Need some guidance....(long)

[yetigooch]

One way to smooth out the ride of a bike is to get a nice compliant wheelset. The Zipp 303's (2010 version) are an awesome choice (they are used in the Paris Roubaix race over the cobbles). If you must have a new bike, stick w/Cervelo and try the R3 line.

[macski]

I've just bought a Specialized Amira Expert and it's a lovely ride. You don't seem to have ruled out another full carbon bike so I'd echo some of the advice others have given and suggest riding lots of different bikes and get the one that you fall in love with. But I'd include the Amira in your possibilities (even if you have to go further afield to get one because of the LBS issues you mentioned)

[ms1]

I think you're missing two very good choices by skipping Trek and Specialized. Both have bikes for just what your looking for - the Ruby and the Madone. Lots of people seem to have issues with buying from a big company like Trek, but at the end of the day, they make great bikes.

I'm 44 and bought a Trek Madone 4.5 and love it. I looked at every possibility of bikes that were stocked in my size in my LBSs. I couldn't justify the price difference, but the Madone 5 series is really nice. The Ruby had an awesome ride (very smooth), but didn't fit as well. I came close to buying a Scott Contessa CR1, but it wasn't nearly as smooth as the Trek and didn't fit quite as well, though had full Ultegra. I think Scott has since come out with a less racy, more comfortable, CR1.

Also, Scott's women's bikes have the same exact geometry as its mens bikes (you can check the website). So, the Contessa CR1s have shorter reach brake levers, different seats and drop bars, etc, but no significant fit differences (except for a shorter stem). If the bike fit me, I wouldn't care, but at the same time, Scott does not seem to put the same effort into the technology of its women's bikes as the other brands.

[Bike Chick]

I would recommend a custom steel-frame Luna http://www.lunacycles.com/. I had a Trek 5.9 Pilot (all carbon with Dura Ace) for five years that just didn't fit and I researched a lot of bikes before I decided to go with a custom Luna. The craftsmanship and fit is superb, the steel ride is so much smoother than carbon and Margo is great to work with.

[OakLeaf]

As long as you're still considering the "Big Three," you left one out...

I've got just under 10K miles on my Cannondale Synapse Feminine. Its geometry is pretty laid back, suited for day riding. I don't do super long rides, but it's plenty comfortable over 100 miles. The #3 comes built with Ultegra; the #1 is hi-mod carbon with Dura-Ace for less than you probably paid for your Cervélo.

But yeah, what others said: I'm happy with my Synapse, but in hindsight I know I was so anxious to buy a bike that I didn't take the time that I should have, to search out what was really right for me, and I think I could probably have done better.

[tulip]

I would recommend a custom steel-frame Luna http://www.lunacycles.com/. I had a Trek 5.9 Pilot (all carbon with Dura Ace) for five years that just didn't fit and I researched a lot of bikes before I decided to go with a custom Luna. The craftsmanship and fit is superb, the steel ride is so much smoother than carbon and Margo is great to work with.

+1!
Sell your two nice bikes and put the proceeds towards a Luna. Riding my Luna is like riding on a cloud. It's steel with carbon fork and seatstays. Dreamy, and beautiful, too.

[ginny]

I agree with those pointing you towards a custom bike. I ride a steel road bike, and I just love it - I race occasionally, and zip right past people on carbon bikes. Just because you ride steel doesn't mean you're slow

Working with a custom builder, you can get exactly what you want, and you know it will fit you well... I would if I had the dinero

[nscrbug]

WOW...lots of great advice...thank you all so much!!! I've listed my bike on Craigslist, to see if it generates any interest. I would definitely have to sell it, before even thinking about buying a new bike, so I'm praying that somebody will make me an offer.

Just to answer some of the individual posts - the poster that commented on a recumbent bike...there is no way I could ride a recumbent. In my high-traffic area, I simply wouldn't feel safe being lower to the ground. Also, I've ridden recumbent stationary bikes at the gym, and they KILL my lower back.

To those that suggested Trek & Specialized...I have no ill feelings about either of these 2 brands...infact, I've been drooling over a Project One Madone for some time now. So I have certainly not ruled out Trek or Specialized. Infact, I rode my Trek 2100 just the other day, and it felt fabulous (in terms of ride) compared to my much higher-priced Cervelo. I'm actually glad that I never sold it, because it will be the bike I ride until I buy a new one...if I find a buyer for my Cervelo.

