New Bike

Hi, everyone. I am new here but not new to cycling. I have been riding a Serotta road bike for the past 4 or 5 years, having ridden a recumbent for a couple of years prior. When I bought the recumbent, I was having a lot of back problems and the upright position on a diamond frame was very painful and uncomfortable. My back problems have been gone for several years, which is why I bought the Serotta. My problem is that the Serotta doesn't fit me well at all and is way too small. The bike was built for someone else who ended up purchasing a different Serotta. My measurements were similar to hers, so after trying many bikes, the LBS showed me the Serotta. The bike felt good to me at the time, while no others did. When I took the Serotta to my LBS they cringed at the fit. My neck is out further than stem because the frame is so small. My neck and shoulders are uncomfortable on the bike and my ITB is very tight. I sit very upright on the bike, rather than stretched over the bike. My guess is having come from a recumbent position, this position was most comfortable at the time. I rode the bike pain free up until this year.

I am looking at bikes now. I test rode a Ruby Pro today and had glute tightness within 5 minutes of riding on the trainer. Could this be because of the change in riding position? I have no idea what to look for as far as fit with another bike. I trusted the LBS the last time around and would like to be more knowledgeable this time.

Thank you for any help you can give me!!

Kenda

Is the Serotta causing pain at this point, or is the issue that the LBS cringed at the fit (I'm assuming you got it from a different LBS than the one that cringed)? Who cares if it measures too small if it's comfortable to you. With your previous back issues, your fit may not be the one you measure for.

Test ride more bikes, different sizes, different proportions. You should have that Goldie-locks feeling of "this one is just right."

I'd be concerned about the Ruby Pro if it hurt right away. That's not a good sign.

Oh, I see that your neck and shoulders hurt from the Serotta. Missed that before! I'm also seeing that you bought the bike from another rider, not your LBS. Still, my advice is the same. Test ride more bikes.

Maybe some of the other women will be able to address this-- theoretically, wouldn't a too small frame put less pressure on necks and shoulders? I would think that you'd be more upright, with less weight on your hands and arms, more on your butt. Or, would the neck and shoulders be a problem just because of scrunching up?

Hi,

Sorry to be so confusing. I bought the Serotta from a bike shop in Colorado. The bike had been built to fit another woman but she decided she didn't want it and bought another Serotta instead. They sold me her Serotta for their cost. At the time, the bike felt wonderful. It was my first diamond frame road bike and I loved it! Over time, she has become painful to me. I had the stem changed to a longer stem so I could stretch out more over the bike. This didn't help. I'm told I would need about a 6" stem to get where I want to be. Scrunching describes the feeling perfectly. The bike is also very twitchy at speeds over 20 mph, I'm told this is due to the improper fit. I was reading about seeing the hub under the handlebars last night and the hub is WAY out in front of the handlebars on my bike.

I know any bike will feel completely different than what I have and I hate to make a costly mistake. I really don't know what to look for with regard to proper fit. The problem with my LBS is that they don't carry a large selection of bikes. They ordered the Ruby for me to try. It felt very different than my Serotta but I'm not sure it was in a good way. I was surprised to have glute soreness in 5 minutes. Since I've been riding my bikes, mountain too, for several years and I weight train several days a week with a trainer, I wouldn't expect glute weakness to be my problem.

I live in Oklahoma. Does anyone here have any recommendations for bike shops I can travel to? I'm contemplating driving to Texas to see a Serotta fit tech. I know my measurements aren't a definite way to buy a bike but it seems like a move in the right direction. I test rode dozens of bikes before I bought my current Serotta. I am definitely hard to fit. I'm 5'4" and weigh 95 pounds but my legs are longer than my 5'9" husband's.

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

Hi,

I live in Oklahoma. Does anyone here have any recommendations for bike shops I can travel to? I'm contemplating driving to Texas to see a Serotta fit tech. I know my measurements aren't a definite way to buy a bike but it seems like a move in the right direction. I test rode dozens of bikes before I bought my current Serotta. I am definitely hard to fit. I'm 5'4" and weigh 95 pounds but my legs are longer than my 5'9" husband's.

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

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Cant help with a recommendation for Oklahoma but I would recommend getting a professional bike fit before giving up on your Serotta.

