Bike Shopping Paralysis

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Little K,
My own advice to you is based on your somewhat short height- I would suggest you look at the women-specific Terry brand bikes...the ones with the slightly smaller front wheel (650 size) with the regular 700 size back wheel. This will enable you to get a small size frame that will fit you beautifully and yet not have "toe clip overlap" where your toes sometimes hit the front wheel when turning because of the substantially shorter (shorter from front to back, not only vertically) frame size you will need to be on. Terry builds excellent bikes and has a great reputation. If you get one that fits right and is right for your riding uses, you will not likely "outgrow" it performance-wise. I would recommend them as a place to consider ESPECIALLY for any woman who is shorter than average.
Terry's website:
http://www.terrybicycles.com/cycling_savvy/index.html

Other than that, I agree with the others on the Shimano 105, Ultegra or dura ace components (parts) suggestions.

[jbsrubyE]

I have also been looking for a great bike for small girls. I am taller then you but I only have a 27" inseam. As I inquired about this bike or that bike a consistant reply from multiple sources has been that the bike of which I was inquiring was good because of this or that "but" have I tried the Ruby Comp? Well, I rode one all morning and all I can say is don't buy a bike until you have tried the Specialized Ruby Comp or Expert. I have never felt as in control and comfortable on a bike. I kinda think the advertising hype of the company is true. The bike comes in a 44 cm! The stand over is great for us small girls or short legged girls.

[Triskeliongirl]

Little K,
My own advice to you is based on your somewhat short height- I would suggest you look at the women-specific Terry brand bikes...the ones with the slightly smaller front wheel (650 size) with the regular 700 size back wheel.

Your advice is great, but a small correction. The smaller framed terrys have a 24" front wheel and 700c rear wheel, the intermediate and larger ones have two 650 c wheels. 650s are very similar in size to 26", 700c are very similar to 27". The advantage of 24" is you can shorten the top tubes to 48cm without toe clip overlap or handling problems. Also, you can get high performance tires in 24" in a wider range of sizes than 650, I have used 23c to 32c whereas 650s go to 28c max.