I've read lots of ride reports from Mary and I don't recall her finishing in pain...

+1 As in, I don't other than fatigue generally. But, Mark, I appreciate the advice. However, I'm not considering a bent. :o I think you and Ronsmith are amazing on them, but I have nowhere to store one and I do not have $$ for one and quite honestly, I find them intimidating (for me, that is). In fact, I gawk, stare and make an ass out of myself whenever I pass a rider on one (ask tons of questions and make myself a nuisance). I'm meant to be on an upright bike.

I bought my brother's bent several years ago (because otherwise, he was just going to give it away). Still can't comfortably ride it. I'm still struggling with balance issues. It is very different riding upright than sitting on your ass. Not sure if I'll ever ride it with confidence. For me, it's just a novelty of riding a completely different type of bike.

It took me about a month before I felt really comfortable on mine. It like learning to ride all over again. It was great on my first century -- no butt, neck, or back pain. The hills are a bit harder, though.

Hardest part for me was starting on hills, and learning to relax and take a nap while riding. :) Ok, maybe not the nap part. I laugh at the climbing part, looking at results from ultras like the ring of fire.

http://www.raceacrossoregon.com/roftt_main/rof-route

Lots of climbing there, and 2nd place was a bent. Some guys can fly up hills on anything you put them on, and others (like me) weigh too much for the platform to make a difference.

Chaco: not sure what you're on, looks like a Rans Stratus or something, but I'm up for a fast paced ride if you are. :) I'm in Lakeside/Santee.

ME: You haven't passed me yet, so I haven't experienced you're gawking.... :)

ME: You haven't passed me yet, so I haven't experienced you're gawking.... :)

No, but Ronsmith sure did. I took pictures, stared, asked questions. I was truly fascinated by those contraptions. You'll have me come up on you one of these days and you'll get the full inspection and goofy-grinned questions. :p:D

Are we still talking about this? I thought you would have had a new bike by now. :rolleyes: :p

No. Now I'm all confused. I have so much info, I don't know what to do. :p

No. Now I'm all confused. I have so much info, I don't know what to do. :pGo to a shop and get a bike that matches your bike clothes.

Go to a shop and get a bike that matches your bike clothes.

Wiser words have rarely been spoken.

Go to a shop and get a bike that matches your bike clothes.

Sigh. :rolleyes: You're on a roll today, Frank. :p

Sigh. :rolleyes: You're on a roll today, Frank. :p

I think he's right in a certain sense. You're not one to be overly concerned about specs or anything. You've got a budget in mind. At that price point, manufacturers are putting the same components on their bikes anyway. When you're ready, go find one that suits you and get it and ride the hell out of it.

I think he's right in a certain sense. You're not one to be overly concerned about specs or anything. You've got a budget in mind. At that price point, manufacturers are putting the same components on their bikes anyway. When you're ready, go find one that suits you and get it and ride the hell out of it.

Didn't YOU tell me to try new wheels first yesterday? Hmpf! :mad::p:D

Those Pedal Force frames sure look tempting... and easily in your price range. :p

Didn't YOU tell me to try new wheels first yesterday? Hmpf! :mad::p:D

I was just about to edit my post to say to do that. :p

The wheel thing was only meant as a stopgap anyway.

Those Pedal Force frames sure look tempting... and easily in your price range. :p

:cry: Stop!!!! :cry: I can't buy the bike just yet. Unless...


...you paying, Vance? :D

Vance is paying for bikes for all of us? Cool! :D

I think you should get a unicycle instead .. :p

Okay, so I asked all of you to help me choose a car, but now I'm considering NOT buying a car (sigh...I'm female, I can't help it :p) and, instead, waiting a couple of years to get the vehicle. In the meantime, I could save up (I no longer have a car payment) to upgrade to a new bike.


I vote for you getting your dream bike. :)

By postponing that optional car purchase, you are saving yourself so much money. Not just in initial cash outlay and payments (if any), but also in increased insurance, licensing, and possibly fuel costs.

If upgrading the components on Patsy will do the trick, then that is a savvy move. But, if a new frame (in the color of your choice), and new components will REALLY do the trick, I say: go for it. Even if it means bumping your budget up.

Cycling is such a healthy, fun, happy part of your life. The cost-per-mile (or hour) of acknowledging that passion, and buying a bike that reflects it, will be so worth it.

