Road Cycling - should I buy a Trek 5200 WSD or is it too much bike for me?

I posted this first in the Introduction Forum. I now appreciate that I may get more input from the Road Cycling Forum.

I'm 48 years old, work as a scientist outside the home and use to ride my cheap Bianchi ($300 almost 20 years ago) on 10-20 mile trips with friends before I had twins 9 years ago. I even rode during my first trimester (first 3 months of pregnancy). I'm 6 ft and weigh, unfortunately, 185 lbs - about 40 over my pre-pregnancy weight. So, I've started exercising again. And I want to buy a new bike.

I'm willing to spend some dollars on this bike with the assumption that this may be the last and only serious bike I buy. I live northwest of Boston, near Concord. For those not familiar with the area, it's a great place to ride. Lots of country roads - a mixture of flat and hills, the latter both gradual and steep. Early morning rides are phenomenally glorious. With that all being said, I've started to look for 'my' bike. I remember, with envy, borrowing friends' light road bikes that seemed to transport me effortlessly up the hills in Harvard, MA.

So I went to Belmont Wheelworks in Belmont MA and test rode a Trek 5200 WSD 56 cm. For male readers, the WSD suffix indicates that the frame is sized for a woman (i.e. long legs and short torso in a short height). I am short waisted BUT I have long arms AND long legs. I'm so use to a male Bianchi frame that this frame seemed a little cramped on the length. Maybe I just need to get use it to it.

As many of you know, this is a nice bike. My question is - is this too much bike for me or should I continue to consider it? The reason why I ask is that I wiped out on my test ride. Did you laugh?

Now this is only the third time in my life that I've fallen off a bike. I finally found some steep, albeit residential, hills in Belmont to test it on so that I could approximate the hills near my home. I'm not familiar with the new gear changers and so this took a little getting use to. Even in spite of not finding the sweet gear ratios for getting up steep inclines, this bike really knows how to climb hills. I wiped out when I was gradually coming down a hill; frequent stop signs required that I keep a slow speed. While I thought I’d gone over the handle bars, I now believe - based on my experiential memory coming back and the bruises on my left side - that I must have braked faster on the front then the back and so lost my balance. I fell to the front left and watched the bike slide on its side, stopping 5 ft in front of me.

Other than some surface scrapes, and a left shoulder/arm stiffness that I’m dealing with the day after, I came away unscathed. But the bike didn’t! The front wheel was extremely bent, as well as the front fork to some extent. I walked back to the bike shop (30 min) carrying the front of the bike. Now I know why I wanted a light bike – easier to carry! I am now $400 poorer ($200 for each component) and with no bike to speak of. Considering combined prices for the yellow Schwinn Varsity that I bought in 1970 and the Bianchi in 1985, I spent the same amount to test ride a bike!

So, with the above prolonged introduction, my questions to you are as follows:

Why did the wheel and fork bend? Can stopping improperly bend a wheel? Or did I catch the wheel in a pothole? Or did the weight distribution on falling bend the wheel? Any and all hypotheses considered.

Secondly, should I still consider this bike or is this too much bike? I think this may have been a freak accident due to my 9 year hiatus as well as having worked all day combined with this being an unfamiliar ride on unfamiliar terrain. But my husband is concerned about my safety. I am too! Also, while I like the lightness of this bike, is it ridiculous for me to consider a bike of this performance type? Can you suggest other bikes that I should consider and that don’t weigh too much? I’m also concerned that if I buy a bike of this quality, that I’ll need to spend a lot of money to maintain it and that it will also require time on my part.

I’m open to any and all suggestions. Just don’t kid me too much about my accident. As you might imagine, I’m now legendary at this bike shop.

Thanks. I appreciate your insights.

Signed -

'Test-ride wipe-out (TRWO)'

At your height I don't think you gain anything with the WSD models from any one. As for too much I think not. I'd say maybe look at the Trek 5000 or 2200 also. The Specialized Roubaix as well. I got my wife an intro road bike only to be here 2 years later have sprung for a full carbon rig with Ultegra parts. Buy as much bike as you can afford based on the conditions you described. If price becomes an issue do you yourself a favor and not go below a 105 group bike from Shimano or Veloce from Campagnolo.

As for your wipe out and the bent wheel. Physics works. You definitely hit something with that wheel. And I'd say your 9 year layoff was a great deal to blame. Shake it off.

