Fuji Ace SE
 

I have found a 2001 Ace SE that seems to fit me fairly well and the price is right. Since I'm under 5 feet tall, finding a road frame to fit has been a challenge. My main concern is the low level componentry, Shimano Sora. How foolish would it be to plan on a new gruppo in a year? If I don't go for the Fuji, I will have to double the money to get a Trek 2000 WSD, which felt no better. Please don't tell me to find used, in the 43 cm size, they are rare birds.

Well... if you buy a Sora-equipped bike and you ride semi-seriously, then there's a good chance you'd have to upgrade the components [some of them, anyway] within a year. The problem with Sora is that it really is a pretty crappy, low-end group.

The problem with the Ace SE is that is uses 7-speed Sora, with a 7-speed freehub, so if you upgrade to a 9-speed group, like 105, next year, you'll either have to buy a new rear wheel, or rebuild the old wheel with a new hub.

That being the case, you can get the Ace SE, with a plan to upgrade next year at a cost of [probably] $500-$600, or you could spend a little more initially with no need to upgrade next year.

[IMO, Sora components would probably need to be replaced after 3,000 km, and even before then, they would require almost constant adjustment and attention. Not great quality stuff.]

How about a Terry? They make lots of small-frame road bikes, many with 24" front tyres. Some short men even ride them. I've met Georgina-she really knows how to build bikes.

Well, I am a little (okay, a LOT!) prejudice, I love my trusty Fuji! It treated me very well indeed. I have a little different outlook on this, I guess....fit being about the most important consideration in a new bike, I would go for the Fuji and upgrade it! I now ride a 13 year old Schwinn Paramount with an Ultegra groupo on it, and it rocks! For me, finding a great frame, then putting the better groupo on it resulted in one awesome, comfortable ride. And, while you are upgrading the groupo, you can change stems and seat posts and such to fine tune your ride into one that will serve you for a long, long time!
Good luck with whatever you do!

Bill