Monday, 6/5/06 at 1:52 PM
by Diane Shindler
by Diane Shindler
Finding a Great Bike Shop
This is extremely embarrassing to admit, but even after almost two years of riding together four times a week, my Biker Babe friends and I didn’t have a clue how to take proper care of our bikes. If we had gears that did not shift easily, we just sprayed them with WD-40. Tire pressure low, we asked our husbands to pump up the tires. OK, I’m exaggerating a little bit, but you get the picture!
One day last year, eight miles into the ride, I got a flat. Even though I have self sealing tires, none of us knew how to get the hand pump I had mounted on my bike to re-inflate the tire. It was frustrating when several men happened by and admitted they didn’t even know how to help. We had to flag down a truck to get me and my bike back home. What an eye opener.
We knew we had to learn more about our bikes before one of us got stranded. I asked several bike shops in the area to teach us how to take care of our bikes and how to change a flat and they promised, but didn’t deliver. Then several weeks ago I stopped into a new bike shop in my area, Sand Canyon Cyclery in Irvine.
Jim, the owner, told me he had just done this type of workshop for another group of women and set up a workshop for my group, which we attended yesterday. At the workshop the first thing Jim did was check the tire pressure on each of our bikes and he told us he was giving a prize to the biker with the lowest pressure (not good!). Take a guess who won that cute little pink tire pump……..of course it was me!
During the workshop we each worked with our own bikes and learned how to take the wheels off, check for punctures, change the tube and put the wheels back on. Jim taught us how to do a pre-ride safety check on our bikes and also how to lube the chain. I’m the type of person who learns by doing and each of our bikes is so different (my bike has disc brakes), so this hands-on workshop was exactly what we needed.
A good bike shop can be such a valuable resource. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or inquire about classes or social rides that many bike shops arranges. Most good shops have websites with valuable information about cycling. A good bike shop does more than just sell bikes, they can make riding much safer and adventurous for us. If your neighborhood bike shop doesn’t offer the services you’d like or need, be sure to talk to them and offer suggestions.
There are some fabulous bike shops in the country that recognize the unique needs of female cyclists and are providing special programs and services especially for us. If you’re in the Bay Area be sure to check out Alameda Bicycle, which is Kelli and Sara’s store. From personal experience in the Orange County, California area in addition to Sand Canyon Cyclery I’ve had wonderful service from Two Wheels One Planet which has stores in both Costa Mesa and Lake Forest. If you happen to know of a good women friendly store in your area I would love you to tell us about it in the blog. Be sure to check those bikes and always have a safe ride!
- Diane
One day last year, eight miles into the ride, I got a flat. Even though I have self sealing tires, none of us knew how to get the hand pump I had mounted on my bike to re-inflate the tire. It was frustrating when several men happened by and admitted they didn’t even know how to help. We had to flag down a truck to get me and my bike back home. What an eye opener.
We knew we had to learn more about our bikes before one of us got stranded. I asked several bike shops in the area to teach us how to take care of our bikes and how to change a flat and they promised, but didn’t deliver. Then several weeks ago I stopped into a new bike shop in my area, Sand Canyon Cyclery in Irvine.
Jim, the owner, told me he had just done this type of workshop for another group of women and set up a workshop for my group, which we attended yesterday. At the workshop the first thing Jim did was check the tire pressure on each of our bikes and he told us he was giving a prize to the biker with the lowest pressure (not good!). Take a guess who won that cute little pink tire pump……..of course it was me!
During the workshop we each worked with our own bikes and learned how to take the wheels off, check for punctures, change the tube and put the wheels back on. Jim taught us how to do a pre-ride safety check on our bikes and also how to lube the chain. I’m the type of person who learns by doing and each of our bikes is so different (my bike has disc brakes), so this hands-on workshop was exactly what we needed.
A good bike shop can be such a valuable resource. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or inquire about classes or social rides that many bike shops arranges. Most good shops have websites with valuable information about cycling. A good bike shop does more than just sell bikes, they can make riding much safer and adventurous for us. If your neighborhood bike shop doesn’t offer the services you’d like or need, be sure to talk to them and offer suggestions.
