I got a bike! Some questions...

[NancyR]

OK, long story short. My brother-in-law owns a shop up in Cobourg, we stopped in 2 weekends ago, and I drooled over bikes, I didn't even know he carried them. I seem to have only visited in the winter when skis were out.

My husband cut him a deal and tonight I got my Birthday gift and Christmas present, early lol

It's an entry level bike, a TREK woman's 1.1 See here http://www.trekbikes.com/ca/en/bikes/road/1_series/11wsd/

A few questions: (don't laugh, I am a complete newbie at this)

Can you get a kickstand for them?

I am not sure it is the right size and I know the answer here could easily get pretty involved. So here is some info on me. I am 5'4 ish, a wee bit more maybe and the chart for sizing says a 47/50, my gift is a 47, and I am not sure about the size. I feel a bit crammed up, but I am not used to this style of bike and maybe it is fine and I need to just ride and get used to it.

If I had it my way, I'd have gone in for a proper sizing...but hubbie decided to surprise me and well I can hardly say no thanks! B-I-L will exchange it (or Christmas dinners could get uncomfortable) but I have no idea if its right or wrong...

The chart on their web site states for 5'3" a 47 or 50, for 5'6" 50 or 52 or 54...so since I am 5'4ish, if I had to nail it down lets say 5'4.5".

I am sure I will have more questions, but any help on these is much appreciated.

Oh and did I mention I am FREAKING EXCITED!?!!

I am quite nervous - it is so lovely and I have NO IDEA about maintenance, tuning etc.... but like running we all start somewhere right?

Nancy doing the happy dance



 

[Newt]

Get properly fitted, it will be worth it in the long run or should I say ride, Both for comfort and safety. Though without seeing you on it I would guess a 47 might be a bit too small.

Peace
Peter

[Craig]

Hi Nancy,
Congratulations on your new bike! Welcome to the wonderful world of roadbikes.

I agree that a 47 seems small for someone of your height. Parts can be changed to accommodate some size differences, though it's best to start with the optimal frame size.
I'm not sure if "Canyon Mountain" does proper bike sizing and fitting, you would have to check with them. It would be worth seeing if they have a 50 or possibly even a 52 in stock that you could try and see which works best for you. Then like Peter mentioned, get a proper fitting done.

The fitting involves setting seat height, seat fore/aft position, seat tilt which is usually set level, stem height and inclination and possibly rotation of the handlebars for optimal hand position/comfort.

If Canyon Mountain doesn't do "proper" bike fitting talk to Sandy.

Congrats again. Always very exciting getting shiny new wheels.

Now you have to come out for some group rides.

Enjoy.

[patti]

Nancy you can call the store and set up an appointment with Colleen to have a bike fit done.
Congrats on the purchase.  I bought a bike through the store (big surprise!!! LOL) and I am having a great time on it.  Sandy and Colleen set me up on it and it feels great.  I had one about 9 years ago, and it was a Trek too but I was never fit on it properly and I hated riding it.  This time I purchased a woman's specific bike and saddle and I have noticed a huge difference on it.  I also purchased a great pair of bike shorts and my girlie parts feel good too.
Happy riding!!
patti

[NancyR]

Thanks Peter, as the excitement settles in I agree, (the excited part of me wants to hop on and ride) I do need to be properly sized up. I really feel with as little as I know that it is too small.

I am the DD for a golf tournament tomorrow, so I will be up that way and if time allows I will slip into the shop in Cobourg and see what they can do (sizing) without the bike though as we will be full with golf clubs... and no rack yet. Will have to wait until Tuesday for a return.

It might all take a few weeks to get sorted, as my B-I-L dropped it off here, on their way east vacationing.

Craig, thanks.  Would it be reasonable to do this?  Go up and see how I feel on the 2 sizes, (50/52) also of course get sized if they do that, but if they don't get/order a 50 and then see Colleen at Tri & Run? I really look forward to learning to ride in a group and will definitely be out once I have this figured out!

patti thanks! I am so excited - its wonderful to hear you are having a great time, I can hardly wait to get out. You know I will be over to get shorts!!! lol girlie parts (does what I said to Craig make sense to you?) I was in the other day and LOVED the pink bike up front, made my heart beat faster lol

Thanks everyone and if I am doing stuff totally backward jump and stop me!

