This bike shopping thing is hard :) Help?

[TrekDianna]

So, wise women of TE, is one of these bikes clearly better/worse for me, given my hill issue? I'm trying to learn from all of you, but I'm not there yet. I know I'm not the only one bike shopping so sorry for yet another thread about it, but I'm really having some issues pulling the trigger here, especially as I'm upgrading and this should be the bike I ride for some time to come. Thanks in advance.

Bike 1
Crank - Shimano Ultegra, 50/34 (compact)
Cassette - Shimano 105 11-28, 10 speed

Bike 2
Crank - Rotor 3DF BBright 110BCD 52/36
Cassette - Shimano 105 11-25T

Bike 3
Cassette - SRAM PG 1070 (12-25)

Do what I did, get them all

[Possegal]

If only I could buy them all.

The bike I crashed was a triple (adding to my worries on the whole things). Crank Bontrager Sport 52/42/30 Cassette SRAM 850 12-26, 8 speed according to the bike archive online.

And yes, I can get the one with the electronic shifting with Ultegra, but it would be the 2013 so more money, and more time as they'd have to order it and I really can't tell if I like it without riding it. I'm sure if I wait a bit they'll get one in and I can try it. Because, yet again, I have a ride this weekend and I was hoping to pull the trigger, well last week, on the new bike. Twice I've rented bikes to do triathlons. This time I'm doing the Best Buddies Challenge fundraiser in DC. I'm thinking I need to go the rental route again (the Madone is avaliable in the correct size, so it owuld be a good test ride). I hate my indecisiveness, but I'm looking to spend a good penny so I want to be as sure as I can be. I hate my procrastination too. I need to get my act in gear, hahaha = gears.

Bikes 2 and 3 are at the same store so maybe I'll go again tomorrow and I'll talk to the guy about my worry and see what he thinks. Of course he'll think those are better than Bike 1 since it is at a different store. I seriously had no idea what I was getting into when I first started riding again. Who knew it was not unlike buying a car.

[SFLiz]

I seriously had no idea what I was getting into when I first started riding again. Who knew it was not unlike buying a car.

I felt similarly overwhelmed in deciding. In fact, I think car-buying decisions are much easier to make!

[indysteel]

Given your old bike's gearing, I think you'll be unhappy with anything less than a 11/12-28 in the rear and a 50-34 in the front. That's not to day that you can't swap out the cassette, but you should know that going in.

[Catrin]

I felt similarly overwhelmed in deciding. In fact, I think car-buying decisions are much easier to make!

Yep. Indeed, the time spent in my new Kia Soul purchase last year was MUCH shorter and far less agonizing than any of my bike purchases.

Good luck with whatever you decide. Is a triple an option on any of your choices? My thought is that if hills are a concern, and you are accustomed to a triple, why not stick with one if you can?

[Sky King]

gears and gear inches, the bike hermit put together a nice post on gears (IMO) including gear charts from Sheldon Brown. Hope this helps