I want to buy a new bike

[ACG]

I have a Giant OCR C3, she has been my faithful servant carrying me thru 3 Aids Rides, countless centuries and a long drawn out divorce. I have the itch to buy a nicer better bike. I upgraded the handlebars and the seat but that is it. Soooo do I replace her? I could spend about $4k. I'm not gonna race but do ride about 400 miles a month. Once the time changes here in California I will ride in the mornings too, so that mileage could likely double. I'm short 5'2". SO a Women's specific is preferred. Any bike suggestions?

[redrhodie]

No bike suggestions, but lucky you to be in that position! Start test riding. You'll know more if you really want to upgrade once you feel how other bikes ride.

[anakiwa]

What is it that makes you want to replace the bike you have? Are there things about it that you don't like? If you have the perfect bike for you, don't feel like you need something more expensive. That said, I love my custom Serotta road bike and would definitely recommend custom fitting.

[Aggie_Ama]

You have a good budget to work with. I would suggest test riding different materials and different geometries. Try different companies, Cannondale's Synapse in carbon will be different than a Trek Madone that will be different than Specialized Ruby.

You are happy with Giant, what about their upgraded women's bike? What changes do you want to have in your new bike? Better drivetrain? Different frame material? Different geometry? I guess what I am saying is tell us what is important to you, I could gush all day about my bike but really where would that get you? :p

[SouthernBelle]

I have a OCR C3 and wouldn't replace it. I would buy a bike to be used for a different purpose, for example touring. For that I would want steel with a rack. Are you looking for something to be used differently?

[tulip]

LUNA! With $4k, go custom. Love my Luna.

www.lunacycles.com

[7rider]

Why go "women's specific" when you can go "ACG specific"??

Go custom. Go Seven (http://sevencycles.com/road_detail.php?bike=alaris). An Alaris would be perfect for the kind of riding you seem to do.

[kfergos]

Why go "women's specific" when you can go "ACG specific"??

Go custom. Go Seven (http://sevencycles.com/road_detail.php?bike=alaris). An Alaris would be perfect for the kind of riding you seem to do.
+1 on the custom bike suggestion. Your price range definitely makes it worth considering buying a custom-made bike. No compromises -- just your dream bike, in the flesh.

Full disclosure: I admit I'm a little prejudiced... I just bought a custom Seven Alaris. She's wonderful. (Omit long rave about fabulous bike) All told, it cost about $4,600, which sounds doable for you. It's well worth every penny!

[Aggie_Ama]

This thread sent me to look at Luna and you can get an Eclipse for under $4,000. Spent a bit of time drooling and fantasizing about a trip to Sante Fe to pick up a Luna. **sigh** I have a wonderful off the rack bike. :rolleyes:

[chicago]

I have an OCR C3 too... is yours composite?... mine is.

I have upgraded the wheels, and have Durace components on their now... also replaced the triple to compact.

If you have the composite, your frame is fine... why replace the frame?... just replace the parts... lots cheaper:D

Unless you want to go titanium of course:eek::D

[ACG]

Ladies, thanks for the advice. I like my bike, she fits me well. However, she was what I could afford at the time. Or I should say it was what my ex would spend, actually it was the last thing he bought me before... I know I could put nicer componets and better wheels on the current bike. But I thought why not the new bike. She is a little beat up now, scratched, etc. I wash her often and sometimes read stories to her too. She gets to sleep in the in the living room. I plan to put her on my trainer so that I can still use her when the weather or work prevents me from riding.

It is also sort of physchological. After a divorce some women get botox, new breasts or a young boyfriend, now that the dust has settled I want a new bike!

[Aggie_Ama]

It is also sort of physchological. After a divorce some women get botox, new breasts or a young boyfriend, now that the dust has settled I want a new bike!

On of the best reasons I have heard! I would suggest you go as big as you can then Seven, Luna, Lynskey. Think sexy bikes. ;)

[crazycanuck]

I want a new bike too..I would like to have two road bikes just because.

Why can't i have two roadie bikes is my question to my dear. You guys out there seem to have more than two bikes, why can't i?

Perhaps i'm just jealous of the nicer bikes..My OCR1 is just fine but i'm jealous..

[Jiffer]

ACG .... you go, girlfriend! Get the bike of your dreams ... as soon as you figure out what that is. :) I say do your research and try different bikes.

Dh recently gave me a lesson about aluminum verses carbon. What's different about them, why some people like one and some people like the other or a combination of the two. Educate yourself on all this if you haven't already. I have a Cannondale CAAD9. It's not WS. Since I'm 5'9", that wasn't really an issue. It's an aluminum frame with carbon fork and seat posts. My dh and the LBS guy came up with it, based largely on the great deal the LBS guy could get on the frame itself, and then they put all dh's Dura Ace components on it (cause dh got a newer bike). If I bought that bike with everything on it brand new, without the super sweet deal we got, it would have been in your price range.

I love my bike and have absolutely no complaints, but I really don't have anything to compare her to since she is my first. If I were looking into a new bike, I'd research, research, research and try as many as I could.

I guess you've got a good start from all the bike names you've already gotten from this thread.

Hey, where are you in California? We buy from Don's Bikes in Rialto. A little bit of a drive, but so worth it. They have always given us really great deals and are good with helping dh research bikes and figure out what is the best bike for him, or a friend or whatever. Scott is the owner and will give you great advice.

If you decide to go there, let me know and I'll tell them to take care of you, not that they wouldn't anyhow, but they give extra deals to our friends because we have spent so much money there and sent them a lot of business.

[SpeedyChix]

I have a Giant OCR C3, she has been my faithful servant carrying me thru 3 Aids Rides, countless centuries and a long drawn out divorce. I have the itch to buy a nicer better bike. I upgraded the handlebars and the seat but that is it. Soooo do I replace her? I could spend about $4k. I'm not gonna race but do ride about 400 miles a month. Once the time changes here in California I will ride in the mornings too, so that mileage could likely double. I'm short 5'2". SO a Women's specific is preferred. Any bike suggestions?

You've got the budget that you could have a custom made. Given your height, an even better reason to go that route. Check out Kent Eriksen if you're in the market for a fine riding ti bike. For custom he's pretty fast too. kenteriksen.com

There are a host of custom steel builders as well but time to frame will generally be longer.

Have you ridden other frame materials? See what you might like? They each have ride characteristics. For me it is steel or ti over carbon or alu. Then the geometry has a huge impact as well.

Whatever route you go, enjoy the ride!

[Grits]

I want a new bike too..I would like to have two road bikes just because.

Why can't i have two roadie bikes is my question to my dear. You guys out there seem to have more than two bikes, why can't i?

Perhaps i'm just jealous of the nicer bikes..My OCR1 is just fine but i'm jealous..


Crazycanuck, I am jealous too!

[TBird]

Being new to road biking, I can't offer one ounce of helpful advice for which bike to consider. But I just want to add to the chorus of "you go girl!"

I have never once second-guessed money I've spent on sports toys. When you look at the health problems in our country--both physical and emotional--nice bikes, skis, kayaks, whatever, are positive, healthy splurges indeed. You will feel such a sense of independence and joy on that new bike! Happy shopping!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Another vote for a custom Luna. :)

[Zen]

Who doesn't want to buy another bike :D?