Hi there....Im a female rider...finished one season of tri's last year (as well as a weeklong triathlon camp in Vermont through Total Immersion-Im hooked!!) riding a Trek 2100...which I've had for 6 years--purchased during grad school from a classmate who worked at a bike shop--got one of those **great deals**...but it's TOO big (55cm) and isn't fun to ride. When I moved to Los Angeles, I got it retrofitted....still not comfy. Darn! Im to the point where I'm ready to invest in a quality machine that I would look forward to getting on-and appreciate your input...

At the moment, I have the opportunity to buy a slightly used 2002 or 2003 Cervelo Soloist (54cm) from a friend in Oregon (you know, the one that claims to be able to switch from road to tri bike by moving the seat around)...my other option I've been considering is the Lightspeed Bella. Besides the recommendation of test riding these bikes, which I wont be able to do if I go w/ the Cervelo, what are your thoughts????

I like the Cervelo Soloist for the forward tri position option..Im planning sprints/Olympic for this season (with lots of group biking w/ non-triathletes in training). I like the Litespeed Bella for the 'female' fit option---one of the problems w/ the Trek was it was toooooo long of a reach. ugh. so uncomfortable. I've read that its sometimes difficult to put aerobars on a road bike and make it 'right'. I want to make the right choice...a big investment...can you help??

I'm 5'6" and i think my inseam was something like 85cm...

Thanks!!
Sadie