Good luck:)

Oh, I plan to have another pro fit with the Serotta. Problem is that I have already had two. :( I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider. I really believe this to be true in my case. I love the bike but not the way I feel on her. If she can be modified with components in any way to fit me, I'd be pleased as can be -- maybe. DH has offered to get me a new bike for our upcoming 20th anniversary. Can't think of anything I'd rather have.

Anyone here have a Rivendell? Seemed similar to my Serotta in style only much cheaper.

Kenda

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

Hi,

Sorry to be so confusing. I bought the Serotta from a bike shop in Colorado. The bike had been built to fit another woman but she decided she didn't want it and bought another Serotta instead. They sold me her Serotta for their cost. At the time, the bike felt wonderful. It was my first diamond frame road bike and I loved it! Over time, she has become painful to me. I had the stem changed to a longer stem so I could stretch out more over the bike. This didn't help. I'm told I would need about a 6" stem to get where I want to be. Scrunching describes the feeling perfectly. The bike is also very twitchy at speeds over 20 mph, I'm told this is due to the improper fit. I was reading about seeing the hub under the handlebars last night and the hub is WAY out in front of the handlebars on my bike.

I know any bike will feel completely different than what I have and I hate to make a costly mistake. I really don't know what to look for with regard to proper fit. The problem with my LBS is that they don't carry a large selection of bikes. They ordered the Ruby for me to try. It felt very different than my Serotta but I'm not sure it was in a good way. I was surprised to have glute soreness in 5 minutes. Since I've been riding my bikes, mountain too, for several years and I weight train several days a week with a trainer, I wouldn't expect glute weakness to be my problem.

I live in Oklahoma. Does anyone here have any recommendations for bike shops I can travel to? I'm contemplating driving to Texas to see a Serotta fit tech. I know my measurements aren't a definite way to buy a bike but it seems like a move in the right direction. I test rode dozens of bikes before I bought my current Serotta. I am definitely hard to fit. I'm 5'4" and weigh 95 pounds but my legs are longer than my 5'9" husband's.

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

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Where in oklahoma do you live. I live in the Tulsa area and there are 2 stores I could recommend. The workers there are so helpful and nice. Although there are more than 8 bike shops in Tulsa and any could possibley work for you.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider.

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That's so odd - I always hear of women at least ending up on bikes that are too big for them (typically non-WSD models with too long a top tube for our typically shorter torsos). I know I always rode bikes that were too big for me until I became enlightened on WSD sizing back in 2003 and bought a Terry!

Emily

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

Oh, I plan to have another pro fit with the Serotta. Problem is that I have already had two. :( I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider. I really believe this to be true in my case. I love the bike but not the way I feel on her. If she can be modified with components in any way to fit me, I'd be pleased as can be -- maybe. DH has offered to get me a new bike for our upcoming 20th anniversary. Can't think of anything I'd rather have.

Anyone here have a Rivendell? Seemed similar to my Serotta in style only much cheaper.

Kenda

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Hmm well all I can say is that there are fit specialists and then there are real fit specialists. I had a great fit session awhile ago it was not cheap or short (lasted about 2.5 hours). They definitely would have told me if my bike was too small. What info did you get from your two previous bike fits??

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

That's so odd - I always hear of women at least ending up on bikes that are too big for them (typically non-WSD models with too long a top tube for our typically shorter torsos). I know I always rode bikes that were too big for me until I became enlightened on WSD sizing back in 2003 and bought a Terry!

Emily

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Emily, the Rivendell observation applies in general I think, but they are talking about the overall size of the frame- not about top tube length and reach so much. They are talking about people who buy bikes that they can put their feet on the ground while still in the saddle at a red light- like the way we could when we were kids.
The too-long top tube issues is a well known problem for many women. But it has to do with our torso/arm reach, not with our overall frame size needs.

Say for instance you have two 5'6" riders- a man and a woman. They are both riding 50cm frame bikes. Both bikes are too small for them. So...they both get identical "right size" frame bikes of say 54cm frames. The guy is comfy now. The woman might be on the right size frame now, but her shorter arms are now causing her to have numb hands, weight too far forward, etc. The reach is too long for her. So then she gets a women's proportioned 54cm bike. Now she's still on the right size frame bike, but is comfy and the reach is no longer too long for her. Her weight is balanced and her fit issues are gone.
It's too different things really.