There are some fabulous bike shops in the country that recognize the unique needs of female cyclists and are providing special programs and services especially for us. If you’re in the Bay Area be sure to check out Alameda Bicycle, which is Kelli and Sara’s store. From personal experience in the Orange County, California area in addition to Sand Canyon Cyclery I’ve had wonderful service from Two Wheels One Planet which has stores in both Costa Mesa and Lake Forest. If you happen to know of a good women friendly store in your area I would love you to tell us about it in the blog. Be sure to check those bikes and always have a safe ride!
- Diane
Comments
I've lost over 60 lbs since I started cycling and my sister has lost something like 50 lbs as well. I gave up all the bad stuff (sugar, white flour, etc) and stared cycling with my friends, husband, daughter and whoever else I could find to ride with! It wasn't long before I started feeling so much better and wanted to exercise even more because I FELT SO GOOD! I can't believe it, but here I am two years later excited about riding in my first century!
Hang in there, it is so worth it! Please keep us posted about your progress so we can all help each other. I've got another 15 lbs I'd like to lose by Sept. so I don't have to carry that extra weight when I cycle 100 miles!
I am interested in a Giant bike just for light dirt tracks and on road cycling. I was wondering if the weight difference is really significant between a steel framed bike and an aluminum frame. What are the pros and cons between the two? Thank you
I'm an old bikie, started working in shops back in the 80s, live here in the great Northeast now and work at Plaines in Pittsfield, MA.
We CATER to women, I mean cater. Our manager Claudia has been with the shop for 17 years, I've published a bike book for women (A Woman's Guide to Bikes and Biking), soon to publish a second. We have daughters who ride. Two other women work at the shop.
We sell Giant and Specialized. I fit women to bikes and help them understand how they work, how to take care of them, where to ride and when.
There are shops out there who truly care!!! We are one. Email me anytime if you have questions.
Ride on!
Jules
It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle choice.
Jules
Let me ask the experts and I'll get you the details ASAP. Diane
You are a wonderful inspiration to us all! I was so intimidated when I first started cycling and would go into some of my local bike shops. I felt I was either totally ignored or made to feel pretty stupid! We now have some wonderful shops in the area that cater to women, I just wish everyone out there was so fortunate!
I'd love to get a copy of your book, can you tell us how to get it? I'm mechanically challenged to say the least, so when it comes to maintenance and repairs the more help I can get the better.
Diane
The publisher I wrote for, Bicycle Books, is now called Cycle Publishing
http://www.cyclepublishing.com/cyclingbooks/wg.htmland
the book is there or can be found on amazon...google Julie Harrell Women's Bikes. I am writing a second edition, due to be published in spring 2007 with Berkshire Publishing. West Coast to East Coast.
I worked on two repair books with Rob (at Cycle Publishing) also, one of them, Bicycle Repair, Step by Step is in its third edition I think. That's the bike repair book you want. It's in full color with tool lists etc. Everything I told him we needed he put in the book which can be found at the website I listed.
Anytime you want to know anything at all, just ask! We are a phone call away. 413-499-0294. Between myself and Claudia we can answer most questions, and if not, we know who to ask. We also have an internet site that I handle as part of my job.
www.plaines.com
Here's the press release we just sent out:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 12, 2006
Contact: Jules Harrell
Plaines Bike Ski Snowboard
Phone: 413-499-0294
Email: jules@plaines.com
FREE WOMEN’S BIKE BOOK TO WOMEN TEST RIDERS
On Saturday, June 17, Plaines Bike Ski Snowboard will be giving away free signed copies of local author Julie Harrell’s first book, A Woman’s Guide to Bikes and Biking. Julie, known as “Jules” has worked at bike shops on and off for the past 15 years. She began working on bicycles at the age of 16 when she discovered that a lighter crankset means a faster ride. By the age of 24, she was competing in 100 mile races, and in 1986 she won the Oklahoma Grand Prix, a statewide title for distance road racing.
