Bike sizing
 

Hi guys,

Newbie here, of course. :) So I'm sure you guys get this a lot, but I'm looking for a commuter bike for $200 or less, either new or used, that I can use to learn how to properly ride in the city. Nothing amazing or super fancy, just a solid bike. My city has added a ton of new bike lanes in the past six months, so I figured this would be my opportunity to ride.

I've been looking online, as some seemingly nice bikes are on sale, and this one caught my eye: http://store.citygrounds.com/store/p...e-Bike-Purple/

Problem is I don't know what size I should get. I'm really short, so I've been having a hard time finding bikes that seem like they'd fit me. I've never been fitted before, and while I've looked at a lot of charts, I don't want to get the wrong size and realize I've got to return it. I'm 5 feet tall, so I was thinking of going with the 43 but I have no idea if that would be okay. Since I'm not used to riding in the city, I don't want to buy a bike that's too big!

(Also is this bike a good deal? I've heard good things about SE. Comes out to $250 with shipping.)

Thanks!

First of all, Welcome to the forum!! -- As far as sizing is concerned, unfortunately their really isn't a "cookie cutter" formula for a one size fits all scenario. In one brand you may ride a 50 in the next you may ride a 52 etc.... So my advice to you is to go into your LBS and try out a few different brands it's a totally different world when your peddling them.

Secondly, anything you order online you will most likely have to assemble. So as long as you are okay with that then go for it, but a lot of people don't think about it until they open a box of bike parts and think," Hmmm, why are all these parts NOT assembled..."

I'm also wondering if you are brand new to biking, or just the forum? If you are new to the forum, you will love all the advice you can gain from a lot of diverse riders. People can be extremely helpful and light years ahead of riding experience and knowledge on these sites. But if you are brand new to biking i STRONGLY think you need to go get fit. As a rider you are going to want to learn and understand how your bike fits and feels. -- Knee pain, neck pain....and other such madness are things that people sometime endure when they first start to ride cuz they don't know how to adjust their bikes properly. Go in to your LBS and tell them that you going to start commuting and wanna check out commuter/SSFG bikes.

One more thing... if you are new to biking, I wouldn't suggest riding a FG bike, but that's just my opinion. I think it may be a little more tricky for a beginner. If you do decide to ride SS you may want to drop a post in the SSFG forum. Those riders are very well rounded and know alot about commuter bikes.... but word to the wise: they can sometimes come across a little bold & feisty! I like to refer to them as passionate!! lol. ;)
Good luck!

You may also wanna look at: http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...essenger_x.htm
This site usually has decent deals, but they are around $300...which is more than you originally wanted to spend but this bike is also a better bike than the one you orig. posted and it's lists around $800 normally. Otherwise check craigslist. --

Ah, Minneapolis. I was supposed to go to Twin Cities in December, but I'm skipping it to buy a bike. :(

Anyway, not too worried about the assembly part. That's what big brothers/friends are for! I did check out BikesDirect (liked this one http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/.../avenue_fb.htm), but I'm trying not to spend too much especially since yes, I am totally new at this!

One thing I don't get (and here's where you can tell I'm REALLY a newbie): Why are single speed bikes always lumped together with fixed gear? I thought fixed gear simply meant you had to manually brake by backpedaling and that single speed just meant that there was one speed, but that there was still a brake system? This is why I wanted a single speed, haha. I don't think I could handle a fixie.

You're definitely right about getting fitted. Might as well do it, right? I'm just intimidated by bike shops so I've avoided them til now.

Thanks for the tips! p.s. if you go see Doomtree at First Ave in December, take pics for me. ;)

You can't manually brake by "back pedaling" a FG. It doesn't work like that. As long as your bk wheel is moving so are your pedals. You control your speed by your pedal stroke....as long as your moving...so are your pedals. -- A SS and a FG are lumped in the same category because they both have 1 gear/speed. FG's are harder to control cuz you don't really have the same brake option you do on a SS.

Don't be intimidated by bike shops those guys are there to help ya...Plus you need to be educated about what to buy so you get the bike that best suites your needs. They will be happy to show you whatever you need, but you gotta test ride them so you know which one fits the best.

Never heard of Doomtree, but First Ave is Legendary...too bad you're missing it.

My usual recommendation in this situation is to increase your budget to $300, and see what your local bike shop (LBS) has. It's worth dealing with good LBS as a beginner -- they'll make sure the bike fits you, the bike is mechanically sound, and when (not if!) something goes wrong, they'll set it right for you. At the $300 level you should be able to find a hybrid or a rigid mountain bike. I think the bikes labeled "urban" are a bit pricier. Any of these should get you on the road and let you get some experience.

Talk and listen to the LBS people, and test ride a few bikes to see what you want to ride.

Thanks for the info!

I just saw what looks like a nice single speed Dawes bike on Ebay. Got some reviews by googling this, and found that the parts on it are cheap (can't tell if they are not suitable for riding, or if people who say this are the types who normally get $1,000 bikes. haha). It's only $200 even after shipping. I was thinking I could buy it, save up for better parts, and customize it later. Instead of it being one huge amount of money upfront.

But I guess, yeah, I should really hold off for a bit til I can do my homework and just try to find a good deal somewhere instead of purchasing something online.

Agree that for anew bike your budget is pretty low.
Also that if you are a newbeedo you should get professional help at a bike shop being properly fitted.
Fitting is not an exact thing and individual preferences will develop as you become more experienced.
Personally I prefer a frame a little on the tall side for a road bike and a bit on the short side for a Mt. Bike compared to what is technically "my size."

My personal preference is to always err on the side of smaller. If necessary, you can always buy a longer seatpost and/or a longer/higher-rise stem. But buying a frame that's too big is a problem can't be inexpensively "fixed."