<p>CF: I don’t actually think 34 pounds is that heavy. I was thinking of those 50 pound things called “Dutch bikes”.However, if you want to lift a bike onto a bike rack on your car, the difference between 25 and 35 pounds might be a deciding factor…</p>
<p>Bikes can be quite expensive. I do sprint triathlons when I’m in the mood and have a basic Fuji road bike that works for me. Once I was considering getting a better bike and shopped in a couple of bike shops looking for a deal. I saw a price tag in a shop for only about $250…really nice looking bike. When I asked clerk for help with the bike, he explained to me the $250 was for the rack/stand holding the bike…the bike was priced at about $3000! I’m still using my Fuji road bike.</p>
<p>I finally found a bike that fits!
What a difference that makes. Not many bikes come in this size, 13". It wouldnt fit on my Thule bike rack, so I had to get a cross piece for support so it would. And it isnt even a step through.
Its a Trek 7.2 FX WSD. I bought it at Greggs and their regular price was cheaper than list price. 
It doesnt come fully loaded, so Ive already had to get fenders, a kickstand & a lock.
Next I get lights, a bike rack & probably a mirror & a bell.
<a href=“The 3 Best Hybrid Bikes of 2023 | Reviews by Wirecutter”>http://m.thesweethome.com/reviews/best-hybrid-commuter-bike/</a></p>
<p>And since you are adding a bell, you might as well buy a whistle! 
JK. Congrats on finding a bike that fits. Ride it in good health. </p>
<p>Today we shopped with DD and splurged for a nice Trek racing bike as 25th birthday present. She will use if for sprint (short) triathlon and road rides. She has not had a new bike since the first on from Walmart (with h training wheels), and she is tickled. </p>
<p>This 51 year old mom loves her hybrid back and will be glad when DD returns it. I’m too old for leaning over, and the tires are stable even in skittish sand/gravel. </p>
<p>Nice bike, EK! Ride it in good health.</p>
<p>Getting a bike is as exciting as when I was 15 and bought a ten speed ( which was my last bike), and it kind of cracks me up that I spent way more time picking it out than my last car.</p>
<p>My girls had a Trek, that I donated to Bike Works, a pretty cool program that helps kids earn bike by helping other kids.
<a href=“http://bikeworks.org”>http://bikeworks.org</a>
Except for the hills, its a pretty good town to ride a bike.</p>
<p>Great bike ek! I am short also and understand how hard it is to find a bike to fit. I have a fitness hybrid bike and love it! I’ve had it 6 years now and have never regretted the bike I bought. Looked at the bike you bought and the specialized they mentioned but bought a Giant in the end. Mostly because I wanted a WSD and could not find one within a 100 miles in my size. I did put cleats on my bike because I found it easier to get up hills. </p>
<p>EK4 said:
“I finally found a bike that fits!
What a difference that makes.”</p>
<p>Yes, it makes a huge difference, which is why a good bike store or a good bike fitter (some work independently of bike stores) is important.</p>
<p>Congrats on getting the bike, EK! Whee! Have fun with it. I hope to get one too, soon, just feel like I have to try out a couple more before I decide.</p>
<p>My bike wasnt expensive, but I have been researching locks & now I am paranoid about it getting stolen.
There is quite a crew of bike thieves in my neighborhood, and Ive been considering how I can make it less pretty.
I also was hoping to ride it when I swim, but the pool is next to the high school & it is peak bored high school student time.</p>
<p>Im curious if the experienced cyclists have any tricks, or if I should put the strawberry shortcake & spice girls stickers on it that I found in the basement, to make it less attractive?</p>
<p>Bring bike inside at night. Use U-lock, or take bike seat off when parked away from home. Thread u-lock through frame or someone might steal bike and leave you with one wheel and the u-lock.</p>
<p>Does your pool have a designated bike parking area? Is it possible to park the bike in a very high traffic area? </p>
<p>My strategy is to add the bike to our homeowner’s insurance, always use a lock (I use a cable lock, which is theoretically less secure, but easier to put through the frame and both wheels), and stop worrying.</p>
<p>But worrying is my hobby! :">
I bought a mini u lock with a cable for when I am going to be away from it longer than a few hours.
Ive also noticed that many people just use a cable or dont even lock it at all! So I dont have to be extra secure, just more so than the bike next to me. </p>
<p>I must say, it sure is handy to be close to a bike shop that does repairs.
I was putting fenders on it & one bolt was missing and another one wasn’t quite long enough to attach, so I just ran over to Gregg’s and got replacements.
No problem.
This reminds me of when H & I used to ride our bikes all over Seattle when we first met.
(Of course there wasnt * half * the traffic then)</p>
<p>Okay, back to test driving bikes. Got side tracked for awhile, so I still have not settled on one. I test rode this one today: <a href=“http://civiacycles.com/bikes/twin_city_step_through_7_speed/”>http://civiacycles.com/bikes/twin_city_step_through_7_speed/</a>. I probably will decide between it and the Breezer Uptown 7 : <a href=“http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/details/uptown-7-ls”>http://www.breezerbikes.com/bikes/details/uptown-7-ls</a></p>
<p>CardinalFang- I bought a bike! Actually, my dh tracked down the bike I wanted and the color I wanted and we drove an hour and half away to a little tourist town and had lunch and bought the bike. It is the Felt Cafe 7 in robin egg blue. I am in love. We took it out for a spin today. It felt great although my legs are a little wobbly. Thanks for all your help!</p>
<p>Great, Onward! That Felt Cafe 7 is a pretty bike. Happy riding! Now for the basket on the front.</p>
<p>Speaking of baskets…I want an old style metal basket…you know…the rectangle kind that we all had in the 60’s. It will look great on my cruiser! Any idea where I can get one?</p>
<p>All sorts of those baskets on ebay, Thumper.
CF- I am real happy. I had looked all over for the blue bike only to be told that no one had it and that it was no longer available from the company as the new 2015 were coming out (but wouldn’t be in the local stores until December!). DH called a place that I had already called and lo and behold, this time they had one and it was on sale! Sweet!</p>
<p>Wald wire baskets are widely available. Here’s one online retailer: <a href=“Rivendell Bicycle Works - Lugged Steel and Custom Bikes”>https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/bskt.htm</a></p>