1st century (maybe), new roadie on a budget

[ridenread]

My advice would be to test ride as many bikes as possible. I am 5'9". I started with a men's 58 KHS entry level bike that fit really well. I rode it comfortably for about 6 years before upgrading to a Trek Domane WSD 4.5 with a 54cm frame that fits perfectly. I think I test rode at least 20 bikes before selecting the Domane. What I learned was every manufacturers geometry is a bit different and you really can't go by size or men's vs women's. You need to experiment and see what is most comfortable.

[north woods gal]

Had a nice answer to your post, this morning, Minx and then our local server went belly up before I could finish. Guess it's all part of the game with computers.

You are right to jump in, now. That gives you all summer to work up to that century in September. That's important with being new to road bikes. It takes time for your body to adapt to that road bike riding position, but it is well worth it. It's still the most efficient for putting in the miles. Just learning all the ways you cause drop bars is an education.

Is a WSD right for every gal? Hardly. Sometimes yes and sometimes no. It's been a blessing for me because of my proportions. I'm just a touch under 5'10", but it's mostly legs. I have a short torso average length arms. My perfect frame size is actually a 55cm, but those are few and far, between. That usually puts me in a 56cm to get the right seat tube height and crank arm length.

The problem for me with men's 56cm frames is the reach - distance from the seat to the handlebars - because a standard 56cm has too long a top tube and comes from the factory with too long a handlebar stem. Having too long a reach bows my back and that is a guarantee of back pain and discomfort on long rides. My usual fix is to go a shorter handlebar stem, but that can sometimes change the handling and not always for the good.

Along came my Trek WSD Domane 56cm and, for the first time in my life, a bike that fits with no modifications, other than adjusting seat height. can't say exactly why, but it fits like the bike was made just for me. The Domane is also what we call an endurance class road bike, with a long wheelbase and relaxed geometry. It really is a bike I can ride all day. The Domane will be out of your price range, new, but you might be able to find a used one.

But gals come in all sizes and proportions, so the right men's bike may actually be a better fit in many cases. How to know what's right for you? Spend some time with a pro that really knows about bike fit, specifically a pro that knows proper fit with road bikes. Find a pro shop and ask for the resident "roadie". Most bikes shops have pros that are either roadies or mountain bike gurus. Since fit on a road bike can be so subtle, taking to someone who lives and breathes road bikes is a big plus. They'll also have better advice on accessories and so on.

You touched on one of the biggies for bicycling health and efficiency, namely, proper seat height. Be religious about it. I often tweak the height on all day rides, as needed. Always carry a wrench and mark that seat post. Sometimes a half inch can make all the difference. Too low a height and you risk blowing out your knees and having back problems. Too high, and you lose power and put too much strain on your feet.

As for components, there was a time when I would settle for nothing under 105, but the new Tiagra is probably as good as the 105 group back in the old days. Should last you a long time. Anything less and you start to see issues with shifting and durability. The good news is there should be some Tiagra equipped bikes in your price range. Yes, you can switch out to a higher level group set, down the road, but that costs big bucks. You're dollars ahead to get something decent when you buy the bike.

In your price range, you can get any material you want in a bike frame as long as it is aluminum. That's not at all a bad thing. I did my share of centuries on aluminum bikes. Also agree that Giant gets you a lot of bike for the money.

Hope this helps.

And, welcome to the forum.

[Minx]

Thanks, NW Gal! I am also from Wisconsin, originally northern but live in the southern half now - Trek rules our town! I did some more testing tonight. First I went to the Trek store and tried out a 56 cm Lexa C. It might be my favorite bike I've tried so far, maybe even more than the Ruby, but the person I was working with felt that I needed a 58 (and therefore, a men's, since they don't go up past 56). I didn't get to try a men's equivalent because they had to put one together in a 58, but they'll call when it's ready, by Monday at the latest. I did not feel that the Lexa was too small for me at all, but that may be because I felt less cramped than I did on the Dolce. Honestly, it felt great to me...but I don't want to end up with a bike that's too small for me. The guy at Trek didn't really do much in the way of measuring me, so I may also try a Lexa again and get a second opinion. Nice young guy, but seemed a little disbelieving that I really wanted a road bike with drop handlebars. He seemed fairly new.

