Question about the Orbea Onix Dama TLT

[neo93]

Or actually perhaps Orbeas in general?

Do they run smaller than other WSD bikes? Bicycling's review of the Diva said forget it if you are taller than 5-7 (I'm almost 5-8) - anyone know if that is true for the Onix as well? I currently ride a 53 cm road bike (Carema Pro) that I think I want to replace next year, and I saw an Onix Dama out on the Silver Comet today.

I now have bike lust .

[TsPoet]

Why do you want a women's specific bike? Have you tried a 'regular' orbea? Many taller women fit men's bikes better. You can get you LBS to replace parts to improve the fit - raise or lower the HB for example.

[indysteel]

I glanced at the geometry for both the Orbea and your current bike. The Orbea's geometry doesn't strike me outside the realm of "normal," although its top tube for the 53 cm is a centimeter shorter than your current bike. It's impossible to say, however, whether that renders the bike too small for you. Reach can be tweaked pretty easily by changing the stem, bars and/or stack.

If you're interested in the bike, see if you can test it out at a local shop. Maybe it'll work for you; maybe not. I certainly wouldn't just take Bicycle Magazine's word for it. IMO, the statement you quoted from the review is a broad generalization at best.

[OakLeaf]

Why do you want a women's specific bike? Have you tried a 'regular' orbea? Many taller women fit men's bikes better. You can get you LBS to replace parts to improve the fit - raise or lower the HB for example.

Actually, height has very little relation to the arm/torso/leg length ratios.

Handlebar height can be changed very little, if at all, on a complete bike. If you're having a bike built custom, then the steerer tube can be cut to your specifications, but the OP was asking about a complete bike. Stem length can be tweaked, but that's fine-tuning, it's not a substitute for a frame that fits.

[neo93]

Thanks, everyone, for your input. I do think I need a WSD bike, since I have long legs but a short torso. My Carema isn't actually a great fit for me (even with tweaking), but it's not terrible either. When I bought my Carema, I knew almost nothing about biking or bicycles (I called my DH and said, "Did you know there are bikes that come without PEDALS?), so it was basically an exercise in how not to buy a bike. I will do better the second time around LOL.

My LBS carries Orbeas, but they don't have the Onix Dama in stock. I will keep looking around to see if I can find somewhere local that does carry it.