The Great Road Bike Search Continues

Still looking for my first real road bike. I have a very old Sekai Ladysport that a friend gave me. The brakes scare me and the fit is not quite right, but it's been good enough for me to know that I want a road bike. Number one purpose: to builld my aerobic for stronger mountain biking. We also have some beautiful rail trails/river trails around here but after about 25 miles on the mountain bike with slicks, my body is screaming at me.

I thought the Specialized Sequoia was going to be the one, but I finally got to test ride it. I was disappointed in the sluggish climbing though the color sure made it hard to pass up. Everyone has been putting me on bikes that are 46-48cm. I found out today that the smaller ones are feeling much better to me. One of the shops has a 2003 Trek 2000 WSD in a 43. I'm 5'1" with very short forearms, so reach has been an issue in the past six months that I've been searching. Budget is in the $1000-1500 range.

I've done a little reading on past posts, but any other comments would be appreciated. I'm especially interested in comments about the Trek 2000.

Just kind of thinking out loud here and fishing for thoughts. I don't want to buy something and end up regretting it.

I have a new mtn bike w/slicks also, and am already thinking about a Trek in that price range. I also like the LeMonds (they're just so classic looking, to me.) For your height, sounds like the 43cm is closer to a fit. Can't really offer comments on that specific bike, but keep us posted on what you find out and how your shopping ends up. I'm right behind you...:) This biking stuff could get expensive!!!

P.S. You may already know about this, but check on www.roadbikereview.com.

I have a TREK 1500 WSD ($1000) and I love it. My last roadbike...well...let's just say I got if from Santa Claus. I tried several including a Specialized (men's) and didn't really understand what people meant by "it has to fit you" until I rode this one. I'm 5'6" and I got the 51 cm. I've had it for two months and have ridden it 30 miles each time out and my neck and shoulders don't hurt at all. It's great.

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Originally Posted by Dirt Girl

Everyone has been putting me on bikes that are 46-48cm. I found out today that the smaller ones are feeling much better to me. One of the shops has a 2003 Trek 2000 WSD in a 43. I'm 5'1" with very short forearms, so reach has been an issue in the past six months that I've been searching.

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Hi! I think that anything 47 cm plus (even WSD and especially mens/unisex) is probably going to be to big for you and am not surprised at all to hear that the smaller ones feel better to you. Just as a datapoint, I am 5'2" and ride a 46 cm Aegis Swift with a 19.1" top tube and 9 cm slanted stem. I wouldn't want anything bigger. In fact, I could have ridden a 44 cm but found the 46 cm frame on eBay for dirt cheap so couldn't pass it up). I had test ridden a Trek 5200 WSD in 47 cm (19.7" top tube) and may have been okay with it, but the handlebars were lower than the seat making the reach just a bit too far and no way to change that much b/c of the steerer tube being cut too low for me. I would have bought one if they'd made it one size smaller.

My older bike is a 17.5" Terry (19" top tube), which I believe comes out to about a 44.5 cm frame. The nice thing about the Terry is that with the 24" front wheel, I have no toe overlap even with the super short top tube. On my Aegis, which has 650 wheels, I have slight toe overlap. It has not proved to be a problem, but is not ideal. Because of toe overlap with the front wheel, I wouldn't buy a frame smaller than 48 cm with full-size (700c) wheels, but that's just me - some women ride them and do fine. I also have a Bike Friday folder with 20" wheels (no toe overlap there!) that I adore - mine is set up more for touring, but they make all types of models.

Anyway...probably much more than you wanted to know, but just make sure to stick with a short top tube (since you have short arms), make sure you can stand over the bike, and you're probably going to want to stick with WSD at your height to get that short top tube.

I have a feeling you're going to like the fit of that 43cm bike. Make sure to report back!

Emily

P.S. I am a roadie who just bought my first mountain bike!

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

P.S. I am a roadie who just bought my first mountain bike!

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I know, and I'm very excited for you! I saw your new ride in another post. You are going to love the dirt!

Thanks for all the info on the road bike. I'm still working on getting that Trek 2000. The LBS was waiting for some flat handlebars to come in. The guy thinks that will solve a hand pain issue I'm having with the current handlebars. If that works, the bike is coming home with me. The problem right now is that I'm sidelined for another week with medical issues. I have clearance to be active again next week, so cross your fingers that when I get another test ride in, it will all work out!

I'm quite happy with my Giant OCR1, $1000. I also used road bike review when I narrowed my search down to a Giant, a Trek and a Specialized all in about the same price range with mostly the same features. I have found the road bike reviews to be very accurate in regards to my Giant- I'm pretty much in agreement with most of ther "pros" and "cons" listed. When I was agonizing over how to spend my $1000 I tried all 3. The Giant just "felt right" and it is "my duty to ride". Good luck

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Originally Posted by Dirt Girl

I know, and I'm very excited for you! I saw your new ride in another post. You are going to love the dirt!

