Orbea Diva

[hulagirl]

I love my Diva. LOVE it. She's fast, responsive, quick, light. Longest ride I've done is 4 hours on her though. Saddle is just slight above seat and I am super comfortable in my drops. More so than in the hoods.

I went into the bike shop with my heart set on a Cervelo. After a week of trying about 8 different bikes, the Orbea Diva fit me like a GLOVE. She could have been aluminum for all I cared at that point.

I have a hybrid that it designed for touring and I can tell you that I would MUCH rather do 100 miles on my Diva than my hybrid. Why? She's lighter and so much more responsive. The amount of energy saved is amazing. I have climbed 1400' hills with her and loved it. I would be miserable on my hybrid for that kind of climbing.

[Julietiede]

Thanks to all for the great input. Much food for thought and questions to ask. When I bought my first bike (Trek Madone 5.2-not cheap!) a few years ago I never even thought about fit or test rides, nor did the bike store suggest either. There was minimal fitting after I purchased it. In fact when the guy was doing the fitting, he put the front wheels on stacked telephone books which promptly fell over along with the bike and I. So I hear people telling me there are more sophisticated ways to fit a bike! Thank goodness, the telephone book thing was scary!
I live in an extremely rural area-and this time we are going to the "city" to purchase bikes. And I will be armed with many good questions!
JT

[makbike]

I too am a very, very, very happy Diva owner. I have a 2010 Diva and I absolutely love this bike as it fits me like a glove and is an absolute joy to ride. It climbs well, responds quickly and is fast and sleek.

Like you I went from a bike (LeMond) that I rode a couple of times and felt good. However, after logging many centuries/miles on the bike I was suffering as it did not fit me. So DH and I set out to find a new bike. We traveled to many shops near and far and I rode numerous bikes. When I took the Diva out I knew right there and then it was the bike for me. It fit me like a glove and I was in heaven. The search was over and I am 1000%+ satisfied. It is so nice to get off the bike after a long ride and not hurt - no headaches, shoulder pain, knots in my neck, etc. It is a dream bike for me.

Test ride as many different bikes as you can and once you have your field narrowed down ride the heck out of the bikes on your list. Enjoy the process and have fun. You will know when you have found the right bike for you.