Long Torso, Short Legs.

[Eden]

Really.... I just recently switched from an old style Ruby (pro '05) to an Amira (pro '11). I was worried, because I already have reach issues - I have *really* short arms, I had a 70 stem on my 44 Ruby... The Amira actually feels better to me than my Ruby did (I still have the 70mm stem). The "cockpit" feels shorter (and I get less neck discomfort too!), even though looking at the measurements it seems like it shouldn't.

I'm guessing my legs must be relatively long for my height. I don't have stand over issues at all with compact frames. I have tons of clearance. Even with my old 19" Trek with a traditional straight top tube I could still clear without feeling like I was in danger....

[TigerMom]

Be excited and not scared.

I would recommend that your sales person is a certified fitter so that maybe they can throw in a qualified bike fitting for free when you buy your bike.

I love my Amira and feel that the handling seems less ackward than on the Ruby. Also, you might want to get the carbon handle bars to decrease road vibration. Because I changed stock immediately before I took the bike out of the store, my very nice local LBS gave me some store credit back for the stock alloy handle bars and for the handlebar tape (I changed from the white stock handlebar tape to black).

However, there are a lot of Ruby lovers and Cannondale Synapse lovers out there. So enjoy trying out all the bikes this weekend. Maybe if you can write down what city,state you are in, some of the Team Estrogen members can recommend good LBS shops.
_______________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[kelleil]

The specialized guy I talked to was trying to talk me into the Ruby as opposed to the Amira. I'll have to ride to see. I did appreciate the whole Zerts situation with Ruby.

For some reason I'm anti-trek and cannondale. Can someone talk me out of that? Its so lame.

The other thought was Bianchi....

Anyway, so my legs are sorta long for someone who is 5 foot, 1. My torso from the hips to the rib cage is long. I lose a couple of inches between my chest and my shoulders. So I'm a bit odd. So I'm mostly long torsoed. Arms are... normal?

I'm at a 730 standover and a top tube of 515 with my commuter, both which place me between the 48 and a 51 on the specialized. The Roubaix 49 may indeed be the better fit, which is 730 and 518, respectively.

When I was on the Ruby I felt comfortable on the hoods but not comfortable in the drops. I wanted to stretch out slightly more.

Ya'll are awesome!

[Jo-n-NY]

I also love my Amira. I have the 48cm. Loved my Ruby although it is a 2007 and since then Specialized has fine tuned the handlebars on the women's geometry bikes. I was not comfortable in the drops of my Ruby at all and it was a 51. I am very comfortable in all postitions of the Amira and the bike just rides awesome. +1 on all Eden said about it.

I am also not a fan of Trek not that was always the case. It is just my personal opinion of the company, customer service etc. So I cannot help you in to go in that direction.

[Koronin]

Sorry can't help you with your issue with Trek. My issue with Trek is that the men's bikes don't come in the 47cm frame anymore and Cannondales are too big for me.

I love my Felt F-5 and would say to check Felt out if you have a dealer semi close by. Our store that has Felt is also our Specialized dealer. When I told them what I was looking for and what I prefer and all, they felt the Amira was the better choice for me over the Ruby (if I went that way) because the Amira does have more of the men's geometry vs the Ruby. Then we also looked at the Felts both the Z and the F series and the F series was what was best for me. I love my Felt. The Felt F 5 has a slightly lower standover height (48cm) than the Amira (44cm) with a longer top tube and wheel base.

[TigerMom]

Yippee!! We are getting more and more Amira lovers.

My Amira climbs well....just need to work on this engine here.

I just finished a 34 mile hilly marathon climb in Irvine with a bad rear derailleur (because I tipped twice and smooshed it...so I was getting a little bit of resistance on my chains after falling). And I still finished at 14mph after derailling twice and having nice fellow cyclists helped me. But, at the first 8 miles (prior to tipping), I was passing a ton of people and probably could have finished the 34 mile bikeathon at least at 17mph. Oh well. At least I didn't crash.

If possible, I would try out a few different brands (ie. Speedplay or Frogs, etc.) of clipless pedals. I already have the SPD pedals at loosest tension and still wasn't able to unclip my second foot fast enough when I was tired out. Granted, I am extremely clumsy, so tipping is no surprise to me (I think I am on the 15th time of tipping after 2.5months of the clipless pedals). The bad part about tipping today was that my poor bike chain/rear derailleur was rubbing all the way to the finish line.


_______________
2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[zoom-zoom]

For some reason I'm anti-trek and cannondale. Can someone talk me out of that? Its so lame.

Don't be anti-Cannondale...they are awesome. I'm also anti-Trek, even though my homestate is Trek central. I've heard too many warranty claims horror stories in the past year to ever give them the time of day, though I DO love their Bontrager saddles.

[Koronin]

I agree that some of the colors Felt has can be interesting at best. Most of the F series have a black base color. We have last year's F 5 bikes, hubby's is the base colors of black with orange (this year's F-5 is black with green). Mine is a special edition that is black with blue. I didn't look at the ZWs at all. I know their cruisers have some really wild colors.