And, I'd also say, let Dad pitch in. Don't know if your dad is retired, but when mine retired, he mentioned that he felt kinda..."useless"...to us kids, after all those years of being the provider. When he offered to buy me a laptop for my business, I thought it was wrong, since I was all grown up...but then I realized, it makes him feel good, and helpful. And it gives us lots to talk about.

Buy a bike that will make you happy. This is what we work for, right? :)

Buy a bike that will make you happy. This is what we work for, right? :)


More wise words :)

Buy a bike that will make you happy. This is what we work for, right? :)



No, no, ME should buy a bike that makes US happy. By the time we settle all the heated debates about aesthetics, weight weenie-ism, materials science and aerodynamics, she will have either saved enough to actually afford the silly-expensive bike we specify, or she will have gotten bored waiting and joined the circus.

You've gotten a lot of excellent recommendations and to add my two cents:

1) Fit - Figure out what it is about your current ride that just isn't quite right and make sure your next bike fixes that issue(s). Don't forget about the components either (smaller handlebars, better saddle, short reach levers, etc)

2) Testing - If possible try to bring your saddle and wheels and ask the LBS to install them on the test bike. Keep the air pressure in the tires consistent as well. Try to do this for every bike you test that way your testing the frame + frame. I was looking at buying a new bike a couple of years ago and test rode a Look 585 with some carbon wheels. Instantly, this bike just felt more responsive than my current bike. I then asked to tested the exact carbon wheels on my frame and the difference just wasn't that great. Keep the test as consistent as possible.

3) Color - there are some god awful color schemes out there, don't compromise here. If it rides great and looks like crap - it's crap.

But the main thing is, if you do find 'that' bike but it's a bit more than your budget then save up for it. Don't compromise, don't get yourself into the "I shoulda..."

good luck...

Ian in SD

No, no, ME should buy a bike that makes US happy.

Great idea! Orbea Diva in light blue please. :D

No, no, ME should buy a bike that makes US happy. By the time we settle all the heated debates about aesthetics, weight weenie-ism, materials science and aerodynamics, she will have either saved enough to actually afford the silly-expensive bike we specify, or she will have gotten bored waiting and joined the circus.

Darn you and your logic.

Sigh.

And, yes, you are correct.

Please ignore my earlier suggestion.

Instead, I'd like to suggest:

ME could buy a bike magically equipped to spit out apple-fritter pancakes from the derraileur. This output will of course include three non-ethno-centric choices of syrup -- blue-ish, red-ish, and brown-ish.

If it dispenses Pepto-Bismol from the handlebars, that would be dope.

*No disparagement implied or intended toward dope fiends. Thank you.

Darn you and your logic.

If it dispenses Pepto-Bismol from the handlebars, that would be dope.

*No disparagement implied or intended toward dope fiends. Thank you.

Indeed, it is so hard to use the expression "dope" in a sentence without it sounding, how you say, dopey.

But the main thing is, if you do find 'that' bike but it's a bit more than your budget then save up for it. Don't compromise, don't get yourself into the "I shoulda..."

good luck...

Ian in SD

Thank you, Ian, for your well thouthout advice. :)

Allez - your advice is to be considered.

Dan - your advice is to be ignored...except the join the circus part. I just have to learn how to bend funny or get animals to follow my command. :p

I vote for you getting your dream bike. :)

And, I'd also say, let Dad pitch in. Don't know if your dad is retired, but when mine retired, he mentioned that he felt kinda..."useless"...to us kids, after all those years of being the provider. When he offered to buy me a laptop for my business, I thought it was wrong, since I was all grown up...but then I realized, it makes him feel good, and helpful. And it gives us lots to talk about.

Buy a bike that will make you happy. This is what we work for, right? :)

+1 .... see M.E., someone else gets the "dad" thing too....

+1 .... see M.E., someone else gets the "dad" thing too....

Well, I "may" let dad buy me the new shoes that I will need with the new bike. See, occassionally I can be Daddy's Little Girl. ;) :D

Keep in mind that when I complained to ME that my parents always try to buy me expensive things, she tells me, "Let them." :p;)

Keep in mind that when I complained to ME that my parents always try to buy me expensive things, she tells me, "Let them." :p;)

Yes, but my parents are simple country folk, Joy. My Dad works at Walmart part time (he refuses to just retire and actually truly loves stocking the dairy aisle from 10:00pm-4:00am five times a week to stay active and to interact with others). My mother is a retired school teacher who does a little volunteer work, but she no longer contributes financially to the household. They do fine and have some money socked away, but with my sister's illness, I worry about their and her future. The last thing I should be doing is accepting money for something as silly as a bike. And before all of you gasp and holler at me, in the scheme of things...a bike IS silly when you consider that my sister's medication (after insurance) costs my parents' $500/month. :(

Well, I "may" let dad buy me the new shoes that I will need with the new bike. See, occassionally I can be Daddy's Little Girl. ;) :DI went to the Hillcrest street fair a couple years ago and they had hats that said Daddy and Daddy's Little Boy. My wife steered me along before I could say anything stupid.

did you make a decision on the bike?

did you make a decision on the bike?