Right after that, I was very close to the shop where they sell Specialized, so I stopped in, because I wanted to try the Dolce again immediately after the Lexa, and sure enough, the fit was cramped as I remembered, even with the seat properly adjusted. I explained what was going on with the "cramped feeling" and the guy went back to the computer to look at all my measurements and said that he felt I had the right size, but that a men's might give me a little more room. I tried the Diverge in a 58. It felt good to stretch a bit, but it also felt big and a little unwieldy. The handlebars were really wide and I think that would bug me between the shoulder blades pretty quickly. Still was happiest on the too-small Lexa and on the Ruby.

The Secteur has been discontinued, but I could order one from another location in a 58 for 799. Supposedly the Secteur is much like the Ruby/Roubaix? Otherwise, not too many options in my price range from Specialized. I do like this shop a lot, so I'm not ruling out ordering a Secteur (which would ship free to the store and is returnable).

Anyway, lots more bikes to test and more shops to visit this weekend! I would love to find a bike in the next few days, but I won't buy until I'm sure.

[Minx]

Any of the components will be fine. Everyone always says buy the best you can afford. Definitely avoid over-spending. It's too bad they don't have a rim-brake Tiagra model. That would be a better price. You might try to find a model with Tiagra within budget. Maybe one on sale. (I always find the bike I want, for the price I want. So far, always discounted). But, again, entry level components exist for a reason. There is no problem with them at all.

Another possibility to try is the Jamis Ventura.

http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/venturacomp.html

That is a lovely bike! Unfortunately, the nearest shop where they sell it is over an hour away. Depending on how this weekend goes, maybe I'll have to travel!

[north woods gal]

Whew! 58cm? I have a long 32" inseam and that size frame would give me some serious stand over issues, as in pull my foot off the pedal and drop it to the ground in a quick stop. Try it and see, though. Only way to know for sure.

Yeah, I'm something of a Trekie, too, though not even close to exclusively so. Have had so many good bikes from other brands that I'd never go Trek, only. Still, three out of our six bikes are Treks.

Yes, Sora will get you through the summer. In fact, just about any group will. The problem comes down the road when you want something better (usually after you've ridden something better ) or the cheap group gives out. Then it gets VERY expensive to change out to higher components. (Ask me how I know.) It's always more cost effective to buy good components when you buy the bike, rather than upgrade, later. You don't have to get crazy and buy the best. After a point, you are paying for smoother and faster shifting, but not necessarily better reliability. As I said, a good midline group like Tiagra will keep you rolling for a long, long time and get you decent shifting.

Now, I apologize if I sound like a component snob. I don't mean to be. For sure, not everyone needs to spend the money on good components. Those of us who ride a lot, though, know the difference. Then, too, a bicycle has been my sole means of transportation at several times in my life, riding in all kinds of weather (even winter in the snow), so any breakdowns or failures were pretty big deals. I really couldn't afford to go cheap on my bikes at those times. That kind of experience has left it's mark on me, so please don't anyone be offended about me being a bit picky on this issue. I promise not to be pushy about it, okay? Again, the last thing I want is to offend, anyone.

[Minx]

NW gal, no offense here . I am the first person to admit that I care more about color than components - and that maybe that isn't the smartest way to buy a bike!
My standing inseam is 33.5 or 34 inches without shoes.

I just got back from testing a couple of more bikes this morning - would have liked to test more but the rain and wind were getting to me. I was dressed for the cool weather, but not the rain. Besides getting wet, it was a good day to test because I had the wind at my back one way and was riding straight into the rain and wind on the way back.

So, this was a third shop where both my partner and I have got bikes, parts and repairs before. Worked with a very low key and helpful sales guy we remembered working with and liking in the past, and he was quite convinced I needed a 58 as well. Sad that the Lexa is ruled out for me, but I trusted this guy who took the time to measure me and look at how I sat on the bikes more carefully, so now at least I know. I tried two men's bikes in 58:

1. A previous year's model Felt Z85 with upgraded components to 105, on sale for 1299, said he could go down to 1200. Gray and white with some red.
2. Trek 1.2, not on sale for 969. (They also had a 1.1, but I'm not that fond of red, which is the only color the current 1.1 model comes in, apparently, so I opted to try 1.2 in black with orange). Sora components.

