Road bikes designed for women

**OakLeaf** · 09-23-2007, 07:33 AM

I really like my carbon frame, but its fragility kind of scares me. I'm not the most crash-free rider in the world.

I've never ridden aluminum, so I can't really speak to the comfort level. But enough people told me aluminum would beat me to death that I went for carbon.

One thing is, if you get a steel frame, I think you want the triple for sure, because putting a lot of torque on the cranks really flexes the frame. My old steel bike would really twist under a high hill-climbing load. Not only do you waste a lot of energy that way, but it can make the rear derailleur want to upshift.

It depends on your local terrain, too, which I'm not familiar with. How steep are the hills?

(And this is where I have to tell a story: I got my new bike as a Christmas present, so I got it from a shop in Florida near our winter home - intending to bring it back to hill country for the summer. You should've seen the look on the guy's face when I ordered it with a triple

. I don't suppose they get much call for those in Florida.)

**nancynyc** · 09-23-2007, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by OakLeaf

I really like my carbon frame, but its fragility kind of scares me. I'm not the most crash-free rider in the world.

I've never ridden aluminum, so I can't really speak to the comfort level. But enough people told me aluminum would beat me to death that I went for carbon.

One thing is, if you get a steel frame, I think you want the triple for sure, because putting a lot of torque on the cranks really flexes the frame. My old steel bike would really twist under a high hill-climbing load. Not only do you waste a lot of energy that way, but it can make the rear derailleur want to upshift.

It depends on your local terrain, too, which I'm not familiar with. How steep are the hills?

(And this is where I have to tell a story: I got my new bike as a Christmas present, so I got it from a shop in Florida near our winter home - intending to bring it back to hill country for the summer. You should've seen the look on the guy's face when I ordered it with a triple

. I don't suppose they get much call for those in Florida.)

My local terrain is somewhat hilly, but I'd like to be able to ride into the Palisades or take my bike on trips to hillier places. It's funny that you shocked the Florida bike guy with your request for a triple.

How do steel, aluminum, and carbon frames compare in terms of comfort?
I haven't yet tried a steel bike, but I found a bike shop with somewhat shaky reviews which carries Bianchi bikes, so maybe I could try the steel frames there. The WSD bikes seem the way to go for me, and since it's my first bike, I'm not thinking of getting a custom-made one.

**KnottedYet** · 09-23-2007, 09:05 AM

Geometry is going to have a lot to do with comfort, probably even more than frame material. Also just personal perceptions and preferences are HUGE.

I've ridden alu and steel cyclocross bikes, and a carbon road bike.

My impressions of carbon could be influenced by the fact the geometry of that bike was likely quite different than the alu and steel bikes.

Here's how it felt to me:
Carbon - very dead feeling. dull and wooden.
Aluminum - fine, no real complaints until longer rides when the road buzz and jitters really started to get to me.
Steel - springy and lively and smooth as butter.

What felt springy and lively to me could well feel jittery to someone else. And what felt dull and wooden to me could feel vibration-free gliding to someone else.

Ride everything, every material, every geometry. Be open to falling in love with a bike that might not be what you expected to like!

**Trekhawk** · 09-23-2007, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by kdskaggs

I found that the carbon fiber seemed to amplify the bumps in the road. It also squeeked a lot, like the frame was vibrating. The bike felt squishy to me, if that makes any sense. I was pretty disappointed because I have heard how great CF frames are. My husband has a CF mountain bike and loves it. Maybe at his weight the frame is more beneficial than at mine.

Kenda

Just remember not all carbon bikes are created equal.

Have a read below:
http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/fr...bon_fiber.html

I have two carbon bikes and they both ride differently. My Trek is pretty nice but my Colnago rides like a dream. Never heard a squeek out of either.

I also love TI.

**ccnyc** · 09-23-2007, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by nancynyc

My local terrain is somewhat hilly, but I'd like to be able to ride into the Palisades or take my bike on trips to hillier places.

Nancynyc:

I'm a NYC, and beyond, cyclist and I'd recommend getting a triple, especially if you are new to cycling. If you're planning on crossing the GWB into NJ to ride you have to do a least one big hill to get home (can't avoid the Palisades!). And if you ever venture into Westchester or Connecticut (it's all hills all the time) you'll be really happy that you have a triple.

