Introductions - 2nd time around

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2nd time around
05-29-05, 11:36 PM
Greetings
My husband and I are from Elma, Washington. He and I both took up biking again(haven't done it since childhood, hence 2nd time around) I rode 10 miles today which is the most for me. My husband rides more often and can climb hills and go farther. My goal is to keep up with him. He loves his bike, I am not sure if I will get use to mine. A Raleigh. We are both 53 and I am not in as good of shape as he is and I am unfortunately bigger. Another goal to meet. We want to ride the trails as we are only street riding right now. Any good ideas on trail bikes? I know there are lots and you have to find your fit but I don't want to keep trying them out if I can't return them. So any help would be appreciated.
thanks
Sally

jabike
05-30-05, 01:56 PM
Welcome, Sally. Glad you are here and have found your way back in the saddle again. I wish I could help you find the ideal bike, but I don't think there is one ideal bike. That is why I have several. If you want to ride trails, it sounds like you want to have a mountain bike. I think I would ride every bike I could find in every bike shop around your area. You will start to feel the differences and start to feel which is the right one for you. And at such a tender young age you don't have to rush out and make a quick purchase of a trail bike. All of the major companies have good bikes. I ride a Gary Fisher mountain bike, but I have also ridden Trek. I also own an old Specialized MTB and a Bridgestone MB2. You can feel the differences in geometry. Some are more aggressive (Gary Fisher Genesis) and some are more relaxed (Trek 4500) The Specialized seems to be somewhere in between. So, just ride everything you can until you find that perfect fit of lady and machine. Jeff
AndrewP
05-30-05, 02:54 PM
If the trails are crushed stone, and packed down hard, a bike with tires 32 mm wide would handle them with no trouble. If the trails are infested with rocks and tree roots you will need a mountain bike with 2" wide tires. Finding a good bike shop is more important than the brand of bike - you want one that takes the time to fit the bike for saddle position, reach & height of bars, and also that discusses the sort of riding you will do. You want a shop that will sell you the bike that is right for you, not just what they have in stock. It will also help if the shop will allow you to try different saddles. When you have found the shop buy the brand that they sell.