Tohtruck says:
I test rode a bunch of bikes today.
Great! That's the only way to really do it!
I wasn't as happy with the Felt Brougham as I was hoping to be. It feels alright. It looks the coolest out of all the bikes I am considering and test rode today. But it basically felt the same as when i test rode the cheap Phat Cycles bike I test rode during the week.
I'm kinda surprised at the Felt. I thought it might perform a little better than that! Oh well, moving right along...
Something I am noticing is that I am so used to riding my smaller bmx bike which has a very short height. I think I am used to riding very low to where my entire foot can comfortable touch the ground while sitting upright on the saddle. I find that it feels a bit comfier to be able to scoot/push off with one of my feet while sitting on the bike seat.
Well that's how it's generally done. One foot is on the ground while the other foot pushes down upon the pedal, that pushes the entire bike forward, to give you momentum. Now if you're talking about pushing back on the ground with the left foot, then the right foot, then the left again, no, that's not how it's supposd to be. Alternatively, you could just push the bike forward, mount it while it's moving, find your balance, and just start pedaling that way. However, that might not be advisable, but that's the way I do it!
On the Felt Brougham and most of the other urban bikes I tried so far, I can only touch the ground with the toes of one of my feet while on the seat (and I have to lean a bit on one side or the other). Is that how it's supposed to be? (Again, this is why I say that I am a beginner, I actually don't know these things)
No! When you stand over your bike. Both feet are supposed to be flat on the floor. Then you should be able to stick to fingers between your jewels and the top tube. If you can get four fingers in there, the frame is more than likely to small. If you can barely get one finger in there, the frame just might be a tad too tall. As you are seated upon your bike, you shouldn't be able to place the ball at the bottom of your big toe, flat on the ground. At least the tip of your big toe should barely touch the ground. Being able to tippy toe onto the ground is fine. Even if you can't touch the ground from a sitting position with the tips of your toes, that's fine with both road bikes and hybrid bikes.
I mentioned this to one of the guys who was helping me out today. He said that it's bad for your knees to ride so low. Can anyone offer any more input on this?
Ok, so now, you've lost me! How can the seat be too low, if your toes are just barely touching the ground, as you move from side to side?
Should I opt for a lower bike, or was I riding like an idiot on my old bmx bike and get used to riding a different way (possibly the correct way)?
Ask to speak with a mechanic, the next time that you go to REI. Tell him about today's fitting experience and let him reflect upon your given advice. He should be able to properly advise you.
Another bike I got to try today was the Novara Buzz One at REI. I was actually pretty happy with it. It felt the best among all the bikes I've tried so far. And I think it's possibly because the seat on this was a bit lower than everything else I've tried (again does this mean I might be slowly injuring my
knees?)
No. You are not injuring your knees. You just got to test-ride a proper fitting bike. That's why we say all the time that if a bike doesn't fit well, it won't ride well, and you won't ride it. Fit is absolutely the most important factor when selecting a bike.
I'm not sure I like the mustache handlebar though. And I don't like the paint scheme or the blue rims on the Novara Buzz One. Anyone have any advice on possibly painting it black? How do I go about doing that? Are there places that can do that for me? Or do most people do it themselves?
REI should have a plethora of flat handlebars availble for you. If they don't have them in stock, they can most certainly show you their catalogue so that you can order what you like.
Insofar as painting is concerned. There are several ways to go. Do you want it to look nice and attractive? ..OR- Are you just put off by the color and you simply want a color change? ..Because, you do know that you can easily wrap tape around the tubes and paint the tape.
There's another DIY way. For that, just go to the
General Cycling Discussion Forum and check out the threads "Anyone Ever Have A Bike Painted" and "Rattlecan Paint Job".
Of course, the two classy ways to have you bike painted, is to have it professionally powder-coated, or painted by an autobody shop.
Most people use rattle can spray paint, and it turns out less than stellar!
Also, can anyone recommend a good flat handlebar to replace the mustache handlebar. The employees at REI were even telling me that pretty much everyone dislikes the mustache handlebar and opts to replace it. However, they barely had a selection of handlebars to choose from. I think I might have to go about finding a replacement and then bringing it over to them to switch it out.
Checkout:
http://bontrager.com/products/components/handlebars
www.nashbar.com
Click onto
components & bike parts and then
handlebars
However, before you actually order anything outside of REI, go to the bicycle co-op. Learn how to replace your own handlebars. Then just take your time finding the handlebars that you really like! Spend a couple days looking a bikes with flat handlebars and making certain that those handlbars meet the correct specifications. Then when you're absolutely certain. Take your bike to the co-op and install your handlebars.
Of course, you could always just let REI do it, too! However they're probably going to charge for the service. OTOH, they might not charge if you're a member.
Good Luck!
- Slim
PS.
Wait A Minute...
How tall are you, TohTruck?
Revised