One additional development is that I have a big birthday coming up later this year, and so my partner has given me the green light to spend a little more since we've decided this bike will be my present. . I still don't want to overbuy for my first bike, though, as Muirenn advised. I'm still thinking 1200-1300 as the upper limit, but that means the Felt is an option, as is the Giant with disc brakes if I can find one to try.

First off, I liked both of these bikes much more than the Specialized Diverge, and I think they were both a great fit. I rode the Felt first, and really liked it, though I noticed I was already feeling the need to change my position on the handlebars a lot to get comfy on my 10 minute ride. Shifting and breaking were both great, even in the rain. Then I rode the Trek, and I didn't really notice too much loss of quality with the Sora components, though I didn't get a chance to try hills. Breaking was a little less smooth in the rain, but nothing I was worried about. But I felt even more comfortable on the Trek then I did on the Felt. The sales guy said that he thought they should be very similar, but that the head tube on the Trek is angled slightly differently so that might account for some of the difference for me. My understanding is that the Felt is a pretty good deal, no? I am going to try them both again when I am not battling wind and rain and can take a longer spin.

Neither of these bikes is exactly my ideal looks wise. I won't let that stop me from a purchase, but I don't care much for black or red. I love grey, navy, almost any shade of blue or purple, and white.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far! I hope everyone is having drier weather than me and out doing some riding!

[Minx]

Man, Muirenn, you are all leg! I'll be a gorilla with you. Instead of Gorillas in the Mist, we can be Gorillas from the Midwest. It's really nice to get advice from another woman with a long inseam. I'm not sure about my own femur length, but what is seat post offset?

What you said about the Diverge makes sense. It just felt off, so that one is off my list for sure. Maybe that's why the handlebars seemed so big and clumsy to me, even though they were the same size as other 58s I've tried?

I would say, so far, my top choice fit is the Trek 1.2 in a 58, but the Felt Z85 in a 58 is very close - close enough that I would definitely them both again before choosing between the two. I also thought the Specialized Ruby in a 57 felt good, but again, I'd need to try it again.

Besides trying out Cannondale and Giant, I'm also wondering if I should try a Trek Domane 2.0, now that I've expanded my budget a bit. I like the way it looks - grey with some colorful detailing, but it also sounds like it has potential.

Thank you!

[ny biker]

I'm sorry I haven't had time to read this thread in detail. Apologies if this is off-point or reiterating points already made. But I noticed something about a problem with handlebars being too wide on one bike -- you could replace them with something narrower if you end up with a bike that's perfect except for the bars.

I went from a men's Trek 2000 to a WSD Madone in the same frame size but the difference in fit and comfort was huge for me. Different bikes, and certainly not the same geometry for men's and women's. I had the shortest possible stem on the Trek 2000 and the reach was still too long. Also the handlebars were too big to ride in the drops. And I always thought I had long arms -- many long sleeved shirts are too too short for me. With the WSD Madone and the compact handlebars that came with it, I have been way more comfortable. After a few years I got a narrower version of the same handlebar to address some shoulder and neck problems.

The thing is that the Trek 2000 was my first road bike, I had a fitting done before buying it, and I thought it was okay. Until years later I was having a new saddle fitting for it, and the guy doing the fitting pointed out that my shoulders were hunched because the reach was too long. I didn't really understand what he was saying until I tried the WSD Madone. He let me take it for a long test ride because I was concerned about the gearing; after about 10 minutes I understood his point about the reach on the old bike.

So I guess my point is to try to pay attention to your shoulders, neck and arms while you are test riding. With your hands on the hoods, your elbows should be a bit bent. You should be able to ride with your neck and relaxed, not hunched up. Also try riding in the drops -- you should feel comfortable and able to reach and work the brake/shift levers easily.

Re: aluminum frames, my first bike was aluminum and I rode several centuries and many other 60-80 mile rides on it. It was fine and I would still be riding it if the fit had been better.

Good luck!

[Minx]

Thanks for being so generous with input and suggestions! You know, I always thought my town was pretty lousy with bike shops - but it's surprising how few models and/or brands are available. Even my REI has pretty much zero selection. It's total Trek take-over . So, no CAAD for me unless I travel pretty far.

