Help! Buying first road bike - decisions, decisions...

[kiwi]

Hello :)

I'd like to buy a road bike, with the aim of fitness training - hopefully doing a triathlon next summer. I don't want to spend TOO much just now, but still want to get something good enough - so maybe entry-mid level (or about £800 / $1500).

I'm finding it quite difficult to find a women specific bike that has good equipment, fair price and doesn't look too... girly :D

I test rode a Specialized ruby comp - which was lovely and smooth, but considerably more expensive.

More on budget, I'm choosing between:

Giant SCR 1 womens:
http://www.awcycles.co.uk/smsimg/8/11159-32526-main-scr1w-8.gif

which I think was good, but I have no knowledge really to compare to.

and (if it arrives in the shops here shortly) the Bianchi Dama Bianca Elle:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/typo3temp/23f5daf639.jpg

I test rode last year's Bianchi dama bianca, but the only one left was a little small for me so it just didn't feel right. I thought this new model might be worth trying - it's more expensive that the Giant, but has mostly Ultegra kit, compared to 105 on the Giant.

From what I've read - lots of users here ride and enjoy the Bianchi bikes, which sounds promising. Has anyone else ridden the Giant SCR? I'd love to hear more opinions on this bike.

Any advice would be much appreciated :)

[indysteel]

Since I own a Bianchi Eros Donna, I'm rather partial. That said, while researching road bikes to death when I was on the hunt for one, I adopted two essential "rules." First, buy the bike that fits the best, without getting too wrapped up in components. In particular, try to determine whether you feel too cramped or too stretched out on the bike based on the top tube length and stem. Have you had a bike fitting or are they just having you stand over the bike to see if it fits? Also, do you like how one bike "feels" over another? I'm assuming both of these bikes are aluminum, but might differ considerably in ride quality.

Second, unless you know for sure that you're going to buy another bike in the near future, buy the best speced bike that you can afford (including the wheelset). Assuming fit/feel are roughly the same for both the Bianchi and Giant and that you can afford the Bianchi, that's the bike I'd buy. While the difference between 105 and Ultegra may not be discernible to you at first, over time, you'll probably be happier with the Ultegra components. If you went full Ultegra, you would like not feel the "need" to buy another bike any time soon.

Either bike, however, would likely serve you well.

Good luck.

[kiwi]

thanks, good advice :)

Yes, I went through to the next city over and got a 'bikefitting.com' style fitting, and so I have diagrams of the measurements to go for.

The Giant fits those measurements well, and seemed to feel right to ride. Although I know Giant are a big name in men's road racing, I haven't seen much talk of these women's models at all - so that's making me a little dubious if they're a good buy, or would be good to resell in a year or so - if I get really into the sport and can afford a carbon upgrade :)

The 2007 Bianchis aren't in store as yet, so I guess I have to wait a bit longer to see what that one feels like. But yes, both are aluminium with carbon forks.

[wannaduacentury]

Go with what fits you best, what you want to spend, and it'll turn out fine. I have a Giant OCR 2 sport compact frame and I love it(It has 105). It's a size M b/c I'm 5'8" tall and have long arms and legs and it just felt right for me. There were no Bianchi's in my area to compare to but I would have loved to ride one since there so popular at TE. Take your time b/c you know you'll have this bike for awhile :) Good Luck. Jennifer

[mimitabby]

Speaking of resale, one thing I have noticed is that Bianchis do retain their resale value surprisingly well.

If that's important to you, I'd vote for waiting for that pretty Bianchi!

[Bad JuJu]

As long as it fits, you probably won't go wrong with either one. I'm a Bianchi fan myself, but there are lots of Giant owners here that love their bikes, too. The main thing is to get the bike you're comfortable with and that you will love to ride.

[Mimosa]

I am going to be bad and add a suggestion
Scott Contessa Speedster (http://www.rutlandcycling.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/1272) (official scott site (http://www.scottusa.com/product.php?UID=9808))
I saw it live this afternoon at a bike show and it looked great.

But besides that, I would personally go for the bianchi. But the difference between the 2 bikes is small.

Owh another from Kona (http://www.konaworld.com/shopping_cart/FrontEnd/Products/product_detail.aspx?productid=354&parentid=253), but that is a bit above the price you are looking for.

[SouthernBelle]

I have a Giant OCR carbon which I love. It is not a WSD however. But the OCR was set up to be more 'relaxed' which translated well to fitting me. I will probably change out the stem at some point to go a little shorter. Does the WSD have a shorter reach on the brakes and shifters?

I would just go with the bike you enjoy riding the most, no matter what it is.

[CyclChyk]

I started out with the Giant OCR Limited. Loved it lots.........
UNTIL I got my Bianchi 928.

I'm very happily a Bianchi Chick now :p

[DirtDiva]

The Giant fits those measurements well, and seemed to feel right to ride. Although I know Giant are a big name in men's road racing, I haven't seen much talk of these women's models at all - so that's making me a little dubious if they're a good buy, or would be good to resell in a year or so - if I get really into the sport and can afford a carbon upgrade :)
Some manufacturers use completely different frames for their men's and women's lines, but there's no difference in Giant's men's/women's road frames other than paint colour and an XXS size option (and no big sizes). It's all the "finishing kit" (things like the saddle, bars, brake levers, etc.) that is different in order to be more comfortable for women's typically wider sitbones, narrower shoulders, smaller hands, etc. :)

[kiwi]

DirtDiva, oh that's very interesting to know about Giant, thanks.