Buy the bike that makes you happy and enjoy many hours of cycling

The occasional wreck just comes out of nowhere. I'd be careful, certainly, and watch the road for obstacles, but you're not riding to stare at asphalt. Get as much bike as makes you happy. If you really like a bike, like to look at it, like to clean it, like to ride it, love the way it handles, you'll ride tons more than if you skip over what you lust for.

I've never ridden a 5200, but I've seen enough to know that it's not too much bike for anyone. Really, the only way I can see a bike being too much for someone is if he's snooty about owning a spendy machine.

Do what you want and what makes you happy.

Sorry to hear about the wreck. I have a 5200 myself and I love it. It offers a great ride and comes with good components. The stock Bontrager Race XXX-Whatever race lite tires are no where near as nice as a set of Michelins (axials or race pros). The ride difference is huge with Michelins. I too think you must have hit something with the front wheel. I changed my wheelset and put the Race Lites on my wife's bike 18 months ago. My son rides it (he's a teenager and likes to romp it to see what max speed he can get to down the local hills), My daughter rides it, and my wife rides it and there has been no problem with the wheelset (1 twist of a spoke in 2K miles). Get the bike you like and one that fits you well. The 5200 is a nice machine and I really enjoy mine. I expect to have it for another 20 years. Mine is at or around 4K miles now. No problems at all.

Ride Safe,
Ti-Carbo

Test rides should be on familiar roads. Sure it's important to know how a bike handles, but lots of stop signs on steep hills...I would never ride there! I would say the crash is bad judgement. Safety starts with good judgement.

I agree with tourist, you likely don't need a WSD sizing. A bike should feel right, you should not need to adjust to it. A good LBS should be able to size you. You can never have a bike that is too much bike as long as you ride it. :)

You can never have a bike that is too much bike as long as you ride it. :)

fogrider.... You have just "justified" every upgrade I've ever done.... and will do!!!! Yup... U ROCK!

Ride Safe,
Ti-Carbo

You deserve any bike you can afford. The more you love your bike the more you will ride. Try several, buy the one your heart tells you to. :D

I'm willing to spend some dollars on this bike with the assumption that this may be the last and only serious bike I buy.

As others have said, buy the bike you want and can afford. If it give you pleasure, then it doesn't matter how much it costs. However, I wouldn't be so quick to assume that this will be the last bike you ever buy. The bike shops have such sweet, shiny, new toys ... Precious toys. So precioussssssss .... :D

Hi,
try a few more bikes. Get over to Harris Cyclery in Newton. Try the Habanero, and a Waterford. If he has a Heron built up, try that too. I have never tried one of those, but would love too. Worry about fit and comfort, the rest isn't nearly as important.

my main riding buddy is a 6ft girl and she rides a 61cm lemond - not women's specific. she's in germany on vacation now or i'd ask her for you, but i think she loves her bike and has never complained about geometry.

about the "too much bike" comment: the one thing i'd recommend is to get a triple front chainring on whatever bike you get - sorry if that goes without saying in your hilly new england home, but if you didn't already know i think it's worth mentioning that a lot of the racier bikes only have doubles up front because- well, because real roadies are so ridiculously fast. i'm 33 and not a racer at all and even though it's not hilly in DC where i live i think it's kinder on my knees to have the triple there for spinning or for the occassional steep climb.

it's awesome that you can afford a carbon frame - there are so many really deluxe bikes available in your pricerange! i like Late's suggestion of test riding a waterford and a habañero.

the friend i just helped shop for a new road bike is <6ft and >300lbs and has not born any children that i'm aware of, so don't you fret about wheels and weight classes - just get back out there.

i'm gonna look at this jpg for just another minute here...

Well, some good advice out there.

I am impressed with your determination. You had a nasty spill right off the bat and you are still determined to get back into cycling. Good going!!

I was rather surprised that the bike had damage and in this case major damage. I have seen a lot of crashes and heard about quite a few more and bikes are usually not damaged.

I knew a guy who gave this advice to people who asked him what kind of bike they should get. If you are going to ride once per week to the store to get a pack of cigarrettes, go to Walmart and get an inexpensive bike. If you are going to ride about 500 miles per year, go to the LBS and get a nice bike. If you are going to ride 2,000 miles per year, well spare no expense. The more you ride, the more you really should put into your bike.

