Carbon Fiber Frames -- Gathering info

[kerrybelle]

I have the Kuota Kharma. Love it! I went with that brand because it was the only one that would fit, without a lot of adjustments. I have very long legs, but not a long torso. The seet tube was too short in all the WSD and the TT was too long in the other manufacturers non-WSD. The Kuota has nearly the same lenght TT and seat tube. Works perfect for me!

My husband has the Orbea Orca. That is a very nice bike. Orbea makes a great bike and comes with a lifetime frame warranty! They are one of the few, if not only, manufacture that has such a warranty.

Good luck with whatever you decide and keep us posted.

Kerry

[SouthernBelle]

FYI, my Giant also has a lifetime warranty.

[stacie]

I thought I wanted a Trek and even convinced Trek to send one in my size to my bike shop that I could try. Brought it home for a week and just never felt much for it. I discussed my concerns with the shop owner, but he knew more about what I needed than I did and never really listened. I tried a cannondale, it was okay. I tried the specialized and liked it. I wonder how much it had to do with the fact that I ride past this shop all the time and the owner was familiar with me. He really listened and spent a lot of time fitting me. He also listened when I said I liked the bike but something was missing. I knew when I threw my leg over that sweet steel ride of his that I was in love. Everyone said I was crazy but I spent every cent I planned to on a steel bike. I haven't regretted it for a minute. Funny thing is, when I starte dbike shopping years ago this same person tried to steer me towards the steel.
I guess what I'm saying is find someone who knows the industry and is willing ot get to know you and your riding style.

[velocilex]

I have a 2006 Scott Contessa CR1. I had a 53 cm Lemond Etape that never fit me correctly (pushy LBS sold me stem risers, swapped out for a child's stem, adjusted the brakes so I could reach them-- told me this was normal). I was naive and rode it for a year before I started looking for something else. When I started shopping in earnest, I worked with my LBS and began to compare geometries of different brands, so if I had to order a model that was not on-site, I would have a pretty good idea of how it would fit. I was fortunate in that I had a bike (the Lemond) whose geometry *didn't* work for me, so I had something to compare other brands to. The Scott Contessa Speedster happened to be on the floor one day and fit me like a glove-- it was better than anything else I had tried. I ended up with the carbon frame instead of the aluminum because the owner of the shop made me an outstanding offer on the CR1. Carbon is an amazing ride and I find my enjoyment of riding was boosted immensely.

[aggiecorgi]

I have the 53 cm Orbea Diva (in pink!)

http://www.orbea-usa.com/fly.aspx?mi...duct&taxid=485

I just got it for Christmas and love it. My last bike was a Giant aluminum TCR0, and I could really tell a difference in the amount of vibration I felt between the two. I must say if you do like the Giants the TCR geometry was nice. The Orbea is my first women specific frame. My "personal" geometry is different than most women though, as I have a long torso and shorter legs for a girl. I'm 5'8" so that probably makes a big difference too.