Jules moved from Oklahoma to Marin County, California, where she worked as a mechanic for several pro shops in the Bay Area, and as an editor for a bicycle book publisher. Jules mountain-biked Mt. Tam with famous cyclists and learned the finer points of bike mechanics. She moved to upstate New York in 1994, became a mother in 1995 and finished her M.S. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1996. She spent ten years writing and publishing in the photonics, banking and IT industries before finally returning to her first love, the bicycle business. At Plaines Bike Ski Snowboard, Jules specializes in fitting women customers and teaching them the basics of bicycle handling. She is available on Saturdays and during the week by appointment.
Hope to hear from you soon,
Jules
Here is the response from the experts at Giant. If you want more specific answers about certain bikes let me know. Diane
From Giant: There is a significant weight different between a steel bike and an aluminum bike within our product range.
As far as general pros and cons go...... aluminum is usually lighter, it is almost always less affected by the elements. Has similar life expectancy but this is sort of a non issue given our warranty policies.
There are two great events coming up!!
On Thursday June 29th @ 7pm there will be a "Women's Only", hands on maintenance class held at Two Wheels One Planet Lake Forest.
On Sunday July 2nd @ 9am there is a beginner safety in the streets road ride held at Two Wheels One Planet Lake Forest which teaches new riders how to navigate traffic and understand the rules of the road. This ride will also teach the fundamentals of bike handeling and shifting techniques.
The clinics are the start of the Women's Cycling Program which will provided a variety of clinics, rides, and various other activities.
Get signed up today by dropping Kristen an email Kll@TwoWheelsOnePlanet.com
Sounds like the FCR is a great choice for the type of riding you are doing. Funny thing about this industry is that they finally figured out there is a difference between women and men. The womens FCR does have some features that fit a womens body better. The handlebars,seat,& stem are much different. (The bike frame actually does change at the smaller sizes xxs/xxxs)
I fit alot of women to bikes and the most commen complaint I hear is the seat, handlebars & stem...all the things that do differ from mens bikes. I would encourage you to talk to your local shop and discuss the options of fit. There are many products on the market that will help keep more women on bikes
Happy riding.....Enjoy you new bike!!
If you can find a shop that will fit you to a women's bike, go for it!
Jules
We'll always have a few pounds laying around, but not enough to get in the way of our bicycles!
Jules
thanks, Marie
Just because women's bikes are now on the market doesn't mean you cant find a great men's bike that fits you. And what a great deal you have on that bike. No wonder you are so happy, keep riding girlfriend, and enjoy that bike!!!
Jules
becky
I just got my computer working again and saw your post about the clinics..... how awesome! I'm going to tell everyone I know!!!! Diane
What was that 100 mile ride like? I'm thinking I need a new seat because I'm dying after the first hour (ouch)!
Any good tips out there on comfy women seats for a road bike? I'm sure it's personal preference, but I'm sure some must be better for women than others. Diane
The seat situation...You want to find a seat that is specifically designed for women. Specialized has a unique measuring device that actually measures your sit bones...then you choose the seat that fits.
The next, equally important thing is to ensure your seat is adjusted exactly for you. It should be completely level, and adjusted forward or backward on the seat rails to fit where you'll sit on the bike.
Remember, if your seat is too high, you'll be "rocking" from side to side while you pedal, if it's too low you'll struggle with a lack of leg extension.
Find a friendly shop who will fit you to your bike properly. Road bikes especially require perfect adjustment.
Jules@plaines.com
Thank you for the response. I bought myself an aluminum frame and it rides like a dream. Thanks for the advise
Thanks so much for the advise about seats, I'm sure this can be a real problem for lots of women! Diane
What bike did you end up buying? Diane
All these positive notes and stories have motivated and inspired me to purchase a bike, and start riding. I will do it before the week is over,
Thanks,
Shama
I'm busy preparing a three book proposal for the latest in women's guides to biking, kayaking and rock climbing. Lest you wonder, I'm 46 with at least 7 or 10 pounds I'd love to lose and I'm not on my bike kayak the cliffs nearly enough cos I'm so busy writing! We are luckily way out in the country with llamas goats dogs and cats, so it's not so bad. I get a little exercise, a little yoga, a little healthy eating (between organic potato chip binges!)
I have an 11 year old daughter who is in between sizes, and rather than leave her at home to hammer out my road/mountain bike miles, I stay with her and hike the creek. Occasionally getting in a really good ride... up the mountain.
