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I am also experimenting with the clipless system but so far it has been a disaster. Talk about pain! It may not be as efficient but I don't get hot feet with my old walking shoes. And that is after a fitting. I still have numb feet two days later. I tried Specialized shoes with Shimano 105s.

This sounds a little contradictory to me but maybe I read it wrong. Hot spots come from a few different factors and happened to me when I started out to. The best thing you can do is get more miles into them and they'll feel a lot better. When I first started I would get them on every ride, no matter the temp or conditions. Now I make sure my shoes on tight (so they don't move and rub my feet). I also check my cleats about once a week or so to make sure they're still tight to my shoes to prevent them from moving around. Now I have zero problems with them and I actually just switched up to the red cleats for my 105 pedals. They have almost zero float and I love having my foot totally locked into the pedal. No wiggling around. It's amazing.
 
This sounds a little contradictory to me but maybe I read it wrong. Hot spots come from a few different factors and happened to me when I started out to. The best thing you can do is get more miles into them and they'll feel a lot better. When I first started I would get them on every ride, no matter the temp or conditions. Now I make sure my shoes on tight (so they don't move and rub my feet). I also check my cleats about once a week or so to make sure they're still tight to my shoes to prevent them from moving around. Now I have zero problems with them and I actually just switched up to the red cleats for my 105 pedals. They have almost zero float and I love having my foot totally locked into the pedal. No wiggling around. It's amazing.

The hot spots are on the outsides of the feet/shoes, as if they are too thin. So much so that after a good hard ride my feet were numb for two days. After the two days I've loosened them up to a point where they are less tight on the sides but then there is nothing to pull up with on the up stroke. I'm meeting with the fitter again this week.
 
The hot spots are on the outsides of the feet/shoes, as if they are too thin. So much so that after a good hard ride my feet were numb for two days. After the two days I've loosened them up to a point where they are less tight on the sides but then there is nothing to pull up with on the up stroke. I'm meeting with the fitter again this week.

Meeting with a fitter sounds like a great idea. Are they low end shoes that flex quite a bit? Maybe you need a shoe with a stronger sole like carbon fiber that will help get more power to the pedal and have less flex. That could solve the problem.
 
Meeting with a fitter sounds like a great idea. Are they low end shoes that flex quite a bit? Maybe you need a shoe with a stronger sole like carbon fiber that will help get more power to the pedal and have less flex. That could solve the problem.

Met with the head fitter. He was surprised I was let out of the shop with the way the shoes were set up. Not that the other fitter was bad. Maybe it was an off day or something. In any case, the shoes were set up opposite of what they should have been. Spent an hour there today. Felt much better on the statonary setup. Will test on tomorrow's ride.

They are carbon fiber soles.

I suggested moving to another shoe (already tried a half dozen brands at their shop). He doesn't think I'm gonna find anything sold in the U.S. that will meet my needs other than a specific Italian custom made shoe (which they do not sell). He likes what he is seeing right now but wants me to report back with any problems.
 
I am looking for some advice. Looking for my first bicycle since middle school (14 years ago). I'm petite 5'3" and have no idea what size bike I should be looking at purchasing. I've been looking at Trek Neko for road and trail riding. I don't know if I'll go for new or used. Any advise from riders?

 
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I am looking for some advice. Looking for my first bicycle since middle school (14 years ago). I'm petite 5'3" and have no idea what size bike I should be looking at purchasing. I've been looking at Trek Neko for road and trail riding. I don't know if I'll go for new or used. Any advise from riders?

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/racing/article/pro-bike-emily-battys-trek-superfly-elite-30569 :D

Seriously tough, have a look at the offerings from Specialized. They have a very nice collection of women specific bikes.
 
I am looking for some advice. Looking for my first bicycle since middle school (14 years ago). I'm petite 5'3" and have no idea what size bike I should be looking at purchasing. I've been looking at Trek Neko for road and trail riding. I don't know if I'll go for new or used. Any advise from riders?

[url=http://s1.postimage.org/uwg9xl6s/web.jpg]Image[/url]

oh man, that bike looks intense. I don't understand the lingo yet... =)

You might want to check out Bikeforums.net. There are lots of women (and threads) about bikes that'll fit you! It's also a good resource for learning, too. I learned a lot on there.

