Suggestions welcome

[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.

[Trek420]

Congrats on the new wheels!

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.

Back in the day I was training for AIDS Lifecycle (7 days, 540 miles) Velogirl, a TE'er told me that cycling is all about strength to weight ratio. She explained "You can get stronger, you can get lighter or you can do both." At the time I was about 190 at 4'11. I stayed about the same weight but got much stronger. The inches dropped off, kept having to get smaller clothes but as I rode the pounds were about the same.

I've now dropped about 20-30 lbs, I'm not sure. Went from size 18 jeans to 12s and those are getting loose. Anyways all this is to say you can get faster, stronger, better at any weight. if you ride the weight loss will come but you can be faster now by getting stronger.

Enjoy the new bike!

[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.