I just wrote this latest article:

http://thirdwavecyclingblog.wordpress.co...void-some-pain/

At end of article is a link to all the submitted bike designs. What sorts of features would you avoid? Thought it would be easier for you to define.

Unfortunately, Towson and Baltimore really aren't bike friendly towns so I'm not likely to ride. I got a bike as an adult. I think it was for my 40th birthday, and it sat in the shed so long without getting use that I got rid of it. We have lots of traffic and hardly any bike lanes throughout our county. I'm a big safety bug, and I can't see how one can ride safely around here. There are trails, but I don't have time to lug the bike and ride. I prefer to get on at home and go.

I will say that comfort is very important. I did a lot of biking in eighth and ninth grade and learned how to fit my bike to my body, which made a tremendous difference. I guess back then, I just rode in traffic and wasn't as safety conscience.

I am so glad biking is such an easy and rewarding sport for you in Canada.

Oh, the only bikes I'll ride at the Y are the recumbent ones. They are more comfortable. I took one spinning class which was horrendous because the bike was not adjusted properly.

thx for responding Dotsie. The bike share system is a fleet of bikes that are publicly available ...for first 1/2 hr. or so then payment system kicks in.

I guess their rationale that a 1/2 hr. bike ride shouldn't matter. My thinking is that some minor features on a bike would greatly add more comfortable even though we are all different heights and shapes.

My bike had a nice wide seat with a cushioned cover so sitting on it for an hour or more was no problem but I find a regular size hard seat too uncomfortaboe for even half an hour. I also like the older regular handle bars so I don't have to lean forward getting a back ache for days afterwards.

I read the article, Orchid and found it very interesting. I looked over the bike designs and after a bit, they started to all look alike to me. Too many choices, I suppose. But I did notice that each of them (almost) had a basket type design on the front for carry-ons and I would think that would be very important for the serious cyclist. It would be for me.

I'm finding more and more interest in cycling, but not to the extent you do. Just for pleasure and easy riding...and the exercise. At least that is where my attention is headed for now.

I don't have dropped curved handlebars where I am stretched out alot forward like a racer. It's probably too late now because my neck won't be comfortable.

So I've been cycling all these years, in a bit more upright position, as shown in the blog.

Over the years, I have found a saddle that is more on the less cushiony side but not overly slim. If it's too cushiony & wide, then it chafes me.

But if it works for you, chatty, great.
Jawjaw, that's how to enjoy cycling. Just do it, enjoy it and not overanalyze it too much for now. And go further and further each time to explore.

I am a bit picky about the weight of a bike, because the heavier it is, the more effort it requires me to go up a hill. Or to lift the bike onto a bike rack that's installed on the front of our municipal buses. All our local buses have bike racks, in case there's heavy rain, ice, one is tired or it's too dark at night.