test riding a bike - they both fit, what is the deciding factor?

I am wondering what the deciding factor is when considering bike fit. I just test rode three different bikes so I am hoping I can describe the feelings enough and others can chime in with suggestions for my decision.

A little background, the only bike I have recently been riding is a Cannondale Hybrid 600 that is way too big for me and HURTS just to sit on it!

1. '09 Giant Avail, size 54cm: This was the first bike I road. I came back thinking "wow! No pain!" and I felt like I was sitting in a "nook." Does that make sense? Like I just had my "place" and I wasn't going forward, backward, I just felt supported.

2. Giant (something men's), size 54cm: Within 3 minutes the area between my shoulder blades, right below the base of my neck, was starting to hurt. I am assuming this was because the reach was much too long for me and bike store dude and I nixed the bike out of the options.

3. '08 Specialized Dulce, size 56cm: While I was just sitting on it in the store it was very comfortable and I remember thinking it just felt better than the Giant Avail- at least while sitting on it. The test ride was nice. It felt easy to control, maybe not quite to responsive as the Giant but I attribute that to the slightly larger size. It is definitely comfy but I didn't have the safe "nook" feeling like I had with the Giant Avail.



Do the descriptions of the Avail and the Dulce make sense? Bother are pretty much the same in price. I still would like to test ride a Felt, but those won't be in for another couple of weeks. Would anyone be able to hypothesize how the Felt ZW3 would feel compared to the Dulce and the Avail? This will be my first road bike so everything is new territory to me. Originally I wanted to spend as little as necessary but I do have funds available if I wanted to spend more. I guess I am just hesitant because I really want to make sure this is something I want to stick around with. But then, I think, if I do end up sticking it out - wouldn't something like the Felt ZW3 (so long as it fits) work better in the long run?


Thank you for helping this newbie out! :D

I would pass on that Avail.
You'll soon regret the Sora shifters.

I have Sora shifters and they're a pain in the tookus when you want to shift from the drops. They're actually the main reason I've begun wanting a new bike.

So I second Zen's recommendation. If you can get better shifters on another bike, do so.

I bought an entry level ($500) small men's bike this past April. Like you, I was new to the sport, and I didn't want to spend a lot of money since I wasn't sure it was something that I would continue with. I have been enjoying it, and it is something that I want to continue with, but it didn't take me long to realize that I had a bike that didn't fit me right. It couldn't even be made to fit me perfectly because it was a men's bike and the reach was too long even after changing the neck several times. Last Friday, I paid $2200 for an Orbea Onix Dama, and I am in love! It is so comfortable, and it's a dream to ride. I can't see ever needing any other bike. I'm so frustrated that I went and blew $500 on a bike that I replaced in 5 months! I hope that I can at least get $200 - $300 out of it selling it in the paper. If you've got the money, go ahead and get a bike that is going to last you...even if you have to use plastic to do it. I was lucky because my LBS was having a 2 years, no interest, no payments special if you financed through them.

Good luck!

Thank you for the advice about the shifters. That is important to me. But what about the fit that I was describing? Lets take away functionality of the components (I can always look at more bikes). Do I want to feel like I am in the "nook" as I did with the Giant Avail or do I want something more like how the Dulce felt where I was secure but I didn't feel as though I was fitting into a certain spot on the bike. Or am I just over-thinking this way too much?

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I'm so frustrated that I went and blew $500 on a bike that I replaced in 5 months! I hope that I can at least get $200 - $300 out of it selling it in the paper. If you've got the money, go ahead and get a bike that is going to last you...even if you have to use plastic to do it. I was lucky because my LBS was having a 2 years, no interest, no payments special if you financed through them.

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This is exactly what I am afraid of happening. I don't want to blow $700 on a bike only to want to upgrade in the next year or two! Hmmm.... I would be putting a portion on plastic. I don't like that idea so much. But I can pay it off within one or two months (depending on how work goes!)... I guess I will let myself hop on a few more expensive bikes for comparisons.

Ultimately, no one can tell you which feel is better. Only you can tell when your body is more comfortable and when you feel more in control of the bike. And just sitting on the bike in the shop really means nothing. How far a distance did you ride each? Perhaps you could decide which feel you prefer if you could get out for another, longer test ride on each.

Depending on how much you're willing to spend, there's always the option of getting that comfy Avail and upgrading the shifters.

Oh, I didn't just sit on them in the shop. But my brain did say "this feels nicer" when I was just sitting on it (we were adjusting seat height). I then took each bike out for about 10-15 minutes each.

I called the store back and got a not-so-friendly person on the phone. He had originally helped me out and I just felt like I was a nuisance at the time even though I was the only one in the store. Then I had a really nice person help me out earlier today for my test rides. Anyway, I was trying to ask his recommendation on what other bikes I should try - from their store of course. After a big hefty sigh he mentioned the Avail 1, the Dulce Elite and the Ruby (also mentioned they *might* be getting Felt in but wasn't sure if they were getting in the WSD, which is something I've found I need). I swear I am not a tire-kicker! I should have just asked for the guy I spoke with earlier today.

The Avail may also come in various "levels" like the Dolce does -- the frames should be about the same, I think? But components are different, and so that may be a way to get better parts with that sweet fit.

Also to consider: the close out sales that are/may be going on now at the dealers' shops. When they're discounting prices, sometimes you can find a GREAT buy! My Roubaix Elite was one of those...

Karen in Boise

The baseline Dolce also has Sora shifters (the Dolce Elite has Tiagra and the Dolce Comp has 105).

I say go for 105's if you can. I got Ultegra SL's, and they're awesome!