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Thanks, Dirt Girl! But how do you get over not wanting your beautiful bike to get, well, DIRTY ??? I like a pretty, clean bike. Guess I'll just have to get over that, huh? ;)

So you think that drop bars will/are causing problems for you? Usually it's just the opposite. Most roadies wouldn't trade their drop bars for anything since the multiple hand positions they provide keep your hands from getting numb on longer rides. If you have never tried drop bars before, make sure to give 'em a try before giving up on them. I can ride drop bars for 100 miles, but just a couple miles on flat bars is tough for me at this point!

Good luck with the bike - looking forward to hearing if it works for you!

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward. :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by tlkiwi

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward. :rolleyes:

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This only works in the hot summer weather but we clean/repair/upgrade our bikes out on the front driveway to the entertainment of the neighborhood because we own a LOT of bikes. Everyone always stops by to chat and bum a gin and tonic. It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire. :D We make sure there are plenty of lawn chairs available.

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Thanks, Dirt Girl! But how do you get over not wanting your beautiful bike to get, well, DIRTY ???

So you think that drop bars will/are causing problems for you?

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When you really find out how much fun getting it dirty can be, that helps. And I'm spoiled by a hubby that is almost obsessive about keeping the bikes clean (and in good working order). So, I know my bike won't be dirty for long. And dirt will be the least of your worries...it's a safe bet to say that your mountain bike will suffer scratches and scrapes, just like your body will, as all mountain bikers fall. Some more than others, but I don't know of anyone who has never fallen. It's part of the package.

The bars I'm speaking of are traditional road bars with the drop. They are made by Bontrager, and the shop guy says they don't make the "v" dip in front of the brake levers. Bontrager's site says:
"Flat-top bar has shallower drop and level transition to brake lever hoods that raises rider position." The shop says with this level bar, I won't get the pain between my thumb and finger that I get now with the typical bars. I'll find out if he's right sometime next week, I hope.

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Originally Posted by SadieKate

It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire. :D

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Oh, I like the way you think.

Re the question regarding a new road bike:

I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna? I think they run a bit pricier than Treks, but I have a friend who's 5'3" and loves her 46cm Eros Donna, and I'm 5'4" and I ride a 49cm Eros (the men's model) with switched-in girls' handlebars, and the reach is fine for me. I have heard that Bianchi is notorious for making bikes with shorter reaches (definitely shorter than, say, LeMond), and the Eros Donna is supposedly sized to fit not just a short reach, but a women's short reach. In fact, when I was testing out bikes, the reach of the 49cm Donna was just a little too short for me (but then, I've got long arms for my size).

Anyway, a 44cm would probably fit you, and Bianchi is ace when it comes to climbing hills.

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Originally Posted by odd_dog

Re the question regarding a new road bike:
I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna?

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Oh my gosh! I don't know how we've overlooked this one, but I've already called the LBS. No 44cm in stock, but they have a 46cm I could test for the ride. I'd given up on finding a steel frame that fits and that's in my price range, so thank you, thank you for the suggestion. And the '05 model is a much more pleasant color than the '04. Three more days before I have doctor clearance to get off my tushy. It's going to be a long weekend.

I bought a Trek 2300 WSD about 2 years ago and I'm crazy about it. I'm 5'1" but found a 47 fit the best although I had them replace the stem with a shorter one. The thing I love about this bike is how responsive it is.

Hi there, According to my dh size can be different from one manufactuer to another. I am 5'2 and went with the Specialized Dolce Comp. Because Specialized sizing runs a bit different I went with a 51 (bar going across) and 52 (bar up and down). The stretch is perfect and I do not have my seat all the way down. There is a good amount of stem showing. My other option would have been the Allez Comp and I would have fit a 50 in that one, but the finger stretch to the brakes was much more comfortable on the Dolce.

I noticed many of you mention low cm's but I guess with a Specialized you might be able to boost up those numbers.

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Originally Posted by Jo-n-NY

Hi there, According to my dh size can be different from one manufactuer to another.

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You're absolutely right - different bikes can have different frame geometries, bottom bracket heights, etc., plus some manufacturers actually measure the seat tube lengths in different ways (center-to-center vs. center-to-top). They aren't standardized. They're kind of like blue jeans. :D

[ed. to add: Crikey, I'm up to 600 posts? Somebody shut me up already!]

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Originally Posted by Dirt Girl

Oh my gosh! I don't know how we've overlooked this one, but I've already called the LBS. No 44cm in stock, but they have a 46cm I could test for the ride. I'd given up on finding a steel frame that fits and that's in my price range, so thank you, thank you for the suggestion. And the '05 model is a much more pleasant color than the '04. Three more days before I have doctor clearance to get off my tushy. It's going to be a long weekend.