But this week I tried a Trek domane 2.0 (the base model) and it was okay, not much different from the Trek 1.2 I tried in my opinion. I just can't shake the feeling that these men's 58s I've been trying are just a bit big too big - long reach, and I feel like I'm borrowing a bike from someone who is a little bigger than me. I appreciated the input about too long-reach, NY biker, because I think I've been experiencing some of that. I would say that the Trek 1.2 is the one I felt most at home on of all of the men's bikes - definitely the best fit for me. The Felt definitely felt like a great quality bike, but not quite right, at least as is.

So, went back to Specialized. I realized that on at least one of the occasions, I tried a women's 54 Dolce instead of 57, which would certainly account for the cramped feeling. I took a longer test ride on both the Ruby and the Dolce, about 20 minutes each. I felt at home on both, especially getting on and off the bikes and making sharp turns. (I didn't mention this before, but in some of my test rides with the men's bikes, I was nervous about turning on them and so I actually stopped the bike and got down, turned, and climbed back on. I was embarrassed and thought it was my nervousness as a new road bike rider, but now I also think it is at least partly the fit.)

So now I am leaning towards the Dolce I love the smoother ride of the Ruby, but I am thinking I might like to go base model or sport model Dolce at first and then wait a year and see if the Ruby is still my dream bike, or if my ideal bike is something else entirely, like a men's with some adjustments, such as new handlebars.

[north woods gal]

NW gal, no offense here . I am the first person to admit that I care more about color than components - and that maybe that isn't the smartest way to buy a bike!
My standing inseam is 33.5 or 34 inches without shoes.

I just got back from testing a couple of more bikes this morning - would have liked to test more but the rain and wind were getting to me. I was dressed for the cool weather, but not the rain. Besides getting wet, it was a good day to test because I had the wind at my back one way and was riding straight into the rain and wind on the way back.

So, this was a third shop where both my partner and I have got bikes, parts and repairs before. Worked with a very low key and helpful sales guy we remembered working with and liking in the past, and he was quite convinced I needed a 58 as well. Sad that the Lexa is ruled out for me, but I trusted this guy who took the time to measure me and look at how I sat on the bikes more carefully, so now at least I know. I tried two men's bikes in 58:

1. A previous year's model Felt Z85 with upgraded components to 105, on sale for 1299, said he could go down to 1200. Gray and white with some red.
2. Trek 1.2, not on sale for 969. (They also had a 1.1, but I'm not that fond of red, which is the only color the current 1.1 model comes in, apparently, so I opted to try 1.2 in black with orange). Sora components.

One additional development is that I have a big birthday coming up later this year, and so my partner has given me the green light to spend a little more since we've decided this bike will be my present. . I still don't want to overbuy for my first bike, though, as Muirenn advised. I'm still thinking 1200-1300 as the upper limit, but that means the Felt is an option, as is the Giant with disc brakes if I can find one to try.

First off, I liked both of these bikes much more than the Specialized Diverge, and I think they were both a great fit. I rode the Felt first, and really liked it, though I noticed I was already feeling the need to change my position on the handlebars a lot to get comfy on my 10 minute ride. Shifting and breaking were both great, even in the rain. Then I rode the Trek, and I didn't really notice too much loss of quality with the Sora components, though I didn't get a chance to try hills. Breaking was a little less smooth in the rain, but nothing I was worried about. But I felt even more comfortable on the Trek then I did on the Felt. The sales guy said that he thought they should be very similar, but that the head tube on the Trek is angled slightly differently so that might account for some of the difference for me. My understanding is that the Felt is a pretty good deal, no? I am going to try them both again when I am not battling wind and rain and can take a longer spin.

Neither of these bikes is exactly my ideal looks wise. I won't let that stop me from a purchase, but I don't care much for black or red. I love grey, navy, almost any shade of blue or purple, and white.

Thanks for reading if you made it this far! I hope everyone is having drier weather than me and out doing some riding!

The Felt is a pretty good deal, yes. I've owned a Felt and loved it. Going with a previous year model is a great way to save money on a new bike.

Keep in mind that comfort is a relative thing and that you have a lot of options on any given bike to make it more so - changing the angle of the handlebars, the placement of the brake/shifter levers, the seat position and tilt, changing stem length and a lot more. Talk to your bike guy and see what he recommends. Might be worth going back for another test ride on those bikes. At this stage, your comfort is all important. Think of all the hours you'll need to log on your bike to complete that century.

