Navigating the waters of buying a new bike

[velo]

Lots of good advice. Thank you! I'm a fairly common height for a woman - 5'4", but I am about equally distributed between torso and leg length. I am not long-legged. I still have 25 pounds to lose, but it's falling off pretty quickly as I'm averaging over 150 miles per week. I am hoping that the bike shops will have a size that will fit me on the floor. I am leery about paying a lot of money for something without test riding it. Since I'm riding a lot, I'm realizing what is good and bad about my current bikes. I want to take my time and be very cautious about this purchase, as it will be one that has to last a long time. Thanks and please keep the advice coming!

[Biciclista]

Sometimes, they have another model of the same bike on the floor in your size so you can feel the fit and imagine how much better the one you want will perform. (I did that when I got one of my raleighs)

[indysteel]

I'm 5'4 and have had to purchase most of my bikes sight unseen. It's been a gamble for sure. If you're in a big market, hopefully you'll have more bikes on the floor from which to choose.

[TigerMom]

+1 to Biciclista. Can't wait to hear about your new bike shopping and can't wait to see photos of your final decision!
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

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

[Koronin]

Congratulations. The LBS we bought our Felt road bikes from does do layaway. They had to order my bike (I'm 5'0" and needed a 48cm). When they looked to see if they could still get one of the previous year or needed to order the new year for me (got the bikes right at change time for the companies) we discovered they still had a couple of special edition bikes in my size. So that is what we ordered and they still allowed us to do layaway on it.

[Becky]

I'm 5'4 and have had to purchase most of my bikes sight unseen. It's been a gamble for sure.

This. I'm also 5'4" and didn't get to test ride any of my current bikes, although I was able to ride similar models for a couple of them. Mostly, I've just compared the geometry of the new bike to that of my other bikes, and ordered accordingly.

[Koronin]

Our LBS that we did the layaway with we had them there for around 8 or 9 months paying on them. But the two guys who own it are really cool and as long as you are making payments they're cool. There wasn't any specific payment arrangement, just as much as you can when you and and please try to make a payment of something at least once per month. Then again they'll let customers they know put just about anything on layaway as long as the over cost is over $100.

[velo]

Yep, Pinarello is on my list. I'm not looking for a "go fast" bike per se. My Klein is race geometry and built with crits in mind. But I'm also not looking for a touring bike. With just a few modifications, my LeMond could be fairly good for that. I'm looking for something in between. My Klein has a carbon fork, but as I approach the 50 mile mark, I start to really feel the road. That could also be due to my age or the lack of time in the saddle (although I'm averaging over 150 miles a week). I'm looking for a softer ride, but not a relaxed geometry, necessarily. I figure that that will mean looking at A LOT of bikes. I make very slow and deliberate decisions usually, so this is probably going to be a long process. Again, my thanks for the help, all!

[indysteel]

Yep, Pinarello is on my list. I'm not looking for a "go fast" bike per se. My Klein is race geometry and built with crits in mind. But I'm also not looking for a touring bike. With just a few modifications, my LeMond could be fairly good for that. I'm looking for something in between. My Klein has a carbon fork, but as I approach the 50 mile mark, I start to really feel the road. That could also be due to my age or the lack of time in the saddle (although I'm averaging over 150 miles a week). I'm looking for a softer ride, but not a relaxed geometry, necessarily. I figure that that will mean looking at A LOT of bikes. I make very slow and deliberate decisions usually, so this is probably going to be a long process. Again, my thanks for the help, all!

Honestly, for what you're describing, I would strongly consider a custom steel bike. You'd get the geometry you want (which might be hard with carbon) and, ideally the softer ride you're after. Plus, you could build it up the way you want. It could very well end up cheaper than carbon.