bike chick tip wednesday!

hello again and welcome to another bike chick wednesday! i will start right and apologize for all the crotch shots but your crotch is an important consideration while searching for that special bike!

bike chick tip #3 : bike fitting

it is very important that your bike fit you in a way that is comfortable for you as well as efficient. as i mentioned in my last post going to a bike store is the most convenient place to try out a bike. this way if you have never rode a bike before you can stand over different models and see what size bike fits you best and what is most comfortable. it is best to go to a bike shop where they sell old and new bikes this way you can feel the difference between old and new bikes. often new bikes are sold small, medium or large where as old bikes are sized in cm/inches like: 49cm, 52cm, 60cm....the frame size is measured from the seat tube to the center of the bottom bracket...often they also go by the standover height.

                                                                          courtesy of dynamic bike

these #'s are especially important as many people use these two types of measurements when selling on craigslist and is an easy way to spot if a bike will be too small or too big for you. so here are some images of what comfortable stand over height looks like...

 ladies or mixte frames have a sloping top tube(s) which make the stand over height different then a road bike so it is also important that when riding any bike when pedaling that your leg is able to almost fully extend so that your knees aren't tired while riding and so that you also get the most power while pedaling. this type of bike makes it easy to get on and off a bike as well as being the best for riding in a dress or skirt :D

mountain bikes also usually have sloping top tubes but a less severe slope.  but since the top tube is slightly sloped you still have to swing your leg around to get on or off the bike.

 lastly the road bike. these are the most tricky because they have a straight top tube and the picture sbove shows what a too big bike looks like when standing over it. notice that i am standing on my tippy toes which is a huge no no as it can be dangerous if you slip off the pedals...trust me you don't want that to happen to your lady bits...i know it... doesn't feel good!


just remember that getting a size frame that fits you is the most important! you can change out seat, seat post, handle bars and handle bar stems later which i will also go over :D


if you have any questions just let me know and i will be more than happy to help out!!


 xo,

cb

bike chick tip wednesday

welcome to bike chick tip wednesday! i am very excited to start this weekly post about how to buy a bike, bike accessories and bike maintenance. i could hardly sleep last night in anticipation....these posts will generally be long winded due to the fact that there is so much bike info out there so if you are in it to win come along for the ride :D

tip #1
sit down and think about the type of riding you want to do. a bike can go anywhere but if you are just cruising around town on a full suspension mountain bike you may have more bike than you need.  i go on long bike rides and ride around town so i have a mixte framed road bike that is able to do both providing that i have all the right gears :D i also have urusla my 3-speed which is more appropriate for my daily commute to bart and riding around town plus she is the most comfortable to wear skirts and dresses in!

another thing to think about when looking for a bike is that all bikes ride differently. my 3-speed has a more up right position when riding but is heavy. road bike and mountain bikes have a a more leaned-forward position but are usually lighter. these different types of things create different feels when riding and how you handle the bike. a lot can change the position of the bike by the different type of handle bars that are on a bike so sometimes taking an older road bike and putting cruiser style bars gives you the best of both worlds... but that i will save for another post :D

if you are stumped and don't even know where to begin, try going to your local bike shop and trying some different bikes out or better yet rent different bikes for a day. can you stand comfortably over the bike? can you get the seat high enough for your legs to not feel cramped? i know from experinece that it takes more then just a lap around the block to know if a bike is a good fit. when i went to purchase my very first bike i got so excited that i rode it up and down the block and said yes to the guy and gave him my money...don't let new bike fever fool you. a couple months later i decided i didn't like the bike and felt it was a bit too small for me...it can take some time to find a good fit but when you do you will have you bike forever and it will be your best friend!

well i hope that little intro helped, i'll be back next wednesday with another bike chick tip...i am off to pack for my awesome camping trip with a group of really fun girls..so this will be my last post until sunday. have a great rest of your week. i will be thinking of you while laying in the sun and drinking a beer or two or three :D

xo,
cb

bike chick tips!

recently family members, friends and fellow bloggers have commented to me how much they want a bike but don't know how to go about buying one...well i thought why not provide come helpful tips on how to buy a vintage/used or new bike! craigslist is filled with wonderful opportunities just waiting to be snatched up as well as local bike shops. i have owned 4 bikes, all different types from cruiser, mixte, roadbike and mountain bike...and all serve a different riding style or purpose...i am not the most knowledgeable  person about bikes but i know when i see a great looking bike but to help withe more technicalities i have asked the mister to add his two cents! also since some of you maybe be purchasing your very first bike i also want to post how to's on bike maintenance..everyone likes a chick who can handle a wrench and some grease :D stay tuned for your first bike chick tip...can't wait i am so excited!!!

xo,
cb