Fifty Plus (50+) - Purchased a new Trek Pure Sport

I went to my local bicycle shoppe this morning intent on test riding 3 different bike and finally making a purchase. I'm a 53 year old male weighing in at 250. I have not rode a bike regularly in over 18 years. I wanted a nice comfortable bike that made me want to ride. The bikes I tested were all Treks, the Pure Sport, Navigator 1.0, and the 7200. The Pure Sport felt safe and steady with a big seat and the crank forward design that allowed for me to easily reach the ground with both feet. The Navigator felt less safe higher off the ground, the seat was a little loose and with only seven speeds, it fell out of the running quickly. The 7200 was nice, this was the first time I rode a bike with shocks so it felt a little different to me. But overall the bike felt good. The seat was a pain but I wanted to like this bike so I tried to overlook the seat. The thinner tire felt more unforgiving than the wider tires on the Pure Sport and Navigator.

After test riding all 3 I took out the Pure Sport again and it felt the safest and the sturdiest and as one just getting back into riding, it was the right bike for me at this time. Maybe in a year when I get more riding experience under my belt, I might want a faster bike like the 7200. I felt that if I didn't get the most safest comfortable bike for me I might not continue the riding, so I went with the safe and comfortable feel. I'll keep you updated on my riding progress and my impressions of the Trek Pure Sport over the next few weeks.

I went to my local bicycle shoppe this morning intent on test riding 3 different bike and finally making a purchase. I'm a 53 year old male weighing in at 250. I have not rode a bike regularly in over 18 years. I wanted a nice comfortable bike that made me want to ride. The bikes I tested were all Treks, the Pure Sport, Navigator 1.0, and the 7200. The Pure Sport felt safe and steady with a big seat and the crank forward design that allowed for me to easily reach the ground with both feet. The Navigator felt less safe higher off the ground, the seat was a little loose and with only seven speeds, it fell out of the running quickly. The 7200 was nice, this was the first time I rode a bike with shocks so it felt a little different to me. But overall the bike felt good. The seat was a pain but I wanted to like this bike so I tried to overlook the seat. The thinner tire felt more unforgiving than the wider tires on the Pure Sport and Navigator.

After test riding all 3 I took out the Pure Sport again and it felt the safest and the sturdiest and as one just getting back into riding, it was the right bike for me at this time. Maybe in a year when I get more riding experience under my belt, I might want a faster bike like the 7200. I felt that if I didn't get the most safest comfortable bike for me I might not continue the riding, so I went with the safe and comfortable feel. I'll keep you updated on my riding progress and my impressions of the Trek Pure Sport over the next few weeks.

Exactly! Whatever it takes to get you on a bike.

So far you have done right- looked at the style of bike to get started and test rode the 3. You have let the body tell you what to buy ---so now starts the hard bit. You will have to adjust the bike to fit and that will take time. BUT don't confuse the body getting adjusted to something that needs adjusting. For example- give the saddle a month of riding regularly before you as k the question "Where can i get a comfortable saddle" All this is with the proviso that the shop has roughly set the bike for you in the first place.

Well done on Starting-or re-starting- on the way to keeping what fitness you may still have. Plenty of tips to follow but the main one right now is WHAT PIE.

We have to know that before Hermes or DG set out your training programme.

Let's not forget, we need pics. Stand the bike in front of a white garage door and snap away, then post 'em here. Understood? :)

Not up on current models so I checked it out on Trek's site. So, to the really important question -- did you get it in blue or red?

Of course, before long you'll be on a carbon fiber road bike....:)

Good stuff.

You had your priorities all set out and are raring to go.

Have fun.

DOn't be surprised if your priorities change a bit in a year or so. That's what makes it so much fun.

Now go outside and pedal!

Welcome back. Well the names have all changed since you hung around,
But those dreams have remained and they're turned around.


Good bike to start..........now get out and ride. Post pics.

Sorry to change the subject slightly - but still "Pure" cycling.

I was in the LBS the other day and they had a brand new Trek Pure Trike Deluxe sitting waiting for the new owner to pick it up later that day. What a beautiful machine for trike riders. I had never seen one before.

Doug

Congrats and I hope you ride it a lot. That is a comfy bike. Have ridden them a couple of times. Would buy one in a minute for my wife if she would ride it.

You must have tested the Navigator 1.0, that's a 7-speed. The Navigator 2.0 is a 21-speed. Also, if the seat felt "loose" then it must not have been properly adjusted. Although since it is a suspension seat post, it could feel a little bit wiggly, but even that is usually correctable by tightening it up a bit.

