Ready to buy new road bike questions

[runningteach]

I have been looking to upgrade bikes. Right now I am riding a Specialized Dolce Sport 2004. It is a good bike but as I said I would like to get another. I am happy with the Specialized. I also have a Trek mountain bike. The bike shop I deal with does not have a lot of bikes to test ride. Today I looked at the Ruby Elite and next week I will go test it out. A Trek Madone is not in the shop (one of the ones I wanted to look at) but they said they would get it for me. I ride a 48 cm Dolce and the Ruby is a 51cm. The guy didn't measure me but had me sit on the Ruby and told me sometimes sizes vary within companies and the 51 might be fine. My leg felt too outstretched on it. Do sizes vary in companies? Ok I measured my inseam and it is approx 28 inches.

I have thought about it and I really would like to keep my purchase around $2500, closer to $2000 and the Ruby is at the lower end. Am I being silly not to test ride a bunch of different bikes? The guy did show me Cannondales in the men's section when I mentioned them to but he said he doesn't get a lot of women looking at the Synapse. My Dolce was just in for a tuneup and a new fitting because of seat issues and the shop put me on a trainer and adjusted me based on them looking at me ride. Is that typical? I thought they would get measurements but they didn't? I like the shop and would like to stay with them but not sure if I should look elsewhere.

The Madone 4.7 has rival components and the Ruby has 105s. Are the 105s good enough or should I spend the extra money? So many decisions.

I ride about an hour a day and like longer rides but due to an illness cannot do the longer ones right now. I ride about 6 days a week at this time. My main exercise has been running but I am sidelined from it at the moment and might be indefinitely.

Thanks for your advice
Jeannie

[Ana]

If you have $2,000-$2,500 to spend, you should look at Gunnar (http://gunnarbikes.com/) custom steel frames (made by Waterford). The roadie runs $1150 for a custom frame ($800 for stock). You could see if your local shop could provide the components and build it up :)

As far as components go, each person has individual preferences. It is a lot like road bicycle quality, though: the biggest differences are usually in the lowest tiers of components while the differences in the higher-end components are small functions and weight. Personally, I do not find the highest-end of components practical for me since I do not race or care about the weight. I care more about the durability of the components and ride for recreation :)

[runningteach]

Hi Ana,
I haven't really thought about steel. I thought carbon has a smoother ride?

[Ana]

There are countless diehard steel fans here on TE :) Although I do not have a steel bike, many people like it but the frame material depends on what your preferences are. Likewise, I have also never ridden carbon but I've also heard great things.

It is my impression that if you very much dislike road vibrations, that carbon is the way to go. If you like to maintain some of the feel of the road, you might want to look into steel bikes :)

The best way to determine whether or not you would like steel is to try out a steel bike (high-end) :) Maybe your shop would have a high-end steel bike (Waterford, Gunnar, Serotta, Seven, Independent Fabrication) to test ride.

Please keep in mind that the Rival components on the Madone are SRAM, while the 105 is Shimano so it would be a matter of your preference. Some people like the "double tap" of SRAM but I have a friend who has it on her bike and it seems confusing to me ;) I need something where I can shift intuitively in case of unexpected events :p

Go with what feels best and whichever fits you best. You can't beat custom, though ;)

[runningteach]

Thanks ladies for responding to this post and my other one. I ended up buying a bike that wasn't on my list because I feel in love with it. I got the Look 566 Origin. The bike shop gave me a good deal on it. Hopefully I made the right decision. Such a big purchase. Little concerned about standover height because it is close but the bike shop compared it to my bike and the seat to pedal and seat to handlebar measurements were almost exactly the same. It comes with Ultegra components.

Thanks again!

[redrhodie]

Nice! I had the same Dolce as you as my first road bike. I'm assuming the Look doesn't have a sloping top tube like the Dolce? That will take a little getting used to, but you will!

Post a pic. I LOVE Looks! Is it white?

[runningteach]

Yup, no sloping top tube or very little. I am keeping the Dolce because I do still love it. I did get the white Look and I keep staring at it. Almost changed my mind because I thought it was too fancy for a 47 yo woman but once I saw it today I still loved it. I will try to post pictures tomorrow but I am bad with photos. This weekend I am getting new pedals and shoes since I was using mountain bike shoes and the flip platform pedals. The store didn't have shoes in my size so they are on order. Hopefully I can get use to a new pedal system.

[redrhodie]

Ooooh white Look. I'm jealous.

You absolutely deserve this bike! It's not about age or gender. It's bike love. Love the bike!

[runningteach]

Thanks!