46 yo and thinking about this bike

[cmantelope]

Hi folks..........

I am soon to be 46 and haven't bought a bike since 1991

Want to get into cycling again (last time was mountain biking, mostly just on dirt trails/pavement) - my brother n law loves road biking, and has been begging me to ride with him........

So, I am 5'4" - and am thinking about this bike:
http://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes...ies-3-0-womens

Went to two different bike shops, one higher end than the other....tried Raleigh carbon frame, and alum frame....both price points a little high for me....then went to another shop and tried the GT - good fit it seemed...and more affordable, although not as cheap as the Trex Lexa (haven't tried yet) or Felt entry level (also haven't tried)

I will mostly just be riding 1 - 2 days per week....on a paved bike trail...some hills...if anyone has any experience with GT Series 3 bikes....or any other thoughts, would love to hear them.

Thanks, this forum has been very helpful

[TigerMom]

I would hate to give you more options. But Cannondale's CAAD and Specialized Dolce might be in your price range also
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[Roadtrip]

I don't have much to add outside of figure out your budget, ride a bunch of bikes in that range (and a few outside your range-- so you can feel the difference in components mostly-- compare), and get a good fitting.

I went in thinking I'd buy a Lexa or Dolce, but ended up with a Ruby which I thought was WAY out of my range. I enjoyed the upgraded 105 shifters/brakes so much compaired to the Tiagra the dolce came with. After the test ride I reevaluated and came to the decision to plunge all in with the Ruby.

Remember if you outgrow your bike (which I've done-- twice) you'll likely only get 40-50% of that back by selling the used bike. With what I've lost in bikes I could have bought a Madone/Ruby right off the bat.

Good luck and please know that new bike "adoptions" must be announced here with pictures (with you AND the bike preferred) so all the gals staring thru the nursery windows can see/drool.

Shannon

[Koronin]

I went in thinking I'd be getting either a Trek Madone or Specialized Ameria and ended up buying a Felt F-5, which I love. The F series does not have a WSD version only the Z series does, but the F series fit me so much better.

[jyyanks]

I went in thinking I would buy a hybrid Specialized Vita or Trek 7.2 and ended up with a Specialized Ruby which I don't regret at all. I may not be a great rider and I don't ride as much as I should/want to but I truly love my bike which is what motivates me to ride.

Bottom line is not to peg yourself in a hole. Try out different bikes until you find one that truly fits and feels like an extension of yourself. You may end up spending more that you thought, but it will be worth it!

[Trek420]

Close to your price point and a good value I think:

http://www.konaworld.com/womens.cfm?content=kali

http://www.bianchiusa.com/bikes/road...ne-7-dama-105/

http://jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/r...litecompf.html

probably a little higher price but worth it:

http://surlybikes.com/bikes/pacer

[cmantelope]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone! Definitely need to try more bikes before I decide....

[rivergal]

Felt entry level (ZW100 at the time) was my first "adult" bike that wasn't a hand-me-down from my brothers. Felts for me had a good ride and you get a nice bike for the price. I'd suggest the ZW95 or if your budget can handle it, the ZW75 (with SRAM Apex). Also consider the Cannondale Synapse Aluminum Tiagra ($1,280).

Lots of great suggestions by the other posters, too. The Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Dama 105 is incredibly sweet. *drooling on keyboard*

Sounds like you have some fun test riding to do this weekend!

[kajero]

This is way off beat . . .but if you have to lift the bike up on a car trunk rack make sure the bike isn't too heavy for you to do it. I was able to use that excuse to buy a new bike!

[cmantelope]

So of the 4 bike shops I have been to....

Only one really tried to see what my needs/price point are ... and was perfectly honest about their "house brand" - and they happen to be the only shop who let me take off on a floor model without even suggesting I give them my id or car keys

Went into a store today.....looked around, very obviously taking notes on my iphone....walking back and forth to make sure I didn't miss any bikes in my size.... I was never greeted by the cashier who had no customers, or any of the guys in the back, although I was clearly seen by at least two of them.... I was totally dressed for a bike ride.. I finally walked out, disappointed that there was really only 1 bike close to my size, and that no one there seemed interested in helping me at all

2nd store I went to today, specifically to see Felt bikes..... one young man tried to help me, but that store had absolutely nothing on display close to my size.... he let me ride a Felt, not the womens model ...even watched me ride (after asking for my car keys) - and said it really didn't look like it fit, and that he wouldn't have anything for a few weeks

I live in the Sacramento Ca area....fairly large city, with lots of shops....so frustrating not to be able to find womens road bikes on display, much less be taken seriously.... I have been reading here and other places to be as informed as possible when at the bike shops...

Looks like the place I tried the GT will get my business, if not that bike than another, simply based on their service....and price points of course

[rivergal]

Don't feel unique in your experience with LBS sales "technique" - I've been to a few in our area that are the same way. I can't imagine that business is so good. What I think is that if the shop owner isn't there, what you often get is a young male bike enthusiast that isn't really interested in selling...more interested in hanging around and talking bikes with their buds. Also I wonder if they're just not comfortable talking to us older ladies.

At our local Felt shop both owners are there 90% of the time, and they are motivated to make sales, so the customer service is good. The local LBS chain (Dave's Cycle World) I think trains their people to actually wait on customers. The Cannondale dealer is so so - sometimes I get good service, sometimes I swear I'm wearing my invisibility suit.