As a person who has taken maybe 80 or so test rides of bikes from maybe 20 different bike shops, my experience is that a good 40% or more of them are not set up properly for the test ride. After a few test rides, I started taking a multi-tool with me, so I could readjust things during my rides.

I

After test riding all 3 I took out the Pure Sport again and it felt the safest and the sturdiest and as one just getting back into riding, it was the right bike for me at this time. .

You have no idea how refreshing it is to read a post here from a newbie who saw the value of buying from a bike store and making a selection based on rational criteria. Stick around and you'll understand.

randy55,

Well done!
Now, roll that baby and enjoy.

For the record, i still ride my Schwinn LeTour, purchase new in 1973. It and I are not a good fit, as the bike is too big for me. Bought on impluse with zero thought to anything other than the way it felt and the way it made me feel going down the road. Still together after all these years, and a few miles too.


Jeff, still fat

The bike is cool.

I just rode my Electra Townie, which resembles your bike, up to the grocery store. Its tough to look cool and racy to the babes in passing cars. So I didn't try.

Enjoy the ride.

Congrats on the new bike.

It sounds like just what you wanted, now get to riding and we're waiting for that ride report with pics.

That bike is a wonderful choice - and most importantly it sounds like it was YOUR choice all the way - I am also back in to biking after decades of cardom.

Welcome back - just have some fun/

Fritz

Attached is a picture of my Newport Blue Trek Pure Sport. I received it today and all I needed to do was make a slight adjustment to the seat and I was ready to go. I have gone out for a short ride and the bike just feels right while I'm pedaling away. It was all pretty much flat roadway around my immediate neighborhood.

My LBS put it together and installed all the optional equipment I purchased (rack, attachable bag, lock, and new helmet). They even threw in and installed an Incite 6i wired computer for free. The computer was a nice feature as it shows how fast I was going (10 mph) and how far I went (2 miles). I've never had a bicycle computer before and I think it was a nice unexpected additional feature. I'm very happy with how my LBS handled all aspects of this sale and delivery.

Some rain is moving in today and Sunday so I'm not sure if I'll get to ride again until Monday.

Nice!!

Hey, many of us ride in the rain.

It sounds to me that you are happy with your bike and happy with the dealer. That's as good as it gets.

My advice to new buyers is to first shop for a bike shop and, when you find the right one (you'll know whtn it's the 'right' one), buy a brand that they carry. If you do that you'll never go wrong. Your story is a perfect example.

Sorry to change the subject slightly - but still "Pure" cycling.

I was in the LBS the other day and they had a brand new Trek Pure Trike Deluxe sitting waiting for the new owner to pick it up later that day. What a beautiful machine for trike riders. I had never seen one before.

Doug

My wife rides a Trek Pure Trike Deluxe (it's a 3 speed). Quite a nice three wheeler. Here is a picture of it taken last summer.


http://bike.smackdab.us/media/users/csmack/keystone_trek_three_wheeler.jpg

It comes with a huge sturdy basket on the back, but we removed that so our two bikes would fit better on the trunk rack of our car. The saddle shown in this picture has been replaced by something quite a bit smaller. Both changes are just personal preferences, the Trek was very nice the way it came.

Anyways, this is what the Trek Pure Trike Deluxe that Doug mentioned looks like (minus the basket).

Randy55, my wife and I both ride Trek, and we really like them. Congratulations on what sounds like a great bike.

I rode my Trek Pure Sport for about an hour today. I'm gradually building up better bicycle control and getting my body use to riding a bike again. So far the bike is everything I was looking for.

I'm having a hard time trusting road traffic, on neighborhood roads, to not hit me as I ride on the shoulder of the road. I'll need to use these roads to get to the less traveled country roads that I'll use for most of my planned biking, but using them makes me nervous.

I like the back rack and bag I purchased with my bike because you can throw so much in it to take it with you. On my trip today I put my wallet, cell phone, bottle of water, and utility tool in it.

I rode my Trek Pure Sport for about an hour today. I'm gradually building up better bicycle control and getting my body use to riding a bike again. So far the bike is everything I was looking for.

I'm having a hard time trusting road traffic, on neighborhood roads, to not hit me as I ride on the shoulder of the road. I'll need to use these roads to get to the less traveled country roads that I'll use for most of my planned biking, but using them makes me nervous.

I like the back rack and bag I purchased with my bike because you can throw so much in it to take it with you. On my trip today I put my wallet, cell phone, bottle of water, and utility tool in it.

There are very definite techniques regarding how to ride on the road more safely.

