September - October 2006

A New Bike

One Woman’s Journey

Photo: Danny Lieberman

By Ladie Whitaker

Buying a new bike is almost like buying a new computer - how many bells & whistles did I want? How much can I spend? How much will what I want cost me? And also, what do you call that thing? And that other thing attached to it?

My journey started sometime last year. It could have been after the Ramapo Rally Metric Century (which was worse than any century I’ve ever done), Vermont’s Mad River Century or the Twin Lights Century. It was all done with on a very heavy, extra large Specialized hybrid.

This bike was bought before Columbus Day 2004, so it was relatively new. On last year’s MS Bike Tour, people passed me on Rt. 9W and River Road with the greatest of ease while I pedaled with all my might, in the big ring, my highest gear and still couldn’t keep up. Not the granny gear.

This experience, despite cycling being a fun thing, bruised my competitive spirit. I knew it was time for a lighter road bike.

My first stop was the Internet. I went to every major bike manufacturer site out there. After the initial sticker shock, I tried to come up with a budget.

My second stop was the 5BBC Bulletin Board. I received great advice from many different members. Some emailed and phoned me personally. One leader, Alfredo Garcia, took me to the Tread shops and explained bikes, styles and components. This search took so long because I was so busy. So the search was on again, off again.

With a small pad and pen in hand so that I could write down information, I went to more bike shops: Sid’s, NYC Velo, Bicycle Habitat and Westchester Pro Bike Shop. Jesse Brown & Richard Conroy both gave me great advice. A phone call from Richard was very in depth from the handlebars to the rear wheel and everything in between. I received more helpful emails from John Chiarella and people posting on the board. I was slowly learning “bike-speak.”

My plan was to buy a new bike in February at a discount. But because of my busy schedule, by mid-March I wasn’t able to. So I signed up for Richard’s “How to Buy a New Bike” class. It was a great and helped solidify what I wanted.

Shortly after class, on Easter Sunday, with credit card and online printouts in hand, I ventured out to buy a new bike. Before I left, I called Richard for some last minute advice. He generously spent time with me on the phone, logged onto his computer and gave me more suggestions and tips.

I had heard so many good things about Bicycle Habitat, that I thought this is where I wanted to buy my bike. The owner, Charlie McCorkell, greeted me and went to get the salesman I had spoken to previously.

I spent approximately five hours there! Test rode 3-4 bikes, one of them twice. Because of the length of my legs, I was not able to get a women’s specific design bike. Since my previous bike was a hybrid with upright handlebars, bending over and forward seemed strange. After all was said and done, I was torn between a Specialized Roubaix and a Trek Pilot 5.0. They both felt good but there was an $800 price difference with the Trek being the higher of the two. I sat down and thought about it and wrote it out on my little pad, comparing everything.

Still unsure, I put another call into Richard. Once again he was very generous with his time and advice. He assured me that Shimano 105 components were very good. The salesperson also told me they were good and that when he changes his components, he uses Shimano 105 even though he gets a discount on everything.

After some more thought, absolutely no hard sell from the salesman and another test ride, I decided to buy the black & silver Specialized Roubaix! I also needed mountain bike shoes and SPD clipless pedals. I had to try on about 5 pairs before I could find a good fit. I needed water bottle cages, a lock, a pump, a bell and I bought a new silver helmet to go with the bike. Unfortunately, the bell would not fit because the handlebars had already been wrapped with padding enclosing the gear cable too. I also decided against buying the lock. After so many hours the end was near.

I was all equipped and ready to go - or so I thought. I could not clip in! I tried and tried and felt like such a spaz when I couldn’t do it. So Sat (pronounced sAHt) the salesman put the bike on the trainer so that I could clip in correctly. A passing salesman saw me on the trainer and took out a plum line to make sure the seat was high enough and that the clip was positioned correctly.

Sat loosen the pedals’ tension to make it easier to get in and out of them. I was on my way. I thought the bike path would be the safest place for me and my new bike. I was directed to go across Houston Street. After only 2 or 3 blocks a yellow taxi making a left turn and headed right at me. I stumbled a bit as I saw the cab coming at me. Did I think of losing life and limb? No! All I could think of was my new bike and the possibility of it getting damaged. The cab driver just looked at me like I was a nut.

I made it to the bike path without further incident. That is until I reached a short but steep hill directly underneath the George Washington Bridge. It’s a hill I’ve gone up many times before with my hybrid. Unfortunately, I attempted the climb fully clipped without sufficient knowledge of shifting into the best gear for me. I got about half way up and came to a dead stop. I tried desperately to unclip my feet. Unfortunately, my right foot came loose but I was leaning left. It was sort of a slow motion lean and plop. I banged my elbow a bit and the backpack I was wearing broke my fall. I made it home that day without further incident.

What do I like about the new bike? It’s a lot lighter than my old bike. A few strokes of the pedals, I’m going fast. The shifting is so smooth. I can quickly maneuver around manhole covers, potholes and anything else.

What don’t I like about the bike? Leaning over and forward takes some getting used to. I don’t like feeling every bump. This has improved since I purchased a woman’s saddle. And then there are the SPD pedals. I’m still getting used to those. I like that they keep my knees in line and stable while pedaling. I had no knee pain before, after or during hill climbs. I had another lean and plop on the Mother’s Day ride to Ridgewood while trying to get up a hill and a had a run in with a construction plate on the Bridges of New York ride. These falls came even though I practiced clipping in and out on several rides. I’d just roll along and clip in and out. I’d clip out standing and sitting. I think if I remember not to turn my front wheel towards the right when I’m unclipped and prepared to step left, I’ll be OK. All in all I love my new bike. And as I get used to the gears and clipless pedals, I will love it even more.

P.S. The Montauk Century, my first century ever on a road bike, was a dream! It was such a difference. Was passing people that I thought there’s no way I should have been passing. This was especially nice since I hadn’t worked out or done most of the training rides. Going fast, passing people, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship.