Suggestions welcome

[tulip]

Jamis makes some very nice steel bikes in your price range. I prefer steel over aluminum by a huge margin (I wouldn't ride an alu bike unless it was the only one left, which it never is because I have 4 steel bikes and 0 alu bikes).

I've never ridden a carbon bike, but I'm sure they are plenty nice. Titanium is very nice, too, but likely out of your price range.

[TigerMom]

+1 to what all the above TE members wrote.

Also, since you are 5ft7inch, men's bikes might be good options for you too. Sounds like you are going to have lots of bike options.

Also, you might want to find out when your favorite bike store will be having their big yearly bike sale.
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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

[indysteel]

Jamis makes some very nice steel bikes in your price range. I prefer steel over aluminum by a huge margin (I wouldn't ride an alu bike unless it was the only one left, which it never is because I have 4 steel bikes and 0 alu bikes).

This. I'd take a serious look at the Jamis Quest or Quest Femme. Bianchi has a model or two that could work as well. I have a Bianchi myself (a model they unfortunately no longer make). I love it.

Like Tulip, I've never ridden carbon. I'm sure they're nice, but I'm partial to nice components, too, so they end up being pretty pricey. Certainly, follow the advice to test ride as much as you can. At your height, it'll likely be easier to find bikes to try. Us short gals are often disadvantaged in that regard.

As for triples versus compacts, I've had both and prefer the former because I'm a bit like Goldilocks in that I like just the right gear for the conditions and terrain. I have a tendency to mash my pedals a bit with my compact when I can't quite find the perfect gear. Given the medical issues you have, it might be best to error on the side of having too many gears versus too few.

But as Zoom suggested, sometimes they don't shift as nicely. I was spoiled with my old triple. It was Campy and shifted far better than the cheaper triple that came standard on my Bianchi.

[warneral]

Steel!

[warneral]

Surly, bianchi, soma, Here is a soma/rivendell colab. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/forkids/

[lgibster]

Ok I went down to my LBS this morning and rode a ton of bikes. I need a larger frame than anyone thought, but after my fitting they realized that my legs are a lot longer than they thought. So the most comfortable bike was a Specialized Women's XL frame on a Dolce.....but I can't get a triple crank in that bike. So they are going to order me a Specialized Rube Elite Apex Compact in my frame size to try. The Apex has an 11-32 cassette that would give me a lower gear than some of the other and I liked the SRAM Apex shifters better too. They said they can't even get one for about 3 weeks so they would call me. I am under no obligation to purchase the bike if I decide it is not what I want....so right now I am waiting. I love me LBS though for all the help and for not making me commit to the bike they are ordering. Will update when I get a chance.

[zoom-zoom]

Apex is great! That's what I have on my CX bike and it's super reliable, even with the abuse that a CX bike takes. I think you will be really happy. I am totally sold on SRAM for my road and CX bike, since Shimano just never seemed intuitive to me and SRAM fits my hands better.

[lgibster]

Ok I finally did it. I bought at 2013 Specialized Ruby Elite Apex Compact. I LOVE IT!! I am still learning to do without my triple, and climbing the hills I used to climb is not happening yet, so a lot of work to do there. I love the ride since it is SO comfortable. My LBS installed a shorter stem during my bike fit and that worked out great. Now the bike just needs a lighter faster motor (me). After waiting since August to get the bike, I have had it about two weeks and it is awesome.

[Kiwi Stoker]

I think to really get some benefit you need to forget getting a Aluminimum frame and either go carbon or thin tubed steel. So the Ruby would be a good choice. I went from a flat barred AL road bike to a carbon and found I gained 6km/hr faster. So it wasn't me it was the heavier bike holding me back.