What kind of Road Bikes do you ride?

[FreshNewbie]

Welcome aboard Cheri! I know exactly how you feel and i am there with you in the same boat. My bf also tells me that I am just being picky about everything when it comes to cycling. Some guys actually do understand that women are different and some unfortunately don't! Don't let that ride a bike that is not your size and will hurt you in the end. I think you are on a right track with going to 4 lbs and comparing what they have, good job! I am 5'4" and just bought myself Specialized Dolce Vita 2005 model (48cm)Today was my first day riding her, and i loved it, but still need to play around with saddle positioning. I used to ride an old model of CyclePro regent ( men's bike) size 50cm and it was big for me but comfortable enough after playing with saddle and paddles to ride as my first road bike. I know a lot of shops will actually order a bike for you and then if you decide not to buy it they will leave it in the store for sale. Talk to the guys in the shop you went to maybe they will be willing to order something different for you. I know Giant makes good bikes and has a good reputation for women specific models, in fact many women on this forum own Giant ( i hope they will response). I know you live in NJ and if you have a car I think you should visit some other stores where you can test ride other bikes and other brands. The store might be far from your house, but then you can come to the one you like and already know what they can order for you ( i know its a little sneaky but whatever works for you to find the ONE). Wish you good luck, FN

[rivergrl]

I just bought a Giant OCR 1 with a small frame a few months ago and so far I really like it a lot. I liked it because I sat a little more upright than on say the WSD Orbea, that was just too stretched out and it felt uncomfortable no matter what he did to adjust. I went into my buying spree being all about that Orbea at first, I was encouraged to look at Trek and some others, but I really just felt the best on the OCR so I kept coming back to it and it happened to be cheaper anyway. I'm completely satisfied with what I bought.

Good luck!

[pikato]

I have a Giant OCR 3 in an XS that I love. LBS just had to make a few adjustments to my handlebars and I was good to go.

When I was looking, the Specialized dealer treated me the same way, showing me only the Specialized Dolce & telling me that it was the only womean specific bike made. I honestly don't know if he thought I was an idiot, or if he didn't think I was really interested in making a purchase. Either way he lost the sale.

Definitely don' let others talk you into something, do what feels right for you!

[Nanci]

I have the Trek 2005 2100 WSD. I love it. The bars/brakes etc. actually feel tiny to me compared to my MTB, but very natural. You can definitely tell it's a WSD setup.

Nanci

[GreenLady]

There are plenty of WSD bikes out there. Ok, maybe not "plenty", but many companies make them: Trek, Giant, Orbea, Cannondale... I'm 5'3" and ride a 49cm Airborne Wasp frame. Unfortunately, they don't make Airborne frames any more; they were great bikes.

Anyway, don't settle for a bike that doesn't fit you. You are spending lots of money on a bike and you want it to fit; if a bike store doesn't have bikes that fit you, have them order it, or move on.

And yes, the bike scene almost everywhere is male-saturated. Some males will be patronizing, or ignore you, or whatever. On the other hand, others will be very nice, precisely because you are a woman. Try to find the nice ones - they do exist!

[DrBee]

I have the Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD and love it! The geometry fits me just right and it's a super smooth ride.

Welcome to the forum! Head on over to the Getting to Know you thread and introduce yourself further.

Good luck finding the right bike. Try everything you can get your hands on! You'll be amazed at how different they feel. And make sure you get a good fit!

[cherinyc]

I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my posting. I am learning so much already. BTW - I have to say that it is because of my boyfriend's support that I even had the guts to get back on a bicycle after 15 years, so I probably didn't paint such a great picture of him. He is very loving and generous, but he comes from the old school of "no pain-no gain", so when I say something hurts, he's probably thinking it's just because I am not used to it.
Anyway, it's hard to not get frustrated, I just have to remember that he is fully supporting me in my cycling endeavors - in his own special way.
Just wanted to clear my conscience

[FreshNewbie]

Cheri, I didn't think you pained a bad picture about your SO and I didn't take it that way either. All i am saying is that some guys don't feel any discomfort on their bikes and they unintentionally tend to assume that women' should not either. My bf is also supportive and he was the one to get me into cycling, however when I tell him i need a 4th saddle he doesn't really understand my problem with the other three

