masiman

The other parts of your note were good, but the cable part is not typically true.

You'll wear out chain, gears (cassettes and chainrings) and brakes before your cables will wear out.

TamaraEden

The bike is in good shape. I trust the shop I got it from, even if the first sales guy let me pick the bike that I thought felt best, but being a TOTAL out of shape overweight newbie, that wasn't smart on his part. Gratefully though, they let me exchange the bike for the smaller size.

Truth be told, I haven't even rode the bike more than ten times yet! I've done little riding due to the fact it was the end of the school year and things were hectic, then I was at a conference out of town, then on a cruise, now it's pushing 100 degrees daily which is just too hot! I posted here because I am surprised at HOW out of shape and challenging little grades are. These aren't steep hills. I'm just really that out of shape. And since I've never been a cyclist (I've had a couple bikes in my lifetime at random times) my body is doing new things of course.

Anywho, back to the bike. It's having it's first sleep over at the shop. I pick it up today. I brought it in for its first adjustments. The rear brake was loose and the brakes seemed a little far from my hands. I also wanted to look into adjusting the handlebars one notch. I needed better grips, once when riding on a hot day, my hands were so sweaty they slipped OFF! The LBS guy said he was surprised I've ridden so little because of that rear brake. Then he said, "you must ride down some hills"! Damn those little itty bitty hills that kick me in the tush!

masiman

Sounds like a great shop. Better ones will do what you have described, exchange and adjust within a reasonable period.

You might want to check out the Ergon and Lizard Skin grips. Ergons (and the like) are very comfortable. Their only downside is that they kind of fix how you grip the handlebar. It bothers some people, no way to tell if you are one of them. But they are very comfortable.

Gloves would also help with the sweat and comfort. They also have a nice terry cloth near the thumb for wiping your brow and such. Additionally they provide some fall protection. Some like gel gloves others do not. I never liked the squishy feel they give but they the best shock absorbers of the glove types.

ChiliDog

Hi!
Don't feel badly...you are not alone! I am going through a "starting over" of sorts in that I moved out to an area with hills and I was used to riding only on a flat rail trail.

Then to add to that change, I rode a scooter for the past 2 cycling seasons and stayed off the bike totally. I am through with that, sold the scooter, and going back to cycling only.

But I am 54 now. When I first started riding "seriously" in 2001 I could barely do a 3 mile ride on a flat rail trail. Well, I'm ok on the flats, but it's the hills that scare me. Literally. I guess it's a fear of failure or the humiliation of having to start completely over, but that is where I am at. So you are at least getting out there and doing it...

This thread is inspiring to me and comes at a time when I was trying to talk myself out the door on my mtb around here. Even if it's a mile at a time, at least I'm pushing to become a cyclist again.

One thing I do recall when I was trying to increase my distances before was that it's no sin to stop and rest. If we plan a stop for 10" to rest, we can push on a lot further than we think. Little steps.

I admire your determination and I appreciate the encouragement I feel for myself reading this thread.

Deb

TamaraEden

Chili Dog, that was such a kind and nicely worded response, thanks! Good luck with your own challenges. I need to stop reading BF and ride my bike Supposed to go try the closest bike path with husband, but he's still asleep, then it will be hot...summer sucks.

Oh, and got my bike back. I love that shop, Dave is the best and so helpful.

Joyfulmama

I started riding last summer at 31 years old and was doing good to make 2 miles on flat ground. By the end of the summer I was up to 18 miles and I was pregnant. So just keep working on it little bits at a time. I spent from early December to March 15th on strict bed rest and then spent time with an infant in the NICU, so it was Mid-april before I was able to much of anything and haven't been biking that much lately. (Imagine that, I have a 4 year old, 2 year old, and premature infant...wonder why I don't get much biking in) The few times that I have been out I have easily done 12 miles with two kids in tow. So despite a lot of bed rest, I was still in better shape this summer than I was at the beginning on last summer.

Anyway all of that to say, it is worth the effort.