components - I'm confused

[bcipam]

I realize one of the price points on bikes are components but if you can swing it - get full Ultegra (at least). You will never have to upgrade if you do. It works well and is very reliable. Then when you have some money - buy good wheels and you are set!

Note new Ultegra is 10 speed. Talk about smooooooth shifting! It's pretty close to the Dura Ace 9 speed in performance.

[annie]

Don't go with Sora! Seriously, if you can afford better, you will want to do so. Tiagra is acceptable. 105 is VERY acceptable and dependable and may be the best compromise between cost and performance. Ultegra is awesome and Dura Ace is exceptional!!! MOST of us do not need Dura-Ace (tho' we may covet it.) When price is a factor, get the best you can possibly afford. 105 will hold up smoothly for many, many miles. I had 105 components for over 30,000 miles, without changing anything but the chain and brake pads. Finally got a new bike and moved up to Ultegra. Could I tell the difference? I have to say, yes. Was it a HUGE difference? No. Noticeable, yes, because I ride so much that I am very sensitive to my ride. I can only imagine what Dura-Ace would be like. (Insert drool smilie here.) Point being, we make compromises between what we desire and what we can afford. Good luck in your choices.

annie

[btchance]

Thanks for your help. I went and rode some more bikes today, and you're right, Sora is not what I want. The configuration of the shifters just did not get along with me and my small hands. I liked the Lemond Reno I rode, which was Tiagra, but the 49 is a little too big for me and looking on their website, I don't think they go any smaller. The Trek 1500 that I rode had 105 Ultregra, which was the same as the Fuji Finest 1.0 that I rode the other day. The Trek was a 47, the Fuji a 44. They were both a little out of my price range, but I think I can swing it. I'm going to go back and ride both again, for a little longer this time. I think the main reason why I'm preferring these is that they were actually small enough and I didn't feel stretched out on them (although the 44 might have been a tad bit small). Thanks!

[bcipam]

Not certain where you live, but alot of Trek stores here have a one year pay policy so you may be able to buy alittle more bike than expected. Worth looking into.

[bike4ever]

Lemond's WSD bikes (Reno & Versailles) come in the following sizes: 45cm, 49cm, & 53cm.

[Triskeliongirl]

Be careful, even 105 levers aren't made for small hands. Even if you went 105 see if you can get the special ultegra levers for small hands. If I were you and money were tight, I would consider going used to get full ultegra.

[Kathi]

Shimano levers do not feel comfortable for my small hands, period. They are too wide across the hoods. The only thing Shimano does for small hands is to use a shim to shorten the reach to the brake lever from the drop. Unfortunately, most companies are putting Shimano on their bikes.

I use Campy with Modolo Venus handlebars. The bars are designed to shorten the reach from the lever to the bar. They come as small as 34 cm.

The 3T Eva is another bar that is designed to shorten the reach.