Narrowing down Road Bike choice. I have a few questions....

[oz rider]

Sounds like you are on track DD, and good for you.

I am looking at the Ruby and Madone due to Ultegra components which I read good things about (smooth), AND I absolutely want something FASTER and easier taking hills than the Trek 7.5 WSD. 7.5 is a great city/paved path bike.

Hills will be a function of both weight and gearing. You can check the weight on the manufacturer's website, but all these will be similar. A few grams here and there doesn't matter until you are going for the rainbow stripes.

I would also note the cassette on each bike too; a bigger rear cog will make life easier (if you need it) and your knees might thank you too. Most shops will swap out the cassette without any hassles but it's worth checking. With the Cervelo, you might not be able to do so, so if it's running an 11-23 or something you might want to factor in the price of a new cassette that will suit you better. Also, warranties usually apply only to the original owner, and most bike shops will throw in 6-12 months servicing - both useful to have (without talking down the Cervelo at all; I have a friend with three of them!)

Also, make a little list of test ride things so that you're doing the same (if possible) on each one and don't forget something: a bit uphill, a bit downhill, all hand positions, out of the saddle, cornering, emergency braking to see if it stops straight, acceleration and some bumps to see if it bucks or it's dead. I used to throw in some tiny circles to check for toe overlap too. And ask the shop to set the same psi and saddle height before you ride, otherwise it's not oranges and oranges; more like oranges and orangutans.

[macski]

I have recently gone through the same process and was fitted to a Cervelo and a Cannondale Synapse. I have a Specialized Amira in a 51 but with both the Cervelo and the Synapse I needed a 48. I am 5'5'". And I'm 53 years old.

I bought the Synapse for a number of reasons. It was more comfortable - in fact it fits like a glove. It was better value. It had a compact crankset which is what I wanted for better hill climbing (I need all the help I can get on hills!). I have been so happy with this bike I want to shout from rooftops. All of my previous niggles have disappeared including hand pain, numb toes, lower back pain on right side.

But you need to buy the bike that works for you. You seem to be on the right track with the models you are considering. I was lucky that I had a fantastic LBS that let me take the Synapse out for a ride for 90 minutes (even though it wasn't the exact model that I was looking to buy) and another that had one of its employees lend me her own personal Cervelo bike for a test ride. I felt bad about not buying the Cervelo but the Synapse just suited me better.

I hope you find the bike that you love.

[DrumlinDancer]

I have recently gone through the same process and was fitted to a Cervelo and a Cannondale Synapse. I have a Specialized Amira in a 51 but with both the Cervelo and the Synapse I needed a 48. I am 5'5'". And I'm 53 years old.

I bought the Synapse for a number of reasons. It was more comfortable - in fact it fits like a glove. It was better value. It had a compact crankset which is what I wanted for better hill climbing (I need all the help I can get on hills!). I have been so happy with this bike I want to shout from rooftops. All of my previous niggles have disappeared including hand pain, numb toes, lower back pain on right side.

But you need to buy the bike that works for you. You seem to be on the right track with the models you are considering. I was lucky that I had a fantastic LBS that let me take the Synapse out for a ride for 90 minutes (even though it wasn't the exact model that I was looking to buy) and another that had one of its employees lend me her own personal Cervelo bike for a test ride. I felt bad about not buying the Cervelo but the Synapse just suited me better.

I hope you find the bike that you love.

Well I never did get to try the Cervelo. I ended up buying a 2010 Madone on sale, and it does really fit me nicely. It is a 50. Our city has a police bike sale coming up soon. I think just for fun, I might go see what shows up. These are bikes that the police end up with - most likely never registered or license but turned in at the station. I am betting many are old and need "help". I have never gone to it, but after reading and researching and reading the forum, I think it might be interesting to see what is there.

[nscrbug]

Just wanted to chime in here, even though it looks like you have already purchased a Madone. I rode a Cervelo (a Carbon Soloist) for 1 season...ended up selling it last May and bought a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3. There was nothing overly special about the Cervelo, IMO. It had the same Ultegra group that many other bikes in its price range have. If I had to pick 1 thing that was different about it...the geometry. It's an aero, racy bike with an aggressive riding position...all things that my lower back protested loudly about. I bought it because I thought I was going to get into triathlons and wanted an aero bike without going to a full tri bike. But sadly, I only did 2 races and quickly lost interest in doing another triathlon. My focus now is more on distance, so I desperately needed a comfortable bike...something more relaxed and upright like the Synapse.

Linda