Suggestions for women's specific road bike

[Aquila]

I'd go to whatever bike shops are around and do some test riding. Maybe try a triple and a regular double and a compact double on some hills and see which makes you happier? (I swear by my triple and I don't have very big hills here.) And try different types of bikes, different set ups, and so on. You may find that you like one sort of saddle, and then use that when you try other bikes and such.

I probably did 17 test rides before ordering my bike, and even then I needed to get the handlebars switched out to less wide ones. The bike shop that sold me my bike earned a loyal customer with all the test rides I did!

[Bike Chick]

I would recommend a custom Luna. I am the same height as you and rode a wsd Trek Pilot for four years before I figured out it was too big for me. The Luna is spectacular and fits me perfectly. Margo is wonderful to work with and does an awesome job. If you are willing to wait a few months, it's worth it.

www.lunacyles.com

You can PM me if you have any questions.

[arielmoon]

If your legs and torso are about the same you may do just fine on a unisex bike. Most women's specific models are for long legs and short torso.

My advice is to try both and lots of bikes to see what works for you. Happy hunting!

[buffybike]

I've been really happy with my Giant Avail.

[BikeHN]

I've also been happy with Giant avail adv.

[Kubla]

You may find that some smaller frame men's models are comfortable for you as well. Test ride as many bicycles available to you and don't restrict yourself to WSD.

I am "backwards"-proportionately long torso, shorter legs-yet my WSD Specialized Dolce fits me just fine. My other bikes are men's-and just as comfortable.

Have fun looking!

[tzvia]

One thing I would suggest, is not to do a triple. SRAM makes an 11~32 cassette now, than when pared with a compact double, gives you as low a gear, but without the weight penalty of a triple. Also has a better chainline, which means less chance of throwing a chain and less cross chaining issues, and the side benefit of less shifting. I wonder why it took the manufacturers so long to figure that out. It would require a 'GS' mid size cage on the rear derailleur but the LBS should be able to set that up. You may not think you need that low a gear, but if the bike has a mid-cage rear derailleur on it you can swap the cassette in 5 minutes to a triple-equivalent climbing gear. No reason to lug a triple any more IMO. I set up my commuter that way last week; took the triple off and put on a compact double, using a 12~28 in back. If my route changes, and I need more I'll just put on a 12~32.

At this stage, it is best not to get hooked on a brand or WSD. Go to several LBSs and have them put you on a few different bikes and get the feel of them. I'm shorter than you and mens models were too big for me, but you have that option open to you. This is as much a search for a good LBS that will work with you to find the right bike and get it tweaked as needed to fit your needs, as it is a bike search.