Can you believe...

[buggi]

ps i see that is a bit late now as you seem to be sorted, but i'd get used to the bike first before you go "clipless".

 

[Boardgirl]

hun, it makes no difference whether it's a "man's" bike or a women's specific design. i'm a girl and been riding a "man's" bike for all of my cycling "career" (10 years), and i've commuted about 35,000 miles in that time. i've never had a problem with injuries or strains. the problem is the size of the bike, not which gender its specific to.

the general difference between men and women's specific bike is the length of the top tube. however, just because your a woman does not mean that you will automatically need a shorter top tube, as its generally about an inch difference, and the difference can often be sorted out with a shorter stem, flipped upside down (which is what i have done to all my "man's" bikes)... (not forgetting an inch wider saddle!)

so if they are talking about you should have had a Women's specific bike and that is clearly the problem, then they clearly have NO IDEA of sizing or bike fit and are talking bollox and should refund your money or you will be talking to head office about a compensation claim for your injuries right? Then take your money to a real bike shop and get the bike you want (whether it be a "man's" bike or women's specific) and get the shop to give you right size and make the appropriate adjustments.

Yeah I totally see what you're saying. I think the other problem I had is the width between the handlebars as they were about 4cm too wide and my arms were too stretched. I guess I'll just see what this LBS says when I have the fitment. If it's still not right then I'll get a refund and Halfords have said they will do that. The last thing they want, like you say, is a compensation claim going through.

I'm quite tall for a girl but a lot of my male friends who are a similar height to me are using 53/54cm frames so it perhaps may be a bit small. It's all been a bit of a nightmare really.

ps i see that is a bit late now as you seem to be sorted, but i'd get used to the bike first before you go "clipless".

Good point. I think I'm going to wait until I get used to this new bike before i get clip ins. I know the pedals and shoes I want so can get them as soon as I feel a bit more settled on it.

 

[Peteaud]

One of the problems with Halfords is you cant really ride the bike.

My LBS (x2) both let you ride them to get the feel.

Different manufacturers have different size methods, so in my mind the only way is either a bike fit, or ride.

 

[buggi]

don't go on your male friends, they may be same height but they may have shorter legs, go on your own measurements. they normally go on leg measurement first, and then if you have a shorter reach, you can choose a shorter stem.

i'm 6ft so never had a choice of getting a women's specific, as a lady has already pointed out on here that they stop at 5' 10, but going on overall height is complete bollox, i know people my height with a 33 inch leg and i've got a 36 inch leg, so it's really all down to your own measurements.

you will feel more stretch out on a road bike than one with straight handlebars, because that's the nature of the bike, but the shop will advise if you are reaching too far. my stem is half the length of the one that came on the bike so there is quite a lot to play with there. saddle position also helps to make sure your knee is correctly position over your foot/toe. the main thing is to get the frame size right first, and then they can tweak all the bits after to make it a more comfy ride. but as you've discovered, you can tweak the bike as much as you like, but if the frame size isn't right, the bike will never be right. so you must get the foundation right!

if Halfords are willing to give you your money back, although i am a fan of Boardman, i would be tempted to just get my money back and go to a good LBS. Sounds like your Halfords staff are not very good.

 

[derrick]

My other half has always ridden mens road bikes the only things we changed were the stem and the saddle. and also put shims in the brake levers, she only has little hands.

 

[Boardgirl]

Yeah I totally take on board everything you're all saying. I've got the bike now and it's a much better fit. I took it straight to the LBS and they set me up although after going out for a ride yesterday realised they had set my saddle too low. I guess it's just going to take some time to get the position right. I'm getting clip-ins which I'm sure will help.

 

[RiflemanSmith]

I feel you pain.
My local Halfords are really bad.
I only buy bikes from there but set them up and go round the bikes when I get home as things tend to fall off, not be set up properly or just be damn right dangerous.
I am buying the Boardman Hybrid Pro off them next month, that will be the third bike I have had off em.
When I bought my Voodoo I didn't know jack, but they sold me a 20" bike and I am only 5'8.
Bits fell off with in two days bell/reflectors, things weren't tight and they had put the chainring guard on over the protective shipping plastic and then tried to pull it off.
Bought my son's Carrera Blast bike from there and it went out of the shop with absolutely no brakes and excess cable that was long enough to catch in the brake disc rotors.
So as soon as I get the Boardman home I'll stick on the the stand and go over it with a fine tooth comb!