Road Cycling - absolute beginner roadie needs help

Hi there,
I'm a mountainbiker and cycle tourist who's thinking of extending my cycle stable with a road bike. The only problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start as my only experience of riding a road bike is a beaten up old singlespeed drop-handlebar beast I had a while back.
I need some advice on what a good beginner's road bike might be. I'm a small woman, about 5 foot 2 inches high, and I really want a bike that fits me well. I'd like it to be light and nimble and significantly faster than my other two bikes. As such I guess I'd be looking at an aluminium bike, although I've only ever had steel ones. I'm not looking at the top of the range but can afford more than an entry level bike.
Any recommendations?
cheers,
eleanor

Hi Eleanor,
I've just gone through the same thing. As a 5' female, I also had any number of issues finding small rides. First, test ride as many as far as you can.

I test rode a dozen or so bicycles, and went with the 07 1600 WSD (http://bikepedia.com/QuickBike/BikeSpecs.aspx?ItemID=95771&Type=bike), because I felt like I got a lot for my money. Obviously, its all about fit- but being a small woman, I'd recommend you do some research of your own specifically on companies with Women's bikes to see what you feel comfortable with. I liked Trek, and the 650 wheels on the 43 (I went back and forth on 650 versus 700, if you search there are several threads on BF which address this) not only make it lighter, but it accelerates easily. So far the only downfall is that it feels a little rough on the road. I suspect with that bike you could be a 47 (which would have 700 wheels and may make it ride a bit smoother)...

If you haven't already, (since you MTB I assume you have) but head to your LBS and have them do some quick measurements on you to get you started.

Being a beginner myself, I'm at a lack of any other advice.

Happy bike shopping!

Hi there,
I'm a mountainbiker and cycle tourist who's thinking of extending my cycle stable with a road bike. The only problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start as my only experience of riding a road bike is a beaten up old singlespeed drop-handlebar beast I had a while back.
I need some advice on what a good beginner's road bike might be. I'm a small woman, about 5 foot 2 inches high, and I really want a bike that fits me well. I'd like it to be light and nimble and significantly faster than my other two bikes. As such I guess I'd be looking at an aluminium bike, although I've only ever had steel ones. I'm not looking at the top of the range but can afford more than an entry level bike.
Any recommendations?
cheers,
eleanor

Being where you live, I'm not totally sure what might be available to you to purchase...

Being you are 5'2", you'd definitely be a candidate for a women's road bike from some manufacturer...Trek makes WSD in the 1.2 and 2.1 that are both aluminum, Cannondale in aluminum and carbon (synapse), Giant in three frames. All of them have smaller top tubes, narrower bars, and the nicer bikes (the ones with Ultegra shifters) have a spacer in them so that the shifter/brake handle is closer to the bar to accomodate shorter fingers. The entry bikes do not offer that feature.

Anything, even a basic entry road bike will be "faster" than a MTB (due to wheel size and gearing) and a touring bike (due to weight and gearing).

Make sure the shop fits you correctly and shows you the numbers. Make sure they follow a process for determining the proper fit. The best way is for them to look at what size top tube you need, then look for bikes that have that, then look at bike sizes.

Have fun.

I wish I could go to New Zealand.

I wish I could go to New Zealand.


Me too...

Avanti are NZ bikes, they are pretty good value. Avanti Giro is a reasonable bike. I used to have one a few years ago, did literally thousands of pretty much trouble free kms on it.Giro has Shimano 105 components and even some Carbon Fibre for added bling, or if your finances don't stretch that far there is the slightly cheaper Vivace with a mixture of 105 and Tiagra components. I'd stay away from anything cheaper though.

http://www.avantibikes.com/ (go to Road > Endurance Road to see the range of basic road bikes)

FYI the level of Shimano components on road bikes goes in order from low to high - Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra and Dura Ace.