Athena bikes...
 

I am shopping around for my first road bike. I am interested in what other Athenas are riding...

Here's my bike. It's a 2011 Specialized Dolce Triple.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5139/...e3d5849a38.jpg
Specialized Dolce with camera mounted by kittyz202, on Flickr

Gina is heavier than FTUH (can't say how much more without getting cut off:p) but she rides a Trek Pilot 5.2 full carbon with no problems. 3,000 miles average per year. Rear wheel did crack after 13,000 miles of use. Common for that model Bontager Race Lites.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...me/060808A.jpg

I've only got about 20 miles on her, but I second the Specialized Dolce or the Ruby.

Shannon

My bike came with Mavic CXP22 wheels, which are holding up so far under my 162 pound weight, but here is an article from a local Clyde who didn't have good luck with them. He weighs over 230 pounds.

Another clyde complaining about the extra weight of a Deep V!:D

Glad to hear another Athena out there...

I happen to really love steel.... but it's such a personal preference and there are a great many bikes out there. I started with steel 30+ yrs ago... had aluminum (still do on my MTBs) .... went through a short carbon phase, and wound up very happy now with steel again. I just purchased a 2010 Salsa Vaya and absolutely love it!

There are so many options out there now - women used to have to find small frames that were mostly intended for small men, so there were often problems with good standover height but too long of a top tube. I'm sure you've heard of WSD or Women's Specific Design? It's not just the frame sizes that come smaller, but components such as brake levers, etc. - designed for smaller hands, shorter reach, etc.

That being said...my Salsa Vaya is not considered a "women's" bike - it is just the smallest size frame fitted with custom components to match my needs. I have a Bianchi Castro Valley (that I will sell soon) that is considered a "women's" frame or "chick fit" as Bianchi calls it. It just so happens that the funky geometry of the Vaya was a much better fit for my (funky) needs (including some chronic injuries) - much more so than the Bianchi - and now, through much trial and error, I feel I've finally found my dream (road) bike. :thumb:

My advice would be to test ride many. You will know when you've found it!! :D

And be sure to let us know about your test riding/shopping experience. :)

I wouldn't worry about those wheels at your weight. I've got 100+ lbs on you and mine are holding up okay. Only about 250 miles so far, though.

I am an Athena and prefer riding road bikes. Last year I did over 3900 miles on an assortment of bikes (hubby and I both have an addiction to them). Put about 1000 miles each on a Specialized Dolce Sport compact double and a Trek 2.1 WSD triple. No problems on either. Just as winter started, I got a Trek Madone 5.2 WSD triple, but only have 100 trainer miles on it. I also have put a couple of hundred trainer miles on an older Masi Nuova Strada triple. So, my advice is to find what fits you and makes you want to ride!

enjoy,
P2

I ride both road and mountain bikes. Even though I am a heavier rider, I love my Santa Cruz Superlight Full Suspension MTB (the irony of the name is not lost on me) even though I probably exceed the weight level. I just know not to do big jumps or do anything foolish.

I am lucky enough to afford a custom road bike - a Landshark - which is steel. I second the love for steel road bikes. My previous bike was a Lemond Zurich which I rode for many years. Steel just has a wonderful, comfortable road feel and short of Ti, is strong and durable. Prior to my Zurich, I rode a Specialized Expedition - one of the few production touring bikes ever produced. I rode it over 22 years. The bike was a workhorse and had many, many cross country miles on it. I weighted it down, fully loaded and went off for weeks. It never caussed me a lick of trouble. Sadly the bike was stolen but it turned out OK since that caused me to purchase the Zurich.

My advice - is get the best components you can for your price range and make sure the bike fits. Doesn't matter how expensive or nice the bike is, if it doesn't fit, you won't ride it. If you are concerned about your weight, have some strong wheels built (Mine are Mavic CXP33 with a 32/36 spoke build and Chris King hubs). That's what I did for the road bike (and saving for the mountain bike) and my wheels are basically indestructable. Plus with Chris King hubs are nice bling-bling!

Thanks to everyone who has already posted! I look forward to more!

Unlike some other threads, I am not looking for someone to decide what I should get. But, there is so much out there that I would like to look in some directions that have proven fruitful for others like me. I am just really interested in what others are riding. So far, your posts have made me look at bikes less expensive than what I was prepared to pay. That's great. I had decided on carbon for a few superficial reasons, but also because I didn't want to have to go to the expense of upgrading quickly. Y'all (are my Texan roots showing?) are giving me much to consider!

Thanks so much for the input!!!

At the end of the 2008 model year I got a new 2006 Specialized Ruby Pro. Full Dura-Ace, sweet ride, and the racing geometry I prefer. Oh, and a sweet deal too. I have over 8000 miles on it and use it for commuting, club rides, supported touring, neighborhood coffee runs, etc. I plan to ride that bike forever.

The c/f is a big plus helping with road buzz (due to chipseal re-paves) that the county is using.

For the record: a chipseal is *not* a repave.

That said, I have a Giant Cypress WSD which is the bike that got me off the stationaries and out of the gym; a Bianchi Premio which was a gift from Beanz and Gina (thank you both very much!!!); and a Trek Allant. The Cypress and the Bianchi haven't had much attention in the bit-over-a-year I've had the Allant.

I just hope that you continue to treat him right!:D....I know you are!:thumb: