The Great Road Bike Search Continues

[DirtDiva]

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward.

[SadieKate]

You need to take it as a challenge - just how much dirt can you cover the bike with over the course of x number of minutes? Of course, I'm yet to make a fun challenge out of cleaning the bike up afterward.

This only works in the hot summer weather but we clean/repair/upgrade our bikes out on the front driveway to the entertainment of the neighborhood because we own a LOT of bikes. Everyone always stops by to chat and bum a gin and tonic. It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire. We make sure there are plenty of lawn chairs available.

[DirtDiva]

It's amazing how much fun cleaning a bike is with some Sapphire.

Oh, I like the way you think.

[odd_dog]

Re the question regarding a new road bike:

I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna? I think they run a bit pricier than Treks, but I have a friend who's 5'3" and loves her 46cm Eros Donna, and I'm 5'4" and I ride a 49cm Eros (the men's model) with switched-in girls' handlebars, and the reach is fine for me. I have heard that Bianchi is notorious for making bikes with shorter reaches (definitely shorter than, say, LeMond), and the Eros Donna is supposedly sized to fit not just a short reach, but a women's short reach. In fact, when I was testing out bikes, the reach of the 49cm Donna was just a little too short for me (but then, I've got long arms for my size).

Anyway, a 44cm would probably fit you, and Bianchi is ace when it comes to climbing hills.

[Dirt Girl]

Re the question regarding a new road bike:
I don't know much about Trek at all. That said, since you mentioned that you are petite and have a short reach... have you thought of test riding a Bianchi Eros Donna?

Oh my gosh! I don't know how we've overlooked this one, but I've already called the LBS. No 44cm in stock, but they have a 46cm I could test for the ride. I'd given up on finding a steel frame that fits and that's in my price range, so thank you, thank you for the suggestion. And the '05 model is a much more pleasant color than the '04. Three more days before I have doctor clearance to get off my tushy. It's going to be a long weekend.

[emily_in_nc]

Oh my gosh! I don't know how we've overlooked this one, but I've already called the LBS. No 44cm in stock, but they have a 46cm I could test for the ride. I'd given up on finding a steel frame that fits and that's in my price range, so thank you, thank you for the suggestion. And the '05 model is a much more pleasant color than the '04. Three more days before I have doctor clearance to get off my tushy. It's going to be a long weekend.

Hmmm, that's odd - according to the web site, the Bianchi Eros Donna only comes in a a 44 and 49cm size, so do have the LBS check on that - perhaps it is a 44 cm and they are just confused or measuring wrong. You might just be in luck. She's a beaut!

Emily

[KTeach]

A good LBS will encourage you to take some spins around the block on several models. As stated previously different brands have different geometries... I am also short (5'1''), short torso but like to feel stretched out when riding. I LOVED the Coppi - it was a beautifully crafted, sexy bike and only about $1200 - but it just wasn't comfortable for me. I wound up with an Antares Litespeed - comfy - much more $$ - but the COPPI was still prettier! The moral again... test ride, test ride, test ride.