Kenda- what makes you say that Rivendells are like your Serotta?
What is it really that you are looking for in a bike in general, --what kind of riding do you want to do on it? And what kind of body posture do you want/need to be in?

I'm just listening in here; have nothing of consequence to add except that now you've written this letter, I KNOW you're going to have the right bike soon...

it's interesting to me because I'm 5'4, always thought of myself as kind of a pony...and with every bike I tried, they kept putting me on bigger sizes. the cockpits were too short.... I woulda thought I'd have a 16 and an 18.5 fit...and with my Globe I ended up with a size 53 women's....

Must be the right size becasue so far I **knockwood*** have no issues and with the others I felt the problems pretty quickly.
anyway. Fit is facsinating....

I also have a bike that is a bit too small - I need a longer stem.
I can see the hub, and I did originally feel "squinched."
I put the saddle back an inch on the seatpost, and readjusted my posture to a more forward arch, loosey arms, with purposefully rounded shoulders.
I had much less neck and shoulder pain.
It took a few tries to get used to riding this way, and it also helps to strengthen back and ab muscles with regular stretching and roll crunches.

One thing a small bike does to me is put too much pressure on my rear.
I long for a longer top tube. Some day.

First, thank you everyone for your replies. I really appreciate the help!

Indigolis, I have tried a longer stem but was told at my last appointment that I would need a stem about 6 inches longer than the stem I have. They also kicked my handlebars out a bit as well. I'm still squished.

Elk, I was looking for the size on my Serotta but can't find it. When I test rode the Ruby, I rode a 51. My glutes bothered me right away so I'm guessing it was too much of a stretch. In my measurements for a Rivendell, I measured a 51 by their guidelines going by my pubic bone to floor distance. I know there is more to proper fit or else it would be easy to figure out. :)

Trekhawk, I'd be willing to pay for a really good fit. It would certainly pay for itself if it kept me from buying the wrong bike. What city was your fit in?

The first fit session measured me and set up my Serotta for the way they believed it should fit me. After riding it a year, it wasn't comfortable so they adjusted the stem and handlebars quite a bit. I had an appointment locally a few weeks ago and was told that the bike was way too small for me and that they could go with a longer stem that might make me more comfortable but that a new frame that fit well would be the best route.

Bikermomma, I live in Sand Springs. We're neighbors! Jake at T-Town does all of our bike work. I also bought my Santa Cruz from him and love it! Wish they could fit me with a road bike the way the Santa Cruz fits me! What shop do you use?

Lisa, I have never seen a Rivendell except on the website so it probably wasn't right of me to say that I thought they were similar. In pictures, the bikes look similar to me. My Serotta is a steel frame, as are the Rivendells. I wrongly thought my Serotta had lugged tubes like the Rivendell, it doesn't. I thought the Rivendell's were simple looking, like my Serotta. I'd love to see one.

The bike I'm looking for is comfortable to ride 50 to 100 miles. It isn't heavy and hard to ride but feels like it fits me and was made for me.

Kenda

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

First, thank you everyone for your replies. I really appreciate the help!

Trekhawk, I'd be willing to pay for a really good fit. It would certainly pay for itself if it kept me from buying the wrong bike. What city was your fit in?

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Check out the link below:

http://www.pkracing.com/

They look very impressive! I wish they were a whole lot closer though. I'll keep them in mind if a closer good option doesn't present itself. I will travel if I have to.

Thank you!

Kenda

Kenda -

If you are 5'4" but have super long legs (longer than your DH), then you are probably not an 'easy' fit. I'm the opposite of you (5'4" with extremely short legs and a long torso) and I had much trouble getting set up on a bike that was comfortable for me. I was afraid that I'd only get the right fit by going custom and I couldn't afford it!

Anyway, I bought a bike with a geometry as close to what "should" work for me, and then I went to a fit specialist. I was terrified that I was going to be told that my bike wouldn't work, but luckily, I was very close. They did some tweaking and now I have abnormal love for my bike!

Here's a brief but interesting article about these specialized fit places. The one I went to is mentioned, but they've since closed up shop. They also mention the one Trekhawk posted.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...pecialist.html

I didn't see any mentioned in OK, but this might give you an idea of what to look for in your area.