Like others here, I would suggest that you not get anything that does not have at least Shimano 105 components. Also, as far as I can tell, I think any bike sold with Shimano 105 has a pretty decent frame. Now on some inexpensive 105 bikes, you get a good generic sort of frame but they are quite functional.

Another thing, I would also second the suggestion of getting a triple chain ring. It is much nicer to go up a steep hill having a gear or two lower and not needing them then going up a hill wishing you had a lower gear or two. The body has to endure what the ego decrees.

Also, I thought the women specific frame bikes were pretty much most necessary for small women, you know, gals of 5'0" or so. With a tall lady like you, I would think you could get a good fit in almost any production bike. If you need a shorter top tube, that can be handled by putting you in a slightly smaller frame so the top tube is right for you. It is more a matter of how good a job the LBS does in fitting bikes to their customers then anything else.

As to the brand of bike to get, well who knows? There are many very good bicycle manufacturers out there: Cannondale, Bianchi, Trek, Litespeed, Colnago, to name a few. I would suggest going out and test riding the bikes and go with the one you like the best.

I would suggest that you go for it, you deserved the best, and its your money, and who is stopping you from enjoying your life

First the wipe out. What was the road condition. Your description of the damage to the bike makes me think that you might have caught the front wheel in a crack in the road. That isn't likely to happen again once you get familiar with the bike.

Now for the bike. A 5200 is basically a road raceing bike. Think of it as the Miata of bicycles. It's nice and light and fast handling, but it doesn't have any trunk space. I'm thinking that for the kind of riding you described, you might prefer something that has eyelets for a rear rack.

Sounds like you are going to ride like I do, long rides for exercise and enjoyment, but no racing. I would recommend, based on my experience in prolonged research and on my new Zurich that you consider a steel or steel/CF hybrid. The Lemond Zurich is a fantastic bike for long rides. It is not as light as the 5200, but it is not as "skittish" either. I don't know how else to explain how it felt on descents other than "skittish." It may have been me, but the Zurich felt solid.

You might also check out a purely steel bike, like the Seven Axiom, or one of the new Bianchi steel/boron frames.

Personally, I would say go with the bike you like the best, but don't discount the Zurich until you test it.

TRWO -

A fellow metro-west Boston rider here - welcome!

Belmont is a good shop - hard to say how good of a salesperson you got though. Some of the kids that work at these shops are pretty yuoung and inexperienced. I would hightly recommend going to a few more shops, preferably during the week when they are not as insanely busy as the weekends. Harris is a good suggestion - they also carry Terry Bikes (entire line oriented to women http://www.terrybicycles.com/) ... might also try International Bikes or some local shops in your area. Try to get a recommendation not only for a shop, but for a specific salesperson.

My guess is that many shops through the WSD concept at women when they walk in the door as a blanket solution. The only problem for you I think is that the largest WSD frame is only a 56cm, which seems small for someone 6' tall. I am 6'2" and ride a 59cm center to top, and probably could have fit in a 61cm but I liked the 59cm fit better.

As for "is it too much bike"? I would say it depends - if you are going to put some serious miles on it, have the time for long weekend rides, and don't mind the price tag - go for it. Buying an el-cheapo bike and then getting "into" cycling and then selling your bike for 50¢ on the dollar a year down the road in order to buy the right bike is an even more expensive way to go! Then again, so is buying an expensive bike and letting it collect dust!

Lots of great deals on bikes out there too - I'd be looking for a discount on 1 2004 or even a bigger discount on a leftover 2003. New (2005) model year comes out not too long from now (I think).

Hi,
Waterford is custom now. They build wonderful bikes, and yours would be built to fit you; and the sort of riding you want to do. The RST-22 with an extended headtube is one of my dream bikes. They will make a 1 1/8" headtube if you insist.
I strongly recommend the traditional 1" headtube; I have seen both and the one inch is prettier. There is no functional difference between the two for you; the 1 1/8 drifted in from the Mtn bike world which is a whole different animal. They offer some stunning paint jobs, you can pick from the Imron catalog which means you can go traditional or pick the newest hi tech paint out there.

http://www.waterfordbikes.com/2004/data/products/index.php

Not to get off on too much of a tangent, but I wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea to spend a little more time on a bike before going custom. As you get more experience, your riding style and objectives might change.

