I'm a newb: bike sits really upright
 

Hey, Im going to start commuting to work via bicycle.

I'm trying to purchase my first commuter bike and I'm probably going to get the REI Novara Corsa. (Great for me because its cheap, looks easy to take off the wheels if I get a flat, good REI return policy).

But when I test rode it (and other commuter bikes), it seemed like I was sitting really erect. Like a nanny that rides bikes in those Disney movies (sorry its the only way I knew how to describe it). Is that freakin normal? I felt like pretty awkward on it because I felt like my head was so far away from the handle bars.

Is it just the seat and handlebar positioning that needs to be altered to fit me? I take a lot of spin classes and I might be used to the positioning in that setting.

I am fairly tall. But my legs are average length, all my height is in my torso. Does that have something to do with it?

Am I making sense?

Well, yes, it's important to get a bike model and size that is appropriately-sized, including your reach to the handlebars. If you are short of leg and long of torso, you will probably need the very tallest frame you can just barely straddle, and you may also need to swap from the stock handlebar stem to a longer one. Upright is comfortable for riding to the corner store, or for just sitting on the bike watching TV, but it's not the right position for cycling any distance. You want to lean forward so you can make use of all the muscles involved in pedalling, and also to better distribute your weight between your hands and your behind.

Hi Niki.
Did you read what I posted in your Introductions thread?

If you're used to "leaning forward" a little more than the Novara allows, maybe you'll want a road bike/touring bike or a flat bar road bike for commuting.

Well, that Novara does spec an adjustable stem. That will help you stretch out a bit. IMO, I would stay away from using anything with front suspension as a commuter. They are heavier and robs you of pedalling effiency, especially when climbing/accelerating.

All good advice so far. Just get something you like, are comfortable with and have someone qualified fit you for the bike. Perhaps consider not spending too much money on your first bike as, in my experience, many people, 12 months after buying their first "cheap" bike, love cycling and want something better - hopefully, by this time you will have a good understanding of what suits you. Just as long as its not "too cheap", breaks down all the time and puts you off.

Also, how "heavy" are you up top? My wife finds the aggressive forward lean on some bikes uncomfortable after a while, and she prefers a more upright stance on a bike. Have you tried riding a more aggressive bike - maybe Mary Poppins sat up straight for a reason?

By the way, women who cycle are HOT! ... its great way to tone up.

Just get a basket and a little dog and hum the theme to wizard of oz as you ride along. *jokes*

Sitting upright is slower because of the wind resistance, but it puts less weight on your hands and you can see a little better in traffic. It is going to be really hard to "look cool" commuting. You're a freak simply for riding a bike to work. *shrugs* Just go for comfort. About 10 miles seems to be the break point for many commuters. >10 miles they tend toward the touring style bikes and away from the upright bikes.

When I ride in sandals and a hawiian shirt (Fridays are Hawiian shirt day dontcha know) I hear "Dude, don't hit the hippie on the bike." When I ride in neon yellow with blinky lights all over my bike I hear, "Dude, don't hit the dork on the bike." I've never heard, "Dude, don't hit the cool lookin' guy on the bike." (but that might just be a personal problem for ME!) *laughs*


I like the upright bikes. Easier for me to reach my coffee mug.

Part of it is you're used to spin class, and part of it is your build. If you're female, test ride both "male" and "female" bikes. Women's specific design usually means the bike is meant for someone with long legs and a short torso. A men's bike is usually meant for someone with a long torso and short legs. In spin class, you're probably spending most of your time focusing on just spinning. On the road, it really helps to look around so you can handle traffic. You *may* find that you're happiest stretched out in spin class, and more upright on the road.

I would look at something like the Marin Fairfax or K2 Mach 1.0. One is a flat bar road bike (sometimes called a "fitness" or "hybrid" bike, or a rigid mountain bike... there's all kinds of names and you don't much care what it's called if the bike fits well). The other is a drop bar road bike. Both are fairly inexpensive, and should be pretty flexible. The Novara Transfer is a *really* good deal since it includes so many commuting goodies, and is pretty long in the top tube, so it might be a good compromise bike for you.

I would also test ride some more expensive bikes, and I'd test ride somewhere besides REI. REI is a great place to buy a bike if all you need for good fit is a saddle swap and maybe a different stem. But if you need more than that, you may be better off at a local shop that is willing to really swap stuff around for you.

if you are used to a "spinning" bike then you will probably be most comfortable on a road/touring bike setup
I commute on a road bike and I don't have problems seeing traffic because im "hunched over"... all bikes are usable for commuting (depending on distance and weight of the bike...), but if you go any significant distance, a road/touring bike is going to be most efficient... just keep in mind if it can accept fenders and a rack (even if you don't want a rack now, you might change your mind later...)