Good luck!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

Kenda -

If you are 5'4" but have super long legs (longer than your DH), then you are probably not an 'easy' fit. I'm the opposite of you (5'4" with extremely short legs and a long torso) and I had much trouble getting set up on a bike that was comfortable for me. I was afraid that I'd only get the right fit by going custom and I couldn't afford it!

Anyway, I bought a bike with a geometry as close to what "should" work for me, and then I went to a fit specialist. I was terrified that I was going to be told that my bike wouldn't work, but luckily, I was very close. They did some tweaking and now I have abnormal love for my bike!

Here's a brief but interesting article about these specialized fit places. The one I went to is mentioned, but they've since closed up shop. They also mention the one Trekhawk posted.

http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...pecialist.html

I didn't see any mentioned in OK, but this might give you an idea of what to look for in your area.

Good luck!!

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Hey GLC - thanks for posting the article it is very interesting. :)

GLC, thank you for the article! I'll read it and see where to go from here. I did write Serotta about my poorly fitting bike and amazingly, they wrote me back. They recommend going back to Wheatridge, in Colorado, because one of their teachers now does bike fits. He's supposed to be one of their top fitters. If I knew for sure that I wanted another Serotta, I would probably do that, even though it entails 20 hours of driving for each trip there. There is a Serotta dealer about 3.5 hour drive from here but I'm not sure how good of a fitter they have and I really don't want to repeat my past mistake. I do love my bike though so maybe I ought to get another one.

This is way too confusing for me. :( At least I know Wheatridge has many bikes to test ride.

Kenda

Hi, GLC, I measured my pubic bone height, according to Rivendell's method. It is 80cm or 31 1/2 inches. Rivendell recommends the following if I want one of their bikes:

Rambouillet - 54cm
Saluki - 54cm
Bleriot - 55cm
Atlantis - 53cm if you run big volume tires, or 54.5cm if you plan on
something no larger than a 1.5" tire

I have never seen one of their bikes and there is nowhere anywhere close to test ride one so I doubt this will be my choice.

Kenda

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

I have never seen one of their bikes and there is nowhere anywhere close to test ride one so I doubt this will be my choice.

Kenda

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If you are in CA or MA, you could drive to their headquarters in CA or else go to Harris Cyclery near Boston. You don't say where you are though...

Kenda,

I'm wondering if the source at Serotta is confused. The person who is teaching was at Wheatridge and now is at Sports Garage in Boulder. There may be someone from Wheatridge who is teaching but they are not listed on the Serotta website.

If you decide to come to Colorado I recommend working with Sports Garage, they're top notch, fitted me for my Serotta and really know their stuff. After I got my bike I didn't change a thing, that's how well I was fitted.

Wheatridge is good too. They fitted me on my mtn bike and the fit was perfect.

Also check out the Serotta forum. http://www.serotta.com/forum/index.php? The posters there are very knowledgable and they may help you find a good fitter closer than Colorado.

If you check the serial no. on the bottom of the frame there is a series of letters then a number, mine says 49p, I believe that is the frame size.

Good luck and don't give up on your Serotta just yet.

Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55. No wonder it seems so small, it is! I'm not giving up on it fitting me but I'm not very optimistic. I'll email the guy at Serotta tomorrow and get him to double check where he really is. The teacher/fitter's name is Chris Bohannon. Do you recall the name of the person at Sports Garage that fit you?

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

Hi Lisa,

I live in Oklahoma. I'd love to find a place in Dallas, if possible, since it's just a 4-hour drive from here. I'll drive as far as Colorado but probably not much further. California and Massachusetts would be a heck of a road trip from here. :(

Kenda

I'm going to throw another weird option at you.

Normally, I recommend against buying bikes on the internet unless you know exactly what you want. However, if you are willing to lay the money down to get a custom frame built, and ensuring that all the components are the proper size, try co-motion.

It looks like the closest dealer is in Plano. I'm guessing you are somewhere between OKC and Lawton. The factory is in Eugene, Oregon. I've been there, it's a really cool place. (The factory, Eugene is so-so).

What will happen is they have you fill out a form with about 13 measurements on it and determine what the best size is for you. If they don't have a stock frame that'll work, they'll build you one. They aren't cheap but it's a very solid bike and they take the quality of their frame very seriously.

