Hi from Tijuana, Mexico
 

Hi,

I am Diana. I lived several years in Washington DC as a newlywed poor graduate student and used a bike all the time. Then I came back, got a job, had kids, got fat :lol:, had a serious neck injury, developed carpal tunnel and stopped biking. Now my oldest kid is 5 and is a bike enthusiast so I want to get back to biking.
Back in my student years I went back and forth from mountain bike to so-called hybrid bikes and I was never happy with either. As I am very short and started riding late in life I prefer mountain bikes as I find them easier to maneuver, but I always end up being convinced to get something "faster". My last bike in DC was a man's Trek 720 (I think the granddad of the 7200) in a 13in frame and it was OK. It was stolen so I bought the closest thing, a woman's trek 7200, size 14.5 and I don't like it. Maybe it's the years off the bike but it feels huge and not very easy to maneuver in tight corners. I can still exchange it, but I'm not sure for what. I still think the best for me would be a simple mountain bike with no suspension, and probably change the tires. I know they're slower, but I don't think my 5 year old will go very fast in his 16" wheeler any time soon.

Welcome to BF!!

Welcome to BikeForums. If you can return the bike, ask the shop owner what hard-tail mountain bike s/he has in your size. If the shop has one you like swap the tires for slicks or semi-slicks and you're good to go.

Ocelotito,
Hope your bicycling goes well in TJ.

Curious if you are working with a bike shop in TJ or in San Diego. If you have found a good bike shop in TJ please share for a beverage of your choice.

Please also share with the forum how you landed in Tijuana.

Hi all,

Thanks for your replies. I will go tomorrow to try out different bikes. I am convinced that something with a 26 inch tire is the best for me.

Bajadock, I ended up here because my husband got a job here, like 4 years ago. I got my bike in San Diego, in the Eastlake Trek bike to be exact.
I see you're in Ensenada, so you must know that most things are way more expensive this side of the border. For repairs there's something decent here where I live (Playas). Riding around here is another reason why I consider a mountain bike, you know pavement around here is sometimes worst than some trails.

What do you do in Ensenada?

Diana

Agreed on the need for a tough bike for most of the rough pavement and dirt/rock roads here in Baja.

But, my need for speed and distance brought my road bike out of 5 year retirement. Road to La Bufadora in my neighborhood is smooth and I have the traffic educated on providing me room. Getting ready for April 17 Rosarito to Ensenada ride. Often ride Free Road hills between Ensenada and La Mision.

Diana, I retired in 2005 and moved to Ensenada in '06. Exercise, cooking, reading, music, kayaks, boat and http://golf4ninos.wordpress.com/ is my philanthropic effort.

Hope you find the perfect bike for you.

Hi,
This thread is dated, but I wondered if anyone could suggest a couple of mountain bike trails in Tijuana but particularly the southside of TJ towards Rosarito? Single track, jeep trails or any place where you can ride for an hour without traffic. Also, does anyone know of a bike shop in the TJ/Rosarito area?

I am thinking of relocating to the area with my family and hoping to understand the mountain bike situation better.

TreyC