New to this and planning to re-start cycling...help please

[Procrastinate]

Hi, I've just joined the site after reading posts for a few weeks,great forum,and I'm getting ready to return to cycling after 'decades' of not riding at all, used to ride for pleasure and transport as a young adult. This time I'd like to work upto some cycling trips etc so looking at road bikes not hybrids-if my understanding is correct.
I'm a 5ft female and I want a road bike that will, at this stage, be too good for me but that I will be able to grow into and will last a good number of years (I've read about eveyone upgrading after a year and I'd like to try and avoid the extra cost!). I've been to my LBS and they have pointed out the Specialised Dolce and the Trek Lexa (not sure which version) both appear to be in the 550-650 range.
I'd appreciate help with what to go for handlebar wise- as I've never used a drop style bike, ladies or small mens-read that the quality is better on a mens cycle(?) and anything else you could advise me on. Thanks.

 

[Arjimlad]

Hiya - good luck with whatever you go for. I started out on a Giant FCR flat bar road bike (the Rapid is the current model) and pretty soon I was enjoying going fast, but the upright stance made me feel like a sail. I prefer drop bars because of their versatility & wish I had spent the extra cash to get a drop bar bike in the first place.

As for mens being better quality I don't know about that, the ladies bikes I have seen all looked on a par...

Anyway, happy riding whatever you do.

 

[lulubel]

At your height, you might struggle to find a "unisex" bike that's small enough for you. I'm a couple of inches taller, and I've just been down the new bike route. If I'd bought a complete bike, I would have had to choose a women specific because the reach on all the unisex frames is too long for me, and I've ended up building my own because I can't get exactly what I want. (I'm not suggesting you need to go to that extreme, though. My requirements were pretty specific.)

When you say "cycling trips" are you talking about multi-day tours? If you are, you'll need a bike that can carry luggage. Rack and mudguard mounts will be essential, which I think most entry level Trek frames have - at least mine did - but it will also need to be able to take some weight. So, you might need to look at a specific touring bike.

If it's day rides, you've got a lot more choice. I bought a Trek 1.2 (what is now the Lexa) 4 years ago, and I was very happy with it. In fact, I'd still be riding it if it hadn't got broken in a crash a month or so ago. I love drop bars, and would never use anything else now. I find them extremely comfortable, and there are plenty of places to put your hands.

Yes, you're correct that you often get more for your money if you buy a unisex bike. The women specific models tend to have lower quality components on them for the same price point. Not always, before someone picks me up on that, but often.

Your best bet is to go to as many different shops as you can, look at and test ride as many bikes as you can, research online and come back here and ask questions as often as you need to.

 

[MontyVeda]

+1 to lulubel's advice...

I can only add that when test riding and you find one you really like, just keep pedalling and never return to that shop!

 

[biggs682]

+1 to lucibel's advice

before you make any decisions go and try as many bikes and styles of bikes you can to try and find the style and type of bike you like best , you could ask if any other members on here are local that might have a bike you could test ride .

i know i would if i was local

 

[TonyEnjoyD]

Good luck and welcome aboard

 

[Psyclist]

Don't forget crank arm length on mens bikes are usually longer than womens too.

The Dolce is fairly specced for the money although should be less than 550 for the 2011. If you have a 2011 Dolce at your bike shop, haggle the price down on the 2011 to £475 region. I did on my Defy 4 2011.

 

[saoirse50]

Have you thought abut Islabikes Yes, I know, they make bikes for children. But a petite friend of mine, aged 41, bought this http://www.islabikes.co.uk/bike_pages/luath700lrg.html
and she loves it. She's just over 5 foot tall and she lives in Scotland and rides mostly on road but has taken it on rough tracks and several tours. It has survived some quite rough treatment and she has no plans to upgrade it (although obviously has had to replace various bits as you would with any bike you ride a lot after a few thousand miles). There are quite a few reviews of the Luath around- I haven't seen a bad one.

 

[Oxo]

Many ladies bikes are also lower geared than the equivalent mens model.

 

[Procrastinate]

Hi again and thanks to everyone who's helped, sorry not to respond to everyone individually but things have taken a sudden exciting, if mildly scary, turn. Dropped by the bike shop to have another look.....and brought the Specialized Dolce home!
Took it out for a short ride in the sunshine, about 5kms, and really enjoyed it.. minus the slightly sore area afterwards!
Got the 48cms version with the LBS taking about an inch off the seat post for me as it was originally too tall, whilst the reach and others aspect etc were correct, the 44cm apparently would have been too small for me as I've got more length in my body!
I do hope I've got the 'right' one, it was good to ride and felt relatively comfortable although alien to me at the moment, as I've never had drop handles before. It feels so fast compared to riding years ago!
Thanks for all the help so far, no doubt I'll be asking other questions fairly soon! Best Wishes.

 

[Graham1426]

Good on you for taking the plunge...good to see you didn't "procrastinate" too much.
Welcome to the forum.

 

[carolonabike]

If it feels comfortable, then it's the right one .
Have fun, you'll soon get used to drops then there'll be no going back.

 

[Procrastinate]

Hi Graham1426 and Carolonabike, Thanks for the welcome and wishes, I surprised myself by not living upto my name.
The weather has been fantastic for the last few days so it's really encouraging me to get out on the bike. I had very little free time today so only did another mini ride at 6kms, not much I know, but I'm hoping that little and often is a good way to get used to the saddle... and today I actually got to use the gears! I forgot to say that years ago I didn't have any gears at all, goodness knows how I did that... youthful energy I suspect!
I'm looking forward to doing something longer soon, I intend to try and do a few more kms each time and build it up steadily, hopefully eventually being able to do those day trips I mentioned.
I've read about the basic things to buy eg. tool set and mini pump, gloves etc but how do you carry these with you, do you take a rucsac or something? Thanks.

 

[Graham1426]

I have a small seat post bag, which I carry a spare inner tube, patches, compressed c02 canisters ( to inflate tyre), a pair of latex gloves and multi tool that about covers what I carry.

 

[Psyclist]

I have a small seat post bag, which I carry a spare inner tube, patches, compressed c02 canisters ( to inflate tyre), a pair of latex gloves and multi tool that about covers what I carry.

'Saddle bag' very useful to have and saves having to carry a big big on your back.