I need to buy a bike. I've never bought one myself. My parent's bought me bikes at yard sales when I was younger and my last bike that I have been riding to and from work was a freebie from a friend and it's KILLING me.

It's a mountain style 10 speed bike and it doesn't really shift gears anymore. I ride about 3 miles to and from work. Downhill there and uphill home.

I've been looking but I need to know what I'm looking for.
What brands are good, what do all these numbers mean? I am so overwhelmed.

I DO like drop bars (the curved type)
I DO have a tiny inseam, like 22 inches.
I DO have about $800 to spend.

I DON'T really want a bike that is strictly a road bike.
I DON'T want a mountain bike either.
I DON'T have any brand preferences.

Anything you can give me, links, advice, whatever is much appreciated.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Lacey, I got a Trek mountain bike about 3 years ago. Out of the box and put together by the shop it was $450. I got riser bar for free from the hubby. Then I ditched the mountain bike tires and put on tires that were more slick. It makes all the difference. Get yourself some pedals you clip into with shoes to match. It helps sooooo much.

So a $450 bike with about $150 worth of ad-ons.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Well I think I decided that I DO want a road bike, and if I want to leave the pavement at a later date I'll get a mountain bike.

So far this is what I'm looking at:

Giant Bicycles - OCR® 3 w (2008)

2008 JAMIS VENTURA SPORT FEMME - FEMALE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE ROAD BICYCLE

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=34176

Who knows what I'll end up with, I need to find some cyclists to take me shopping and educate me, I'm completely clueless!

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

my road bike is a Specilized! I LOVE it. See if you can find a used one. Mine was used, and its a $1000 bike I got for $500.

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Yeah I'm going to hit the pawn shops with my friend Janet, I'm sure the whole time I'll be cursing my small inseam, 22inches apparently is like a kids bike.

Is yours female specific? She swears need a womans bike for sure, which of course limits me a little bit. But then again I probably couldn't find a men's bike with a 22inch instep.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

yup, mine is women's specific. And don't worry, I'm super short too. I swear it was magic when I found mine. It fit me perfect.

The clip in pedals are a life saver on the hills. You need them. And check out local bike shops, they often sell used, higher end models. Check craigs list too.

might be too big, but its worth an email
http://spokane.craigslist.org/bik/658795391.html

__________________
My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Lacey, Brett's brother works for a bike shop, I sent him an e-mail asking if he had any advice given your specifications... I'll let ya know when he gets back to me.

__________________

Liz- 58cm is probably too big, I'm looking at like 45cm.

Thanks Shell you seem to have lots of connections!

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

I think I may go with this one:
Giant Bicycles - OCR® 3 w (2008)

I'm going to go test ride it tomorrow.

__________________

Those who say it can't be done should get out of the way of those who are doing it.

~*~Lacey~*~

My Photos

Looks like a nice bike.

__________________
~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck