components - I'm confused

[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.

[Quillfred]

FWIW my first bike after a long break was a WSD 1500 Trek. I looked long and hard and decided it was a great bike for the $ with a compatible mix of components (105 + Ultegra). I bought it end season for about 1K.

105s were recommended to me as well for the price/performance issue. Test lots of bikes before you decide.

[btchance]

I went back and rode the 47cm Trek 1500 today. It handled great, shifted fine. However, the levers were still too big for me. It didn't bother me as long as I was on the hoods, but once I went into the drops I could only reach with one finger, barely. The guy at the store said they could be adjusted some, but not by very much. The other issue I had was that I think it was still too big. Almost immediately the palms of my hands were sore (and I had gloves on), and after 5-10min my upper arms to elbows felt sore. I'm guessing this means that it's still too big. However, the next size down is a 43cm, which they think will be too small (I'm 5'2"), with the seat tube extended to its max. Of course, after going to all the bikes in this town, there is a total of 1 bike smaller than that, which was the 44 Fuji. I only rode it for a few minutes, but that one felt fine (although it was only the 2nd one I rode). I'm going out of town for Sun-Mon and called the bike stores there and found the 43cm Trek, 45cm Reno, and XS - XXXS in the Giants, so I guess I get to add test driving to my trip!

[veloputt]

Was the Trek 1500 fitted with Shimano, or Campagnolo? I'm 5'4" and Campy are way too big for me. I've been comfortable with Shimano, and the 105s are a bit smaller than the 600s--but rarely do I ever ride in the drops, mostly top of the bar or the hoods--if you do, consider aero bars instead?... so not sure if there's anything else to help you as there's just not much to be done about the distance between the bar and the lever... frame size is irrelevant. Though I thought I've seen a bar from Terry or someplace with a special bend in it to reduce the distance between the drop to the shifter. Good luck hunting!

[dachshund]

I don't know that the 43 will be too small. I'm just under 5'4 and I have a 44cm frame. I thought that was kind of small, but I don't bend at the waist really well, and anything larger made me feel stretched out.

But it sounds like you're on it! Ride lot of bikes.......