Question for all you pros (or not so pro)

[Mestebla]

As I'm looking at bikes I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed. I don't really know what I want and there are SO many different options! I know I want as comfortable as possible, but something that once I get used to I will still want to ride. Any reccommendations of women specific designs? Just so I can have a direction to go.

[Irulan]

it would really help to know your budget, your style of riding, basic body type, etc.

You can read what I have to say about women specfic design if you go my bike stuff page and follow the links to riding tips.

irulan

[Mestebla]

Ok, so I am 5'2", weigh 125 pounds, and I'm looking for a roadie. Budget is flexible (definitely under $1000 though)... I just want to at least have an idea of what I want.

[Nanci]

I'd recommend trying a Trek WSD 1500, MSRP of $1150, so maybe you can find a 2005, or get a deal on a 2006. But of course, you'd have to ride it and love the fit. There are a lot of people on here that have variations of that bike. I have the 2100 WSD 2005, bought sight unseen on eBay, which I dearly love. Going from the $700 MSRP Trek WSD 1000 you get some better components, including an Ultegra rear derailleur, and you get the carbon fork and seatpost, both of which are shock absorbing. Most WSD bikes will give you a triple crank, which will make beginning hill climbing _much_ easier.

I'm 5'2", and I ride a 47cm Trek. There are two older ones on eBay right now! (Plus my beloved bike's twin in a 54cm, right now at $255...)

Nanci

[CorsairMac]

It's like buying a car: each one of us have a bike/brand we seem to lean towards more. Do you have quite a few bike shops in your area where you can go try some bikes? My personal preference is Trek, some of the ladies prefer Specialized, quite a few of us ride customs. As I said, it's like buying a car - maybe surf some of the bike websites til something grabs your eye, see if your dealer carries it and give it a ride.

As for WSD: again, some women prefer WSD, some hate it. Both my road bikes are non-WSD (actually they're vintage bikes so I guess I"m not much help there! lol). You should really ride several different types to see what you feel the most comfortable with. Kinda like buying shoes!

[shadon]

came from someone here (Trek420 maybe?) it was

RIDE BIKES, RIDE BIKES, RIDE BIKES

Since June I've ridden lots and lots of bikes, and I've bought three. The first I bought without enough thought and to quickly...not the right bike. Got rid of it and use the money toward the second bike.

The second was a Hybrid, a Marin Larkspur, great bike to begin to get in shape on, but since I'm training for the AIDSLifeCycke, it was to heavy and it wasn't a road bike.

So I bought the road bike.

I think I test rode 10 or so road bikes in looking for this last one.


So ride lots of bike, visit lots of bike shops. If they blow you off, don't take you serioulsy, or otherwise treat you badly, move on and spend your money elsewhere. I love the shop where I bought mine and will gladly go back there for service, even though it involves a train ride and the better part of a day.

Happy riding!

[SalsaMTB]

As the other girls have said...

Ride Ride Ride

Ride as many bikes as possible before deciding. My first bike I didn't test ride a ton and settled with a WSD mountain frame and ended up being a bit too small. My road frame is not WSD and I love it. Don't just listen to your husband when it comes to fit, ride a bunch. WSD is great for some, not so great for others. Be sure to try both out so you know what you really like. Also, some lbs are more specialized in sizing than others, so try to find one that really spends the time making sure the bike fits. I know some in my area will charge you a little for a full fitting but it all goes toward the bike in the end.

[traveller_62]

Ditto about the ride ride ride advice from others!

To keep within your budget find the frame that fits you the best. You can keep the total initial cost down with your choice of components -- which you can upgrade later.

Find a bike store that is willing to invest the time to find out what kind of rider you are and what your goals are.

-traveller

[bikerchick68]

yep, ride as many as you can get your hands on! And like Salsa said, WSD may or may not be right for you! Depends on your body shape... I don't ride WSD, mainly because I have a short inseam and long torso... so the mens frame works best for me... I am 5'7" and ride a 49cm! LOL... so ya just don't know til ya ride 'em! If you DO end up with a mens frame, you can have the brakes "WSD"d for you... there's an insert that brings the reach in substantially... good luck to you! Patience and lots of test rides will help you get the right bike for you... :)

[laughlaugh18]

Mestebla,

We're in the same boat (although my boat's a bit heavier - I'm 5'2", but haven't seen 125 for a long, long time :rolleyes: )!

I'm looking for a hybrid, not a road bike, but in a similar price range. I've found it tough to find bikes in my size to test ride. Also, a lot of bike shops don't seem to want to fiddle with fit issues for less expensive bikes.

Patience and perseverence seem to be the way to go. If you want to consider a hybrid, look at the Trek 7.x fx series. They have WSD and non-WSD frames. I just tried the 7.2x 15" WSD over the weekend. The reach seemed okay, but my legs felt scrunched. I've also ridden Giant Cypress dx, Giant fcr 3, Specialized crosswinds (again, all hybrids, but some of them are pretty zippy).

Good luck!

Cathy

[Geonz]

It comes down to being personal, and I don't think you can really tell what's important to you until you have been riding. Fit is so important - if it doesn't fit, it won't become a habit. I've got the most miles on my hybrid hybrid Giant with a Bianchi stem... I couldn't afford the Bianchi that felt good, and the bike shop guys stuck a Bianchi stem on a Giant Nutra and voila! I like my Trek 7500 FX, too, but it isn't *quite* as good a fit.

http://www.champaigncycle.com/frame.htm has a link to "choosing a bike" that's only a little dated (the 7500FX is not exactly new this year ;)).