Help with new bike (and sizing)

I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)

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Originally Posted by colomama2012

I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)

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I have had the Specialized Ariel because I wanted something for both road and trail but it sucked at both. The Specialized Ariel was too heavy for the road and had poor grip for trails.

If you are city riding only, get the Specialized Vita NOT the Ariel. I haven't tried Trek Fx

Lots of people here seem to like the Jamis Coda, which is a flat-bar road bike and very reasonably priced. You might look at that too. Never ridden one myself, but I have heard only good reviews.

I had a Coda and one of my friends had a Vita. They both are great entry level flat bar road bikes. The Coda is cheaper, I believe.
You won't go wrong with either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by colomama2012

A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)

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That sounds too large for you. I don't know anything about that particular bike, but my DH is 5'10" and rides a 54 cm road bike and a medium (17") MTB. If it's unisex or men's, a large is definitely too big for a medium-sized woman. Even if it's a women's bike, I still think you would probably take a medium. I used to ride with a friend who rode a hybrid and took a unisex medium (and it fit her well) -- she was 5'9"! Of course, test riding is always preferable. And even if you do have to drive a ways to do so, it's better to try it and walk away if it's not right than talk yourself into it just because you went a long way for it.

I would say that this style of bike would be a very good choice.

You and I are approximately the same height and I would likely ride the large, but I have a long torso relative to my legs so I can tolerate a longer top tube. So it may be a smidge long for you if you have more of your height in your legs. I would say that it's close enough to warrant going out to see it, if you feel like the deal is that good.

Make sure to note stem length, either before you go or when you go see it. You can compensate a lot by shortening or lengthening the stem, and that's a relatively cheap part.

I hope that helps.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by colomama2012

I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)

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