Here are the very basics:

http://bicycling.about.com/od/howtoride/a/safe_in_traffic.htm

More advanced are techniques of "Vehicular Cycling" - much discussed, debated etc. but, in any event, excellent food for thought.

http://www.bicyclinglife.com/PracticalCycling/VCIntro.htm

One of the basics is it is better to "take the lane" then to be forced off the road with a narrow shoulder or have vehicles passing you with almost zero clearance. By "take the road" it means to actually take your bike into the vehicle lane so cars can't pass you.

Here is a BFN website on vehicular cycling:

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=252

Enter at your own risk!!!

I'm having a hard time trusting road traffic, on neighborhood roads, to not hit me as I ride on the shoulder of the road. I'll need to use these roads to get to the less traveled country roads that I'll use for most of my planned biking, but using them makes me nervous.


Two suggestions -

First, watch a video clip about "The Rights and Duties of Cyclists - Bicycle Safety (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU)"

Second, consider purchasing a rear red blinking light.

Thanks, Dnvrfox and Bagel007, for the very helpful links to information about riding in traffic. I learned many things that I was doing wrong and I'll correct these on my next ride. My first and foremost error was riding on the very edge of the road and giving myself no room for evasive moves. :thumb:

Glad to see that you have recognized the dangers of timid riding. Fear can kill you.

I just got back from a 1 hour ride around my area neighborhood. It was slow paced at an average 7 mph. But it was 72 degrees and just a beautiful sunny Friday morning. This is the experience that I bought my Trek Pure Sport for and it really met and exceeded my expectations. I'm getting much better at balance and being able to stay on the occasional sidewalk to avoid heavy traffic, like around rummage/garage sales.

You have gotta watch out for those houses that have a rummage/garage sale, those rummage shopper park in the middle of the streets thinking nothing of blocking it for the few minute that they jump out of their cars to go shopping. And when they leave they are not watching for anybody but trying to get to the next rummage sale before everyone else. Be on guard for the rummage sales and those in a hurry stop and shoppers.:twitchy:

Get out and take a leisurely ride and enjoy your surroundings.:thumb:

Glad to hear you love your Trek Pure. I've ridden one and loved it too. The new models are very elegant looking. Do you have a mirror on your bike? Mirrycle makes a good adjustable mirror that fits on the bar end. It really helps to check to see what's behind you. Some of the hybrid cars are very quiet.

It has been a month since I purchased my Trek Pure Sport and I enjoy the bike more every time I ride it. The relaxed riding position and the ability to touch the ground with both of my feet while stopped just adds so much more comfort and security in my rides.

I added a rearview mirror that fit right into the end of the handlebar and it is now very easy to glance and see if a car is coming up behind me. I'm riding 10 to 15 miles a week, just around my neighborhood. I purchased this bike for a slower paced recreational riding.

I did recently purchased a Saris Bones 2 trunk mounted bike rack so I can transport my Trek to local parks and bike paths within 50 miles. This will add new scenery to my rides and keep the rides interesting.

The Trek Pure Sport is a great choice of bike if you are older and the Doctor is after you to get more exercise.

1 month after buying and you still enjoy it.

Just shows that your research was right and you chose the right bike.

And as to the doc- Watch out for them- Mine told me acouple of years ago that I was overweight and should lose some weight. So I asked her if I ought to carry on going to the gym a couple of nights of the week- Do a couple of 30 mile off road rides in the evenings and about 50 to 60 miles on the bike at the weekends. She then realised that my overweight was not weight- it was her graph for weight and height was wrong.

But the doc is right- You have had the bike a month and not complained about the saddle yet- so get more miles in to find out what pain can be.

Welcome back to riding. It's very important to get a bike you love to get you enthused. We're all looking forward to continuing posts on your rides, progress and pieces of pie.

Glad to hear you're enjoying riding so much. Love how the Pure's look this year. You might consider adding a mirror to your handlebars for an extra feeling of security. I have a Mirracycle that is highly adjustable and useful.

Thanks for all the suggestions, they have been very helpful. I did add a end of handle bar mirror and it does add a lot of security being able to glance at it without having to turn my head around and lose sight of the road ahead of me.

I'm still riding my Trek Pure Sport about 3 times a week around the neighborhood averaging 6 miles a ride in 40 minutes time. I've lost 7 pounds in this time and I hope to improve those weight lost numbers as the summer goes by. My goal is to lose another 10 pounds by the end of August. I addition to bike riding I've cut back on the fatty foods and lowered my daily caffeine intake.

Progress is progress and I hope to continue to ride more and lose weight.

Thanks! :)