Narrowing down Road Bike choice. I have a few questions....

I currently own a 2010 Trek 7.5 WSD. which was the first new bike I'd bought in 25 years. (I also have a Mongoose 1985 All Terrain I cannot part with no matter what my DH says about the space it takes up.)
I am tentatively looking at the Specialized Ruby Expert and the Madone 5.2 WSD. I also have the possibility of a used Cervelo but it may be too small at 48 (which makes me sad - I get to try it this weekend as well as the Madone). The Ruby at 51 was a good fit. I am 5'4.5". Oh, how I hope the Cervelo fits for a decent trial ride.
I look at this as probably the only road bike I will buy. I am 60. Never say never. Right now, I want easy gearing, better hill climbing capability and a fast ride. I just mostly ride here and there myself - a mix of city and country with a few wicked hills, and I will do one Tri sprint this year and plan to do a half century and possibly a longer relay. More if I am smitten with my new ride, I am sure.
I am looking at the Ruby and Madone due to Ultegra components which I read good things about (smooth), AND I absolutely want something FASTER and easier taking hills than the Trek 7.5 WSD. 7.5 is a great city/paved path bike. And I am sure at the rate I pedal it, I burn wads of calories - but it is hard work to get her up to 18-19 mph even on the flat open road. I will admit I don't clip in at all. Yet.:cool:

My concerns are these:
1) am I underbiking for speed, gearing and climbing I want with Ruby or Madone?
I don't want to just get a 7.5 with curly bars. Love her but don't need two.
Also:
2) Is there a peach of a bike - same brand or others - in about the same price range I am ignoring? (Cervelo price is for a 2008 used and a bit of a mystery as yet. Other's MSRP's are on company websites.)
3) Never have bought a used bike. Truly only know what I have read about Cervelo, and components. Reputable person I trust is selling her. Are Cervelo more pricey to have work done on? Anyone own a 48cm and at what height?

Hi Drumlin, Sounds like you need to visit a bike shop and start trying out bikes. The best bike for anyone is the one that feels and fits the best. Make sure you get a professional fitting at your bike shop before you buy. I am sure one of the other ladies here will talk about sizes. Be like the 3 bears....not too small, not too big, but just right. Good luck in your search.

Hi and welcome (from WI). I bought a used trek 1000 wsd which is an aluminum road bike with carbon fork that was discontinued in 2007 or so.

I liked it but the shimano/sora components annoyed me. I test rode the Ruby and Madone but just around the parking lot. Truthfully it simply wasn't long enough to get a feel for them. I preferred teh feel of the Madone but there are so many aspects which can affect initial test rides IMO! Saddle, fit of bike (saddle height, setback, etc).

I didn't buy the ruby or the madone b/c they honestly didn't feel that much better than the bike I already had. It was here that I had read how much people loved steel.

Then one day I was walking through a bike shop and saw an independent fabrication steel bike/carbon fiber fork. It was my favorite shade of green with pink accents. Campy chorus components. I fell in love. I test rode her and she sung on the bikepath and eventually she was mine :)

My advice is to just keep testing until you know FOR SURE. I actually tested about 3 different ruby's and 2 madones. I did like them! I may have even preferred them on some of these bumpy roads. But in the end I am so satisfied with the bike I have now and won't look back :)

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Originally Posted by Muirenn

I hate to add to the 'peach' list, but:

Cannondale Synapse, either regular for feminine.

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OK! I am happy to be getting responses. I have located a Cannondale dealer about 40 miles away. Thanks for the suggestion. It really helps me take a step back and consider other bikes.

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Originally Posted by warneral

Hi and welcome (from WI). I bought a used trek 1000 wsd which is an aluminum road bike with carbon fork that was discontinued in 2007 or so.

I liked it but the shimano/sora components annoyed me. I test rode the Ruby and Madone but just around the parking lot. Truthfully it simply wasn't long enough to get a feel for them. I preferred teh feel of the Madone but there are so many aspects which can affect initial test rides IMO! Saddle, fit of bike (saddle height, setback, etc).

