Buying a new bike...

[Cyclmom]

I gave up cycling 9 years ago and am now coming back to it. My son has comandeered my old Trek 2100 so I'm looking to buy a new bike. I'm 5'10" with a 32" inseam and short torso so I started thinking about women's bikes. I rode a 56 cm frame before but found the top tube to be too long. Here's the problem: I can't find a women's 56/57 cm bike with 105/Ultegra drivetrain; one local dealer is trying to sell me a 2006 Trek 5.4 - i think the frame didn't have the dropped top tube that the newer models have... and he still wants $2000 for it. I also think they've changed the carbon frame since then.

Does anyone have any advice and/or personal knowledge of the 2006 model?

Thanks!

[alpinerabbit]

are you sure 56/57 is not too large - I found the number of 54.7 cm effective top tube for the 2008 Madone 4.5.

I just went from about 55 (way too long) to about 52 cm. I'm 5'10'' as well. I bought a small men's frame.

Edit:
MR. SR500, I thought so too about the numbers.
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[Mr. SR500]

Can you recheck your model number, I don't think Trek has a 5.4. Not sure about the larger WSD's, at $2000, you are getting close to a semi-custom bike. You might want to check out Gunnar:

http://www.gunnarbikes.com/custom.php

[rij73]

If you meant the Madone 5.2 from 2006, I think the new Madone 4.5 WSD at $2140 would be a better deal than the 2006 model for $2000. The new Shimano 105 components are apparently comparable to the '06 Ultegra.

[Cyclmom]

Thank you all for your feedback. I may have gotten the 2006 model wrong, he told me over the phone when I was sick in bed... I'm going to see the bike tomorrow. I would prefer a 2008 4.5 but can't find one big enough.

I tried a 53 Fuji for size and it was definitely too small, so I'm still thinking 56/57... but I don't know if its too big/small until I try one...

[alpinerabbit]

Just for the record, can you detail why that one was too small? I'm just insisting because I happen to be your height and I just downsized.