which bikes should i look at?

[phango13]

I'm currently on an aluminum frame, carbon fork men's 54 cm bike that I use primarily to race triathlons plus a century every month or so for training purposes (not to race).

I'm 5'8" with long legs and a short torso. I think I want carbon for comfort on the longer rides, but my top priority is speed for the tris and also a more aggressive geometry for the tris (but still a road bike).

Any advice on which models to start test riding??

Thanks in advance...

[Owlie]

Hm...I'm not really an aggressive rider, obviously, but what comes to mind are:
Specialized Amira
Trek Madone series (I'm not sure how aggressive the geometry is, though.)
Giant TCR Advanced W (not sure how "W" they are, since Giants have relatively long top tubes, but go ahead and test them)
Cannondale Super-six Women's

I only really know of the big 4 because that's what the shops near me carry. DBF's a Cannondale fanboy and would tell you to also look at the CAAD 10. It's aluminum (carbon fork), but he says he felt a real difference in the ride after moving to the higher-quality tubing in his Cannondale. (He has an R2000, and moved from a Giant OCR3.)

[kermit]

Try everything! you will know the ONE!

[phango13]

Yes, I expect I'll have to kiss a few frogs before finding the right one! I was hoping to have a somewhat targeted approach by gathering as much input as I could from others experience, so please keep the makes and models coming!

Thanks again, I really appreciate the feedback....

[Owlie]

There's also the Jamis Xenith Femme series.

[kermit]

You and I are pretty similar in size, just don't limit your search to womens specific. I ride a unisex 54 Specialized roubaix pro and it fits me like a glove.

[Owlie]

I came up with the women-specific suggestions based on your long legs/short torso comment. (I'm the same way...) But all of these have a similarly-named unisex equivalent. (Except the Amira. I think its equivalent is the Tarmac.) Go ahead and try those too! (

[kermit]

Good call, I never tried the womens models as they were so scarce. If they have them...try them, it might be easier then going through shorter stems.

[Stellar1]

I'm also looking for a new bike and will probably get the Orbea Dama with Ultegra and a Sella Italia saddle. I rode it the other day and really like it. Right now I'm riding a Rodriguez ( a small Seattle shop) which is steel. The Orbea weighs about 7 lbs less!! That's great for me. I'm looking fwd to lots of good rides this summer. Summer starts on 7/5 in Seattle.
Stellar 1

[Mako]

Hi phango13,

I'm not too clued up on geometry but I think that quite a few people use the Cervelo S1 for triathlons, because they are sturdy but still resposive and quick. It is an aero aluminium road bike with carbon fork.

If you are looking at full carbon what about a Cervelo S2?

Like I said I don't know much about triathlons or geometry so I'm sure someone more savvy can correct me if I'm suggesting something mental :confused:

Link from a different forum:
http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/reviews/CerveloS1-2009.shtml

[nscrbug]

I will 2nd the suggestion for Cervelo S2. It's definitely an aggressive (was a bit too aggressive for my bad back, so I sold mine), fast bike. Throw on a decent set of aerobars and I think you'll be very happy. I originally went with the S2 (I actually had what was known as a Carbon Soloist, which was rebadged into the S2 the following year), because I thought I would continue doing triathlons. But I was never really able to bring my running up to par due to a chronic lower back condition, so my rides started to become more distance-focused and I needed the comfort of a relaxed geometry bike.