I didn't buy the ruby or the madone b/c they honestly didn't feel that much better than the bike I already had. It was here that I had read how much people loved steel.

Then one day I was walking through a bike shop and saw an independent fabrication steel bike/carbon fiber fork. It was my favorite shade of green with pink accents. Campy chorus components. I fell in love. I test rode her and she sung on the bikepath and eventually she was mine :)

My advice is to just keep testing until you know FOR SURE. I actually tested about 3 different ruby's and 2 madones. I did like them! I may have even preferred them on some of these bumpy roads. But in the end I am so satisfied with the bike I have now and won't look back :)

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Good point. Being sure. I think that was my concern. I want different things in this bike than the Trek 7.5. Trek is fine for what she does, and she stays.
OK. I will consider other bikes. In truth, the Ruby was the first road bike I ever tried! And she was great! BUT... I am over road bike concern (piece of cake) and I can now fine tune my choice. Glad I posted!

I had my heart set on a Cervelo last year as well. I was smitten! I went into my local triathlete store, got measured and they put me on a Cervelo and I hated it. HATED it. Tried another and another. Waa.

Tried Felt, Cervelo, Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Fuji. Yuck, yuck and yuck. Then, out of the blue, someone had ordered an Orbea Dama. Not the components I wanted, but in my size. The tri-shop had it, the owner decided they didn't want it and they had me hop on it.

It fit like a glove! Cervelo who?

So we did some research, got me on a few other Orbea bikes, found that Orbea was trying to get rid of 2009 Orbea Diva's with full Dura-Ace component group. Heart! That's what I ride and I love it. The bike is an extension of me. It soars up hills (only weighs 7lbs so it better be easier!), is responsive and yet smooth and comfortable. (once I find a saddle I don't hate!).

It took me 2 months to find her. So visit many shops and try every bike you can. When you find your "glove" you will know. Good luck!

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Originally Posted by ladyicon

Hi Drumlin, Sounds like you need to visit a bike shop and start trying out bikes. The best bike for anyone is the one that feels and fits the best. Make sure you get a professional fitting at your bike shop before you buy. I am sure one of the other ladies here will talk about sizes. Be like the 3 bears....not too small, not too big, but just right. Good luck in your search.

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You are right. I am hearing this over and over. I need to do some Lamaze-style bike breathing and hit more bike shops. Take my time!

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Originally Posted by hulagirl

I had my heart set on a Cervelo last year as well. I was smitten! I went into my local triathlete store, got measured and they put me on a Cervelo and I hated it. HATED it. Tried another and another. Waa.

Tried Felt, Cervelo, Specialized, Cannondale, Trek, Fuji. Yuck, yuck and yuck. Then, out of the blue, someone had ordered an Orbea Dama. Not the components I wanted, but in my size. The tri-shop had it, the owner decided they didn't want it and they had me hop on it.

It fit like a glove! Cervelo who?

So we did some research, got me on a few other Orbea bikes, found that Orbea was trying to get rid of 2009 Orbea Diva's with full Dura-Ace component group. Heart! That's what I ride and I love it. The bike is an extension of me. It soars up hills (only weighs 7lbs so it better be easier!), is responsive and yet smooth and comfortable. (once I find a saddle I don't hate!).

It took me 2 months to find her. So visit many shops and try every bike you can. When you find your "glove" you will know. Good luck!

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I am quickly learning where all the bike shops are in a 75 mile radius! I have found an Orbea dealer to check out, too.

Sounds like you are on track DD, and good for you.

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Originally Posted by DrumlinDancer

I am looking at the Ruby and Madone due to Ultegra components which I read good things about (smooth), AND I absolutely want something FASTER and easier taking hills than the Trek 7.5 WSD. 7.5 is a great city/paved path bike.

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Hills will be a function of both weight and gearing. You can check the weight on the manufacturer's website, but all these will be similar. A few grams here and there doesn't matter until you are going for the rainbow stripes.

