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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Posts
    1

    Help with new bike (and sizing)

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    I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

    I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

    A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2012
    Location
    Rowland Hts, CA
    Posts
    461
    Quote Originally Posted by colomama2012 View Post
    I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

    I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

    A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)
    I have had the Specialized Ariel because I wanted something for both road and trail but it sucked at both. The Specialized Ariel was too heavy for the road and had poor grip for trails.

    If you are city riding only, get the Specialized Vita NOT the Ariel. I haven't tried Trek Fx
    2014 Liv Lust
    2013 Specialized Fate Expert with carbon wheelset (sold)
    2012 Specialized Amira Elite
    2010 Santa Cruz Juliana with R kit and Crampon pedals (sold)

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

  3. #3
    Jolt is offline Dodging the potholes...
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Southern Maine
    Posts
    1,668
    Lots of people here seem to like the Jamis Coda, which is a flat-bar road bike and very reasonably priced. You might look at that too. Never ridden one myself, but I have heard only good reviews.
    2011 Surly LHT
    1995 Trek 830

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Concord, MA
    Posts
    13,394
    I had a Coda and one of my friends had a Vita. They both are great entry level flat bar road bikes. The Coda is cheaper, I believe.
    You won't go wrong with either.
    2015 Trek Silque SSL
    Specialized Oura

    2011 Guru Praemio
    Specialized Oura
    2017 Specialized Ariel Sport

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763
    Quote Originally Posted by colomama2012 View Post
    A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)
    That sounds too large for you. I don't know anything about that particular bike, but my DH is 5'10" and rides a 54 cm road bike and a medium (17") MTB. If it's unisex or men's, a large is definitely too big for a medium-sized woman. Even if it's a women's bike, I still think you would probably take a medium. I used to ride with a friend who rode a hybrid and took a unisex medium (and it fit her well) -- she was 5'9"! Of course, test riding is always preferable. And even if you do have to drive a ways to do so, it's better to try it and walk away if it's not right than talk yourself into it just because you went a long way for it.
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Columbia River Gorge
    Posts
    3,565
    I would say that this style of bike would be a very good choice.

    You and I are approximately the same height and I would likely ride the large, but I have a long torso relative to my legs so I can tolerate a longer top tube. So it may be a smidge long for you if you have more of your height in your legs. I would say that it's close enough to warrant going out to see it, if you feel like the deal is that good.

    Make sure to note stem length, either before you go or when you go see it. You can compensate a lot by shortening or lengthening the stem, and that's a relatively cheap part.

    I hope that helps.


    Quote Originally Posted by colomama2012 View Post
    I am looking to buy a new bike for commuting into work (about 5 miles of city riding). At first I was thinking a townie or a lighter weight cruiser would be fine, but the more I rode my husband's electra verse, I realized wanted something lightweight as well - the ride home is all uphill.

    I have my eye on a specialized vita or ariel, or possibly a trek fx. Am I looking in the right direction?

    A specialized vita in fabulous condition just came up on our local CL. It's a size 55, or large, and I'm 5'6"-5'7". I'm wondering if this will be too big for me? (I realize it's best to test ride, but it's kind of a haul to get out there, so I was hoping to get some feedback here first!)
    Living life like there's no tomorrow.

    http://gorgebikefitter.com/


    2007 Look Dura Ace
    2010 Custom Tonic cross with discs, SRAM
    2012 Moots YBB 2 x 10 Shimano XTR
    2014 Soma B-Side SS

 

 

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