New (comfortable) "race" bike, Madone 4.7, Specialized Amira

[Susi]

I just compared the 44 SuperSix with the Specialized Amira 48 (which fits perfectly!)

The measurements are almost identical (with some millimeters difference here and there)… The only “significant” difference is the head-tube angle: Amira 71.25 degree vs. SuperSix 70.5 (same as Madone) – what does this small difference mean??

The Amira’s top tube is almost 1cm longer than the Madone’s. Does that mean the Amira puts me in a more aggressive position (especially with a longer torso)?

Sorry for all the questions, but I just want to find the right bike for me, and I just can’t tell by riding with it in the parking lot…

I asked my LBS if they can get a small size for me, but they say I would HAVE to purchase it, because they usually don't have any demand for the small sizes

[Owlie]

The Amira's a racing bike. The Madone (H3?) is designed to be slightly more relaxed. For what you want to do, I'd be looking at the Amira more than the Madone, especially if you say it fits perfectly.

Those tiny differences can make a lot of difference in comfort. Unless you've got a fantastic fitter, the only way to really know is to ride them.
And yes, I have this problem with some shops. Not a lot of demand for a 54cm WSD bike, apparently. I'm not going to buy something without trying it out, but if I have to buy it to try it out, no thanks!

[zoom-zoom]

I just asked my hubby how much difference the angle measurements would make ('cause he's an Engineer and I suck at Math). He said really those bikes are so similar that you'd probably not notice a huge difference either way...and to go with the shop that treats you best. Truly, as long as you are on the right size a good shop can do all sorts of tweaks to dial-in your fit. They'll measure you and put the appropriate length stem on, maybe swap out some head spacers, move the saddle up and down, fore and aft, etc. And most good shops will continue to do minor tweaks as-needed for a few months after you buy your bike--I know mine has done this. I started with an 80mm stem and moved to a 100mm stem after a few rides. No charge. I think the 2nd stem was even a grade better than the original stem.

[Susi]

I just asked my hubby how much difference the angle measurements would make ('cause he's an Engineer and I suck at Math). He said really those bikes are so similar that you'd probably not notice a huge difference either way...and to go with the shop that treats you best. Truly, as long as you are on the right size a good shop can do all sorts of tweaks to dial-in your fit. They'll measure you and put the appropriate length stem on, maybe swap out some head spacers, move the saddle up and down, fore and aft, etc. And most good shops will continue to do minor tweaks as-needed for a few months after you buy your bike--I know mine has done this. I started with an 80mm stem and moved to a 100mm stem after a few rides. No charge. I think the 2nd stem was even a grade better than the original stem.

We have a bike store 1 hour away (in Austin), which has both Trek and Specialized I was there yesterday and test rode the Amira and Madone. The guy I talked to was leaning towards the Amira (because he has a Specialized himself)... Overall it is a great store with awesome reviews... Maybe I have to go there again and have the guys take some pictures with me on the bikes so I have a comparison. Like I said, they both felt great (in the parking lot)

The smallest Madone 4.7 men model has a H2 fit, and 70.7 standover height (shorter than Amira 48). Maybe I should try that?! (It'll come with a longer top tube and might put me in the right "racing" position?)

On a side note: the 2011 Madone 4.7 is blue - blue is NOT my color at all... Besides that, it'll take another 2-3 months to get a new 2012 Madone (and I don't even know the available colors yet). I would prefer riding my bike ASAP though. So maybe I'll have to go with my gut feeling and order a 2012 Amira

[zoom-zoom]

Ooh, that's a great idea to have them take photos. It's really helpful to be able to see how you look on a bike (shops should have big full-wall mirrors, perhaps...?). Sometimes how you feel on a bike and what you look like are 2 different things.

[Susi]

I tried the Amira again today, (in 48 and 51) and the my LBS guys took a lot of time to make some adjustments to get me in a more aggressive position. Overall it felt really good, and I would even get the 2011 model 300-400 bucks cheaper. But, why does it have to be BLUE?? I am not a blue person, whatsoever... I know it's really bad to choose (or not choose) a bike based on its color, but if I spend so much money on a new bike, I really want to look at it and start drooling
They were kind enough to order me the 49 Tarmac, and that is one sexy looking bike!! (black with red) It's the 2011 model, and I would get it cheaper as well... Since my torso is "longer", it might actually fit better, with less adjustments, than the Amira. It's gonna be in next week.
The only thing that worries me is that the seat tube length will be 1cm longer on the Tarmac, and the saddle is already pretty far down on the Amira...

If the Tarmac won't work, I will most likely go ahead and order a 2012 Amira. It still has blue in it, but the majority of the bike is carbon black with some white... It's gonna be worth it to me to pay 300 bucks extra to avoid a completely blue bike.