Abi gets a new bike - part 3

Abigail Smith is just one of hundreds of people getting back in the saddle in Bristol every week. Abi recently took the plunge and bought a new bike. She talks us through the steps she went through…

[Click here for part 2]

"During a lunch break my colleague Martin persuaded me to visit a bike shop with him. We headed to Zero G’s Specialized concept store on Park Street – somewhere I had always been apprehensive about going into. I explained what I wanted – a women’s hybrid that looked like a mountain bike to my untrained eyes.

"At first I looked at the Sirrus, which was lovely but mega expensive. Then Becky, the sales assistant, recommended the Specialized Vita Sport 2011, retailing at £499. I think this was love at first sight!

"I was shocked at how light the bike was. Martin knew all the right things to ask Becky – such as what the bike was made from, the type of wheel and tyre, the frame size, the guarantee period, and so on.

"I sat on the bike and they not only lowered the seat but also moved the entire handle bar section. This bike could literally be customised to fit my ideal riding position, which was quite mind-blowing! Once it was all adjusted I noticed how easy the handlebars were for me to reach, it all felt so comfortable.

"It turned out that my old mountain bike had a reach designed for a boy with longer arms than I have, which was a feature of a bike that I had no idea about - another lesson learnt!

"They only had one Vita left, which was a small, and they felt I might be better suited to a medium. Anyway, I wasn’t ready to make a buying decision yet – I only left the office for a sandwich! A larger size, albeit in different colours, was due in a week so I put my name down for a test ride."

Part 4 follows on Tuesday.

If you're looking for a new bike and are not sure what's best for you check out the pages under Get Cycling.