Decision? M.E.?

Silly man.

Decision? M.E.?

Silly man.

Hey! :mad: That is strike two!

For your info, I'm now closer to getting a bike than you may think. I have a couple of folks interested in Patsy and I'm mulling it over and checking prices, but if I don't get a good deal, I WILL wait until I do.

So, one of the bike shops has a 2005 Trek 5000 WSD, all carbon, Ultegra/105 mix, brand new, American made (versus in China), $1,399.

Comments?

She broke one of her bottle cages last night, and if that's not a good reason for a whole new bike, I don't know what is!

Really? I like the one about have to get a new bike to match her new cycling socks.

She broke one of her bottle cages last night, and if that's not a good reason for a whole new bike, I don't know what is!

hellz yeah....

So, one of the bike shops has a 2005 Trek 5000 WSD, all carbon, Ultegra/105 mix, brand new, American made (versus in China), $1,399.

Comments?

Sounds like an OK deal, however the Bontrager Race wheels are not so good. The older 5000s are more desirable because of the better frames. The question is, do you like it's ride better than Patsy's?

I'm going to go test ride it. Also, Oscar at Pro (my favorite shop) is looking for a Madone 07 WSD. If I don't get what I want, though, I'm not going to upgrade. Oh, and I have a new set of wheels already.

Please say hello to Oscar for me. It's been a while since I've been in there and he's probably wondering where I've been spending my money...:D

I'm going to go test ride it. Also, Oscar at Pro (my favorite shop) is looking for a Madone 07 WSD. If I don't get what I want, though, I'm not going to upgrade. Oh, and I have a new set of wheels already.

Pull the trigger, you need it.:D

Pull the trigger, you need it.:D

Well, I WANT it, Sean, but NEED could be argued. ;) :p But, yeah, I'm drooling a little.

Well, I WANT it, Sean, but NEED could be argued. ;) :p But, yeah, I'm drooling a little.

Geeze, thats the same thing my wife always says when I bring a new bike home.:eek:

Pull the trigger, you need it.:D

The power of BikeForums compels you...

The power of BikeForums compels you...

The power of....

http://www.liderdigital.com/imagenes/noticias/foto2/Exorcist.jpg

;) :D

The power of BikeForums compels you...

The power of BikeForums compels you...

The power of....

http://www.liderdigital.com/imagenes/noticias/foto2/Exorcist.jpg

;) :D

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

^ Yup. That's the look in her eyes when she's got a pair of Enzos in her sights.

Tenfold that for a new bike.

I'm going to go test ride it. Also, Oscar at Pro (my favorite shop) is looking for a Madone 07 WSD. If I don't get what I want, though, I'm not going to upgrade. Oh, and I have a new set of wheels already.

The '07 Madones are out there -

http://trekbikesofventura.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2285

The '07 Madones are out there -

http://trekbikesofventura.com/itemdetails.cfm?ID=2285


DO IT MARY !

Oh, for cry eye. You people are like drug pedalers. :rolleyes: I am GOING to when I find the bike. :p In the meantime, I'm swapping out my wheels and seeing if that makes any difference. But I WANT the 07 Madone. And I AM looking at the 5.0/5.2. Oh, and I found out I'm a 51 frame. How is that possible? :eek:

Oh, for cry eye. You people are like drug pedalers. :rolleyes: I am GOING to when I find the bike. :p In the meantime, I'm swapping out my wheels and seeing if that makes any difference. But I WANT the 07 Madone. And I AM looking at the 5.0/5.2. Oh, and I found out I'm a 51 frame. How is that possible? :eek:

But if you hesitate they'll be gone! GONE FOREVER! THERE MAY NEVER EVER BE ANY BIKES FOR SALE EVER AGAIN. PLEEEEZEE HUUURRRRYYYYY!!