Bike shopping- help me narrow the choices for an upgrade to carbon, 105

[limewave]

Sounds like you have thought about everything to me.

IMO with the back arthritis and planning on riding centuries and not so much racing . . . I would focus more on endurance bikes or one where you aren't down too low in the front. You don't want to put added stress on your lower back.

I say, test ride as many as you can and get the one you can't stop thinking about!

[azfiddle]

Saturday I am test-riding the Specialized Ruby- ordered in my size by a shop here (with no obligation to buy).

Still open to hearing any additional thoughts on what I should pay most attention to in testing it out...

[Miranda]

This is in your price range & requirements...

http://www.orbea.com/us-us/bicis/mod...ix_dama_t105/#

I own an Orbea Onix dama that's the next step up with the Ultergra group. I had to travel 5 hours round trip to get her... she was worth it, I love her. I ride a size 49cm. I'm 5' 5"(4-1/2"-ish) with shorter legs, and longer torso. It does also come in a 46cm which might work for you.

They did make the Diva dama, which is like Orbea's top of the line Orca. Never got to test ride her, but said to have more of a race feel. My Onix is heavy for a carbon bike, meh over 18#s, but more plush carbon ride.

I'm in my 40s but have arthrisits in my spine and degenerative disk disease. I love my carbon bike for distance riding as it sucks the rual road chip and seal right up. I also have a carbon bar. While the geo of the Onix is more aero than say the Cannodale Synapse's head tube, you could always have a angled stem. I do. Actually since I had a bad crash, I might hafta bring up my co-pit up if things don't resolve, but anyrate.

I think the Cannodale Synapse is very similiar geo to the Orbea. Just taller head tube in the Cannodale. Btw, I had to order my carbon Orbea sight unseen to get her from Spain. I was fortunate the shop has an alum ver left over from the prior year for me to test ride the geo.

You will love your new carbon bike for how you ride. You don't hafta be a racer to have carbon... it's about comfort... which equals a happier ride. Good Luck!

[Triskeliongirl]

Have you considered the cervelo RS. Its not marketed as WSD, but fits me better than any WSD since it has a 73 degree STA. Smallest is a 48 cm (w 650c wheels) but with a sloping top tube it may work for you. You mentioned hip/back issues, and it has a nice tall head tube so you don't have to have your bars too low.

When you ask what to look for on a test ride, when I test rode this bike I cried cuz I never felt so comfortable AND powerful on a bike in my life. It felt like I imagine a good custom should, handled well, flew up hills.

[azfiddle]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I haven't tried the Orbea, but am hesitant to go for something with 650 wheels as my DH and I typically share tubes, tires etc.. The 48 cm Cannondale was definitely too long of a reach. The shop that carries the Synapse and the Orbea did not offer to order either one for me to try....the shop with the Specialized Ruby ordered the 44 cm and said "We'll sell it eventually even if you don't buy it".

I don't know if the Cervelo you mentioned is available here- I'll check around.

[crazycanuck]

I've been drooling over a Focus bike www.focus-bikes.com

I have to save for most of 2011 before I buy another road bike. We're running out of room for all our bikes...

[Eden]

I've been drooling over a Focus bike www.focus-bikes.com

I have to save for most of 2011 before I buy another road bike. We're running out of room for all our bikes...

Focus is our bike sponsor for this year - they are lovely and super light, the people who've got them so far really love them, but for the OP.... probably way too big.... They don't go down very small. If she needs a 44cm in a Specialized (like me) it's unlikely she'd fit one.

[zoom-zoom]

I have the Synapse carbon with 105 components. Great bike. And much more relaxed than the C'Dale Six. I also have lower back problems, and that is one reason I didn't consider the Six.

My previous bike was an aluminum Synapse (WSD). New bike is a unisex SuperSix. They feel REALLY different. I know I am going to love my SuperSix once I get more accustomed to the different feel and I wanted a more performance-oriented bike. But if I had ANY back issues I think I would have stayed with my Synapse. That bike felt pretty easy to ride right from the start and I was very comfy during the one century I rode (aside from the chip-seal vibrations, which was a big factor in me switching over to carbon).

One thing to consider is SRAM Rival, over 105. My previous bike had 105 components, new bike has SRAM. At this point I have 0 interest in ever going back to Shimano. I find the SRAM to be much more intuitive and reliable, so far. I think the hoods and adjustable reach brakes fit my hands even better than the short-reach brakes/shifters on my Synapse did.