The Trek you're talking about is a pretty good deal and it even comes in a 14" which should be the right size for you (depending on how long your legs are it might even be too small!) The drivetrain isn't the greatest, but if you take care of it and maintain it regularly you should get a lot of use out of it. The disc brakes are nice for stopping quickly, especially in the rain but the brake pads will cost you a bit more than rim brakes, and if you get in an accident it's likely that you'll damage them, which means repair or replacement. But there's nothing like knowing you can stop on a dime if you find yourself in a predicament.

If you have bike shops in the area, I strongly recommend showing up and going for a test drive - ride as many bikes as you can in your size range. Most bike shops are pretty accommodating for new riders (and if they aren't, go elsewhere.) If you know a bit before you go in, you can also tell if you're on the receiving end of a snow job. (I had some guy tell me that canti brakes are on the way out and that "everyone" will have disc brakes in 2 years...mmhmm, I may be female, but I'm not an idiot.)

Most bikes in your price range and performance bracket are going to have the same or similar parts, and the frames will all made by a couple of companies in Taiwan, so there's not much difference between brands (aside from buying a bike shaped object from Walmart.) Ya gotta spend some serious $$$ these days to get anything made in North America or Europe.
 
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You might want to check out Bikeforums.net. There are lots of women (and threads) about bikes that'll fit you! It's also a good resource for learning, too. I learned a lot on there.

The Trek you're talking about is a pretty good deal and it even comes in a 14" which should be the right size for you (depending on how long your legs are it might even be too small!) The drivetrain isn't the greatest, but if you take care of it and maintain it regularly you should get a lot of use out of it. The disc brakes are nice for stopping quickly, especially in the rain but the brake pads will cost you a bit more than rim brakes, and if you get in an accident it's likely that you'll damage them, which means repair or replacement. But there's nothing like knowing you can stop on a dime if you find yourself in a predicament.

If you have bike shops in the area, I strongly recommend showing up and going for a test drive - ride as many bikes as you can in your size range. Most bike shops are pretty accommodating for new riders (and if they aren't, go elsewhere.) If you know a bit before you go in, you can also tell if you're on the receiving end of a snow job. (I had some guy tell me that canti brakes are on the way out and that "everyone" will have disc brakes in 2 years...mmhmm, I may be female, but I'm not an idiot.)

Most bikes in your price range and performance bracket are going to have the same or similar parts, and the frames will all made by a couple of companies in Taiwan, so there's not much difference between brands (aside from buying a bike shaped object from Walmart.) Ya gotta spend some serious $$$ these days to get anything made in North America or Europe.

Thank you for the advice. If I can sell my Callaway Irons I'm purchasing a new bike!
 
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Electra single speed cruiser.

Soon to have a fresh cream powder coat, new chrome and white walls.
 
My new bike...

Got it 2nd hand 1 year old. 169€ almost mint condition, went for a nice 20km ride on it last night.


Sorry for bad pic got light bleed from open window using iphone 4 cam....
 

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What wheels are you using?

Sorry about the late reply. Don't browse the forums much anymore.

The front is a Weinmann LP18 on a KHS hub (stock with a Flite 100) and the rear is a Velocity B43 on a Phil Hub. Rear wheel is heavy but strong and buttery-smooth. Unfortunately it's also about $400.
 
Nice Cannondale!

I have my eyes on either that or a Specialised Tarmac (red/white). I would have got it already but for a slight problem of some unexpected financial issues.

In a few weeks time, that will change. :) The Specialised I'm looking at comes as a package with their shoes and a helmet, which is kind of good since I haven't done that sort of thing since I was a hell of a lot younger. It's also a reasonable price - which is also nice.

I did a lot of research in the past few weeks. :)
 
Yo should try london for dangerous!!!! However i've just moved to north county san seigo. Can any recommend a decent hybrid for the roads north of San Diego?
 
Not my picture, but I just picked it up two weeks ago. First ride was on Monday - 15 miles on this thing and I love it. Hopefully if the rain holds out in the city, I will go for a ride tonight.

ktblk_600.jpg
 
Not my picture, but I just picked it up two weeks ago. First ride was on Monday - 15 miles on this thing and I love it. Hopefully if the rain holds out in the city, I will go for a ride tonight.

Image

Bike direct? Nice bike

I encourage you to recheck all of the parts on this bike, making sure that everything is secure and tight. If you are riding this as a fixed gear, the cog has been reported to be slightly loose and the average person doesn't think twice. If you don't tighten it, and it continues to loosen, you run the risk of stripping your rear hubs threading. That usually means rebuilding your rear wheel.
 
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