very new at this and LOVE it!!

[j.nurse63]

Test ride different bikes. Even if you really really like one, you will get useful stuff out of other test rides. My last batch meant I got to try every major handlebar style out there, a Brooks, almost every standard wheel size (missed 16" and the various sizes of 650x). It was a lot of fun, and very useful. I took fliers on all kinds of stuff that I didn't expect to like. Turns out I don't particularly like brifters but a lot of other stuff was fun.

I also learned that I can peg a basically good fit on a very short test ride. I can't always verbalize what's wrong, but if it's bad, I won't feel right.

Thanks Torrilin...

OK...getting back into this alone can be SCAREY!! I feel like I will never know what is the best fit...the right bike...saddle, shorts...I have never done this before! I have tested the Specialized but now know I need a much longer ride to feel the bike. I keep reading the posts...looking on line...knowing that I have a $1000.00 budget. And of course...I keep riding.

Can anyone help me to narrow the search for the best entry level bike? I typically ride 60-80 mi/ week. I would LOVE the social aspect of group rides/charity rides. (frankly, I need to discover the friendships out there...long marriage, divorce 2 years ago and now empty nesting of my wonderful boys!! YIKES...I am alone!)
But I love riding...just getting lost out there. And as I mentioned...finding the dairy farms for ice cream is a real treat!

Any help would be appreciated. Too many items on the menu for me.

thanks!!

[aicabsolut]

If you feel so upright on a Dolce, are you sure you need a WSD bike? Have you tried the Tarmac or Roubaix? Cannondale CAAD9? (Great bang for buck--don't let the lack of carbon fiber here make you think it's not as good as carbon unless you're interested in being an upper level racer). With something like the CAAD9, you can put more of your budget into quality components. Of course, I love my Specialized. I recently did a drastic frame upgrade, and it is sooo much better. A lot of that is weight, though. Still, I think a enormous upgrade in frame is a tiny bit better than the jump from, say, 105 components to DuraAce. However, if you want it to be your last bike, don't skimp on components either. 105 is pretty durable. Ultegra gives you durability with better performance (better braking on hills, smoother shifting). So, with Specialized, you'd be looking at a $2k+ bike, unless you find one on sale, if you're going with carbon.

The Dolce is very entry level, and it's a fine bike for sure. It's heavier on those hills, and it's not going to make the group rides as easy as the carbon bikes, if for no other reason the geometry differences.

If you're really getting into road biking and want to spend a LOT of time on the bike, then you will likely be bitten by the upgrade bug at some point. So, again, get the best quality frame and components you can afford now, and then you won't be making that many changes down the road, as tempting as they might be.

Another thing to consider with your budget about Cannondales is that they have a great crash replacement policy. I believe $400 gets you a new frame. Period. Specialized will offer you a discount on a frame or new bike, but it's going to be a lot more than $400. A crappy thing about Cannondale is that they use proprietary cranksets, so if you trash the bike but have useable components, you're going to be buying another Cannondale so that you don't have to shell out a couple hundred bucks on a new crankset. BTW, Cannondale also has WSD bikes if you think that geometry is really what you need. Don't assume it is, though.

Pretty soon the 08s are going to be on sale, so keep that in mind. If your shop has any 07s hanging around, you might want to look at those for some good deals, but sizing will probably be limited.

[OakLeaf]

Pretty soon the 08s are going to be on sale, so keep that in mind. If your shop has any 07s hanging around, you might want to look at those for some good deals, but sizing will probably be limited.

OTOH, as RM pointed out, prices are going way up, and the trend recently has been for componentry to go down in quality from year to year within model names in mid- and lower-priced bikes. So unlike a car, a leftover '07 (or earlier) may be a very good deal.

[aicabsolut]

OTOH, as RM pointed out, prices are going way up, and the trend recently has been for componentry to go down in quality from year to year within model names in mid- and lower-priced bikes. So unlike a car, a leftover '07 (or earlier) may be a very good deal.

That's definitely true, but size availability for 07s and before can be pretty slim picking right now. I'd look there first, and then look at what a comparable model is component-wise for an 08.

Also keep in mind that while components sometimes go down each year at a given price point, frame quality goes up! They tend to make the highest end frame better and better, so the quality will trickle down. Example: Now that we've got an S-works Tarmac SL2 at 11r carbon, the Pro tarmac SL2 is 10r, which used to be S-works level (regular Pro level is 8r). I wouldn't be surprised to see the comp level jump up to 8r (from 6r) in 2009-2010.

[j.nurse63]

I continue my quest for my first road bike. Gonna chat at the LBS re: Cannondale...best value. From the advise I have received here, I will check out non WS geometry to see about the fit. I now know I can ride further for the test and have been doing so.
What is the difference in wheels/tires?? 650c vs 700c? What should I be considering? (Honestly, I have ordered a few of the books from TE to help with my learning curve.)
Still need to measure my sit bone structure to help with the best saddle.

I continue to ride daily and feel so much stronger. Sometimes it is only for 10 miles and other days 25...LOVE it! My elbows are sore a lot and now my tailbone is too. I remind myself not to lock my elbows and I am constantly shifting on my big seat...trying to get off my tailbone.

I am excited to possibly particpate in a local woman's group ride by the end of June. Typically, I ride 10-15 mph...unless the wind is pushing me backwards If these women describe their ride as "a comfortable & laid back 30 miles" , do you think I can keep up? I have been riding the typical route I think they take. Rolling hills in CT and MA with great scenery. I have read a lot of the threads about group rides here. Great info.

thanks for the help!!

[mimitabby]

unless you are really really small, the regular 700c wheels ought to be fine.

You haven't told us how tall you are.

[j.nurse63]

Oh yeah...I am 5' 4" with a 30" inseam.
so are the wheel size related to height? are certain ones more common that others? are the 700c wider?
hope my questions are not too annoying