I had one built about 7 years ago and I swear I will take this bike to my grave.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by kdskaggs

Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55. No wonder it seems so small, it is! I'm not giving up on it fitting me but I'm not very optimistic. I'll email the guy at Serotta tomorrow and get him to double check where he really is. The teacher/fitter's name is Chris Bohannon. Do you recall the name of the person at Sports Garage that fit you?

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

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The person who fitted me is Chris Jacobson. From what I understand he was one of the original Serotta trainers. If you look at the Serotta website his picture and bio is there under SICI staff. Chris B is also there although he is not listed with a shop affliatiation.

Be aware that sizing from company to company is not the same. Hpwever, a50 for someone your size sounds small. I'm 5"1.5 and my custom frame is a 49I have a 44cm Aegis and a 47 cm Cannondale. It seems there should be consistancy among frames but thats not so.

You may also be a good candidate for a custom frame.

Do you remember who was at Wheatridge when you bought your bike?

Kathi,I don't recall the man's name at Wheatridge, it seems like it was a three-letter name.

I know sizing varies amongst manufacturers but this bike in tiny! To make the picture worse, I am not actually 5'4", I'm 5'5"! Either my spine has stretched over the years or I have grown. ;) I didn't believe it when the doctor told me so I remeasured myself at home. Sure enough, 5'5"! I went out to check the size on my Santa Cruz for grins but I can't find the size on the frame. I did check my daughter's Specialized Dolce, she's 5'0", it's a size 51! I have a hard time imaging that I ride a smaller bike than my daughter who is 5 inches shorter than I am, regardless of manufacturer.

I am wondering if Chris B. isn't on staff at Wheatridge but maybe does fits there when necessary. I wrote Serotta back to find out and wrote Chris B. as well.


Boy in a Kilt, I'll check out co-motion. I have never heard of them. Thanks for the suggestion! I'm willing to pay for proper fit, even if it's a bunch!

Kenda

[QUOTE=kdskaggs;246208]Hi Kathi,

I just checked the underside of my Serotta and it is a size 50. Rivendell's method puts me at a 54 or 55.

Kenda, Riv's sizing method tends to put women on bikes that might be a "touch" too big. I am 5'5" just like you. PBH of 80cm. My Riv Rambouillet is a 54cm and although it *does* fit me, I think I would have been a bit better on a 53 (which they don't make). If i had followed their recommended sizing chart I would had bought a 55 or 56cm....which would have been too big for me actually.

Boy in a Kilt, I contacted Co-Motion and there is a dealer in Plano, TX, just a 4-hour drive from here!! There is also a Serotta dealer near there!! Sounds like Dallas is the place for me!

Kenda

Good deal. I hope you can find something that'll fit you right.

The only thing I don't like about co-motion is they don't do lugged frames.

They'll add all sorts of little things if you ask. I had them install a pump peg, a chain hangar and double eyelets on both my front and rear drop outs. Also, I asked them to deviate from their standard decal scheme because I wanted my bike to have a cleaner look to it.

To give you some idea how much attention they paid to small things, Duan, the guy who designed my frame spent a lot of time trying to make everything just right. He seemed bothered that he couldn't completely eliminate the toe overlap, but he said that because I have a short upper body, I use long cranks (175mm) and big feet, he couldn't make it happen without compromising the handling.

Boy in a Kilt, My Serotta isn't lugged either but I still loved the bike. I'll have to get over to Dallas in the next week or so and check out the new Serottas and Co-Motion. I wrote the Co-Motion shop to see if they have any test bikes. What color did you order? They have great choices!

Hmm, just thinking, my husband and son will be out of town this Sunday. Maybe I can go then. ;)

Thanks for your help!

Kenda

She's ferrari red. I'm torn about touching up the paint. Numerous scratches but none that go through the powder coat underneath the paint. And I'm always a little suspicious of bikes with no scratches on them.

How long have you had the bike? My 18-year chose magenta for me. Personally, I liked the reds and purples!

I'm with you, scratches show that you ride your bike!

Kenda

I bought the frame in late 2001 along with the head set and seat post. I put he rest of it together with parts from my previous bike.