The bike market is so darn competitive, that as long as you start with a decent frame for your use, it's all a matter of what is bolted on to the frame after that. Don't get hung up on brand labels. Finding a good bike shop that will back up whatever brand they sell is probably more important. Sounds like you found one.

With that inseam, yup, have to say, a 58 is probably what you need. Your bike shop guy is on his toes.

The big difference between Sora and 105 is durability. The only thing on a 105 bike that will outlast 105 components is the frame and, possibly, the wheels. It's the real workhorse of the Shimano line (and these days, probably Tiagra, too). Anything above that just gets you smoother, lighter and, yeah, some snob appeal.

I'm fussy about color, too, but there are times when flashy and pretty can work against you - as when you live in area with a lot of bike theft, then it's helpful to go with a color that doesn't attract an audience, if you know what I mean. Drab colors, especially matte gray won't show dirt and grime as much as a glossy bright color and are usually easier to keep clean. Okay, there's me being practical. The truth is, I've been known to pass on a bike because I hated the color. Has to be a color I can at least live with. Funny thing about color, too. It's what I remember, first, on all the bikes I had years, ago.

[Minx]

All the additional input is appreciated, thank you! Yes, NW Gal, you are right, I will need to put in a lot of time on that bike!

I got to try a two more today at another shop - no Raleigh Merit, unfortunately, because that is a nice looking bike, Muirenn, but I tried a Raleigh Revenio which was a little awkward in a 58. Then I tried the Fuji Sportive 1.3 with disc brakes for 899. I tried a 58 first but that one wasn't ideal - the 56 was a better fit for me in that model. Not a bad bike at all, but did not ride as smoothly as some I've tried, and it took me forever to slow down. It had Tiagra components, but I just didn't feel like the quality was there in comparison to some of the others I've tried.

They had Jamis there - gorgeous looking bikes, didn't even know I could find Jamis around here...beautiful. Not anything close to my size, sadly.

Around here, we have Erik's, a Trek Store, and then all the other LBSs in town are pretty much under the same ownership though they all carry different bikes. So the Fuji place sent me to one of the sister shops to try a Cannondale Synapse. I was surprised - I found it to be a little racier than I expected. On sale, 899 for Sora. I had a tough time maneuvering the handlebars - I'm thinking that I am going to find the handlebars that come with a 58 especially awkward if the the geometry is racier, maybe? It was similar to the issue I had on the Specialized Diverge. I did not seem to have that problem at all with the either Felt Z85 and Trek 1.2 in size 58, and I think they all had the same width.

At this point, my top choices are:

Trek 1.2 - Sora components, really like the fit a lot. Not my favorite color, black, but I could probably live with it. There is something about the frame of a Trek that seems to work well for me. 969. I imagine I would probably like the 1.1 just fine, too, if it weren't red. (I hope I am not offending anyone who likes red and red bikes!).
Specialized Ruby - my favorite fit, but much more than I want to spend at 1800+ unless I can find a previous year's model, and then would probably still be more than I want to spend. I am going to try to test it again tomorrow and give the Dolce another chance as well. Both bikes fit me in a 57.
Felt Z85 - 105 components, really nice quality feeling bike, not sure I love it, wish it was in a different color scheme if I am going to spring for it, black with red and white. 1200. I think they have the current model in silver and black for 1399, which is a little better.

Honestly, I think the next step is to take longer rides on these. When you were buying your first bike, how did you know it was the one?

[north woods gal]

"When you were buying your first bike, how did you know it was the one?"

Minx, that's hard to put into perspective, since experience is such a big factor in the way we evaluate bike fit and performance. That, and the fact that the bike world has changed so much since my first road bike. For instance, when I got my first road bike, all bikes were essentially road bikes or comfort bikes. Instead of calling them road bikes, we usually just called them 10 speeds. Shows how old I am.

I can be intensely analytical when I need to be, but I'm basically the "if it doesn't feel right, forget it" type at heart. At this point, my advice is to pick the one you like as a friend, because that's what it's going to be. Odds are very good, anyway, that you will move on to other bikes in the future and with that experience, you'll be in a much better position to know what is and isn't right for you. Any of those bikes you've mentioned and others have suggested will do a nice job as a first road bike. All of them are a gazillion times better than the best road bike of the day when I got my first.