Buying road bike

[anneimall]

I too live in a Siberia of sorts and totally understand your situation (although its not bike shops we're short of here). While I would also recommend doing your best to test drive a bike before you buy it, a came across a website that specializes in online 'fitting' and sales, etc.: www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes. They ship demo bikes so you can try out a bike for a week before buying it. They don't, however, seem to have any women specific items on their site, so they may not have what you are looking for, but they could probably give you some good advice at the very least.

Hope that helps ...

[Zen]

Here are two sites to help you measure for your frame size

http://www.ehow.com/how_14104_determ...ect-frame.html

or

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit

Lets us know how this story ends

[RoadRaven]

Nev...trik...

Where are yoooooou?

[tulip]

Maybe she's gone down to Italy to the De Rosa factory for some test rides

[RoadRaven]

Ah… de Rosa… when I first joined TE I was in love with de Rosa bikes and drooled all over them as I made a thread drift…

Now I know more about racing bikes, I wouldn’t get a de Rosa… but I still lurve the purty seductive dreamy curves they have….

[3weight]

Hey RoadRaven~
What kind of bike would you suggest for a first year racer?
Thanks!

[tulip]

Hey RoadRaven~
What kind of bike would you suggest for a first year racer?
Thanks!

You didn't ask me, but...one the fits!

There are so many good bikes out there. Get one that fits; it'll be better than the fanciest bike that doesn't fit.

[tulip]

Ah… de Rosa… when I first joined TE I was in love with de Rosa bikes and drooled all over them as I made a thread drift…

Now I know more about racing bikes, I wouldn’t get a de Rosa… but I still lurve the purty seductive dreamy curves they have….

It's just something...Italian, sexy, but not for the long haul. But oh, a de Rosa once in your life...mmmmm