General Cycling Discussion - Just Wondering...how did you know?

Just wondering...how did you know, when looking to purchase your bike, that it was the one that was just right for you? I'm a newbie here and just trying to see what people look for in a bike. My bike is just low budget but I love it anyway!

I learned from riding old cheap bikes. You want one that combines 1337'ness, distinction and quality.

I.E You don't want a bike which everyone else has

I realized that my bike was "the right bike" when I test rode it. It fit better, accelerated faster and overall I liked the feel of the bike over the other I tested.

As for what I look for in a bike, it's this(in this order):

Price
Fit
Frame
Warranty
Components
Weight

I guess what I'm asking is...what was it exactly that made you think, " This is it, the perfect bike!" What was it that kicked you over that "umm, MAYBE I'd like this" decision?

It felt right. Plain and simple. You just know.

It was 50% off. Plus my friend said it was a good bike. At that time I trusted him on such things. :rolleyes:
Still riding it, so I guess it's not that bad. :)

I talked to the folks selling the bike, got the chance to walk around, got measured, and just spent time thinking about my bike.

Koffee

It was like a surreal, cosmic, magical moment...... oh wait.... that was when I met my wife.
I did a lot of homework, price was right, proper fit. Then I took test rides to norrow it down. The specs of a bike are one thing, but to ride it is the main thing. At least for me.

First of all, I commuted year round on my then-current bike for three years. Based on its strengths and weaknesses relative to my mission, I compiled a list of "must have" characteristics. Next, I searched the web worldwide to find the bikes that met these characteristics. Finally, I found one that did and test rode it. I agree that the last step is the critical one.

Paul

It was shiny.

It fit and it was on sale.
Same way I get most of my shoes.

Enjoy

You have the same concerns I had - and still have. I've had three bikes and still don't know if I have the ideal fit. After all, what do I compare to - the prior two bikes? That really isn't much to go on.

As for test rides, sure, they help, but like saddles, what may seem fine for a short ride - especially if they only let you ride it around the parking lot - may not be so great for longer rides.

My LBS was pretty good - let me ride a longer distance on several occasions, say 5-10 miles. But I suspect even that distance won't tell you all you would like to know. I'm happy with my bike and it "fits" according to the rules some use. But I've seen people comment on various bikes they've tried that all "fit" and are of similar quality, but one will clearly be preferrable to them (at least for the amount of testing they are allowed).

Sooo, like others have said, find one that the shop seems to think will actually fit your size (watch out for shops that seem more interested in selling you something they happen to have in stock rather than something that really fits. You can tell by how they try to minimize the importance of some things when they don't have your size), try a bunch for comparison, and see if you can ride it more than in the parking lot - maybe offer to leave your credit card with them or something.

because the bike sings to me everytime I throw
a leg over.

It's funny that you should mention about saddles because when I first rode the bike, I was in heaven. The more I rode it and the longer I stayed out, I found that I was slipping forward on the seat. I have the stock Bontrager Comfort seat that is wide and comfy and all but that slipping thing bothers me. I have a feeling that it is because the seat is so wide that when I pedal my upper thigh hitting it is pushing me forward. The seat is not tilting forward or not set too far on the rails. Other than that, I really am happy with it.

I was at a bike swap with 50 bucks. I saw a mid 80's Nishiki for 45 bucks. I recognized the name, there was no rust, the gears were accurate, the wheels were true, the brakes had new pads, and it fit. I figured that either it had been taken care of or had been benignly neglected. I bought it and I love it.

the price was right.
I traded it for a case of Rolling Rock.

because the bike sings to me everytime I throw
a leg over.


I had a boyfriend once that did that...

My dad bought it for me.

Who says you have to have just one bike? Mine all seem to find me, not the other way around. I'm up to five that I ride semi-regularly, and a whole bunch of toher ones that are long term "projects" i.e, taking up space in my garage.

But what was it about your bike that made you LOOOOOVE it? (Or like it enough to spend good hard earned bucks on it?)

My hardrock, it just felt really nice when I rode in in the parking lot, and it looked good. Sounded like a good bike based on this forum, so I bought it.

My DK, basically the same thing - that and it was on sale for $190...

I made a long list of everything I wanted on a bicycle. I ran it by a bunch of people who suggested that this be added to my list, and this be dropped and so on until I had a final list.

Then I went on a hunt to find out who could build me the bicycle from my list.

After checking out over 50 manufacturers I settled on a Canadian one -- Marinoni. And from all that ... Machak was born. :)

It was like a surreal, cosmic, magical moment...... oh wait.... that was when I met my wife.

Have yet to meet a wife, but it was a surreal, cosmic, magical moment. Went to a local bike nut's house on the first day of spring to look at a couple frames, which were too small. Wasn't interested in the road bikes he had, wanted a conversion to fixed. I was kind of disappointed, then we went into another room to look for a couple of parts that my brother needed (2 floors of this guy's house are pretty much nothing but bikes). I'd heard he had an older Bianchi track bike, but had never seen it. I thought it was one of the all Celeste models, which I wouldn't have wanted. They're talking about whatever part it was, I'm staring at this bike next to me, that I know I must own. The price turns out to be exactly what I had cash in my pocket. He wouldn't let me buy it without riding it around for a few blocks with me. I knew it would be the right bike without the ride, but rode anyways just to be on it and finish the dance of bike seller and bike buyer.

I've since swaped out every component besides the fork, headset and seatpost. She rides better than ever.

The next frame will be another test frame for trying a shifting road bike again. After that it's going to be a custom road/fixed frame. I'm thinking track geometry, but brakes on both sides. And pretty lugs...

Wow...sounds nice! Any pics?

I have never test ridden any bike I've owned. All of my road bikes were obtained as frames and built up later. My mountain bike was purchased direct from the manufacturer online.

That being said, I knew I'd made the right decision once I'd ridden them.

Ideally I'd like to go to UBI's Frame Building Course (http://www.bikeschool.com/frame.htm) and build my own bike.

I have never test ridden any bike I've owned. All of my road bikes were obtained as frames and built up later. My mountain bike was purchased direct from the manufacturer online.

That being said, I knew I'd made the right decision once I'd ridden them.

Ideally I'd like to go to UBI's Frame Building Course (http://www.bikeschool.com/frame.htm) and build my own bike.

Oh man, I think we need to make a road trip

Ummm...you just bite the bullet. I have never 'known,'and don't know if I ever will.

Wow...sounds nice! Any pics?

Somewhere in the SS/Fix pics sticky - I'm too lazy to search now.