Need road bike fit help - I'm getting desperate!

[NbyNW]

Congrats! I missed your thread the first time around since I was traveling, but I can appreciate how difficult it is to find a bike as a petite woman, and I love a happy ending!

[Tropical Scream]

What a beautiful bike.

[chicagogal]

Congrats on your new bike!!!!!!

I too got my 1st road bike this year, and after test riding several, I wasn't convinced I'd like the new riding position (had been more upright before). But then I found a LBS to take very extensive measurements and fit me to the perfect bike. I knew as soon as I got on it that it was "my" bike (I just had to pay for it first!)

I've had people on rides look at me and say "wow, that bike really fits you great!"

Anyway, I know what you went through to get that perfectly fitting bike - and it is a beauty!

Happy miles.

[lunacycles]

I definitely want carbon and cannot afford custom.

huh? as much as I know, entry level carbon is generally in the same price range as entry level custom.

Also, your seatpost is most likely a setback, which puts you back about an inch further than a straight seatpost. Changing that will help bring you closer to the handlebars and put less pressure on your wrists, shoulders, and neck

This is the least desirable way to "compensate" for too long of a reach. Your baseline when being fit should be your position on the saddle, relative to the crank. Manipulating this to attain desired reach is considered a no-no, and can lead to knee problems, amongst other probs...

AT 5' tall, you have your work cut out for you finding a road bike, very most especially a road bike with 700c wheels, that really, truly fits you.

[Kathi]

My last two were fit to me by a master fitter (he teaches people to fit bikes).

Would he be at SG?

[ms1]

huh? as much as I know, entry level carbon is generally in the same price range as entry level custom.



This is the least desirable way to "compensate" for too long of a reach. Your baseline when being fit should be your position on the saddle, relative to the crank. Manipulating this to attain desired reach is considered a no-no, and can lead to knee problems, amongst other probs...

AT 5' tall, you have your work cut out for you finding a road bike, very most especially a road bike with 700c wheels, that really, truly fits you.

Well, out of curiosity, I checked your your website and your custom bike with a carbon fork and seat stays (whereas mine is full carbon) is at least 50% more than I paid with comparable components.

I do not claim to be an expert, but I can manage a rough side by side comparison. Your bike may be better for many reasons, and it looks like you've taken a lot of care and interest in women's fit and component issues, but it is solidly more expensive than my Trek, which by the way, I'm quite happy with.

[lunacycles]

Well, out of curiosity, I checked your your website and your custom bike with a carbon fork and seat stays (whereas mine is full carbon) is at least 50% more than I paid with comparable components.

I do not claim to be an expert, but I can manage a rough side by side comparison. Your bike may be better for many reasons, and it looks like you've taken a lot of care and interest in women's fit and component issues, but it is solidly more expensive than my Trek, which by the way, I'm quite happy with.

Hey I wasn't attacking your choice, I was disputing your claims. You didn't say custom with carbon stays. You said entry level custom, or that's how I interpreted it. My custom bikes start around $3k. Last time I checked, that wasn't more expensive than an entry level stock carbon bike, but I don't hang out in bike stores much lately, so I shouldn't have even "gone there" I suppose.

I am happy you are happy with your bike. That's really the point in my opinion. Happy.

[tulip]

IMO, if you're going to spend $2000-$3000+ on a bike, you're way better off going for custom. You get so much more for your money--better fit, more choices of components, color, quality. For some people, it's also important to support small businesses, but not everyone subscribes to that notion.

But that's just me. Glad you're fine with your bike, too.