Buying a bicycle

As a fairly young rider, my knowledge of bikes was limited as I began my bike search.  I quickly learned that much like buying a new car, there is a lot that goes into buying a new bike.  Thankfully, I had Nick to guide me plus I did a little research of my own.  I figured I’d share some of the things I learned throughout this process…

Step 1:  What type of bike do I want?

The world of bikes is gigantic…commuter bikes, road bikes, hybrids, triathlon bikes, etc.  Choosing the type of bike you want should be based on how you plan to use your bike. 

 - Commuter bike:  good for riding smooth roads or boardwalks for short rides, just a couple miles in length, between work, errands, and sightseeing.
 - Road bike:  for longer rides, fast-paced miles, hills, benefits of a lighter frame
 - Mountain bike: for off-road rides, rougher terrain, including extended touring or commuting on rough city streets...my mountain bike served me well on Pittsburgh’s infamous pot hole laden roads!
 - Hybrid: midway between a road and mountain bike in terms of weight and function
 - Tri bike:  aka time trial bike, meant to be aerodynamic for use during triathlons

For me, the answer was a road bike.  The benefits of a lighter frame and more speed for triathlons, longer exploration rides, and trying to keep up with Nick (Don’t be deceived by his runner’s legs…he was on the cycling team at Pitt and those quads have some major power!) 

Tip:  Make sure you compare road bikes in your price range. Women's road bikes can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, so it is important to set a price point before you start shopping. 

Step 2:  What frame geometry is best for me?

If you’re purchasing from a bike shop, they’ll help you out with this part but it is still helpful to have a general idea.  For example, do you want a women-specific frame or unisex?

Women-specific bikes have a slightly different geometry to better fit female anatomy.  These bikes are designed with a shorter top tube, a more relaxed head tube angle, a taller head tube, and sometimes a slightly steeper seat tube angle.  Shortening the top tube decreases the reach between the saddle and the handlebars which is the most common problem for female because of our shorter torsos.  Just shortening the top tube, though, can lead to less stable handling and increased toe overlap so other modifications are made such as relaxing the head tube angle slightly to move the front wheel further forward, so that toe overlap is less likely.  A relaxed head tube angle also slightly lengthens the wheelbase which allows for more stable steering.  Overall a women’s specific frame can increase efficiency and comfort by reducing neck and upper body strain (via the taller head tube), and taking advantage of a woman's longer femurs (via steeper seat angle).  Just because you’re a girl, however, doesn’t mean you need a women-specific frame.  Generally, women-specific frames are best for those of us under 5’4.  At 5’4 I could have gone either way but in the end I felt more comfortable on the women-specific frame.  The best thing to do is test them out.

Step 3:  What size bike is best for me?

Choose a bike with a frame that fits your body.  Based on my height alone most bike shops would recommend a smaller bike for me, but because I’ve got a small torso and long limbs (hence the nickname “Monkey Arms”) I was more comfortable sizing up a bit. Measuring your inseam in centimeters can be helpful to obtain a size to start your search with.  Multiply your inseam by 0.65 and the resulting number is your frame size.  Not all bike frames come in all sizes, so knowing your frame size will help you narrow down the number of bikes from which you can choose.  Finally, when you straddle the bike look for about 1 inch clearance between the top tube and your crotch.  This applies for road bikes, hybrids and commuters.  For mountain bikes, look for 2 inches or more of clearance. 

Step 4:  What type of material is best for me?

Compare bike frame materials. As I described in an earlier post, there are a variety of materials that bikes are made from these days.  For me, the choice was between aluminum and carbon.  Carbon frame bikes are more expensive, but the carbon frame helps eliminate vibrations from the road. I opted for a mix with an aluminum frame and carbon seat post and carbon handlebars to keep within my price range but still help reduce the vibrations from the points of my body that contact the bike.

Step 5:  What modifications and add-ons are best for me?

Select a saddle that fits your hip width and bottom.  Saddles come in a variety of materials and sizes, so you need to decide if you would rather have a slimmer, harder, smaller seat that is aerodynamic for racing but does not provide much padding, or a saddle that is wider and has gel padding that is less aerodynamic but provides plenty of cushioning.  

Compare pedals for your bike. Many road bikes are designed to use with clip-in style pedals and cycling shoes.  If you do not plan on wearing cycling shoes, you may want a flat pedal, similar to those found on mountain bikes, or cage pedals, which slip around the toe of your shoe and help you conserve energy by providing both a pull and push motion like the clip-in pedals.  I opted for the clip-in pedals.  They take a little getting used to but the added efficiency is definitely a plus.

Choose upgrades or additions for your bike, making sure they are available for your style of road bike. If you plan on riding in triathlons, you may want to add aerobars to help streamline your body and make the ride less stressful.  You may choose to add one or two water bottle holders onto your bike, especially if you plan to ride long distances.  A bike seat pack can also be useful for carrying a few supplies (bike tools, wallet, snacks) on your rides.

Modifications to make a bike more user-friendly for woman:
 -  Smaller handlebars:  narrower, shallower drop, and shorter reach.  Also the stem can be shorter and/or more upright, to further reduce the reach to the bars.
 -  Brakes and shifters can be sized for smaller hands
 -  Saddle:  can be wider in the rear to accommodate a woman's wider ischial tuberosities (aka sit bones) and some saddles have an cutout in the middle of the seat to help decrease pressure and prevent damage to the soft-tissue areas.
 -  Weight and stiffness:  the materials used can be altered to better suit a lighter-weight rider

The bottom line, women's road bikes accommodate female's smaller hands and feet, shorter torso and wider hips.  Whether you opt for women’s or unisex design, it is important to select a road bike that is lightweight, fits your body and falls in your price range.

Step 6:  Which bike should I purchase?

Test ride a few different types and sizes of bikes.  The best way to compare road bikes is to try them out.  Look for a comfortable seat and pedaling motion.  Try shifting the gears and taking a few turns.  Make sure you don’t have to shift in the seat to press the pedals at full speed and that your knees aren’t flying high toward your chest.  Most bike stores will assist you in adjusting the bike to properly fit your body and let you take it out for a test drive.  You should ride on a terrain similar to what you plan on riding regularly.  Test riding several bikes will help you get a good feel of each bike before making a decision.

When you do chose a bike, take your bike to a bike shop to have a professional fit your bike to your body.  A bike that fits properly can be the difference between muscle cramps and overuse injuries versus a comfortable and efficient workout when you ride.

Happy riding!!