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Hmmm, that's odd - according to the web site, the Bianchi Eros Donna only comes in a a 44 and 49cm size, so do have the LBS check on that - perhaps it is a 44 cm and they are just confused or measuring wrong. You might just be in luck. She's a beaut!

Emily

A good LBS will encourage you to take some spins around the block on several models. As stated previously different brands have different geometries... I am also short (5'1''), short torso but like to feel stretched out when riding. I LOVED the Coppi - it was a beautifully crafted, sexy bike and only about $1200 - but it just wasn't comfortable for me. I wound up with an Antares Litespeed - comfy - much more $$ - but the COPPI was still prettier! The moral again... test ride, test ride, test ride.

Woo-hoo! Finally found THE one and bought her this morning. I never thought I could be so excited about a road bike. And, oh darn, the weather is supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow. My pouting about a near snowless winter is gone.

Thanks to all for the many comments and suggestions. This forum is directly responsible for my finding this Bianchi Eros Donna. She's steel, she's blue and she's mine! And my mountain bike isn't even jealous because she knows why she's got a new sister...

Congrats dirtgirl. :) It's a beautiful bike! :)

Mel

Very purty!

Gorgeous, dirtgirl. Enjoy, enjoy! :)

Out of interest, what size did you end up with?

Emily

Wow! What a great looking bike! Why is it that even though I have three bikes, one just purchased last May, I still drool over such pictures? I wish you many fun-filled rides on those new wheels.
Jan

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Out of interest, what size did you end up with?

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It's the 44cm. They had to tweak the bars to sit up higher than most people have on a road bike, but that's what works for me.

Took her out for a neighborhood spin this afternoon. So far no regrets.

If you're in the 1000-1500 peso range, maybe you should look on the terry site at their used bikes. I got a used Terry Despatch years ago (not from Terry, though - I found mine in a used bike shop). Wore the gears to death and last year went shopping around. I loved the titanium, but in the end I couldn't bear to part with my Terry so I had my local bike magician outfit her with Shimano Ultegra....I love the fit. I would be buried with this bike, except it would be a real waste of a great bike.....I did see some nice titanium, Airborne, at the local Sun N Ski shop, for considerably less than the Litespeeds. Litespeed has come out with a WS bike, but it's definitely more than $1500. My recommendations are based on my PETITE size (halfbit...duh)....

Have you named her yet? She is a beaut....ya'll keep this up buying new bikes, I'll just have to find some credit card co somewhere that REALLY likes me and get myself a new one too!

Corsair "hates to be left out" Mac

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Originally Posted by CorsairMac

Have you named her yet? She is a beaut....ya'll keep this up buying new bikes, I'll just have to find some credit card co somewhere that REALLY likes me and get myself a new one too!

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A name has not come to me yet. My mountain bike is almost 1.5 years old and her name still eludes me.

Not counting an old 10-speed that I barely rode or the 30-year-old bike that someone gave me but didn't fit right, this is my FIRST road bike.

Congrats on the new bike! I'm going to look at Bianchi this weekend. Were you specifically looking for steel? Do you prefer that frame material over aluminum? Yours is a beauty!!

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Originally Posted by cyclingnewbie

Congrats on the new bike! I'm going to look at Bianchi this weekend. Were you specifically looking for steel? Do you prefer that frame material over aluminum? Yours is a beauty!!

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Thanks! I was looking for steel but had a hard time finding something that was in my price range AND fit. I prefer the steel over aluminum. I find it to be a smoother ride. Didn't even try anything else so I wouldn't know what I was missing.

Good luck with the Bianchi this weekend!

Hi!
I was looking around for forums and sites that are specially for women, and I found this! Great!

Now I just want to add a comment to your discussion regarding the search of a new roadbike.
I'm 5'3 and my budget is limited, $1500 maximum. If I had been living in the US, that wouldn't be a problem, I would get a very good Trek WSD for that money!
However, here in Sweden the cheapest roadbike with Shimano 105 (my minimum requirement) is $2400!!
I can however order a bike from somewhere else in Europe, Germany for example, but the Trek 1500 WSD (with Ultegra) costs $2000.

It's too bad that the American stores don't do shipping of Trek-bikes over seas....

Just wanted to tell you that you dont know how lucky you are!
But, I have a nice one i sight, Canyon WRX Road Lite Elite http://www.canyon-bike.de (€999 = $1300), and I hope it will answer to my expectations of a first road bike....

Hi Ulle, and welcome !!

Sorry about the bike situation, I hope you can find one that you like.

Where in Sweden do you live? :) I worked for a few weeks in a lab in Uppsala and then traveled by train through Stockholm, Lund, Malmoe, on my way to Denmark. This was many, many years ago. Sweden is wonderful.

- jobob

Oops, appologies for hijacking your thread, Dirt Girl - congrats on your new bike!!! May you have many long and happy miles together.