Road bike shopping for short person

[goldfinch]

Can anyone else speak to the issue of a compact double, which seems to be standard on the carbon fiber bikes I mentioned? As a relatively weak cyclist that spends at least 1/4 of the year in hilly areas, I want to make sure I have low enough gears. Even the Synapse I tried with the triple was not geared low enough for me. I test rode it in Duluth, Minnesota, a city built on a steep hill. I managed to go up hill two blocks before bailing. I then rode parallel to the hill, but that street goes up as well. I could do it in first gear for the mile or two I rode. Needless to say, it flew down the hills.

I've been riding since spring and this past month put 300 miles on my bike. The prior month 220 and the month before 150, so I am increasing my mileage steadily but I still have a long ways to go to get stronger.

[sarahkonamojo]

I would think with the requirements you have set out, a custom bike would be best for you. And $4k should be enough for a custom bike. You could pay more, of course. Keep test riding road bikes to find out what you do and don't like. It also a good way to find a shop that fits you, too.

[Zippinalong]

Can anyone else speak to the issue of a compact double, which seems to be standard on the carbon fiber bikes I mentioned? As a relatively weak cyclist that spends at least 1/4 of the year in hilly areas, I want to make sure I have low enough gears. Even the Synapse I tried with the triple was not geared low enough for me. I test rode it in Duluth, Minnesota, a city built on a steep hill. I managed to go up hill two blocks before bailing. I then rode parallel to the hill, but that street goes up as well. I could do it in first gear for the mile or two I rode. Needless to say, it flew down the hills.

I've been riding since spring and this past month put 300 miles on my bike. The prior month 220 and the month before 150, so I am increasing my mileage steadily but I still have a long ways to go to get stronger.

You can also look at the cassette which you can get in different teeth sets. But in the end as someone else pointed out, you'd probably be farther ahead having a bike built for you. That way you get it built the way you want. 4k is plenty of money for that.

[Catrin]

You can also look at the cassette which you can get in different teeth sets. But in the end as someone else pointed out, you'd probably be farther ahead having a bike built for you. That way you get it built the way you want. 4k is plenty of money for that.

I spent less than that on my full custom Gunnar, but of course some custom builders charge more than that. I don't know how the drive-train price point might change for a true road bike as my Gunnar is pretty much pure mountain outside of the custom road fork. One thing is sure, especially for us shorter women or those with physical limitations, custom is indeed the best way to get what fits us. Is it the only option? No...but if you are working with a fitter who knows his or her stuff and a reputable company like Waterford/Gunnar or others it is a way to assure it fits.

Of course the proof is in the pudding, and sometimes a custom bike doesn't mesh, but I would hope that is a rare occurrence. I've had a good experience going custom, and should any of my current bikes explode I would consider doing it again.