We ride on occasion, but I can't get her off her comfy bmx bike (yes, with a smaller woman's saddle) into one of my mountain bikes. Help! Do any of you mothers out there have advice for getting your daughter into riding hard? It's work and these kids like to do their own thing...anyway, she's my favorite child, my only child, my human companion and I love her. So, I struggle with the few pounds, the lack of riding like I used to (I'm 46) and being tied to my computer.
I wanted everyone to know that you can find me on myspace.com....as photonicgirl. My home email is photonicgirl@hotmail.com.
There will be a new blog coming up too.... Meanwhile, here's some details from the second edition of a woman's bike book...
About the Book: Benefits to the reader
The trilogy, A Woman’s Guide to Bikes, Kayaks and Rock Climbing, are a woman’s best friend and here’s why:
The majority of women today who have the money to spend still have trouble figuring out how to spend it on adventure sports. There’s just so much advertising and so many options to choose from that it’s difficult to know where to start. Often, these women end up purchasing a product that does not suit their needs. Pretty soon, their bike, kayak, climbing gear ends up sitting in the basement, closet or garage. Why? The gear doesn’t fit the woman’s true purpose because no one helped her define it in the first place.
These books will guide a woman’s choices by first helping her examine what she wants to do within a chosen adventure sport, how she wants to do it, where she wants to go and with whom. The books are not really about purchasing gear, they are about empowering women by defining their personal desires and providing knowledge to make these personal and sometimes hidden dreams come true.
Just so you know, I am finally writing the book I always wanted to write. It's for all of us.
Must go now, my daughter just came in with a bowl of salad she created...it's so beautiful I'm taking a photo of it outside.
Ciao for now,
Jules
Be sure to find a good bike shop that will fit you properly then be sure to tell us about that first ride! I'll never forget how I felt the first time, it was so wonderful!!! Yipeeeeeee! Diane
Thanks,
Cortney
I need to get some info from you so I can check with Giant's network. What city and state do you live in? Also, what kind of riding do you do, how long do you ride and any other info you can give me would help. Diane
Sounds like a great book, I can't wait to read it!
I wish I know how to get my kids to do anything I want them to! They've all been in some kind of sport, but not necessarily the ones I would choose for them! I'd love to hear if anyone has tips on how to get kids that age to do what we want! (big grin)!!!!
Diane
It's not like I can get Reesa to do anything I want~
Today she wanted to watch tv all day, eat constantly then go for a short ride. In between feeding her ravenous 5.4 100 pound 11 year old self, I finished (!!) my proposal for Berkshire Publishing, and we went for about a 6 mile ride, she rode her bmx and i rode my Breezer.
Old bike, old parts. My sweetest mtb ride yet. I was happy to be on it.
If you have an email address where I can reach you, please share it with me and we'll talk.
Jules
I am Josh, currently a postgraduate student on the MSc Strategic Marketing Course in Leicester Business School, UK. Would you Please spend a few minutes to fill in this questionnaire, which investigates the factors influencing mountain bike purchase decision for my dissertation.
Link...
http://www.my3q.com/home2/113/chieftseng/64211.phtml
The mountain bikes are significantly more popular among men than women, in addition, currently the respondents on my internet survey are male as majority. Therefore, the information from female users is more important for this survey.
Your personal information will be kept confidential as I shall not be divulging your personal details in my dissertation i.e. the name of an individual.
It is grateful to give me a little help.
Josh
Joanna
Since both bikes you are looking at are very upright, I'm assuming you'll be pedaling on flat terrain. If not, you might want to try riding both of them up hills before deciding for sure which one you want. Even if there are no hills in your neighborhood, test ride those two bikes, and maybe a third, such as the Boulder, for comparison. That way you can get your seat adjusted and ensure that you have found the perfect bike for your needs.
Jules
First of all that's terrific news that you're going to rediscover the thrills of cycling!!!
That's great advise from Jules, but I know some bike shops are stingy and will only let you test ride around their store. I rode a Sedona for two years and loved that bike, but we're all individuals and if a bike is not comfortable you're not going to want to ride it. You're very smart to take your time and make sure you purchase the right bike for you and the type of riding you will be doing.
