Help! Buying first road bike - decisions, decisions...

[Kano]

I have a question that your two pictures illustrate very well --

The wheels: The Giant bike has few spokes, and the Bianchi has many. Am I guessing that the wheels on the Bianchi are more sturdy? How does spoke count fit into the equation?

Karen in Boise

[Mimosa]

No you can't just say that. It's more the quality as whole that determines if the wheel is stirdy or not.

You have different quality in spokes, cheaper ones flex more then the expensive ones. And then there is the rim for wich the same applies.
The hub more or less decides how much miles you can do with the wheels. The bearing inside the hub may be cheap so they break down soon or the freewheel is made out of cheap materials.

[kiwi]

Interesting points about the wheels Mimosa, thanks. Yeah, my uneducated thoughts have been that fewer spokes look aesthetically pleasing. It's good to start learning more about the facts too

Velobambina, we don't get the Eros Donna here in the UK. Good luck with your '07 addition

It's been really helpful to find this forum. I've decided already not to go for the Giant - just don't feel excited enough about that bike, so I'll wait - maybe try and get a dealer to bring in that Scott, but probably await the '07 Bianchi. I'll let you know what eventually happens.

[Mimosa]

It is a shame that not all popular brands deliver in the UK. There is this shop Fat Birds that sponsors a ladies trade team. But that is all I know about uk shops.

It's a shame that brands like Stevens (sorry a bit biased about the brand), Red Bull, Bulls or Cube do not deliver in the UK. They are really price fighters, they offer very equiped bikes at low prices.

[Mimosa]

Oh one last link and then I promise that I will stop.

Fuji Bikes Women - they do have a UK distributor

[kiwi]

... update - I finally got a bike! I bought the '07 Bianchi Dama Bianca Elle.



thanks for the help

It took me a while to find shoes that fitted too, but I have just had my first ride - went a casual 20km on some quiet roads. I was nervous that I'd find the pedals difficult, or that I'd fall each time I needed to stop - but that didn't happen, it was great! I'm looking forward to next weekend

[wannaduacentury]

... update - I finally got a bike! I bought the '07 Bianchi Dama Bianca Elle.



thanks for the help

It took me a while to find shoes that fitted too, but I have just had my first ride - went a casual 20km on some quiet roads. I was nervous that I'd find the pedals difficult, or that I'd fall each time I needed to stop - but that didn't happen, it was great! I'm looking forward to next weekend

WoW!! What a pretty bike. Congrats. I guess I'll have to get a Bianchi after I wear out my Giant . Many happy miles to you. Jennifer