I would also note the cassette on each bike too; a bigger rear cog will make life easier (if you need it) and your knees might thank you too. Most shops will swap out the cassette without any hassles but it's worth checking. With the Cervelo, you might not be able to do so, so if it's running an 11-23 or something you might want to factor in the price of a new cassette that will suit you better. Also, warranties usually apply only to the original owner, and most bike shops will throw in 6-12 months servicing - both useful to have (without talking down the Cervelo at all; I have a friend with three of them!)

Also, make a little list of test ride things so that you're doing the same (if possible) on each one and don't forget something: a bit uphill, a bit downhill, all hand positions, out of the saddle, cornering, emergency braking to see if it stops straight, acceleration and some bumps to see if it bucks or it's dead. I used to throw in some tiny circles to check for toe overlap too. And ask the shop to set the same psi and saddle height before you ride, otherwise it's not oranges and oranges; more like oranges and orangutans. ;)

I have recently gone through the same process and was fitted to a Cervelo and a Cannondale Synapse. I have a Specialized Amira in a 51 but with both the Cervelo and the Synapse I needed a 48. I am 5'5'". And I'm 53 years old.

I bought the Synapse for a number of reasons. It was more comfortable - in fact it fits like a glove. It was better value. It had a compact crankset which is what I wanted for better hill climbing (I need all the help I can get on hills!). I have been so happy with this bike I want to shout from rooftops. All of my previous niggles have disappeared including hand pain, numb toes, lower back pain on right side.

But you need to buy the bike that works for you. You seem to be on the right track with the models you are considering. I was lucky that I had a fantastic LBS that let me take the Synapse out for a ride for 90 minutes (even though it wasn't the exact model that I was looking to buy) and another that had one of its employees lend me her own personal Cervelo bike for a test ride. I felt bad about not buying the Cervelo but the Synapse just suited me better.

I hope you find the bike that you love.

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Originally Posted by macski

I have recently gone through the same process and was fitted to a Cervelo and a Cannondale Synapse. I have a Specialized Amira in a 51 but with both the Cervelo and the Synapse I needed a 48. I am 5'5'". And I'm 53 years old.

I bought the Synapse for a number of reasons. It was more comfortable - in fact it fits like a glove. It was better value. It had a compact crankset which is what I wanted for better hill climbing (I need all the help I can get on hills!). I have been so happy with this bike I want to shout from rooftops. All of my previous niggles have disappeared including hand pain, numb toes, lower back pain on right side.

But you need to buy the bike that works for you. You seem to be on the right track with the models you are considering. I was lucky that I had a fantastic LBS that let me take the Synapse out for a ride for 90 minutes (even though it wasn't the exact model that I was looking to buy) and another that had one of its employees lend me her own personal Cervelo bike for a test ride. I felt bad about not buying the Cervelo but the Synapse just suited me better.

I hope you find the bike that you love.

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Well I never did get to try the Cervelo. I ended up buying a 2010 Madone on sale, and it does really fit me nicely. It is a 50. Our city has a police bike sale coming up soon. I think just for fun, I might go see what shows up. These are bikes that the police end up with - most likely never registered or license but turned in at the station. I am betting many are old and need "help". I have never gone to it, but after reading and researching and reading the forum, I think it might be interesting to see what is there.

Just wanted to chime in here, even though it looks like you have already purchased a Madone. I rode a Cervelo (a Carbon Soloist) for 1 season...ended up selling it last May and bought a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3. There was nothing overly special about the Cervelo, IMO. It had the same Ultegra group that many other bikes in its price range have. If I had to pick 1 thing that was different about it...the geometry. It's an aero, racy bike with an aggressive riding position...all things that my lower back protested loudly about. I bought it because I thought I was going to get into triathlons and wanted an aero bike without going to a full tri bike. But sadly, I only did 2 races and quickly lost interest in doing another triathlon. My focus now is more on distance, so I desperately needed a comfortable bike...something more relaxed and upright like the Synapse.

Linda