Transitioning from hybrid to road/cyclocross

[Lady Hamilton]

Last weekend I actually went to a huge bike show. But I had two kids with me and it was pretty hard to really look (we mostly went to see BMX competitions).
I have tried Trek Silque S5 2017 (huge discount, because they they decided to call WSD 2018 bikes Domane). I actually almost bought the bike. I liked it a lot. But it does not have disk breaks and I am pretty set on having them, I think.

Both Specialized and Trek have amazing new WSD gravel bikes. Trek's is a 2019 model. I am not sure, though, that standover will work. The smallest they come in is larger than their respective endurance models. And if Specialized's 48 seems ok, I don't think Trek's 49 will work at all both in standover and reach.

Ladies, I have never really looked at Giant, but was pleasantly surprised how much more competitively priced Liv bikes are in comparison to Specialized and Trek. the difference in MSRP is almost $1000 between Trek Domane with disks and Liv Avail Advaced 2. Are Liv bikes any good?

[pinsonp2]

I had the same dilemma last season. I solved with retail therapy and purchased the 2017 Trek Silque SLR 6 (https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...omens/p/17197/) and a 2017 Specialized Dolce Comp EVO (https://www.specialized.com/us/en/do...p-evo/p/107209). I love them both. The Silque is the smoothest road bike I have owned (it was my third carbon one). The Comp EVO is a fairly smooth ride and much faster than I expected. However, the wheels on the Specialized (same with my Amira) were slow to spin up so I upgraded the wheels. I can keep up and on a good day even lead the ride with my roadie friends. Both bikes are great and very versatile. But for the mixed riding you do, the adventure/gravel bike would be my choice mostly because I am OCD about the Silque.

Hope you can find something you love. Remember, the search for the right bike is part of the fun.
Enjoy,
Penny

[Lady Hamilton]

Thank you for sharing.
I really liked Trek Silque S5 2017, and I can basically wheel it out today $1000 off MSRP.
But like you I'm OCD about my technology and I am sort of now afraid to buy carbon for the bike that is intended to be my one and only (I am giving my Vita elite to my daughter).
I primarily wanted carbon for the weight of the bike, but after spending some time looking at specs, the difference in Domane Al vs carbon is not even half a pound.
So, aluminium is back in the picture.
I am really hoping that Specialized Diverge WSD in 48 works. I really doubt Trek Checkpoint will because of the size. I now have to find a shop that has Diverge in size 48 on the floor to try. I have found the store with Trek Checkpoint in stock and I will be going there soon.

[north woods gal]

Giant bikes are good values. Giant is actually one of the industry's big frame makers, Their frames are used by other bike companies. That allows Giant to basically sell you a bike frame at a reduced cost on their complete bikes compared to other companies. As long as the bike has the specs you want, I wouldn't have any problem with Giant. Have owned a couple.

The actual frame weight between aluminum and steel is actually very small. It's mostly a matter of ride quality between the two. Carbon is smoother, but a well-designed aluminum frame can also make for a very nice ride and at a much nicer price. Trek makes some especially nice aluminum frames. Some of the best I've ridden.

P.S. Don't forget steel. It has a classic, wonderful feel all it's own. It's my first choice for long days on a bike or any kind of riding, for that matter. It's heavier, but that brings up another point. Don't get too hung up on overall bike weight. It's where the weight is on the bike that counts. Number one on a bike is the wheels.

Wheel sets often get overlooked when checking a model's specs, but that's a mistake. They really make a difference. Those higher end wheel sets on a top of the line bike are a big part of why those bikes are so expensive. 105 spec'd bikes usually have good durable wheel sets, but they're not the lightest, though they are usually very durable and durability is important, too, especially on a gravel bike.

[Lady Hamilton]

Thank you for the info on Giant.
So, I have actually seen Specialized Diverge WSD 2018. And in my size. 49 fit great, but here is the thing. They position it as their gravel bike. Well, this gravel bike has practically road tires, the same as my Specialized Vita... So, I really don't understand their marketing. I would basically have to buy another set of tires along with the bike, because there is no way this bike could go on any rough terrain. At this point I am better off buying Specialized Ruby (which I loved a lot!) with the same specs, much lighter weight, and practically identical tires, that cost much less and buy a set of grippier tires.
Thoughts?

[Lady Hamilton]

CX bikes are problematic for smaller riders because their bottom brackets are higher off the ground than road bikes. I suggest looking at a Salsa Vaya. You may not have any in your area, but it’s worth an overnight trip, if necessary, to get the right bike. It’s basically a gravel bike, and I know of women on this forum who were 4’11” and fit the size XS (which I think they called a size 50, because
They size by top tube rather than seat tube).

There are several models to choose. I’d personally go for Tiagra over Apex, but I had bad luck with SRAM on my road bike.

https://salsacycles.com/bikes/vaya/2018_vaya_tiagra

Also, Advocate Cycles is a company that donates profits to bike programs, and the steel is higher quality. The people who run it used to work for Salsa. The Lorax is similar to the Vaya. You can give them a call. They can put together any build you want.

http://advocatecycles.com/product/lorax/

Thank you for your suggestion on Salsa Bikes. There are dealers in the area and I will definitely check them out.

[Lady Hamilton]

Most of the trails around me are paved. Everything along the lake Ontario is practically paved. Unless you go mountain-biking. Some parts of trails are packed dirt. On my commute to work it's 90% paved bike lanes (not always ideal). I am starting to wonder if gravel bike is an overkill for where I cycle.
Salsa is a beautiful bike, Love the mint green. Is it really THAT heavy? 27 pounds (almost 13kg) is a very heavy bike for someone who barely weighs 100. Specialized Diverge is around 21 pounds in aluminum. I was hoping to stay under 20...
But I must say, that Vaya Claris in cream is swoooooon. And the geometry in 49,5 really makes it one of the tiniest adult bikes, very comparable to Specialized Ruby in reach and standover.