Need Help With New Bike

[fidlfreek]

Runner7710 I don't mean to be a bad influence, however, go ride on the bikes and make a choice - then go to ebay. Specialized in particular seem to be there in droves. Remember your size and just find something similar. Since Specialized has so many models based on the same sizing your dollar will go farther on ebay and you might be surprised what you can get.

My dad recently bought an ebay bike (used 5 times only!) for 1/2 of its retail price. Then he took the bike to his local shop to pay them to fit him, check out the bike etc. Since he bought cycling shoes and a helmet from them they gave him the bike fitting for free!

Just do your research and then dive in. Some ebay sellers have very reasonable return policies in case you end up with the wrong bike...

I was in your shoes about 4 months ago and would be more than happy to help you sort out your options on ebay if you figure out what size you are looking for. Without people's help this is very intimidating! I was looking in this same price range (the Dolce Elite is like $1300 right). I ended up buying a Bianchi because I could get full 105 components on it. That the means the shifting etc works smoother than the Tiagra stuff that the Dolce Elite.

For example. If you wanted to stay in the $1300 price range you could go on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/2008-Specialized-Dolce-Comp-Womens-Road-Bike-48cm_W0QQitemZ280287237533QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item280287237533&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A4|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318 from a seller with a 100% positive feedback rating who offers free shipping and who you likely will not have to pay sales tax to. If you do a live.com search for Dolce Comp and then click on the ebay link, buy it now, and pay with paypal you can get $200 off the purchase price. Of course this only works if you've determined that you need a Specialized size 48 frame. You will end up with the next higher level of Specialized bike for a price about $300 less than the Dolce Elite. For the same price as the Dolce Comp in your lbs on ebay right now you can get the Ruby Comp (their carbon frame!)

I would also encourage you to think about a compact crankset. I made the mistake of getting a triple (which seems like a good plan until you realize the compact's 2 rings give you like 90%+ of the same gearing options)....and now its giving me knee problems because the 3 rings are just too wide - wider than my hips even if my shoes are properly adjusted. As a runner this is deadly. So I'm having to change the crankset on my bike which is like at least $200.

Anyways. Best of luck!