Carol

**ChickWithBrains** · 09-23-2007, 02:49 PM

Hi, Nancy!

My bike is not WSD, and I got it because of all the bikes I test drove it felt the best. Sometimes the "perfect fit" doesn't feel as good as a little tweak you find you prefer! Go with what feels good.

**Mama Beane** · 09-23-2007, 06:42 PM

I'm new to the site, and just getting back into biking. In the '90s I rode a Terry Classic - steel - and Loved it. Unfortunately in 2002 we had a garage fire, and that was the end of my bike. I have been looking for a bike that I will be as happy with and so far I have left a trail of "um... not quite rights". I am now riding a Trek 1500, not WDS except that I put on a WSD carbon handlebar. I am not happy with the ride - too quick and going over messed up roads leaves me wondering if my bones will survive and if I have lost any teeth. OK - now to the point. I am looking at a Gunnar sport frame, but am also wondering if there are any Terry steel touring bikes out there. I saw there was mention of a Terry steel, so please let me know your opinions.

Oh - btw - I am 50, live in RI (rolling hill terrain), and really want to ride more. My goal is a century with my daughter next summer.
Thanks!

**KnottedYet** · 09-23-2007, 06:51 PM

Mama Beane - I was under the impression that Terry doesn't do steel anymore. What a bummer, eh?

What about a Surly Long Haul Trucker? www.surlybikes.com There are several Surly riders on TE, and some reviews of a few of the Surly bikes.

I have a Waterford (they do Gunnar) and just love it. Jeannierides has a Gunnar, it's gorgeous. (If you search "Gunnar" I think you'll find the beautiful pictures she posted of it.)

**sgtiger** · 09-23-2007, 07:21 PM

Weird. I was under the impression that Georgena Terry was a fan of steel herself.

A couple of minutes later....

I just checked out the specs and it looks like Susan B(hybrid) and Fast Woman(racer w/carbon fork) are steel. But Madeleine, the tourer, is aluminum. Bummer. Wonder why they would choose an aluminum frame and fork for touring?

**KnottedYet** · 09-23-2007, 07:39 PM

Somebody posted a link for a recall or failure warning or something about the aluminum head-tubes cracking on Terry alu bikes.

Yeah, I don't know why she has the tourer in alu now... kinda counter-intuitive, eh?

Maybe now she'll spec steel again.

**BleeckerSt_Girl** · 09-23-2007, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by Mama Beane

I'm new to the site, and just getting back into biking. In the '90s I rode a Terry Classic - steel - and Loved it. Unfortunately in 2002 we had a garage fire, and that was the end of my bike. I have been looking for a bike that I will be as happy with and so far I have left a trail of "um... not quite rights". I am now riding a Trek 1500, not WDS except that I put on a WSD carbon handlebar. I am not happy with the ride - too quick and going over messed up roads leaves me wondering if my bones will survive and if I have lost any teeth. OK - now to the point. I am looking at a Gunnar sport frame, but am also wondering if there are any Terry steel touring bikes out there. I saw there was mention of a Terry steel, so please let me know your opinions.

Don't forget Rivendell lugged steel touring bikes:
http://www.rivbike.com/home

**Triskeliongirl** · 09-24-2007, 09:37 AM

Indeed Gerogena stopped making the classic and madeleine in steel. However, one can often pick these up for a song on ebay. I have a pdf of a geometry chart if you want to go that route and need sizing help. Also, check out the used bike section of the terry website, another opportunity to pick up a steel tourer there.

p.s. While not a touring bike, Georgena is still making her 'fast women' in lightweight steel.

**redrhodie** · 09-24-2007, 04:52 PM

Mama Beane,

You may already know this--Stedman's in Wakefield carries Gunnars. I also posted a link to

http://www.circleacycles.com/bicycle...dan%20p&type=1

in the "getting to know you" thread, but since you might not look there again, I thought I'd suggest it here, too

. They're steel, and made right here in RI!

**nancynyc** · 09-25-2007, 06:51 AM

Can anybody personally recommend a great bike store in NYC?

**rij73** · 09-25-2007, 07:26 AM

I have been to almost every single bike shop in NYC. The only one I can recommend is NYC Velo: http://www.nycvelo.com/

My disclaimer is that I never actually had any work done there, but I've been there, bought accessories, test ridden bikes, and they were as sweet and friendly as can be.

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