Finding a good LBS is almost as important as the bike, imo. Since I bought my bike from a shop in Washtington State, I'm not tied to a LBS to get "free maintenance for life" stuff. So even tho I have a Cannondale, I will likely take my bike elsewhere because of the spotty service.

The GT looks sweet. Be sure to post pics when you have her in your stable.

[jyyanks]

I know it frustrating and I'm sorry you had such a bad experience in 3 out of the 4 bike shops you visited. At the end of the day, the shop you choose is just as important if not more important than the actual bike! Therefore, if you feel comfortable with LBS #1, buy a bike that fits from them.

There are a bunch of bike stores in the Sacramento area, I'm sure people here can recommend other places to try if you want to see what other options are out there. Good Luck!

[MGM]

Hi folks..........

I am soon to be 46 and haven't bought a bike since 1991

Want to get into cycling again (last time was mountain biking, mostly just on dirt trails/pavement) - my brother n law loves road biking, and has been begging me to ride with him........

So, I am 5'4" - and am thinking about this bike:
http://www.gtbicycles.com/2012/bikes...ies-3-0-womens

Went to two different bike shops, one higher end than the other....tried Raleigh carbon frame, and alum frame....both price points a little high for me....then went to another shop and tried the GT - good fit it seemed...and more affordable, although not as cheap as the Trex Lexa (haven't tried yet) or Felt entry level (also haven't tried)

I will mostly just be riding 1 - 2 days per week....on a paved bike trail...some hills...if anyone has any experience with GT Series 3 bikes....or any other thoughts, would love to hear them.

Congrats on the return to cycling! I got back in at the age of 55 , two years ago. I've actually shopped for and bought 3 bikes since then. I tried a GT hybrid when I was looking for my first bike. I liked the ride, but the components were really cheesy for the price, and it didn't feel like quality. This made me leery of GT bikes in general. But the ride was nice. The GT road bike you're looking at has Tiagra components, which are not bad and probably what you will find on road bikes in this price range.

Other suggestions in your price range - the Specialized Dolce, Trek Lexa, Cannondale Synapse (aluminum) Felt (great bikes, cheaper prices!), Bianchi, Orbea Aqua (may be a little higher in price).

The quality of the shop you buy from is pretty important, imo. You want to be assured that your bike is assembled correctly, with no issues, and that you're fitted properly. When you go into a shop don't be afraid to assert yourself and ask for help! They get many browsers, so may not come up to you unless you let them know you need assistance. It's quite common for them to ask for car keys or a license to take their bikes for a ride, I don't mind as long as I CAN take the bike for a ride!

Concerning sizing, are you sure of the size you need? Not all brands size their frames the same. You could need a 50 cm in one, a 52 in another, and a 49 in a third. The shops often have other sizes "downstairs" or "upstairs" or wherever else they assemble their bikes. Or perhaps they have the bike you're interested in unassembled. So again, it pays to ask for help. I would try a bike a size larger or smaller if that were all that they had, as long as I could ride it, just so I could get a feel for the model.

Don't be afraid to try men's or unisex versions, if it's in a size you can ride. Many women are more comfortable on a frame with male geometry, especially if their torsos are proportionally longer than their legs. Or you may like a particular men's bike a lot but need the women's geometry. The shop can usually order it for you if they don't have it. The only way you'll find out what you really like is by trying different things. Try a few over your price range, to see what the more expensive components or carbon frames feel like. You may decide to increase your bike-buying budget for a bike you love.

I started looking at road bikes last summer, in the same price range as you. I started with bikes in that range, and then started looking a little bit higher and into the carbon frames. My search continued this spring. That sweet looking Trek Lexa that I THOUGHT I was going to buy when I first started looking became a $3000 Specialized Ruby Comp this spring. I know I'm much happier with this bike that I love, it will last me many years, and I don't regret a penny of what it cost. But if I wasn't fortunate enough to be able to finally afford the bike I wanted, there were a few in the lower price range that I rode and liked, and would've liked riding better than the Lexa that first caught my eye.

The most important factor is that you are comfortable on the bike. And as we are all built differently we are comfortable on different brands' frames since their geometry is not the same. Next comes components - what level of components will your money get with brand xyz? What will a little more money get you? Can you notice the difference and does it matter to you?

All things to consider. Good luck on your search and don't give up yet!

[Koronin]

We've seen both good and bad customer service and it doesn't seem to matter the size of the store or the city. Our former LBS (a Trek store in Charlotte) is awesome. There are always several people there and make sure they greet you when you walk in. They will ask if they can help, but are never pushy about anything. There is a Trek dealer in downtown Raleigh (they also sell Felt) this that way, a Specialized dealer in Raleigh (near one of the small universities) like that and the large bike rental shop in Wilmington is like that along with our new LBS here in Jacksonville. The other LBS in Jacksonville, is OK, but they really seem intent on pushing Cannondales even if they so do not work for you. On the other hand there is different Trek dealer in Raleigh that wants to push something on you rather you even want it or not, a Specialized dealer in Fayetteville that pretty much ignores everyone and the same with the Specialized dealer in Wilmington. Then there is Preformance Bike (shops in both Raleigh and Cary) that are pretty good, although I swear when you actually want to talk to someone they are all busy helping other people. LOL, go figure.

[Grits]

I don't have a lot to add except don't let them asking you for id or car keys be a deterrent. They don't know you. You might have a scam going where you go to bike shops, ride the bike out of the parking lot and to a waiting truck.