krystle920

Thinking of getting the Specialized Women's Globe Vienna 1. Looking to take it mostly around paved trails and the occasional dirt path. Maybe a bit of city riding too. The longest I'll ride it is probably 30-40 miles max, but that would be only once or twice a year. I'm 5 ft and 105 lbs so I'm thinking of getting the 45W size. Here is the link to the bike.

https://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?spid=40481

The MSRP is $420, but I'm hoping I could get it for less somewhere. A few questions:

1. For my type of riding, size, and price range, what other similar bikes would you recommend? I have also been considering the Cannondale Quick 5 Feminine. https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/c...del-9QRW5.html But the Specialized is cheaper so that is a consideration.

2. Since this is a new model, how much can I expect to pay for the Specialized Globe if it retails at $420? I would prefer to buy from my LBS so I can have it for repairs and stuff. How much of a discount can I get do you think? I will be purchasing around Westchester county in NY or Fairfield county in CT.

RonH

Bike shops sell bikes at the retail price. Bike shops don't make a lot of profit on a bike sale. They make their money on the accessories (helmets, clothing, helmets, lights, etc.)
Don't try to haggle on the price as you would if buying a car. You won't be happy with what you hear. If the shop owner does knock off a few dollars, s/he will remember the type of customer you are when you come in for future repairs and accessories.
You want to begin your relationship with a bike shop on good terms and build from there.

sunflowerflyer

This style of bike would be perfect for the type of riding you described. Every manufacturer makes a similar bike, and I think you would be happy with either one of them.

My recommendation is to test ride both at your local bike shops if possible. Buy the one that you feel most comfortable on, as each manufacturer has ever so slightly different geometry. The Cannondale bike you listed has slightly better components, but also the slightly higher price tag.

If you find they are so similar that you can't decide, perhaps compare the bike shops, and decide which you would rather do business with?

Not very decisive, but hope it helps =]

methos1979

Hi Krystle,

I know it's a couple months after your post but I thought I'd chime in incase you are still looking.

My wife and I just bought Globe Vienna 3s. I bought the disc model and she bought the regular one. She did not like the womens model and went with the regular mens model. With the sloping geometry of the top bar she can straddle the bike comfortably so no worries there. We have been very impressed with these bikes so far. Highly recommended good looking and rugged commuters.

We found that up here in New Hampshire, the local dealers generally listed the bikes for retail and with the guy we bought from he took 10% off the retail.

Here's a link to the one my wife went with:

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=39277

Good luck and let us know what you went with.

M.

krystle920

Thanks for your responses. I am still in the process of picking a bike (weather just became better in the past few days here in NY), but I think I've narrowed it down to the Cannondale Quick 6 Feminine ($459) and the Specialized Globe Vienna 1 ($420). How would you compare the components of both?

https://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/...jsp?spid=40481

https://www.cannondale.com/bikes/09/c...del-9QRW6.html

Also, is it normal to have to put a deposit down for a dealer to order a bike so you can test ride it? I think the deposit is refundable, but just wanted to make sure.

Joyfulmama

Both my mom and I have the specialized ones and we absolutely love them. I highly recommend that you take a test ride before making a final decision. I had thought that I really wanted a Giant bike, but once I did a test ride, I found that the Giant bike that I fell in love with online just wasn't what I wanted. I test rode bikes all over town and the Specialized beat everything else hands down.

krystle920

Thanks, now I'm deciding between the Specialized Globe Vienna 1 and the Specialized Ariel. Coming from a mountain bike, I'm not sure if it would bother me that there are no shocks in the Vienna.

alentric

my wife has the Specialized and loves it.