Conference noted::bicycle

    o  down-tube shifters - YES - get used to them now, and
       encourage the dropped riding position, too
    
    o  Indexed shifting not essential - non-Indexed gives you
       more understanding of how the drive train works
    
    o  good handlebar tape - that's one of those tiny things
       that can make a big difference in comfort, overall
       impression of the bike
    
    o  moderate gearing - 13-26 would be ok, or 13-28
    
    o  computer? - I'm of two minds about this - encourages
       focus on miles, cadence, speed - so can offer a kind of
       incentive, but you should get hooked on the pleasure of
       biking in and for itself
    
    o  clinchers
    
    What do people think... would something like a Bike Nashbar
    road bike be a good first bike?
    
    -john

    Take a look at note 288.*, I wrote it a few years ago, however it
    is still useful.  Buying a bike at this time of the year could result
    in some good 88 leftover sales if you are not looking for this years
    components or colors.  
    
    steve

RE>>                         -< Bike for a beginner? >-

    
>>    How important is indexed shifting for a beginner  (I  don't  have it on my
>>    bike because I use end shifters which  until  recently  weren't  available
>>    with  indexing.) 
			Go with index. Almost all bikes that aren't in the
      department store catagory have index. It is faster to learn how to shift.
  

>>  Where should  the shift levers be? Stem mount shift levers worry me, can
>>  a  beginner  handle  down  tube  levers,  or  should  we go to end
>>  shifters (now that suntour makes indexed end shifters.)

  	If you are sure she wants a drop bar go with down tube levers (safer
    than stem). End indexing you could upgrade later.

>>    Any suggestions  on  how  to  make life pleasant for her so she'll
>>    keep riding?
     
	I would make sure she is happy with drop bars or even how fast she
    likes to ride. Maybe her idea of riding is a romantic roll through the
    park. If it is don't force her into a nimble sport bike. She won't like
    riding it, even in the park. In this case get her something she will like
    from the start, something she feels safer on.

	I confess I had bought my wife a sport bike thinking she would like it
    as much as she liked aerobics and XC-sking, but she didn't feel like she
    had control of it. It was too fast for her (twichy). She wanted to ride but
    not, as she said "like being in a race." Well I ended up getting her a 
    BIANCHI ADVANTAGE which is a touring frame with MT-bike handle bars.
    This bike has 700c wheels with 18 speeds(index thumb shifters) and
    cantileiver brakes. Guess what, she rides this bike faster than the sport.

Tom

Thanks for the ideas.

    Good point  about the handlebar tape. I was planning on putting on
    Spenco grips, which are what I find most comfortable.

    13-26 freewheel  sounds  a  little  small  to  me.  I  use a 17-34
    freewheel, as it suits me to spin a lot, and I can easily pedal it
    at 25 mph.  Above that I'm a tourist and coast.

    I don't  know how I feel about indexing. I think I lean towards it
    for now, as it may make life easier for her (and harder for me, as
    I'll have to keep it adjusted, but thats the tradeoff I want.)

    I checked out 288. Thanks for the pointers. In particular, I'll
    remember to swap for a woman's saddle.

    We'll talk  about  dropped  bars  vs.  upright bars. I think she's
    dropped  the decision in my lap as I'm the expert. I'll try to see
    what she'll feel comfortable with.

    Where can  I  get  a  good  deal?  I'm  planning  to  look  at the
    Bridgestone  300s  and  450s  as Drivetts (note 981.1) is offering
    them  for  sale.  Are  those  reasonable bikes for a beginner? Are
    those  good prices? ($150 for a 300s, $190 for a 450s) Should I go
    to  the Nashbar outlet? Are they willing to swap components (lower
    gearing and a woman's saddle)?  Where else should I look?

--David

    The prices that Dave Rivetts is offering are a steal.
    You won't find cheaper prices for those bikes.
    
    The question is whether the bikes are what you want ...
    
    Call Dave @ DTN: 297-6862 for specs on the bikes.
    
    Mark
    

    Thought I'd piggy-back on here rather than starting a new beginner
    topic...
    
    First some background.  I last rode a bike on a regular basis when I
    was in college 17 years ago.  It had the shifters on the stem, and
    of course they were the friction type.  I used it to get around on
    campus as cars were prohibited.
    
    Today, I'm looking to start riding for exercise.  I live in Dallas, so
    there aren't many hills to worry about.  I've read note 288. I looked
    at two bikes today, both priced within $10 of each other.  One was the
    Myiata 112.  I don't have the specs on it, but it had crome-moly main
    tubes, indexed shifting suntour blaze components, biopace chainrings. 
    The other bike suggested, which surprised me, and for which I have the
    specs is the Schwinn Traveler.  It also has  crome-moly main tubes,
    Tange SE-II headset, Shimano Exage Motion steel biopace chainrings,
    Shimano Exage Motion front, and Shimano Exage Motion SIS rear
    derailleurs.  Shimano MF-Z012 freewheel, 6 speed, 14-28T. Brakes are
    Shimano Exage Motion SLR, etc...
    
    Both bikes are under $320 and I can't say that one rode better or
    different than the other.  Are they possibly the same frame, with a
    different name on it?  They both had the shifters on the down-tubes and
    pedals with toe clips and straps.  The next step down in the Schwinn
    had the shifters on the stem and didn't have toe clips and straps.  I'm
    not considering racing, and I'm not out for a stroll in the park, are
    these the proper bikes to be looking at?  Any other suggestions? 
    
    Helmets.  Does the Snell vs. ANSI rating have any practical difference?
    I tried on helmets ranging in price from $39 - $69.  The $39 helmet was
    noticably less comfortable than the $49 helmet, but I couldn't tell the
    $49 helmet from the $69 helmet.  I think the $39 was a Zepher, the $49
    was a Bell and the $69 was a Giyro.  Any advice on helmets.
    
    Thanks,
    
    Bob

    
    
    I'm not familiar with either of the bikes you mentioned, however,
    I lived in Dallas for two years and I am familiar with some of
    the bike shops. When I buy a bike (especially if debating between
    two similar model) I take into heavy consideration the store that
    is selling the bicycle to me. One of the bicycles you mentioned
    was a Schwinn. The Richardson Bike Mart deals (or used to) 
    extensively in Schwinns. They are an EXCELLENT store. I strongly
    recommend them. I bought my bike through them and was treated
    wonderfully before, during, and after the sale. While you're
    at the store ask about the weekend rides that leave from there.
    There're a good place to get to know people of all levels of
    riding experience -- from racers to 10mph riders. Everyone is
    welcome on the ride and noone is ever dropped!
    
    Good luck
    
    Jean
    

re: .7

The bike shop I visited was The Richardson Bike Mart, on the advice of Gary
Smith.  Unfortunately, they are on the opposite side of the Metroplex from
where I live.  My intent was to buy from them if at all possible, because of
the recommendation.  However, driving 35 miles one way to ride doesn't make
much sense.  Can you recommend any shop in the Arlington or Grand Prairie
area?

Bob

    
    re: .8
    
    Sorry, I lived in North Dallas and Richardson so I'm not familiar
    with Arlington. There was a pretty good shop in Highland Park
    (I think) but I can't remember the name of it. 
    
    		Jean