Abi gets a new bike - part 4

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 3]

"A week later and the bike had arrived. I was so excited! I visited the shop at lunchtime, and wow, it was beautiful. Red and white – just like the Liverpool FC kit. Oh it was a dream bike, but I didn’t commit there and then. I wanted a test ride, which I booked for a few days later.

"But then a day later disaster struck! I received a call to say the bike had been sold. After all that deliberating too. But perhaps it was fate? I had been having second thoughts about the price tag – could I justify a brand new bike at £300 over my initial budget?

"I did some more online research and found several models I liked at Evans Cycles. They had my beloved Specialized Vita Sport. It was a 2010 model in different colours but it was reduced to £399.

"An attractive Trek caught my eye, although confusingly the size of this bike was listed in centimetres, unlike the Specialized, which was listed as a ‘medium’. (I hear some bikes are also sized in inches too – how confusing!)

"Also a Ridgeback and one of Evans’ own-brand Pinnacle bikes were within my budget.

"The next day I walked into Evans’ light and spacious store near Broadmead to coo over bikes again. I sat on several models and found that some were more suited to my size that others.

"Sam, the shop assistant, explained that more traditional bikes have the handlebars which are generally a bit higher so the rider sits more upright. With the Pinnacle and other similar bikes the handlebars are generally lower. That’s it, I thought, that’s why I don’t like the traditional design, I like feeling above my bike and more in control.

"Sam also told me about the accessories I might want to buy – such as a decent lock, mud guards, pump, waterbottle, puncture repair kit and a small bag to go under my saddle.

"After weeks of searching I felt pretty close to making a decision. I put a refundable £50 deposit down on the Trek 7.2 and the Specialized Vita 2010 model with a plan to test ride them in a week."

Part 5 follows on Wednesday.

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