Bicycle enthusiasts...What do you ride

I don't know what to call them but the "baskets" that your feet go in -are they comparable to clip in shoes?

Those are called toe clips. The shoes with the cleats and matching pedals are called clipless, since you're losing the toe clips, but, in reality you're clipping in... so yeah, it's stupid.
 
Just an update. I went for a 12 mile ride on Saturday with the toe clips. It did make a moderate difference in my speed and my toes did not go numb at all so that was good. I am seriously considering going clipless in the near future (terminolgy makes no sense to me) My first priority though is to find a more comfortable saddle. 12 miles was about my limit in this saddle (stock) and it will be a day or two before I can even think about getting on the bike again. I bought one at LBS and put it on last night. I was still too sore to know if it will work. If it does not I am thinking about a Terry Butterfly. I have read great user reviews for this saddle. I have to guage my spending so the cleats will have to wait for now but I am having fun. Thanks for all the info.

Melanie
 
...and why.

I currently have a 15" Trek mens 7200 hybrid. It is ok but I have trouble with my fingers and toes going numb on longer rides.

It is possible to turn that hybrid into more of a road bike without spending too much money. You can get tires that are closer to a road bike and maybe different handle bars (or those bar end things). I think the key to keeping you fingers fomr going numb is changing position regulary.
 
I also had saddle issues and upgraded to a WTB Speed-She saddle.

ALSO : Really important to get padded shorts, and to wear them undiless. You'll go much further comfortably.

I am riding an old GT Timberline rigid frame mountain bike with road tires. I love it. But I want to eventually upgrade to a road bike.

There's a forum just for women cyclists that is really cool:



I am indigoiis on there as well.

Indy
 
Oh yes the padded shorts are a must. In fact I wear padded briefs too, after I learned the hard way that you don't wear regular underwear even with padded shorts.

It is also a good idea to stand up every now and then to let the blood flow into the areas you are sitting on. I don't know who decided that it was a good idea to support your total body weight on 2 square inches of the most delicate part of your body, but I bet he didn't weigh 260 pounds.
 
Just got my new bike! It's a 15 year old carbon framed giant 890i. Rode it this morning - it's dreamy!

What a difference - road bike and mountain bike. Even though, technically, the 890i was originally termed a "hybrid" it is still far lighter than my other bike.
 
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