Someone stole my Walmart bike - time for an upgrade!

[jetsetmeg]

I have been biking for the past 3 years as a means of getting from point a to point b on a college campus, all on a 24" wheel pink and purple Walmart bike (glamourous, I know).

Since the summer, I have been researching WSD road bikes and have started training for a 24 mile cycling race. This past weekend, someone saw fit to make off with my Walmart bike, leaving me without wheels.

After visiting several LBS, I have been told I'm small (5'3", 108 lbs - no surprise there), and will need anywhere from a 47 to 49 cm size road bike. I have been recommended different bikes at each of the different shops, and wondered if anyone had an opinion on what a better entry level bike would be.

I'm looking to spend under $900, unless it would prove terribly beneficial to go up to around $1,400, which is my absolute ceiling. I don't plan on doing triathlons or anything extreme.

Bikes that have been recommended include:

- Specialized Dolce
- Specialized Allez
- Giant Avail 3
- Giant OCR
- Felt ZW40

Any advice, opinions, or input are appreciated. Thank you!!

[Owlie]

Sorry about your old bike.

I have the Avail 3. Love it. I know people tend to look down their noses at the Sora components, but I haven't had problems with it thus far. The OCR...are we talking OCR W or what? It's the Avail/Defy set of bikes, but before they were rebranded, so you'll be able to get more bike at a lower price (theoretically). Several people have the Avail 1 on here (which comes in at the very top of your price range) and like it.
Same frame, better components. If you get into it, you can upgrade components later, but it's cheaper to get what you want when you buy the bike than to upgrade later.

I know nothing about the others, so I'll leave it to more knowledgeable people to comment.

[Yelsel]

Jamis Satellite Femme

Bianchi Brava

Raleigh Clubman Bike

Best deal: Novara Carema Pro -- aluminum with carbon steatstays and fork, Shimano 105 drivetrain.

[jetsetmeg]

Thank you very much!

Is anyone familiar with Trek's 2.1 or 1.5 WSD?

[callmej]

I recently bought the giant avail 1 2009 model and absolutely love it. It has the 105 component grouping and was a couple of hundred dollars less than retail given it is end of season. It would fall nicely between your low end and hi end budget. However, it comes with clipless pedals, so you need to purchase your shoes and cleats.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

If you are still going to be riding your new bike on campus, just remember the more expensive it is, the likely it will be stolen. Campus bike thieves are sophisticated, efficient, savvy, quick as a wink, and have great cable and bolt cutting equipment. If for campus use, I would suggest you ride a piece of junk and even then put a good lock on it or kiss it goodbye.

[buddha_bellies]

If you are still going to be riding your new bike on campus, just remember the more expensive it is, the likely it will be stolen. Campus bike thieves are sophisticated, efficient, savvy, quick as a wink, and have great cable and bolt cutting equipment. If for campus use, I would suggest you ride a piece of junk and even then put a good lock on it or kiss it goodbye.

I agree. My co-worker once left her bike outside of the store for a shift and it was gone FAST! And this is in a high pedestrain traffic area, in the middle of the day. I ride a piece of junk if I know I need to park my bike outside for grocery or to the library. Save the nice bike when you know you can leave it inside with you. Good luck!

[RolliePollie]

Thank you very much!

Is anyone familiar with Trek's 2.1 or 1.5 WSD?

No experience with those exact Trek bikes, but I started out on a Trek 1000 WSD (which is comparable to the 1.2 I think) and I loved it. I put over 5K miles on it and everything was still working great (but I got the itch to upgrade, so now I'm riding a Trek Madone 4.7 WSD). Anyway, one of my co-workers recently purchased a 2.1 and she's absolutely thrilled with it. Trek makes a great bike and I think you get pretty good value for your money.