I still have the headset, seat post and saddle but everything else has been replaced since. She now has a campy drive train (centuar/veloce), phil wood hubs and BB, shimano cantis and cassette (campy cassettes are too narrow for phil wood hubs but shimano 10 speed cassettes work with campy 10 speed shifters), and nitto mod 177 handlebars, size 48cm.

This wasn't a factor in my decision, but when I bought my car, I realized it matched my bike. If you have a choice, you should always buy a car that matches your bike.

I use T-Towns other store, Midtown Bikes on Harvard next to Trippet's and Staples. I also use Tulsa Supercenter of Bikes over on Mingo. I bought my bike on mingo (they are very helpful), but the guys at are helpful and ultra nice.

I saw in the phone book that Sand Springs has a bike store? Does it still?

Biker Momma,

I emailed the Serotta user's forum for help with my bike and a very nice man responded. The world is so small! He is a dog trainer from the dog club that I'm a member of in Tulsa. He and I are both at advanced obedience levels now but he was my puppy teacher four years ago. Larry works at the Mingo store! He asked me to come in so they can help me with fit and he also rides a Serotta! Because my name is so unusual, he knew immediately who I was.

I'm doing the happy dance now. :) At least I can get another local opinion about my bike and perhaps they have something to show me in their shop. I really like the Co-motion bikes and would still like to drive to Plano to see/ride one before I decide on anything. There is also a Serotta shop nearby.

Boy in a Kilt, I have a silver car, does that mean I can have any color bike I want? ;) I was showing the Co-motion website to my husband last night and he really liked them. He initially wanted me to get an aluminum or titanium bike because they are lighter than steel. I'm used to the weight of my Serotta, it's also steel, and don't think the weight is an issue. Of course I don't want to get a tank.

Kenda


Kenda

Kenda...off topic here....but who are you training? I have 2 Open dogs (papillon) and one Novice; the novice dog (my collie) is also training For Delta Society certificatoin...:D

elk

Hi Elk,

I am training my Golden Retriever, Max. He has his CD, UCD, CDX and UCDX. We're working on utility now. Unfortunately we took the summer off because I did a lot of traveling. It shows. Unfortunately my class filled up before I thought to send in a reservation so we're out until after the first of the year. I should probably change dog clubs and train somewhere else so we don't have an even larger gap in training.

What is Delta Society?

I love Collies and Papillons! We have a second Golden but she isn't show worthy and probably never will be. She was a rescue and is a bit neurotic! :eek:

Kenda

I phoned the Plano Co-Motion dealer today and spoke with the guy in charge of operations there. He is going to the Vegas bike show next week and won't be available to meet with me until the following week. :( We discussed my biomechanical issues, scoliosis, leg length difference (but not really, it's my scoliosis), hip problems, etc. He specializes in scoliosis patients. I'm going to visit him the following week. The store he works at sells other brands of bikes so he isn't pushing Co-Motion on me but I am impressed with Co-Motion as far as their interest in earning my business. I have been communicating with a man at their corporate office for the last couple of days. He answers all of my questions and has been extremely helpful. Serotta, on the other hand, has blown me off. Bigger business, I guess.

Anyway, tomorrow I'm going to see the guy from one of our local bike shops that wrote me from the Serotta site to see what he thinks about the fit of my current Serotta.

The downside of a Co-Motion is 12 weeks of waiting once the order is placed. Good thing it will be winter! If it's really rainy and snowy, it won't matter as much.;)

Kenda

Have you been talking to Duan at Co-motion? He fit me for my bike. Very nice guy.

Aluminum or Titanium would be lighter. No argument there. Co-motion builds the Americano with their tandem tubing and it's a bit of a tank. But if weight was really an issue, I'd lose more weight and I wouldn't have put phil wood on it.

It was a tough wait for me too and I only lived 40 miles from the factory when I bought it. Skipped my fluid mechanics class to go down and get it. I'm not very good at fluid mechanics anyway.

I don't know your budget or if there is a time factor, but if you end up still needing a new bike, you might want to check out the Luna site. www.lunacycles.com She talks about women's bike fitting and makes wonderful bicycles. I actually bought a pre-built bike from her, but before she sold it to me she checked measurements etc... for fit. I was impressed with the care she took.
Good luck!