What are your wants and needs?

[Koronin]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5). I have an entry level Trek mountain bike (aluminum) which is just fine, since I still have issues riding any bike anywhere other than on pavement of any kind. Also have an entry level cruiser type bike that is most likely what we'll be taking on vacations. Actually bought it specifically to take to Bristol for the NASCAR races. The farther away from the track you can park the cheaper it is to park and the easier it is to get out. However, who wants to walk 2 plus miles to and from the track. So enter buying a bike specifically for that. The other idea is we plan on eventually taking a vacation to Oakracoke Island (part of the Outer Banks in NC). It is much easier to get around that island on bike than with a car, so the hope is to take the bikes with us so once we get to were we are staying we can leave the car (well pick up truck) parked for the time we're there and use those bikes as transportation.

[TigerMom]

I've discovered that I need a more aggressive riding position for almost any type of bike. The more stretched out I am the more comfortable I am on the bike. Also for me WSD for road bikes is totally useless. I am sort so that makes it even harder, but I have short legs with a longer torso/arms. I wanted a carbon road bike, which I have and love that bike (Felt F5).

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

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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]

I am also short 5ft1in with long arms and torso. Since I was between sizes 44cm and 48cm, I had to buy the larger 48cm and the more aggressive road bike with the longer top tube, the Specialized Amira (which feels more like a comfort bike to me). I felt too scrunched on the Ruby. So, I still have to tilt my bike when I stop due to my short legs, even with my WSD slanted top tube. But I feel very comfortable when I ride my Amira. I am also glad that I splurged on carbon instead of aluminum for my first road bike due to the less weight and more comfort during biking.

I have also found that I am a Shimano lady. I personally had a hard time physically shifting with the SRAM and also mentally remembering which direction the gears go during shifting. I have yet to try Campy. Maybe I better not try, since Super Campy is expensive and I'll get even more "upgraditis".

______________________
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

I'm just slightly shorter than you are. 5ft0in. I did look at the Amira which I was considering. I would have had to get the 44cm, as the 48 is a good bit to tall for me. I had the same feeling with the Dolce that you had with the Ruby. I also had that same scrunched feeling with the Trek Lexa.