Originally Posted by MichaelW
A UK brand with a good reputation for mid-range bikes. They are nothing special but sound and raceable.
For touring cyclists in the UK, the Dawes Galaxy is the benchmark model, a bit like the Trek 520.
At 5'3" you are borderline size for using 700c wheels. Beware of bikes that are too long, even when they give sufficient standover clearance. The smaller sized wheel for road riding is 650c. Good used 650c road bikes are hard to find.
If you don't know your size, then buying unseen is a risk. Get yourself to a bike shop and try out some smaller sizes.
For your size, I would agree that a bike with 700C wheels would be borderline for comfort on standover height but the real problem with buying a bike sight unseen for you is that you might not be comfortable with the reach from the seat to the handlebars. Remember, a mountain bike has the controls several inches (2 to 4) behind where a road bike has the controls. This can be remedied somewhat with stems but not always satisfactorily.
I am the husband of woman 3" shorter than you and have fought the fight of bike fit for many years. I'd agree that you should look at the Trek WSD or one of the Specialized. Lots of small people like Terrys. But make sure you ride them first and don't be satisfied if they don't fit right.
Stuart Black