Quote Originally Posted by Birder_on_Bike View Post
I wish you could get bikes on trial like you could binoculars! The decision would be much easier then.
Agree - but some bigger bike shops allow you to take the bike out for like a day or two (instead of the usual ten minutes around the shop) if you leave your driver's license. It also depends on what bike you plan to buy, it's like with cars, Honda allows you to drive for half an hour, Jaguar lets you out for the whole weekend sometimes
What are the components on those two bikes you are looking at?
Also, ask the shop who does their fittings and see if this person can take your measurements to begin with. It helps to make sure that the bikes you are looking at really would fit you. Sometimes we like a model on a magazine or in the shop - but when we try to ride it's not for us.
Make sure that the shop takes your measurements accurately, and give you a choice of geometries based on those measurements and on the kind of riding you intend to do. I emphasize this because sometime I see people that just purchased a bicycle for the first time, and the shop looked at them and sold them something based just on height and gender - and many times this does not work out. Some women do well on women-specific geometry, others do not. It depends on your body, and they need to take your individual measurements and find the bicycle that is best for your body and your riding plan.
Once you know what geometry is the best fit for you, then go with the better components for the budget you have. But make sure your bike fits you properly, because the wrong geometry can cause several health problems down the road.
One last little piece of advice... do you have a friend who is knowledgeable about bike riding or mechanics and fitting? if yes, it does not hurt to take him/her with you to the shop.
Hope this helps, and good luck!