Need help finding a bike for hills

[tlnbmd]

Good Morning.
I am leaving a hybrid behind for a road bike.
I live in Westchester NY with lots of beautiful hills, really steep ones!
I love the fit of the Amira and Ruby but they weigh in at about 19 lbs for a carbon frame.
Can any one suggest a lighter bike which may have a similar fit?
Thanks

[OakLeaf]

Very little of the weight of a bike is in the frameset. IIRC, my '87 vintage Reynolds 531 frameset weighs in at 5 lbs even.

Without looking up the specifications, the weights you cite sound like they're the versions of the bikes with pretty low-end components. It all depends on your budget.

Again, without looking up the specifications - very often, when you buy a complete bike, the wheels are the lowest-end components and the upgrade where you can get the most bang for your buck. Wheels are also rotating weight, so saving weight in rims and spokes gets you much more gram for gram than saving weight in the frameset.

All that said ... the amount of weight you'll save by spending an extra $5,000 on your bike isn't likely to make much difference in your climbing ability, unless you're talking about racing at a level where that kind of investment is worth it to you. The 20-25# you're losing by switching to a road bike WILL make a difference, as will the more roadworthy geometry. Between one road bike and another, technique, fit, and cogset selection will make more difference to you than anything. Buy the bike that fits, not the lightest one you can afford; get it fitted to you well, learn how to climb on a road bike, and then upgrade your wheels if you still have money burning a hole in your pocket.

[Becky]

Couldn't have said it better, Oak.

[pll]

In addition to what Oak says... gearing! I am guessing you can ask to go with a triple instead of the compact double crankset. 28 is as small a gear as Shimano offers for the cassette.

ETA: I understand the Ruby and Amira have very different geometries. The ruby is more upright, while the Amira is more "racy".

[Jo-n-NY]

The Amira is definitely lighter than the Ruby. I came from (although still have) a 2007 Ruby Pro. Last year I got the 2012 Amira S-Works which I believe weighs in at 15lbs with components. The better the components, the lighter the bike. Mine has Sram Red.

Bicycling Mag. last year rated the Amira as practically takes you up the hill. They were right. I can say it is an awesome climber and I personally find it to be very comfortable riding. I feel like I can just ride all day long on it.

[Loraura]

Dont rule the Amira out based on racey geometry. I almost did, and MAN, that bike is the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. I have many bikes to choose from, and if I'm riding on the road, the Amira is my choice EVERY TIME.

It corners like it's on rails. It feels stable. It jumps when i ask it to. It's like I think the bike rather than steer the bike. It feels truly like an extention of myself.

Test ride it.

[tlnbmd]

Which Amira do you have?
I test rode the Amira Apex and loved the fit. I would probably buy the Amira Elite or Comp compact for the components. They did not have those bikes in my size. One bike shop put me in a 48 and another said I could use the next size up. sigh. They both felt ok.
I tried the Madone 3.2 for size, they did not have the 5.2. It felt very much like the Ruby and they put me on a 50cm which felt fine. I guess a 48 in Specialize translates to a 50 in Trek.
The last two bikes that I am going to try is a Giant and Felt. I asked around and no one around here knows much about Felt bikes. I cannot find many reviews on line. There is a store nearby that sells only Felt bikes and they appear a little less expensive that the other models. They are also very light.

I guess 18-19 lbs is not that bad for a entry level carbon. I just thought carbon bikes would be much lighter. I am not spending $5000 for a bike since I am a weekend biker although I do at least 30-40 miles on a ride. I want nimble, light and stable....did I mention comfort....and yes those hills...
Mahalo! Thank you for your comments, really appreciate the help!!!!
Terry

[zoom-zoom]

Sounds like we take about the same size. My SuperSix is a dream on hills and 17 and change with mostly SRAM Rival components (Force crank).

[jyyanks]

I live in Westchester County and have a Ruby and I climb up the hills just fine. I also test rode the Amira but the Ruby was a better fit. Based on the brands yiu mentioned, I'm guessing you went to Danny's. Did they offer to order a bike in your size for you to try?

[tlnbmd]

I went to Danny's and Toga in Nyack
They put me on a Ruby Apex 48 in I am 5'2 1/2 29 inseam
It is very upright and I wondered how it would do on our hills and its about 18-19 lbs.
Thanks for your input, do you ride with the Westchester Cycle Club? I might have seen YOU on a Ruby.
Thanks
Terry