i want to ride more and get better ... is my bike holding me back?

i really love riding my bike. would i love riding a different bike more? would a different bike make riding easier? i'm here because i'd like input from people who aren't trying to sell me a bike (unless someone has the perfect used ride for me in their garage).

currently riding a dahon foldie - which i love. it fits me well and is really cute. 

i tried three bikes today. Trek Lexa: loved how light and quick it was, but can't ride anything so bent over. Trek Hybrid 7.3Fx: liked it a lot, solved the bending over issue. Marin Bridgeway: loved it, but too hard on my knees, not enough extension; also didn't feel as light and quick as the lexa.

based on this first round, hybrid was the best combination of comfort and performance. i loved the lexa - but it's probably off the table because of some health issues (see below).

none of them was terribly expensive, but i'm not sure i really need a $700 - $900 bike. a used bike would be great. i don't know or care about brands (yet).

i'm 5'4"/102lbs - i was trying 15" bikes and they seemed to be the right fit.

i have severe joint problems (special snowflake issues here) so need to sit upright as much as possible to reduce stress on back and neck, but also get as much leg extension as i can to reduce stress on knees. i also have a really short torso and very long legs. i don't want to go into much detail, but these are severe chronic problems so there is no wiggle room nor is it a matter of getting used to a new fit.

combine two previous points and: i need a relatively light bike. the bikes i rode today were all light. it was nice. my foldie, EFRON, is at the upper end of what i'd need (25lbs or so).

i'm a very beginning rider. i am also old and broken down so have no aspirations of racing or riding centuries or whatever bullshit. just want to get around town, do some group rides. under these circumstances do i even need a new bike?

i've been to uptown and working bikes but don't know what to ask for. i found a seller who has some used marins (bobcat trail) for a great price, but is that what i'm looking for? it's almost two hours away, so i don't want to go all the way out there and realize no dice.

tl;dr ... is it time for a different bike? do i have to spend a fortune? am i too special a snowflake for that answer to be no?


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Permalink Reply by ad on June 7, 2011 at 4:13am
On the Route stocks treks in both of its stores (as well as the trek store on Michigan, which they own).  I would classify them as having a fairly "small" shop vibe, especially the store on Lawrence.   

notoriousDUG said:
I did not think there were any 'small' Trek stores because of the volume rules trek has when it comes to being a dealer...
Permalink Reply by Liz on June 7, 2011 at 9:19am

Keep in mind that if you do decide to upgrade to a lighter road bike, that having "drop style" bars does not mean you need to be bent over,  risers can be added and bikes fitted so that it works with your torso, legs and joint issues.  Women's road bike models tend to be designed with shorter torsos and longer legs so trying out one of those may be in your interest. 

 

Don't be afraid to spend an hour in a few different shops "feeling out" different bikes before buying one. Much of how fast you go or how easy to ride a bike is has to do with gearing, stiffness and weight.  Most of us do not "need" a new bike, getting a new bike for yourself is just a matter of preference.  

 

I have: a light fast road bike, steel commuter/tourer road bike, mtb, and cruiser, they all go different speeds and do different things well.

 

Ironika Leigh said:

Awesome, thanks. I got the same info this weekend, but then the sales guys threw me off (their job, I guess). The test ride on the first bike was really slick and glidey, which also got me thinking twice. 

notoriousDUG said:

Your bike is fine. 

 

Tire size issues are offset by the gearing of the bike.

 

If it fits and you are comfortable on it unless you move to a road style bike (super light, drop bars, etc...) you are not going to really gain anything.  In fact if you go to a cruiser or comfort style bike you may well loose gearing options and end up with larger tires that have greater rolling resistance.

Permalink Reply by Ironika Leigh on June 8, 2011 at 8:37am
I think I'll just keep testing bikes as I think about it. I might even go over to uptown and see if the guy can put something together for me. 

It really is a matter of whether I need a new one or not. I have enough physical limitations that I need a bike working for me. But I love EPHRON, so if there's not a clear answer to my special snowflake bullshit, I have no complaints. I might not go very fast, but nothing hurts when I ride him. My old bike killed me - everything hurt during and after riding. 

Thanks to everyone for advice. 

Liz said:

Keep in mind that if you do decide to upgrade to a lighter road bike, that having "drop style" bars does not mean you need to be bent over,  risers can be added and bikes fitted so that it works with your torso, legs and joint issues.  Women's road bike models tend to be designed with shorter torsos and longer legs so trying out one of those may be in your interest. 

 

Don't be afraid to spend an hour in a few different shops "feeling out" different bikes before buying one. Much of how fast you go or how easy to ride a bike is has to do with gearing, stiffness and weight.  Most of us do not "need" a new bike, getting a new bike for yourself is just a matter of preference.  

 

I have: a light fast road bike, steel commuter/tourer road bike, mtb, and cruiser, they all go different speeds and do different things well.

 

Ironika Leigh said:

Awesome, thanks. I got the same info this weekend, but then the sales guys threw me off (their job, I guess). The test ride on the first bike was really slick and glidey, which also got me thinking twice. 

notoriousDUG said:

Your bike is fine. 

 

Tire size issues are offset by the gearing of the bike.

 

If it fits and you are comfortable on it unless you move to a road style bike (super light, drop bars, etc...) you are not going to really gain anything.  In fact if you go to a cruiser or comfort style bike you may well loose gearing options and end up with larger tires that have greater rolling resistance.

Permalink Reply by Anand Kalelkar on June 9, 2011 at 3:07am

I also would suggest trying as many bikes as you can.  Trek and Specialized have their women's bike geometries dialed more than most bike brands.

 

 

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