Going completely mad trying to choose a bike - PLEASE HELP!

[nuliajuk]

...I would never buy a low step-through, not for an experienced rider wanting a quick bike. The design of the frame makes the bike a lot heavier and the brakes softer.

A mixte (preferable) or step-through should not be more than 1 pound heavier than it's diamond frame equivalent. If it is, that usually means the manufacturer went cheap on the materials and swapped out straight gauge tubing for butted, or hi-tensile for chrome-moly. Braking shouldn't be any different, if it is that means a poor design.
Nowadays a lot of compact frames are almost as sloped in the top tube as mixtes. I can get my leg over the top tube of my commuting bike if I stand on a curb next to it. Someone much younger and more agile might even be able to do it without the curb.

[lph]

A mixte (preferable) or step-through should not be more than 1 pound heavier than it's diamond frame equivalent. If it is, that usually means the manufacturer went cheap on the materials and swapped out straight gauge tubing for butted, or hi-tensile for chrome-moly. Braking shouldn't be any different, if it is that means a poor design.
Nowadays a lot of compact frames are almost as sloped in the top tube as mixtes. I can get my leg over the top tube of my commuting bike if I stand on a curb next to it. Someone much younger and more agile might even be able to do it without the curb.

Ok, I guess I was thinking of poor quality step-throughs. I wasn't thinking of a angled top-tube, more of a low, downswept one. And on those that I have tried the braking has always been really mushy since the brake cable is longer and changes direction more.

[nuliajuk]

Here's a review of the Specialized Sirrus Elite. I think the Vita is the wsd equivalent. If you're long in the torso the Sirrus might be a better fit.
http://www.cyclingactive.com/bikesge...s-elite-549-99

[Penny4]

Is the 7.3 you are looking at white?

Just curious