[pikato]

BTW - I have to say that it is because of my boyfriend's support that I even had the guts to get back on a bicycle after 15 years, so I probably didn't paint such a great picture of him. He is very loving and generous, but he comes from the old school of "no pain-no gain", so when I say something hurts, he's probably thinking it's just because I am not used to it.
Anyway, it's hard to not get frustrated, I just have to remember that he is fully supporting me in my cycling endeavors - in his own special way.
Just wanted to clear my conscience

LOL, no problem. After I completed my first group ride this weekend, I came home & Kirk(my SO) told me "I like you as a cyclist, you're not a wimp anymore". It's those weird offhanded comments that make you proud, lol.

And I don't think anyone's bashing your boyfriend, as much as, annoyed the bike shop didn't give you better service.

[RoadRaven]

I'm going to add my voice to those saying how well the Giant TCR and OCR fit...
I have the Giant TCR in a small frame (I am 5'10") and it just felt right from the moment I went for my first ride.
I had to get a different seatpost and it is extended out as far as possible as I have long legs... but wow, do I relish hoping on that bike...

[Nanci]

Another thing- if you find a ibke you love, not at the shop you love, you can buy it and take it to the shop you love from then on. I bought my Trek on eBay because I have always found the owner of the local Trek shop to be rude- for years and years. So my bike goes to a Cannondale/Felt/etc. shop and they take perfect care of her.

Nanci

[hirakukibou]

I ride a Luna and I love it. The woman who made her does mostly custom work but you can get some prebuilt models (that's what I did). It fits me beautifully and is a wonderful ride. Check out her website www.lunacycles.com. Goood luck!

[rivergrl]

I don't know what it is but in my city (somewhat small city) there are two main bike shops conveient to me and I've noticed (along with a few other female friends) that the Trek/Specialized shop is just rude if you are NOT male. I went in to look/shop for a bike and was all but ignored, finally I got someone to help me and they were not interested in selling me a bike that's for sure. They pretty much just pointed out a pink bike and said "you might like that one." and pretty much walked off until I inquired about a specific bike, even then, he never showed any interest in answering my questions.

On the otherhand, I was never treated rudely by the Giant/Orbea crew as I call them. I went in a few times before deciding to take a test ride and every time I was very impressed by their knowledge of the bikes and their willingness to help. My sales guy also followed up with a very nice thank you card a couple of days after I bought my Giant. He has also called once and left a message asking me how I'm liking the new Giant.

[bcipam]

It's interesting you found the 2003 Lemond too rigid... which model did you try? The Zurich which for 2003 is a steel/carbon hybrid should be anything but rigid. I ride the 2002 Zurich, which is all steel, and find it to be a flexible ride.

I would suggest you stay away from Aluminum bikes if you don't want a rigid, harse ride. You need to consider carbon, Ti or steel. I wouldn't shy away from a steel bike. New steel bikes are very light weight and very comfortable to ride. Steel is also durable - just like Ti but only better!

AND and can't emphasize this enough and lord knows this forum is full of the same discussion but get a bike fitting before buying the bike. Standover is no indication of bike fit. There are so many other measurement even more improvement, reach being one. Every bike is different so you need to be sized on your bike of choice. If your legs are long but torso and arms short, you might be a candidate for a WSD model but do not assume just because you are a women WSD bikes are for you.

Good luck, take your time. Don't rush your decision. Be informed, research, research, research.

[cherinyc]

My first 2 experiences on a road bike were to test ride the 2003 Lemond Wmns Tourmalet, and the New Specialized Dolce Comp. The Comp has these Zirtz inserts that are for shock absorption - which is probably why it was smoother to ride. It's a more expensive bike as well, but- go figure - those were the only 2 women's bikes they had for me to compare, so probably not a fair comparison.
My bf actually rides a Lemond road bike with a steel frame, and says the steel makes for a smoother ride, so it's possible that the bike, since it was hanging around for 3 years, needed some adjusting.