Deer in the Headlights!

[callmej]

sorry, can't help you out on the comparison of the shifters. just wanted to say that sorry you fell on one of your test rides what a bummer. but don't get discouraged, take your time in selecting a bike and keep test riding bikes even if it means going back and test riding the same bike again. at some point you will be able to tell which fits more comfortably and then you can dial in a more specific fit. you didn't mention if you were riding any women specific design bikes, but I would try those as well. IMHO there is a great deal of disparity between an xs giant and a 52 madone so questioning some of those fits?????

[Velocivixen]

I am in the process of researching and eventually test riding a road type bike and it was explained to me that the sizes are not standard as they should be on bikes. Sheldon Brown's website has a great article on frames and bicycle sizing. You might want to read that. Good luck, have fun and be safe.

[Crankin]

As far as I know, the Shimano R 700 short reach brifters are Ultegra components, which is a step up from 105s, unless they have changed something since I got mine, a couple of years ago. They will make a world of difference in your confidence, especially in the drops if you are a smaller person.

[pinsonp2]

From my experience, though not great, bike sizing amongst the brands is different....or at least the label they use is. For example, I ride a 52 cm Trek Madone and it fits me great, a 54 Specialized and it fits me great, and a 51 cm Raleigh One Way....you get the idea. Having said that, I would be a little leary of 'fitting' on a 44/48 Specialized and a 52 Trek. That seems to be a little too far off. Go with what feels best to you and hopefully you can get a meaningful test ride to help in that selection process. Let's hope they are not just trying to sell you what they have on hand. Did they do any measuring of your total inseam or anything before putting you on a bike?

P2

[nscrbug]

My backup bike is a Trek 2100 WSD with the R-700 Shifters...and I absolutely LOVE them! Infact, I will even go on to say that I actually prefer them over my newer Ultegra 6700 shifters that are on my current bike - a Cannondale Synapse Carbon Fem 3. I like them SO much, that I have contemplated swapping them out for my 6700 shifters. They feel great in my hands (and I don't have small hands either), and the levers are SO easy to move that I can literally shift with 1 finger...as opposed to needing ALL of my strength and my entire hand to move my 6700 levers (they are THAT stiff in comparison). I would not hesitate to recommend them!!!

Linda

[KatzPajamas]

WOW! Thanks for all of the responses! I definitely need shifters that are easy to use. My husband found a Marin Treviso (size small) on the internet. It has carbon seat stays and fork, and all 105 except for those ST-R700 shifters and the brakes are a "house" brand. He says it has very nice upgraded wheels and tires. However, I would have to buy without test riding it...
As far as the test rides that I taken so far-no one has measured anything on me. The Trek dealer did ask for my height and he put a shorter stem on the handlebars before I took it out. That still felt like I ws reaching too far. The 48 Cannondale 2010 Synapse Alloy5 felt the best so far, but I think I really need a triple and it was a double chainring. The seat was pretty hard on the pubic bone area but ischeal tuberosities felt fine...what up with that?

[HillSlugger]

Welcome to TE!

Since this is your first bike I would recommend NOT buying without test riding first