Friend of mine leaped from an $800 Specialized (she put maybe 750 miles on it last year) to a $4500 custom Seven. She spends almost all of her time on the tops, very little in the hoods and drops. My guess is that as she gains experience, her riding style will change and so might what she wants out of her bike.

Just pondering.

i think that's a good point from markedoc.

one other thing - if you end up not going so fancy most all the girls i know are really down on alum frames, saying they're too harsh, and are really fond of steel frames. the carbon and ti bikes are supposed to be plenty comfortable but i don't know anybody who owns one. a reynolds 853 steel framed bike is the an easy recommendation for a girl who'd like to ride distance without soreness and doesn't race so isn't terribly concerned about weight. steel bikes aren't as heavy as they used to be..

you could try a Gunnar Roadie at your LBS as well - this is Waterfords bike for ppl who don't want to drop $3000+ on a custom job. one of the nice things about the waterfords is that they don't look like 'too much bike' because they're so classy looking as opposed to flat out racey looking.

i don't know if that makes sense really, but if ppl are allowing car analogies then maybe a Trek 5200 is to a Porsche 911 as a Waterford is to a Benz SL500. The Honda Accord would be a Fuji Roubaix Pro +) this is fun...

This is TRWO -

Thanks to all of you for your input. I really appreciate it.

I'll follow up on what I'm learning from you all! Yes, a 'granny gear' is a must for the hills around here. My friends had them on their bikes from ten years ago. Yes, I was wondering whether I was inappropriately being put on a female frame inspite of my height. That's why I mentioned it. I'll keep this in mind. Also, I don't think I had the best person working with me when I went to the bike shop. Shouldn't he have taken a set of mearsurements? If anyone wants to give me a particular name at a particular bike shop in the Northwest Boston area, please do so.

I now realize that because this bike was so light (Trek 5200), I wasn't use to it on the hill. Yeah - I'm beginning to think I must have hit something!

Thanks again

Might check out this one:

Acton
Pedal Power - 978 263 3197

They are a Terry Bicycle "Precision" dealer whatever that means. I don't know anything about the bike shop other than they are not too far from you.

Hi,
I've falled off my bike 3 times in the last 6 months and had to go to hospital once over it. I also came within an inch of flying into a canal and killing myself against the concrete and plate steel sidewall. This was mainly due to the Japanese' wierd idea of health and safety on the roads; lighting is optional, even when you have a small canal with no barrier and alternate double and singly concrete bridges over it every couple of yards. I pulled my brakes so hard that time my tendons were painful for 3 days afterwards. I also came a cropper when the closed, unlit gas station I decided to take a short cut thru turned out to have put black rope at waist height over the forcourt. Several cars have tried to knock me over and when I bought my latest bike I was unprepared for the brakes' efficiency, coming from a hunk of garbage, that I flipped over and fell in the road. Oh, and I was sore for a couple of days a wee while ago after making a complete hash of riding down a flight of stairs
I think I'm an extreme case, but dont let it stop you from riding. It just toughens you up (I hope). If you're going to get a hi performance bike, though, I'd spend a while in a car park just getting the feel of the brakes from very hi speed. Also, when they get decked, they fall apart cos they're so light. This is one advantage of a mountain bike.
Chaars.

Get a bike that fits you well and one you will want to ride. I ride a high end Serotta I bought in 93 when I had some extra $$ and was doing 200+ a week on the bike. With family responcibilties I ride less and spend time with the family. I bought my daughter a little Gary Fisher that fit her at the LBS. She now rides with me 3-4 times a week for ~ 4 mi. Nt bad for a 8 yr old, can you tell I am loving that part :D I just bought the wife a Trek that she liked so that she could ride with us. Again here the LHS fit her to the bike. My wife is very self concous on the bike and did not want to test ride the bike outside. The Owner and friend of store told her to get on and let him see how the bike fit and she ended up with a different size and setup. It is well worth the time to get fit on a bike. Go into a bs and talk to the people and have them fit you to a bike on a trainer or ride in the lot around the store so they can see you on the bike. If you do not feel comfortable with the lhs go some where else and try another. Buy what you can afford and ENJOY the bike. I agree on the componets, buy the better groupo and you will not be sorry. Also do not be afraid to ask for the tripple upgrade. Around here on a new bike most lbs will sell you the upgrade and give you credit for the double on a new bike.