Road Cycling - shopping for road bike - suggestions?

I'm shopping for a road bike and would like input as to bikes I should test ride. I've been riding a hybrid for years so I tend to prefer an upright position but that's because that is what I'm used to. I don't want to use the "familiar" as a guide for purchasing a road bike.

I want a bike that will last and that fits me properly. I'm a 5'7" female and ride 50-100 on the weekends and some in the evenings now that the days are longer.

I've test ridden a Lightspeed and Bianchi (can't remember exact models) and both seemed good but strange body position.

I'm willing to spend up to $2500 but don't want to spend that much if it's not necessary. I was riding a a bike with Tiagra parts for this past month and wasn't impressed.

What should I look at????? Thanks for suggestions.

Hello Hieloazul, once again! :)

I am a converted mountain biker for the last 10 years, so I can understand where you are coming from.

I would suggest buying a road bike, since you want to put in the mileage, and playing around with the handlebar height (more upright stem) until it feels comfortable.... that's what I did and now I'm hooked!!! :thumbup

Best of luck to you.

See you May 6th for the ride!!!

Hi Hieloazul, glad you're considering a road bike! Regarding the feel, don't discount a bike that you testride because it feels uncomfortable. It just doesn't fit you. Get yourself measured at the shop as if you're at the clothing store. They'll select a frame, and handle bars that fits you, then they'll help you adjust everything according to your needs. A little tweeking after that, and you'll have a bike that fits like a good suit!

Take care during the transition to a road bike. Its no use trying to adapt to a frame which is never going to fit you.

Your "ideal" position may change over the first few months as you adapt.
How can you figure out the right size before you pay for a top road bike ? A fitting session may help, the Serotta system is better than most.

I would suggest picking up an old racing bike of the corrrect size, as cheap as you can, and using it to see what works. After a few months you will know how you want to fine tune the position, and your body may have adapted a little. You can then sell the bike and buy a nice new one, knowing that it will fit you properly.

If your budget is restricted, high-end steel is better value than a titanium. Carbon forks are nice, but not essential. Mid-range components (Shimano 105 or any Campagnolo) will survive your milleage better than Tiagra. Handbuilt wheels are a good investment, cheaper and better than many special factory-built wheels.

Consider if you are going to tour, then threaded eyelets will let you attach a small luggage rack, and a bit more tyre clearance will not slow you down. These day-touring/century bikes make great fun machines, and the triple chainsets make short work of hills.

HI,

My two cents. A road bike will be your best bet. As for which bike, here is what we did for my wife. We took a day off during the week and visited several bike shops, One that sold Cannondales one that sold Trek, and so on. The shop were all very helpful and made the prrreliminary adjustments necessar to get the basic fit in order, then she could determine which ride was best for her. She ended up with a Trek. You may have your sites set a bit higher. My advise if you are not impressed with the Tiagra stuff is to move up to 105 or ultegra, maaybe even campy depending on what you like. Take yout ime do your research and find a shop that is willing to work with you. If you visit many shops you will notice a considerable difference in the way you are treated by some. Buy from someone you are comfortable with, and don't be pressured.

Good Luck,

Thank you everyone for your encouragement and words of wisdom. I'm now on a serious search!!

my advice as to which ones to test ride - all of them. seriously. if you've got access to several lbs' shopping for your new bike will mean weeks, literally, of fun.

at your budget, let me put in a little plug for my bike, a trek 5200 - a good value, comfy/stiff carbon, ultegra, and well... a positively dreamy ride. of course just my peronsal opinion/gush.

so. go in there and ride 'em. try out different materials. try different manufacturers. here's the biggie - don't be afraid to try not just the size you/they think you are, but a few sizes *around* that size. especially early in the test-riding process, this can help you get a feel for fit issues both w/bikes that are too small and too large. have adjustments made as you go. adjustments to the seat and stem are expected but anything really crazy is a sign that the frame/gtry may not work for you.

there so many stories about women who are sold bikes that are too big for them, and so lots of us go in there hyper-aware of this and eager to try the smaller-range sizes. personally i think going too small can also pose fit issues. so when you think you've found your ride, don't just ride that one size - swap it for the next one up/down to make sure. luckily for you there should be many built bikes for you to try (based on your height).

btw, roadbikes, esp $2500 ones, aren't really built for sitting in an upright/hybrid position. but if that's your goal and you actually size down in frame to meet it, be aware that as you gain flexibility and experience on the bike (and your riding position changes accordingly) it may start feeling too small for you.

-jb

Any other suggestions of specific bikes/makers that to try?

I have a suggestion Idependent Fabrications. I do not ride road, but I have known several who have and ride IF. They always seem to have a smile when yo usay how is the bike?

consider a "Pinarello" its a good bike, I have been riding a Pinarello for years and I could not say anything bad about the bike check their website (www.pinarello.com)maybe you can get the address of the local distributor in your area....

I ride a Lemond, I like the bike quite alot. They also offer women specific designs. A company called Terry makes bike equipment for women and they used to make bikes but I don't know if they still do. For the amount of money you want to spend It may be a good idea to consider a custom manufactured bike such as a Waterford, Bilenky, or a Bruce Gordon, just to name a few. The downside to these is the wait, and the fact that you cannot ride them first. Also with a "custom" made anything, you need to know enough about the item to explain to the builder what you want. If you don't you may not get what you want or what you think you paid for. As for mass produced bikes, you could find a good, Trek, Lemond, Cannondale, Colnago, Pinerello, or litespeed for the amount of money you are willing to spend. By the way higher price does not necessarily mean that you will get what is best for you, the amount of riding and types of terrian, hilly, flat, good roads or bad, has alot to do with your choice. For comparison check out www.roadbikereview.com at this site bike riders post their reviews of their bikes. It has alot of information on most makes but not too much on the 2001 models.

Thank you for the suggestions. I just took a look at the Pinarello web site. I'll have to check that out. I'm going into NYC this week to test ride a number of bikes. I'll look for those you suggested. Thanks!

I recently placed a order for a 2011 Scott CR1 team. Great carbon, very light, relaxed geometry, comfortable, full 105. retails for 2,099.00. Rides excellent, I can't wait to get it! Good Luck!

Pics when you get the bike.

Oh, and way to resurrect a zombie thread :thumb: :P