Hi Ladies,

I am new to the forum and new to road biking. I bought a 2012 Trek 7.3 FX in April to get started with biking and became hooked. I am now ready to get a road bike as I am exceeding 20 mile rides and getting into group and charity rides. I have had my eye on the 2012 Trek Lexa SLX however; it is now sold out in my area of NJ. I recently attended a 2013 Trek demo and received a coupon for a a discount on a 2013 model. Naturally, I am interested in the 2013 Trek Lexa SLX because of my prior interest in that bike as well as the fact that it has an aluminum version of the new Domane frame. The rep from the Trek demo set me up with a high end model of the Domane and of course it was awesome but I asked to also do a short test ride on the Lexa and although heavier, it was still light and quick off of each pedal stoke. I find Trek bikes comfortable so I have been sticking with the brand. I also like the LBS I have been working with and want to stick with them.

All that said...I am deciding between the 2013 Trek Lexa SLX and a 2012 Trek Madone 4.5 WSD. My question is...what are your thoughts on a Triple Crank? I ordered the '13 Lexa SLX in Compact as it seems to be the standard and more simplified for road biking but the new bike has not come in yet. In the meantime, I noticed that they have a '12 Madone 4.5 on sale for $2,0000 (The Lexa SLX would be $1,500 w/ discount) but the Madone is only available in my size in a triple crank. I live in a VERY hilly area and currently use a triple 8-speed so a compact w/ 20 speeds would not be much different however; due to all of the hills, I wonder if a triple would not be a bad idea....thought...is a triple really not a good idea on road bikes? Lastly, I am 5'3, 115 lbs and Trek rep sized me as 50cm on WSD but said, "You have short legs and a longer torso." Should I be looking into to mens/unisex bikes as well due to leg length or are WSD still a good idea bc of the brake lever reach etc on the handlebars? The rep and LBS seem to point me in the direction of WSD but I just want to make sure I'm not limiting myself. Thanks in advance for your help - sry for the lengthy post