OK...here it goes...

[beccaB]

35 miles on a hybrid! Oh, that's torture!

First, be mindful that some bike companies do the "Shrink and Pink" on men's bikes to market them to women. They don't take into consideration women's different geometry. You are about my height, and for years I rode a men's Cannondale only because there were not many women-specific road bikes available. I was so stretched out reaching for the brakes (I have normal girl-length arms & legs). I've been test riding a lot of bikes, and when I get onto a WSB, I feel like it's too small. But it's not. I was riding a bike that was too big. Everything suffers on a wrong sized bike, especially handling skills, which I feel is most important!

You mentioned you are looking at Specialized Tarmac, which is a great bike, but it's geometry is for men; the women's counterpart is the Specialized Amira (I think the Comp runs about $2500, and is designed specifically for women).

Giant - try the Avail Advanced 3 (full carbon), a nice ride! I would have purchased, but I can't afford the tag, so I just got my Avail 1 last night (aluminum with carbon fork and seat stays.

Masi has a new line of WSB launched in 2010; they've really made great changes in the geometry, so check those out.

Check out Terry Precision Bikes as well - a company founded by a woman, for women.

Just don't let a salesman pressure you into buying a bike you're not so sure about. This is the time of the year when the 2011 models are coming in, so you can get a nice deal on a 2010 bike.

There are so many permutations in the combination of frame materials and component groups, it can make your head spin! Oh, and don't get so wound up about "pretty", I nearly bought the wrong bike because I loved the look of it. Really, when you're riding, you're not looking at your bike!

Hope it helps!

I've done 10 centuries on a hybrid. It wasn't torture. Torture would be doing 100 miles on a road bike with dropped handlebars with elbow tendonitis and a torn rotator cuff.

[cmafit]

I am loving this thread as I, too, am in the market for a road bike. I got into cycling by being a stoker on a tandem and loved it. I have a basic mtn/touring type bike with a basket, that I have no problems doing 35 miles on, but had a couple of really bad falls while doing a pretty good climb at the end of a long-enough ride, on my first clipped-in pedal ride. The next week, I went out and bought a Catrike Expedition (recumbent trike) - I also have had numerous back surgeries over the last 10 years. I did my first solo Century on the trike in April and that was not fun. On a whim, I went into my LBS and tried a couple of women road bikes and fell in love. Because I wrote that $2,500 check - plus at least another $750 - in the last year on the trike - I don't want to spend more than $1,400 (started out not wanting to spend more than $1,000) on a road bike and am looking at the entry level bikes. I saw the Cannondale Synaposes (?) in the aluminum with carbon fork in that price range, but haven't ridden it yet and it isn't in stock in my size to test-ride at my LBS. Thought about checking out Craig's List, but then you don't know what you're really getting, especially if you're not an expert. The ladies on this site rock! Thanks for all the useful advice....you're helping more than just one person......

[Veronica]

Hey, my husband has an aunt and uncle who live in San Angelo. Totally off topic.

Given your background, you want something that is going to rock. Bike sizing is truly an individual thing. I'm just under 5'5' and have 3 road bikes - a 51, a 53 and a 54. When I bought the 54 in 2003 I thought it was perfect and I rode several centuries and 3 double centuries on it. Now I've decided it's too big and I'm getting ready to sell it. My riding style has changed over the years. Yours will too probably.

Veronica

[WindingRoad]

"Probably a 52cm-54cm frame will do. And probably get away using 172.5mm crank."

Smiling why get away from the 172.5 mm crank? Just curious.

[Steph_in_TX]

I lOVE San Angelo! I'm an ASU alum. I wasn't riding then, but I can imagine it would be a great place to ride. I've just gotten a '11 Bianchi Infinito and so far, it's awesome. I'm 5'5" and ride a 50 in this frame. It was a warrantly replacement (my previous frame cracked) so I can tell you they were a great company to work with on the warranty. Don't think they aren't good frames though, it's possible the crack was caused by putting the front derailleur on too tightly and they could have easily said they wouldn't replace it.

Happy shopping!

[bonnypriest]

Hey, my husband has an aunt and uncle who live in San Angelo. Totally off topic.

Given your background, you want something that is going to rock. Bike sizing is truly an individual thing. I'm just under 5'5' and have 3 road bikes - a 51, a 53 and a 54. When I bought the 54 in 2003 I thought it was perfect and I rode several centuries and 3 double centuries on it. Now I've decided it's too big and I'm getting ready to sell it. My riding style has changed over the years. Yours will too probably.

Small world Veronica! I wonder if I know them. And yes...I definitely want something that ROCKS! What do you ride now?

Veronica

I lOVE San Angelo! I'm an ASU alum. I wasn't riding then, but I can imagine it would be a great place to ride. I've just gotten a '11 Bianchi Infinito and so far, it's awesome. I'm 5'5" and ride a 50 in this frame. It was a warrantly replacement (my previous frame cracked) so I can tell you they were a great company to work with on the warranty. Don't think they aren't good frames though, it's possible the crack was caused by putting the front derailleur on too tightly and they could have easily said they wouldn't replace it.

Happy shopping!

Again...small world! That's one of the bikes on my favorites' list. Lucky girl! I'm definitely going to have to test ride one. Thanks for the info!

[Dogmama]

I agree - buy quality. If you're competitive, you'll be wasting your money on something that will "just do for now." Resale on bikes is very low & how many "go to the store beaters" does a person need?

I ride a custom, so I cannot comment on current bikes EXCEPT that a friend rides a Cannondale Synapse and loves it. It seems very quick & responsive.

This is a perfect time of the year to be bike shopping. With the 2011's coming out, you should get a smoking deal on a 2010.

As for losing weight/muscle - I lift regularly & find it very hard to add muscle. After riding XX number of miles, it's difficult to find the energy to push those heavy weights. Once you start riding, you may find the same is true for you.

[bonnypriest]

I agree - buy quality. If you're competitive, you'll be wasting your money on something that will "just do for now." Resale on bikes is very low & how many "go to the store beaters" does a person need?

I ride a custom, so I cannot comment on current bikes EXCEPT that a friend rides a Cannondale Synapse and loves it. It seems very quick & responsive.

This is a perfect time of the year to be bike shopping. With the 2011's coming out, you should get a smoking deal on a 2010.

As for losing weight/muscle - I lift regularly & find it very hard to add muscle. After riding XX number of miles, it's difficult to find the energy to push those heavy weights. Once you start riding, you may find the same is true for you.

Thanks for the advice. That's exactly how I feel. Get a good bike now & it'll last me for years to come. There's another vote for the Synapse. I just love the look of it for sure.

I hope you're right about the losing muscle. I really need to take off quite a bit, but I have notice that the weights are getting harder & harder to push. Definitely not the same energy or strength anymore. I'm ok with that though.