Blog listed on STLBiking.com
We've been listed on the STLBiking.com
blog list. We're right there at the top! Be sure to check out their website if you get the chance.
Thanks,
~~rich
Got my bike!
Okay, so I actually got my bike several weeks ago, but I wanted to update you on my selection process. I have been looking to get a bike for about a year now and I have done some research on good entry level bikes. I test rode several bikes including Trek and Specialized. Wanting to stay under $1500, I was limited in my options, but felt I could get a good competitive bike in this price range. The options I considered included the Specialized Allez, Specialized Allez Elite, and The Trek entry level bike (1000, I believe from last year).
There is so much to look for and keep in mind when considering a bike. Here's a short list of the things I would recommend to any newbie like me...
- Get Fitted. It's important to have the right size bike. Most bike shops will give you some guidance with this for free while others will charge you a fitting fee (most will take the fee off the purchase price of the bike if you purchase with them).
- Components. Know your components. You'll pay more for higher end components but you'll gain some extra features, smoother shifting, and longer life. Here's a quick list of Shimano components in ascending order from entry level to professional level: Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra, Dura-Ace. While you're shopping ask the clerk if you don't remember. I remember this by using the acronym S.T.U.D. (with 105 in the middle). Hope that helps you to remember.
- Test Ride. Be sure to test ride the bike you are considering and I would recommend test riding as many bikes in your price range to get a feel for the bike and different components.
In the end, I went with last year's model of the Specialed Allez Expert with Ultegra components. Here's a
link to the specs on the Specialized website. Original MSRP was $2300 last year. I wound up getting it for about half that price and the bike is only a year old.
Here's a pic...
I've ridden it a few times and I'm pleased with my purchase. I have plans to attend some bike maintenance training sessions at the
Alpine Shop so I will be prepared if I get a flat tire. After that, I'll feel comfortable joining a local riding group every now and then.
I'll update you soon on the shoes and pedals I went with as well as Helmets and clothing options.
If you have any other pointers you would like to share, please feel free to post a comment for others to read. This would be the audience participation part of the program. :-)
Happy Riding!
~~rich
Dude in the Yellow Shirt
We all know YouTube is an excellent resource for learning new things. As I journey down this brain expansion path, I have found You Tube to be no different for learning about bike stuff. Check it out...
Go to
YouTube.com and type in "bicycle parts" in the search field. Look for all the videos with the dude in the yellow shirt. I believe he has about 14 of them. This
link will take you directly to one of his videos explaining about the different types of shoes.
Good stuff. Enjoy.
~~rich
Magazine issue
So, I went to the Local Bike Shop in Sunset Hills looking for the latest edition of The
"Bicycling" magazine. I thought since I'm wanting to get into bicycling and would like to learn more about road bikes maybe I should get some reading material. So, into the bike shop I go. Here's how the conversation went...
Me: "Hi, I'm looking for the Bicycling magazine"
DumbGuy: "Can you be more specific?"
Me: "Okay. It's an actual magazine on bicycling and I'm pretty sure the name of it is Bicycling, or The Bicycling Magazine; something like that."
DumbGuy: "I'm afraid you're going to have to be more specific"
Me: "Right, okay. Umm... where are your magazines?"
DumbGuy: "Oh, we don't have any magazines"
WTF!?!?! Why didn't he say that in the first place?
~~rich
Blog Launch
Hello! And, welcome to my new blog. I'm a complete Noob to cycling so I thought I would share my experiences in hopes of helping others in the same predicament. Just bare in mind I'm as new to cycling as the Cubs are at having a winning record this time of year.
I hope to share my experience learning about the cycling world including: purchasing a bike, local bike shop interaction (St. Louis mainly), what are the differences in pedals/shoes, maintenance, why do I need a helmet (just kidding!), and more.
Eventually I would like for this site to grow into a community based website offering information on area bike shops, trails, events, news, clubs, and more. But for now, please show your support by posting comments to help me through this process and to help others. Thanks for visiting!
~~rich