I'm waiting for some expert advise about the differences between the two bikes from the pros at Giant, so check back at the end of the week to see what they have to say.
Diane
Both bikes are upright, the Sedona has (smaller diameter, fatter) 26 inch mtb wheels, while the Cypress has (larger diameter, narrower road type) 700 c wheels.
The 26 inch wheels are superior for rutted roads and non-paved roads, as they are more stable, while the 700 c wheels are faster on pavement.
The wheels are the primary difference between the two bikes, which is why I still suggest you try a third model, the Boulder, in the same price range. That way you've tested two riding positions (one upright, one slightly stretched out) on hills in your neighborhood.
Jules
What type of riding will you do? Will you ride with your husband? do you prefer pavement to dirt? do you live in a hilly area? are you fairly fit already? what other sports to you enjoy?
I'd recommend either a road bike, a mountain bike, or a hybrid road bike (such as the Specialized Sirrus) if you want to road ride without the dropped handlebars. Even tho the industry has come a long way, road bikes are best for pavement, while mountain bikes are best for trails. To commute in town, there are a multitude of options. If you want to sit upright, you can find many "comfort bikes" to serve that purpose too.
Jules
I rode a Giant Sedona for 2 years and just switched to a road bike because I've increased the miles I ride and ride mostly on the pavement.
Be sure to check out Giants line of woman specific bikes and when you purchase your new bike be sure to have the bike you select fitted for you. As I said before if the bike isn't comfortable you arent't going to want to ride it! Let us how that first ride is! Diane
You will also love the bar ends while climbing hills.
Jules
tread for rough pavement or dirt trails. Within each of those models there are lots of choice: some have disc brakes, some have front suspension and/or seat post suspension, aluminum or steel frames, one of the Cypresses even has fenders. Depending on your riding style, you can choose from these options the model that works best for you.
Finding Your Shop
A good bike shop shouldn’t be hard to find. In keeping with a great phrase, “Think Globally, Shop Locally,” begin your search from your house and visit the closest bike shop. You may have a great one right down the street. Branch out, ask around and check out the shops a bit farther from home. Your favorite shop might be a bit of a drive but worth it. Find a shop and stick with them. Now for the good news: Women are beginning to populate shops more and more, and shops are catering to the girl crowd because they realize that we, ladies, are the women with a mission. Here’s the other news: You still need to be prepared to deal with the general attitude that can prevail at some shops that are actually exceptional otherwise. That is, testosterone territory.
Okay, so you walk in and you can’t stand heavy metal music. The guys are sporting nose rings, you can see pizza crusts and yes, and empty bottle of some microbrew, and the clothing rack has (eek!) dust on it. A good shop might seem like macho guy world where only roadies with shaved legs and neon jerseys hang around, swapping crash stories and admiring their scars and a woman can never enter. Wrong. Just walk on in like you own the place. I’ll tell you how to do it.
A good bike shop may be that little hole in the wall that doesn’t sell tricycles, has European racing frames hanging in the window, and a bathroom that smells like, well, someplace to be avoided. A good bike shop can also appear as a sparkling, well-lit place with beautifully polished wood floors, artfully marketed displays, clean bathrooms, and a staff with matching black polo shirts. You aren’t looking for appearances here, although they certainly help the uninitiated. What you are looking for is great service, people who know what they are talking about, and who are willing to share information with you. You are also looking for a one year service warranty on a new bike, which includes the basic tune-ups for one year after purchase.
Remember, the people who greet you at the door may also be the shop mechanics. If they seem surly they probably haven’t been able to get out on their bikes enough this season, so bear with them. Good service is what you are looking for and they are the holders of the good service keys. Increasingly, bike shops are also employing women who ride, are gnarly, or ride, are mellow, or ride, are of the chunky variety, or ride not, and are still great sales people. Just give the shop a chance, and go with their flow. They may have a groove you could learn from and they may have a bike you will love. You are not shopping at Wally’s here folks, as your local bike shop is a privately owned enterprise, homegrown in America. Let’s support them, shop locally, and ride free.
