? Do you need the exact
bike in order to get a proper fitting? I ask this because my local
Specialized dealer does not have a Sequoia in stock at this time.

In other words, how can a shop fit a person for a particular bike if
that bike is not available in the shop?

Alice

In many cases, a given bike line will have multiple models with identical
geometry. I'm not a Specialized dealer, so I can't say if that's the case
for the Sequoia or not. Beyond that, somebody who's very familiar with the
bike and how it fits can get a very good idea how it might work based upon
your measurements.

However... the fact that they don't stock the model you're looking for might
not be a good sign. Are there other local dealers who do?

--Mike Jacoubowsky
Chain Reaction Bicycles
www.ChainReaction.com
Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA