Dreaming, Obsessing about a New Road Bike, Sorry Long Post

A little history, about 6 yrs. ago my husband and I bought "comfort" bikes on a whim. Turned out we loved biking and quickly upgraded to Trek 7.5 FX hybrids. We've gone to clipless and narrower tires, now we're ready for what seems to be the natural transition, move on up to "real" road bikes!.

But what to get?? I know ride, ride, ride! I guess I'm a little afraid to go test bikes for fear I'll choose the wrong one! I know, that's really stupid! But, I want to get it right this time. I was looking at the Specialized Elite Comp, but didn't feel real comfortable with the salesman. Just don't get the feeling "my" needs are his first concern in helping me select a bike.

I did get "fit" at another shop. The owner/fitter has been making steel bikes for 30 yrs. and seems to really want me (and my husband) to choose bikes we will be comfortable riding. I really like that. He didn't feel I necessarily needed to look at WSD either. He recommends trying a few bikes in alum. carbon and of course, their fav., steel.

So, I think I've found my LBS. They carry Felt, Bianchi, Raleigh, Surly and Orbea. I'm wondering what recommendations all you knowledgable ladies might have for me (besides ride, ride, ride!).

A little about me: I would like to stay below $2,000.00. I'm 54 yrs young, small frame, 5'1". Biking is the first athletic thing I've ever done (I don't believe sitting in the bleachers watching the family is considered a cardio sport). I now workout at the gym during winter months and bike in nice weather. Family is athletic and very patient with my slowness. Avg. 12-14 mph on 10 to 60 mile rides, mostly flat. Would like to ride longer (charity, possibly STP), faster, comfortable. Not loving the chip seal vibration with the narrower tires and more air on all our local highways. Pretty smooth on the bike path. My current bike is alum/carb. fork. After bike fit, turns out my FX is probably too big (17").

One bike the LBS has recommended is the Bianchi Vigorelli with 105s. I have to admit I'm lusting for anything in Bianchi's Celeste Blue (does not include the Vigorelli:(). I'm going to try real hard to be a big girl though and go Function over Fashion and get the right fitting bike!!!! Anyone riding a Vigorelli or similar (Imola triple). How is it for all day riding? What about speed, weight, hill climbing?

Oh, and then there is the compact double/triple thing. On hills, I do need my granny grear on my Trek with its mountain bike gearing. I'm not sure if I would be happy with a compact dbl or not. I know ride, ride ride.

Sorry, this is soooo long! You ladies have guided me into all the gear a girl could possibly ever want or need. Love to hear your opinions on these brands.

Thanks in advance.

I have a 2006 Bianchi Eros Donna (a WSD steel bike Bianchi doesn't make anymore) that I love. I like steel; it's my frame material of choice, although to be fair, I've never ridden carbon.

Test ride anything and everything you can get your hands on in your size. More than likely, one bike will speak to you more than the others.

There are lots of threads about compacts versus triples, including a current one. I'd suggest digging through them using TE's search function for some pros and cons. But in brief, you can pair a compact with a wider-spaced cassette to get some smaller gears.

Oh, and Bianchi Celeste is green, not blue. :)

Happy bike shopping!

Thanks for the info. Glad to hear you like your bike and steel. Also, thanks for the clarification on Celeste blue/green. Wondered about that. Either way, gorgeous!