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Just wondering if anyone can give me a little feedback on their preferences on road bikes. I am upgrading to a women's specific and am trying to gather as much info as possible. I am 5'3" tall about 119lbs. I am proportioned about evenly with legs and torso being about the same. I live in the mountains and do a riding which always has a lot of climbing. I have been looking at Specialized and Giant but have a loyalty to none as of yet. Any suggstions?
Thanks
I'd go to whatever bike shops are around and do some test riding. Maybe try a triple and a regular double and a compact double on some hills and see which makes you happier? (I swear by my triple and I don't have very big hills here.) And try different types of bikes, different set ups, and so on. You may find that you like one sort of saddle, and then use that when you try other bikes and such.
I probably did 17 test rides before ordering my bike, and even then I needed to get the handlebars switched out to less wide ones. The bike shop that sold me my bike earned a loyal customer with all the test rides I did!
I would recommend a custom Luna. I am the same height as you and rode a wsd Trek Pilot for four years before I figured out it was too big for me. The Luna is spectacular and fits me perfectly. Margo is wonderful to work with and does an awesome job. If you are willing to wait a few months, it's worth it.
www.lunacyles.com
You can PM me if you have any questions.
If your legs and torso are about the same you may do just fine on a unisex bike. Most women's specific models are for long legs and short torso.
My advice is to try both and lots of bikes to see what works for you. Happy hunting!
I've been really happy with my Giant Avail.
I've also been happy with Giant avail adv.
You may find that some smaller frame men's models are comfortable for you as well. Test ride as many bicycles available to you and don't restrict yourself to WSD.
I am "backwards"-proportionately long torso, shorter legs-yet my WSD Specialized Dolce fits me just fine. My other bikes are men's-and just as comfortable.
Have fun looking!
One thing I would suggest, is not to do a triple. SRAM makes an 11~32 cassette now, than when pared with a compact double, gives you as low a gear, but without the weight penalty of a triple. Also has a better chainline, which means less chance of throwing a chain and less cross chaining issues, and the side benefit of less shifting. I wonder why it took the manufacturers so long to figure that out. It would require a 'GS' mid size cage on the rear derailleur but the LBS should be able to set that up. You may not think you need that low a gear, but if the bike has a mid-cage rear derailleur on it you can swap the cassette in 5 minutes to a triple-equivalent climbing gear. No reason to lug a triple any more IMO. I set up my commuter that way last week; took the triple off and put on a compact double, using a 12~28 in back. If my route changes, and I need more I'll just put on a 12~32.
At this stage, it is best not to get hooked on a brand or WSD. Go to several LBSs and have them put you on a few different bikes and get the feel of them. I'm shorter than you and mens models were too big for me, but you have that option open to you. This is as much a search for a good LBS that will work with you to find the right bike and get it tweaked as needed to fit your needs, as it is a bike search.
I have a Scott Contessa and I have never been happier with a bike I am 5-3 weight 122.
I have a 2007 Specialized Ruby Compact WSD 49cm. I am also 5'3" (but heavier than you). It fits great and is very comfortable. I have BIG hills, so I changed out the rear cassette to 12-32 IRD and the rear derailleur to a long cage 105. I understand that Shimano finally came out with a wide range cassette, too. The handlebars on this bike are a little higher than most road bikes, so you are slightly more upright. I think I need this because my arms are not that long and with a longer stretch my hands go numb. This bike really flies when the road has a slight downhill grade. I bought mine barely used on craigslist, but I wonder if you bought it new if you could get the dealer to change out the components so that you would not have that additional expense. I also wonder why they don't start offering that as an option in lieu of a triple.
i second the recommendation for a luna. it would fit you perfectly be worth every penny and be beautiful.
I appreciate all the info. I ended up going with a Specialized Ruby Expert Comp. The guys at the shop are going to install the Sram 11-32 with the compact so I will not lose any gears. The feel was good as far as the shorter reach to the handlebars and the drop is really helpful with reach in reference to the brakes. I can't wait until it comes in and I can take it on my first test ride.....really psyched!
I bought this bike about three years ago now. I love it! I had ridden
two other bikes, not women's specific and this bike fits me much better
and is SO comfortable. I also got a compact double (12-27). We live
in California and ride a lot of hills on every ride. I used to have a
triple but I hated that it unchained at times so the switch to the
compact double has been great for me. I lose one gear but after
getting used to it I am fine on even the steepest hills. I am 5'5" and
130 lbs.
I agree with everyone else who suggests you ride a lot of bikes, regular and women specific. Take your time test riding them, ride at least 10 miles in order to get a good sense of it. Be sure and do some hills so you can see how you feel climbing. When I bought my bike SRAM was not available. I have Shimano ;)Dura Ace and love it. Perhaps next bike will be SRAM but am happy with my bike as it is now.
Good luck. Shopping for and buying a new bike is SO much fun! Trust your
body to give you feedback and help you make the right decision.