And to those that recommended steel...thank you! That was an option I had forgotten about. I went on the Jamis website and took a closer look at the Eclipse...WOW! That bike has everything that I'm looking for...smooth ride, Ultegra 6700 grouppo...I was really impressed. Now if I could only find a dealer that has one...which will be easier said than done. For some reason, even if a dealer claims to sell Jamis, they often only stock certain lower-end models. I plan on calling each Jamis dealer in my area (there were about 6 and none of them are really close to me) to see if any of them have one or can get one for me to test ride.

As far as custom-built goes...I admit I've never looked into it, but it sounds like a very expensive process to me. My husband (who is out of work at the moment) is not thrilled about me buying yet another bike, so I'm treading somewhat lightly on this topic with him. Hence, the reason I need to sell my Cervelo first...so I could use that money towards the new bike.

Thanks again, everyone...you've all been most helpful! Keep your fingers crossed that I can sell my Cervelo and buy my "perfect" bike.

Linda

[marni]

I think you're missing two very good choices by skipping Trek and Specialized. Both have bikes for just what your looking for - the Ruby and the Madone. Lots of people seem to have issues with buying from a big company like Trek, but at the end of the day, they make great bikes.

I'm 44 and bought a Trek Madone 4.5 and love it. I looked at every possibility of bikes that were stocked in my size in my LBSs. I couldn't justify the price difference, but the Madone 5 series is really nice. The Ruby had an awesome ride (very smooth), but didn't fit as well. I came close to buying a Scott Contessa CR1, but it wasn't nearly as smooth as the Trek and didn't fit quite as well, though had full Ultegra. I think Scott has since come out with a less racy, more comfortable, CR1.

Also, Scott's women's bikes have the same exact geometry as its mens bikes (you can check the website). So, the Contessa CR1s have shorter reach brake levers, different seats and drop bars, etc, but no significant fit differences (except for a shorter stem). If the bike fit me, I wouldn't care, but at the same time, Scott does not seem to put the same effort into the technology of its women's bikes as the other brands.

Personally I would suggest taking a good hard look at Trek. I am 61, I started riding when I was 58. I ride s Trek pilot 5.2 full carbon frame, Shimano Ultegra components and stryker aerobars. I am a long distance rider and have no complaints with the bike even though I bought it as a close out before I knew anything about bike fit or components. Of all the vaious bikes I have looked at since then, I havene't found anywhere near the same quantity of styles, frames, models and sizes in any other maker that I have seen in Trek.

Another thought, just in passing re not doing tri sports any more and injuries- Perhaps you overtrained and over ercerted the first year and sort of bonked yourself out. Maybe it's time to just find joy in ridng for the sake or being out on the road listening to the wind in your wheels.

I wish you luck in your bike search though.

marni

[nscrbug]

I have a potential buyer for my Cervelo...we are meeting up on Monday, for him to look at and test ride the bike. I'm praying that he likes it and ends up buying. In hopes of that happening, I'm planning to hit a few LBS's this weekend to look for a new bike. On the agenda for Saturday, is to hit up 2 shops within a few miles of each other. One carries Giant, Cannondale, and Specialized...so there I will look at the Avail Advanced 1, the Synapse Fem 3, and the Ruby Expert Compact. The other store is a Trek dealer, so I will take a closer look at the Madone 5.2 WSD.

On Sunday, I plan on hitting up another shop a bit further away that carries Cannondale, Scott, and BH...so another look at the Synapse Fem 3, and also the Contessa CR1 Pro, and the BH Cristal.

Hopefully I'll have some good news to report back.

[pfunk12]

I have a Madone 5.2 WSD and I love it. Good luck!

[nscrbug]

One way to smooth out the ride of a bike is to get a nice compliant wheelset. The Zipp 303's (2010 version) are an awesome choice (they are used in the Paris Roubaix race over the cobbles). If you must have a new bike, stick w/Cervelo and try the R3 line.

Yikes, those Zipp 303's cost well over half of what my entire bike cost... Nice looking wheels, for sure...but I just can't afford it. And yes, I have thought about staying with Cervelo...however, I believe the better bike for me would be the RS model. The R3 is a racing geometry (small headtube)...the RS is a plusher geometry with a taller headtube.

And Oakleaf...thank you for mentioning Cannondale...another option I missed. I just looked at their website. Wow...that Synapse 3 is gorgeous...and the 1 is just "drool city"...would love to have Dura-Ace, but don't think I could swing the cost of it.

[Ritamarie]

I have over 6000 miles on my Cannondale Synapse Fem 1 (full Dura Ace) and I am still in complete bike-love. I have similar goals as you. I like long distances. We're very hilly here and an average 60 mile ride is easily 5500 ft of climbing. I wanted a good climbing bike but also one that I could trust. Love this bike.