1st road bike - compact v. traditional geometry, etc.

[azfiddle]

I just bought my 2nd road bike...this week! For what it's worth:

I'm 5'1" and I do have the longer legs/short torso so I went with a WSD. It is the only that would work for me, but you may have more options. I started with an XS (44 cm) aluminum frame with carbon forks, but Sora/Tiagra components. I rode this bike for 1 1/2 years and about 6000 miles. I was not able to buy a nicer bike at the time, and over time I could tell the aluminum bike was not the smoothest riding. The bikes you're considering are a little nicer because of the components.

My new bike is a Specialized Ruby Comp, full carbon w/ 105 components- the ride is more comfortable, and the 105 is big improvement. I'm really happy with it (now that I've replaced the saddle with my old saddle).

I rode 3 bikes: a Trek madone, Cannondale Supersix and the Ruby.

Is price an issue? Can you afford a carbon frame? Or do you see this bike as a stepping stone to a nicer bike later? Can you find anyone with a small steel frame bike you can try?

Feel free to PM me as I just finished making some of these decisions

[Susie Derkins]

Is price an issue? Can you afford a carbon frame?

Price is a consideration, but I wouldn't say an absolute barrier. I'd rather not break the bank on my first bike, but if I test rode a Ruby and decided the Dolce didn't hold a candle to it, I would spring for the Ruby (and analogous among the other bikes I'm looking at).
[QUOTE=azfiddle;562578]
Or do you see this bike as a stepping stone to a nicer bike later? Can you find anyone with a small steel frame bike you can try?

It's hard to say. Being new to tri, I don't know whether I'll fall in love with it, and this would be a stepping stone/training bike paving the way for a carbon tri bike, or if my bike would mostly just be for cycling on its own, in which case this would probably be "my bike" for the long haul.

I don't know anybody with a steel frame to try, unfortunately.

[HillSlugger]

Personally, I think you should go with what you've found that will work for you and don't worry about what your friend thinks.

BTW, you're not going to see many steel bikes out on the tri course, except for racers who are riding their vintage bikes because they don't have anything else.

Also BTW, come on down to the Triathlon Forum and say hi.

[indysteel]

What's your friend's beef with compact geometry? All that generally means is that it has a sloping top tube, which is what you're going to find on the market these days on most smaller frames. Some people--your friend perhaps--doesn't like the look of them and prefer a horizontal top tube. I do, too, to be honest, but from a functional standpoint, a sloping top tube just makes practical sense for smaller riders. So, I'd ignore that part of his advice.

Aluminum can ride harshly, especially if you ride crappy roads, but it's relatively inexpensive and readily available so I wouldn't rule it out. Test ride as many bikes as you can. There are a few mass produced steel bikes out there--Jamis comes to mind. I have a WSD steel Bianchi myself that I love, but it's no longer in production.

Carbon would also be worth considering, but don't blow your budget just because of your friend's biased (in my view) opinion.

[warneral]

I'd definitely ask this in the Triathalon forum. I personally went from aluminum to steel (both with carbon forks), skinnier tires and better components. A better bike is a better bike! And worth it IMO. But if you're just wanting it for Tri sprints, perhaps you don't need the top of the line bike