What else should I be test riding?

[Owlie]

Giant has the Avail/Defy, but they tend to run large. See if you can find an extra-small to try out. There's also the Fuji Finest and Jamis Satellite (Sora or Tiagra) or Quest (105 with Ultegra rear derailleur). I think Felt also has one, but I can't remember what it's called.

[luvmyguys]

Giant has the Avail/Defy, but they tend to run large. See if you can find an extra-small to try out. There's also the Fuji Finest and Jamis Satellite (Sora or Tiagra) or Quest (105 with Ultegra rear derailleur). I think Felt also has one, but I can't remember what it's called.

One of the ones I tried was the Felt ZW6. It comes in a 43 cm size, and the guy at the lbs told me that the 2013 models in the smallest size have the larger 700 cm wheels (the 2011 I looked at had 650 cm wheels).

[goldfinch]

Their aren't many options with 650 wheels for 2013. Trek dropped its 43cm bikes with 650 wheels after 2011. Now Felt is dropping its offering. Terry does have small bikes with small wheels. They have steel and aluminum. Here is Terry's geometry chart: http://www.terrybicycles.com/Ready-T...cycle-Geometry

The Specialized bikes, the Ruby and the Dolce, come in a 44cm size which is pretty compact even though they have 700 wheels.

The downside of 650 wheels is finding tires, especially if you want something wider than 23s. Yet, depending on how you are built the smaller wheels just may be what you need. I needed an extra small bike because my torso and arms are so short, so I ended up with 650 wheels. If a bike with larger wheels fits you I would get the bike that can take the 700 wheels.

[Crankin]

My first 2 road bikes (Cannondale and Trek) had 650 wheels on a 47 cm frame (I'm 5'1"). I now have an extra small men's size frame with 700 wheels and I don't feel any difference. It felt "high up" at first, but now, nothing. People argue about this stuff all of the time, but I really don't feel like it mattered that much in my riding. I'm more concerned with having 165 cranks, whichdoes make a difference for me.