The typical bike shop with a management that rides with the employees, supports its local race team, and employs people who dress in an alternative manner, may not fit into the conservative model one expects to find these days in contemporary shopping. A brightly lit, finely tuned shop with all the sparkles of a large, corporate department store may seem ore inviting to the first-time bicycle buyer. You don’t have to look far to find a good shop. You just have to look carefully. Great shops treat their customers with respect, take the time to answer questions, and enjoy repeat business from loyal customers. They also employ people who love to ride, which does cut into shop hours, making them slightly less accessible to people who can only shop on Sundays. Truly great shops may look like grimy bike messenger hideaways on the outside, but if you look carefully, you will discover a wealth of information right beneath your eyes. So go ahead and stroll into the shop that strikes your fancy, whether it is a clean, well-lit place, or a roadie hangout. You are now about to become armed with the conversational tools you require to negotiate your way into the bike of your dreams.
First impressions, as I said earlier, can be deceiving. The very woman-friendly owner may be out buying cappuccinos and donuts for the surly but genius mechanic who greets you at the door, or doesn’t greet you at all, which is sometimes the case. Go ahead and stick around, check out the bikes, and see what they seem to be selling. Is it mainly mountain bikes, or mainly road bikes? Do you see any obviously used favorite bikes that don’t seem to be having repairs but are parked around like little pet cats? Those probably belong to the staff. Are they mountain bikes or road bikes?
Your initial inspection will tell you more about the shop if you toss any preconceived notions of how the shop should appear. You are more interested in whether they really know much about bikes, whether they all ride or not, and what they ride. If you are in the market for a road bike, you should find a shop that specializes in road bikes. There should be several parked nearby that look at though they are for sale or currently in use.
Since you will be fully prepared to size yourself on a mountain or road bike, you won’t be relying entirely on the shop to size you correctly. However, road bikes are so specific that you truly need a highly qualified person to measure your shoulder width, arm length, torso length, and stand over height. Otherwise you might very well end up with a road bike that doesn’t fit or almost fits. Unless someone in the shop actually rides a road bike, don’t’ plan to purchase one there. The shop may be a perfectly nice, reputable place but roadies are a breed apart, and it usually takes one to size one.
Let’s talk about terminology. Do you want to ride on the road, off-road, technical single track, or cruise the neighborhood bike paths? Should you first take a peek at comfort bikes, mountain bikes or road bikes? Are you interested in hard tails, dual suspension, a really stiff road bike or just a fat soft seat? I’ll provide a brief overview of what’s actually on the bikes, but keep in mind that talking to a good sales person at a bike shop is way more fun than just simply reading a book about, so go on over to your local bike shop to get the low down on what’s really happening with bikes today. I’m just giving you a glimpse in this chapter.
There's more of course.
Peace,
Jules
You didn't mention your fitness level or if you'll be climbing hills. Keep in mind that if you just want to cruise the neighborhood, those bikes are just fine for you, but if you want a more aggressive ride that will allow you to tackle harder terrains, you'll need to look at a Boulder mountain bike at least, and more expensive versions if you'd like something fancier. Just test ride them and see how you feel. Find a hill to ride up on both the Sedona and the Boulder (or another mountain bike). Going offroad is very different from neighborhood cruising. You'll want your handlebars closer to the front wheel than a comfort bike provides. Your sales person sounds just fine to me at the comfort bikes don't have a lot of difference except that the women's versions are even more upright if that's possible. When you mentioned offroad he probably didn't think you would want a woman's frame. I have five bikes myself and all of them are men's frames.
Good luck!
Jules
#1.) Can someone tell me the difference betwenn an OCR and TCR?
#2.) I am 5'2" weighing in at 125. I was in a terrible 18 wheeler vs. truck vehicle accident in 2001 and have not done really any exercising since until I started this bike riding. I want to have the right fitted bike that will be helpful for me on the 75 to 150 mile runs. Please give me advise and suggestions.
I think 200 miles is a GREAT start!!! Your local Giant dealer will spend some time with you explaining the differences between the bikes based on what you will be doing with it and will fit you to the right bike for you. A bike that fits you correctly is so important! You need to be comfortable on your bike or you won't want to ride it!
Keep us posted about what you get, I'd love to hear how you like your new bike! Diane
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