Bianchi, Orbea, Giant, or Trek Road Bike?

[MauiRockHopper]

I'm 5'3 with a 29" inseam. What do you recommend? I want Shimano Ultegra gruppo or at least Shimano 105. Budget between $1000 - $2000.
Seems like all these brands have good women's specific designs, but wanted to hear any feedback out there. Are any of these brands harder for a local bike shop to work on or get parts for? Mahalo!

[drewkari]

I just got my road bike a month ago, so by all means I am not an expert. I test road a Trek, Bianchi and Jamis. I had narrowed it between the Bianchi and Jamis and ended up with the Jamis Xenith Comp Femme. I love it! It is lighter than the Bianchi which I love! I am also 5'3 and I have the 48 frame.

[Becky]

They're all good brands. The real question is, which bike feels best to you when you ride it? That's the one that you should buy.

Without seeing specific parts specs, it's hard to know about the parts availability or ease of repair/maintenance for a shop. Generally speaking, proprietary parts are often more difficult to locate or work on, especially if they require proprietary tools. Otherwise, bike parts are pretty standard as long as you (or your mechanic) pays attention to compatiability.

[alpinerabbit]

yeah watch out for the proprietary seatpost on the Madone. I don't know if it's on all models but that, plus trek's "package deal" only, is a downside. To me. Other than that it's the components and frame size that matter for me.

[Bluetree]

yeah watch out for the proprietary seatpost on the Madone.

Yeah, proprietary seatposts – and weird sizing – can be a pain. I'm dealing with that hassle right now... and it's something I poo-poo'd at when I bought my bike. Don't get me wrong, I love the bike... but it's still annoying.

[luvmypwds]

I love my Trek! I haven't tried the other brands, but I can say that my WSD bike is an amazing fit. Of course, it helps that the LBS spent a lot of time making sure it is a perfect fit. I have no trouble with my seat, though it may have changed from last year (I have a 2009 Madone 5.2 WSD).

For the budget you stated, you may want to try the Trek 2.3 WSD. My good friend has a 2.3 (not WSD as he is a guy) and he LOVES it.

[Flur]

They are all good brands, but which one you get depends on which one feels right to you. The geometry will be different between the brands, and between different models in the same brand. IMHO getting the right bike size and geometry to fit you and your intended riding style (touring, commuting, road, mountain, etc) is the most important factor in buying a bike.

Since you've stated you want Shimano componentry the number of parts that you'll have to worry about as proprietary or hard to get are limited, so I wouldn't worry too much about that. Just pick the bike that feels the best to you when you ride it.

[MauiRockHopper]

Thanks for the tips, but the problem I'm faced with here in Hawaii is that hardly any LBS have WSD bikes in stock to try. Would trying a men's bike help to get a feel for the female version? Hoping the LBS carries 48-51cm bikes to even consider this comparison method.

How many of you have bought a bike unseen or untested?

I really am leaning towards the Orbea cuz it's so sexy

[luvmypwds]

For me, getting the WSD made a huge difference. My 54cm Trek is WAY more comfortable than my friend's 54cm Trek - mine is a WSD. I wasn't convinced at first, but now, I totally am. But you really have to try. I would not buy a road bike unseen and untried...unless it was something like a Seven where they build a custom bike fit just for you after a lengthy discovery process.

[Tokie]

I just bought a Trek WSD Madone 4.7. I race, and I love the stiff responsive ride it gives me, and it descends very nicely! My mechanic (free lance ) did tell me when I was looking to buy the only thing he would warn me off of was the small Orbeas (I ride a 48 trek) He said for some reason the smaller Orbeas were rather squirrely handling bikes. I must agree they are very nice looking bikes! I loved my Ruby before I crashed her. The ride was more cushy - I'm getting the seat stay repaired, and will use her when I go on long tours and as a backup bike. The Trek is a faster feeling bike. Have fun looking, and a test ride in your size is a must IMO. Tokie (ps I'm 5'1.5" with a 27 inch inseam)

[Zen]

Depending on your budget you could go custom Luna and be guaranteed the right fit.

[Meaux]

I have an Orbea Aqua Dama, it's all 105 equipped. I love her. It's been a great bike, shifts like butt-ah, rides like a dream. And it is the prettiest bike out there.

[greycoral]

I've got a Giant OCR1W, and I love it. It's at the lower end of your price range ($1150), and it's really the only bike that fit me well. I'm also 5'3".

[Miranda]

I've got a Giant OCR1W, and I love it. It's at the lower end of your price range ($1150), and it's really the only bike that fit me well. I'm also 5'3".

+1 Giant OCR1W

This is my bike too. I have the size "small". I think when I looked at the tech specs, that's about a 52. The top tube slopes down a bit more I think with it being a compact road sport, and a bit more upright geometry. I tried to straddle an end of year clearance Trek wsd Madone in a 52. I was on the bar. I'm 5'5", but only roughly a 29" inseam. I have short legs, and a long torso in proportion. Good bike for the price.

[Jallora]

I just bought a 48 Orbea Onix Dama, and I don't find her squirrely at all. She's quite fast, nimble and stable at the same time. I haven't found anything about her that I'm not in love with. The only thing that's taking time to get used to is going from 3 chain rings to 2. And the only time I have problems there is figuring out which hills I can do in the large ring and which ones I need to switch to the small ring before I start up. There's nothing worse than having to go down a chain ring mid hill. Bleh!