The Scott option looks good too, but no shops here stock them - or seem to only supply the higher end carbon models. Aaargh - I wish I could try that bike out :D

I've been back to the Bianchi dealer this morning - they have a '06 Dama Bianca Veloce reduced to £700, but it's one size too small (albeit only too small by 1cm ish). They've said it's possible to tweak the reach with a larger stem. I can see in the brochure the 51cm frame fits my bikefitting diagram more accurately - so should be patient and wait to try the '07 model (which is £200 more, with Ultegra).

[Mimosa]

I would take that 2007 too. I have used ultegra for years now and I must say that I am very happy about that. It's very long lasting stuff and it is most definately competition capable.

I looked at the bianchi website for the 2007 model and the specs look good. The only part that I know people sometimes complain about (quality) is the wheels. The wheels are entrance level wheels, on the level of the tiagra group. The whr600 wheels are more a match for the ultegra group. But if you do not weigh heavy (and for those wheels heavy means a weight starting at 65 kilogram) then should hold up for some time. So you may want to see if you can make a deal with the bikeshop to upgrade them for, for instance, the mavic aksium (http://www.mavic.com/ewb_pages/p/produit_roue_aksium.php?gamme=route)wheels (about 75 euro's more in price).

[Velobambina]

Why not see if they can order you an Eros Donna? The steel frame is a beauty. I have an '06 and really love it. I am saving up to (maybe) get the '07 model--I'd have to sell one of my Specialized Dolces to make room in the stable!! ;)

[Kano]

I have a question that your two pictures illustrate very well --

The wheels: The Giant bike has few spokes, and the Bianchi has many. Am I guessing that the wheels on the Bianchi are more sturdy? How does spoke count fit into the equation?

Karen in Boise

[Mimosa]

No you can't just say that. It's more the quality as whole that determines if the wheel is stirdy or not.

You have different quality in spokes, cheaper ones flex more then the expensive ones. And then there is the rim for wich the same applies.
The hub more or less decides how much miles you can do with the wheels. The bearing inside the hub may be cheap so they break down soon or the freewheel is made out of cheap materials.

[kiwi]

Interesting points about the wheels Mimosa, thanks. Yeah, my uneducated thoughts have been that fewer spokes look aesthetically pleasing. It's good to start learning more about the facts too ;)

Velobambina, we don't get the Eros Donna here in the UK. Good luck with your '07 addition :)

It's been really helpful to find this forum. I've decided already not to go for the Giant - just don't feel excited enough about that bike, so I'll wait - maybe try and get a dealer to bring in that Scott, but probably await the '07 Bianchi. I'll let you know what eventually happens.

[Mimosa]

It is a shame that not all popular brands deliver in the UK. There is this shop Fat Birds (http://www.fatbirds.co.uk) that sponsors a ladies trade team (www.teamfbuk.com). But that is all I know about uk shops.

It's a shame that brands like Stevens (http://www.stevensbikes.de/2007) (sorry a bit biased about the brand), Red Bull (http://www.roseversand.de/output/controller.aspx?cid=57), Bulls (http://www.bulls.de/) or Cube (http://www.cube-bikes.de/) do not deliver in the UK. They are really price fighters, they offer very equiped bikes at low prices.

[Mimosa]

Oh one last link and then I promise that I will stop. :rolleyes:

Fuji Bikes Women (http://www.fujiwomen.com) - they do have a UK distributor

[kiwi]

... update - I finally got a bike! I bought the '07 Bianchi Dama Bianca Elle.

http://static.flickr.com/103/287662327_2f5e0c19d9.jpg

thanks for the help :)

It took me a while to find shoes that fitted too, but I have just had my first ride - went a casual 20km on some quiet roads. I was nervous that I'd find the pedals difficult, or that I'd fall each time I needed to stop - but that didn't happen, it was great! I'm looking forward to next weekend :)

[wannaduacentury]

... update - I finally got a bike! I bought the '07 Bianchi Dama Bianca Elle.

http://static.flickr.com/103/287662327_2f5e0c19d9.jpg

thanks for the help :)

It took me a while to find shoes that fitted too, but I have just had my first ride - went a casual 20km on some quiet roads. I was nervous that I'd find the pedals difficult, or that I'd fall each time I needed to stop - but that didn't happen, it was great! I'm looking forward to next weekend :)

WoW!! What a pretty bike. Congrats. I guess I'll have to get a Bianchi after I wear out my Giant:rolleyes: . Many happy miles to you. Jennifer

[SandyLS]

Welcome to the growing ranks of gals that own Bianchis here on TE. You sure picked out a pretty bike. Enjoy every mile on her. Does your bike have a name yet?

[CyclChyk]

Very nice bike!!! Hope you love her as much as I love mine.

[Aggie_Ama]

Oh she is pretty- love the detail!