The Great Road Bike Search Continues

[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.

[Dirt Girl]

Woo-hoo! Finally found THE one and bought her this morning. I never thought I could be so excited about a road bike. And, oh darn, the weather is supposed to be in the 60s tomorrow. My pouting about a near snowless winter is gone.

Thanks to all for the many comments and suggestions. This forum is directly responsible for my finding this Bianchi Eros Donna. She's steel, she's blue and she's mine! And my mountain bike isn't even jealous because she knows why she's got a new sister...

[Melody]

Congrats dirtgirl. It's a beautiful bike!

Mel