As for the bike shop, deal with the people you like and avoid the ones you don't. I've had really great experiences at a couple of LBS's, and I've had such horrible experiences that I won't go back to two of them. My husband broke a spoke when we were riding the other day, and he didn't have spares. He took out the broken one and then trued up the wheel the best he could. He then took it very slow back to our car, 25 miles away. He went right past an LBS that's right on the trail and kept going because we can't stand them. We loaded the bike in the car and then drove 40 miles to get to our favorite shop (30 miles beyond our house) to have them repair it. They also sold him some spares and showed him exactly how to replace them for future problems. Go to people that treat you like a customer, not an interruption.

What shop are you working with?

I'm in the same position as the original poster, except I've only tried 1 road bike so far: Dolce base model. Being on an island (Maui) our choices are really limited, and only 1 shop had a woman's specific bike to try. I rented it for 2 days and it was ok, but I HATED the shifters. I then found out they were Shimano Soras. More like Sore. Stupid design they dig into your hands in every position and you can't shift in the drops. This bike was $850. If I spent $1300 for the next level up, I could get the Dolce Elite w/ Tiagra shifters. I've read that Tiagras suck too and they have gear indicators which just add weight.

After doing a lot of research, I've decided to get a bike with a minimum of Shimano 105 shifters, but realistically Ultegra and if I win the lottery, the Dura-Ace. Heard Campangnolo shifters are better, but can't find them here so far.

We only have 4 decent bike shops on my island, and I happen to dislike the shop where I rented the Dolce from. He only sells Specialized but supposedly services all brands. However I will try to avoid going there as much as possible. I found a LBS I like for service, but they only sell Scott and never had any to try. So I am going to Oahu island to try to test more brands. I have 3 brands in mind so far: Giant, Trek & Specialized. I read that Giant makes the frames for the latter two, but saves the best technology for their own brand. My dream bike is an Orbea Diva but it'll be like $4,000. In my dreams. I'm looking at a price budget of $1400 with the components I want. If you go any cheaper you will end up w/ the crappy Sora shifters and hate life.

Don't settle for half-*** salespeople, you are gonna dump a lot of $$$ on a bike they should be accommodating. If you have more bike shop choices than me, I'd shop around until you find a Local Bike Shop you like. I think I will end up buying a bike off-island or from the internet but have it serviced locally. I am worried too about the fit, but I've read that if you had to choose, pick a bike smaller than usual because it's easier to tweak it to fit you vs. picking a too-big bike. You can't make the handle bars go back if the reach is too long. There is some play in the seat fore and aft position, as well as the tilt. The seat position is really important I found, so you may like the Giant Avail if they make it fit you properly. Also try the bike on w/ cycling shorts and ride at least 20 minutes in varied road conditions.

Thanks all. Maui, good luck in your search. I felt the same way about the shifters.

I am happy to say I gave the shop one last chance. I went back to ride the 09' Giant Avail 3 one last time because this was the bike I originally thought I would be coming home with. The guy who had been not so nice was there. And he was especially nice (maybe his new haircut made the difference :rolleyes:) and very helpful. Sent me out on my ride on the Giant. I came back pretty happy but in the back of my head I had concerns about wanting more out of the bike next year and doing like so many people do and upgrading.

So, we got to talking more (again, he was SUPER helpful this time) and he was patiently answering all my q's. Then, he took a pause, looked over in the corner of the girl's area and made a suggestion. "Why don't you just try out the Ruby Elite?" It was the last one in the store. My helmet went on and out the door I went. I didn't come back for a good while - going all over, shifting the 105's, and literally just riding in amazement at how FAST this bike was performing for me.

It became the bike for me. Amazing because I had seen it before and thought "nah, not for me" in the past. I am *very* happy that the guy was so accommodating for me yesterday.

He took time to adjust the bike to fit me. Did all the little tuneups they do before sending the bike home. Was very helpful in pointing out what I might *want* to have but that some stuff just wasn't necessary. I asked him how to change a flat. He took me back and showed me both the front and the back on my bike. He even helped me to put my trunk rack on my car (thanks ny_biker!). And double checked my bike after I had mounted it all.

Because of all this, I am now the proud owner of an '08 Specialized Ruby Elite (I am now in debt for the next two months while I pay it off!) and a loyal customer to this store. :D

Congratulations! If I'd had the money, that was the bike I really wanted, too. I hope you enjoy it!! And now you have to post a pic. lol

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Originally Posted by gingerale

Congratulations! If I'd had the money, that was the bike I really wanted, too. I hope you enjoy it!! And now you have to post a pic. lol

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Well, you can see my original pick was the Avail 3 - no where NEAR that price range. I really dug deep for the bike, put it on a cc which is something I have *never* done without already having full funds to pay it off immediately. I figure this bike will last me a lifetime.

Well I can't wait to hear about all of your stories! :)

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Originally Posted by rubysoho

Thanks all. Maui, good luck in your search. I felt the same way about the shifters.

Because of all this, I am now the proud owner of an '08 Specialized Ruby Elite (I am now in debt for the next two months while I pay it off!) and a loyal customer to this store. :D

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Did you get a double or triple crankset, what size frame did you get, what is your height and inseam?

I'm waivering between Giant Avail Advanced 2 and the Specialized Ruby Elite. Both are the same price ($2200) and pretty similar all around. The dilemma is that I haven't tried the Giant and probably can't because nobody stocks them around here. I've been avoiding the Specialized dealer because the guy is a jerk but I have tried the Dolce basic model and liked it (except the crappy Sora shifters). The geometry fit me pretty good and I've been happy w/ my Specialized mtn bike for many years. So, I'm gonna get over my personal feelings about the dealer in order to get the best bike for me.

Mahalo!