Nancy

[Kate]

 

Your enthusiasm, Nancy, only inspires me!

[NancyR]

Thanks Kate!

I stopped by the shop in Cobourg today... they do bike sizing, but Paul who does it wasn't in... (here lies the trouble buying out of town, no one has to tell me...but I can hardly kick a gift horse in the mouth) so I will try to get back up this week, along with the bike and get sized, most likely a new one ordered, they had nothing for me in a 50 or a 52 to try. Plus my B-I-L is away for 2 weeks...........boo.

Then I am sitting my my car texting (not driving) to see if the golfers are ready, and a guy bumps into the back of me! Sheeeesh. No damage but I was ticked. (he likely got a bit of my mood from not getting to ride my new bike...) lol

Now this will take some time to get sorted out so being a girl let's talk accessories, can you guys offer needed accessories and not needed right off the bat?

Thanks!!!

Nancy

[David]

Hi Nancy,

  Hopefully you get your bike sized properly and are able to ride soon. You are going to love it!

[NancyR]

Thanks David, I think so too!! 

[Craig]

A proper tire pump(the ones from Walmart and Canadian tire are garbage), roadbike tires need to be inflated to 90-120 psi(depending on the weight of the rider and the tire itself), and should be topped off before every ride. Some of the "better" pumps seem to have poorly designed valve heads which make for difficult useage. I suggest try before you buy, make sure it works for you. I see too many people that have difficulty with their pumps. The thinner the diameter of the pump cylinder the easier it will be to inflate the tire, especially for petite riders.

Cycling shorts if you don't already have some. Much more comfortable on the derriere.

Cycling gloves. Some people like them, some don't. Personal preference.

Front and rear lights can be a good idea, especially for fall riding with daylight in short supply. It's quite easy to head out for a short ride and find yourself racing the darkness. Rear lights(even cheap ones) seem to work well, but front lights you get what you pay for.. Basically cheaper front lights are good at allowing you to be seen by drivers(most important) but not so great at illuminating the road ahead.


Seat bag of sufficient size to carry cell phone, keys, possibly spare tube, tire levers etc.

Fixing a flat is an invaluable skill every rider should have.

[NancyR]

Great Craig, thank you. I've copied and pasted this into my "stuff to do, learn and or figure out this month" lol I really appreciate your help. I've got a long way to go, but I am an eager learner.

Nancy

[Jane]

When we were at the store this morning, we saw that Sandy got some really cute boxes (not sure if that is what you would call them) to put your "stuff" in on your bike.  Lots of neat designs.   Not too huge, but I could manage to fit quite a few gummy bears in them if I needed to.

I am assuming you already have the helmet.

If you have a garmin, you can use that for tracking speed and distance.  If not, you can always purchase a cat's eye, which will clock these things.  Some also do RPMs.

Did it come with water bottle holders?  You definitely need at least one of those.  I am finding that I could probably use a second.

[NancyR]

Thanks Jane. The little boxes sound neat, I will check those out for sure. I do have a helmet, and a water holder, though my bottle is a pain to get out of it...so I may look into a different one. I have a Garmin from Tri & Run and I love it.

I really like newish gummies, Honey Stinger Chews, I ate a bag once 2 minutes after leaving the store lol

Since I didn't get too far yesterday at the store in Cobourg regarding the bike, my husband says we will wait until the owner (B-I-L) is back from vacation to deal with it all...so it might be a month before I am set, bummer. BIG bummer.

However the day will come and I can run meanwhile!

Nancy

[Craig]

Very small frames have very little room to fit water bottles. If you end up getting a 50 or 52 there will be a bit more room for bottles.

[QATS3]

Congratulations on the new bike...once everyting is sorted out you will love it.
On another note...Patti did you actually say you were liking riding a bike!!!!! Wow.
Cheers,
Bryan