Conference noted::bicycle

    Answer to your question on bike fit....
    
    Well, as a person who has gone through this task (and, unfortunately, it
    is not painless!) I would STRONGLY suggest you really look for a good
    bike shop that will help you find a bike that fits.  I'm 5'4" and the
    smallest bike frame for my size that I could find is still a little too
    big for me.  It really does make a difference in comfort, especially in
    the back and shoulders, and sometimes the knees if your bike is too
    big.  I have both a road bike and mountain bike and each took a while
    to find a relatively good fit.
    
    Don't settle for just the "tube" test...that is, the space between you
    and the top tube, which should be about 1-2 inches when you're standing
    on the ground.  Sit on the seat, put your hands on the bars (or brake
    hoods if you look at road bikes) and notice how much you're stretching.  
    If your elbows lock straight and you feel like you're reaching too far, 
    you probably are.  This will probably start to bother your back and 
    shoulders during a longer ride.
    
    Another good source is to pick up a book on cylcing that gives
    guidelines on proper bike fit.  I didn't have any references at first
    to even know how big or small the bike should be for me.  After I 
    had guidelines, I ended up changing the saddle, handle bar stem and
    adjusted the peddles until things fit right.  It really made a
    difference in comfort.
    
    Hope this helps...good luck!
    
    Lisa                                      

re .0

As for mountain, hybrid or road bike, first decide where you are going to ride
it.  Around the streets in your neighborhood?  You're better off with a road
bike or a hybrid.  In a nearby park with well maintained dirt paths?  A hybrid
or mountain bike would be a good choice.  In the woods with unmaintained paths? 
Better go for the mountain bike.  The hybrid offers you the greatest options, so
it may be the best choice if you aren't sure where you are going to ride.

Rich

    For casual riding, you may also find a hybrid easier to ride.  A road
    bike may seem skittish or difficult to balance for a novice, and the
    full mountain bikes usually come with tires you really don't need.
    
    I like the heavier frame and larger tires for commuting - the bike
    feels more solid, and the bigger tires handle gravel and potholes a lot
    better.  Try the different bikes and see what you think.  A good shop
    is a must.
    
    Good luck,
    	       Mike

         You're sort of small as far as the population of bicycle riders
    go, except for kids.  My guess is that your height is going to be 
    your biggest problem in finding a frame that fits.  You are not very
    small when it comes to the general population of women, so maybe I can
    give you some pointing information that may prove useful to you.
         There is a woman whose company makes cycling products and more
    recently, bicycles, that are targeted solely for women.  From what I
    have read, some of the considerations are things such as height,
    shoulder width and hip width.  The woman's last name is something like
    Terry, you may want to call a few bike shops to see whether they sell
    any of her products, if so, then maybe you can get help from the shops
    or get the number of Ms Terry's business.  If the shops do not have
    any information then you may be able to get info from the public
    relations departments of Bicycling Magazine or Velonews Magazine.
         I would guess that if you got in touch with Ms Terry's business
    then you can get the names of shops which definitely sell her frames
    and get important fitting instructions.  Don't settle for a bike that
    is too big for you, that may prove to be a dangerous choice later on.
    
         Good luck;
    
           Abe

    
    
    As far as bike shops go I use Goodales in Nashua.  They tend to be more 
    expensive than others but I feel their service and the way they treat
    customers more than makes up for it.
    
    This weekend by the way is Super Sale weekend and you will find quite 
    a few shops will be participating.
    You should be able to find some good deals on bikes and accessories.
    
    MikeR
    

Check out the Specialize Hardrock at your budget. I think its going for about
$289.95 in most stores. Most of the other quailty hybrids are at about $300.00
For the extra $50 over your budget. You will get a lot more bike and quality.

Dave    

    
    RE: sales
    
    Most bike shops that sell skis in winter will be having great sales
    on their bikes. The norm is for these type of shope (eg, Goodales
    or Buchika's) that around last week of Aug. they start their ski 
    sales and most customers at that time will be shopping for skis
    and not bikes. 
    
    Shaw

    
    as .3 says, you may prefer a hybrid, but . . .
    
    Happy Day Cycles (and ice cream :-) about 1 mile south of Milford, NH
    on route 13 has a somewhat unusual road bike hanging in the corner of
    their shop.  It is a Univega with a small frame and 26" wheels.  It
    might be worth a look.  It is one of the last road bikes in the shop.
    
    (On the other hand, I was kind of hoping it would still be there when
    my kids get big enough for it :-)
    

    
    You might try a hybrid, they've a more upright posture that is more
    comfortable than say a road bike with the drop handlebars. Mountain
    bikes do have a unique frame design in that the top cross tube is
    angled down for more clearance on some makes. This could work to your
    advantage. Try different makes and ride them , comparing each one.
    BTW.
    Another bike shop in Nashua is Tony's on Amherst St., exit 7 off route
    3. They carry Cannondale,Schwinn and Bianchi bicycles.
    
    /todd

    With regard to the Terry bikes, I have looked into them myself.  I am a
    couple inches taller than the original noter, however I also have had a
    difficult time finding a frame that fits, since my height is in my legs
    and not my torso.  This makes reach an issue.
    
    Terry bikes are custom made bikes that are a bit on the expensive side.  
    They're not as "attractive" as some other road bikes, but apparently
    those who have them love them for their exact fit.  I would think,
    though, that you'd really have to know you want to do a lot of cycling
    if you're going to invest money in a custom made bike.  On the other
    hand, maybe you're more apt to ride if you're more comfortable...six of
    one, half dozen of the other.
    
    I do have a Terry saddle and absolutley LOVE it.  I had gone through
    many saddles until I read about the Terry saddle, with a little more
    padding where we women need it, a wider sitting area, and a cut out in
    the metal of the nose of the saddle...there is actually a hole in the
    nose, so when you lean forward you're leaning on all cushion...a very
    important feature, as far as I'm concerned.  I think most bike shops
    carry Terry saddles and they go for about $30.
    
    Lisa

Terry Precision Bicycles
Macedon, New York  (near Rochester)
(716) 986-2103

Georgena Terry is the owner & very helpful, as well as her marketing person (who's
name escapes me).  She manufactures many excellent bikes specifically for women &
sells thru dealers throughout the U.S.  Contrary to what Lisa said, they are not
custom made.  Georgena's advertising states "custom made for women", which may be
misleading because the bikes are really mass-produced.  

They're not inexpensive.  Their "attractiveness" is in the eye of the beholder, but
the ones I've seen are very classy.

Ray
(who's wife & secretary both ride Terry's)

    Sorry Ray...didn't mean to offend.
    
    Lisa

   Didn't Cathy Ellis, one of the RAAM winners, ride a Terry?

   I believe that's what she was riding during one of the BMS's I was on.

   - Jim

re .13

That's correct.

    	Yes, Cathy has a 17" Terry. I saw her at the welcome home
    	for Ed Kross Friday evening. She did say that she'd like to
    	have a bike with a 26" front wheel. The 24" front wheel gives
    	a very harsh ride.
    
    	Scott