First road bike - women's specific
Frannybobs
Posts: 741 Member
Hello all
Well I'm finally taking the plunge into the world of road bikes - I love my hybrid but it's time to move onwards and upwards. However, I don't want a stiff ride, I'm looking for more of a comfort for long rides factor, so more a sportive bike than a racer - not carbon - but would like 105 components if possible. I'm not a great climber so some lower gears would be good, but I reckon a compact will be fine as I don't exactly floor it on the flat, but would be nice to have some oomph there!
I have got a Cyclescheme voucher for £1,000. Have used the Sky Breeze search facility for "Female Friendly Bike Shops" and now have a shortlist of bikes - women's specific bikes (I'm a short *kitten* with longer legs than torso):
Giant Avail 1 - £999
Trek Lexa SLX 2013 - £1012
Scott Contessa Speedster 15 - £999
Cannondale Synapse 105 - £1050
As they are women's specific bikes reviews on them are few and far between *mutters under breath* and don't fully understand where it's best to compromise, because at £1,000 even for an aluminium bike there will have to be compromise.
My heart and gut are saying the Giant Avail 1, I keep coming back to that one - not been and seen any of them yet as they are at 3 different shops. Most places don't stock much in the way of women's bikes *mutters grumpily under breath again*
Any advice or things to look for or ask about much appreciated
Cheers,
Fran
Well I'm finally taking the plunge into the world of road bikes - I love my hybrid but it's time to move onwards and upwards. However, I don't want a stiff ride, I'm looking for more of a comfort for long rides factor, so more a sportive bike than a racer - not carbon - but would like 105 components if possible. I'm not a great climber so some lower gears would be good, but I reckon a compact will be fine as I don't exactly floor it on the flat, but would be nice to have some oomph there!
I have got a Cyclescheme voucher for £1,000. Have used the Sky Breeze search facility for "Female Friendly Bike Shops" and now have a shortlist of bikes - women's specific bikes (I'm a short *kitten* with longer legs than torso):
Giant Avail 1 - £999
Trek Lexa SLX 2013 - £1012
Scott Contessa Speedster 15 - £999
Cannondale Synapse 105 - £1050
As they are women's specific bikes reviews on them are few and far between *mutters under breath* and don't fully understand where it's best to compromise, because at £1,000 even for an aluminium bike there will have to be compromise.
My heart and gut are saying the Giant Avail 1, I keep coming back to that one - not been and seen any of them yet as they are at 3 different shops. Most places don't stock much in the way of women's bikes *mutters grumpily under breath again*
Any advice or things to look for or ask about much appreciated
Cheers,
Fran
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Replies
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We only have one shop now ao I rode the lexa and a friend's ws cannondale before I got my madone. I liked the feel of the trek better and didn't find much negative press on the ws trek's so I ordered what I thought I wanted and have been pleased. If you can't test out the ws design, try the regular version to see if you like the overall feel. They can tweak your fit when it comes in. Best of luck. Super excited for you.0
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I still think that Planet-X carbon was a good option... having seen one "in the metal" (or at least "in the string and glue") at their showroom I really couldn't see where they'd managed to build it for the price - my guess is that they just had a bunch of the smallest frames left that they're trying to move on to make some room in the warehouse for the new spec. stuff that's coming in, so they're effectively selling the frames at (or very near) cost and making a couple of bob on the componentry...
As far as compromises, get the best frame and wheels you can, groupset just get something 10 speed - you can always replace the componentry piecemeal as they wear out - just as long as you stick with upgrading shimano to shimano (Tiagra>105>Ultegra>Dura Ace) or SRAM to SRAM (Apex>Rival>Force>Red)0 -
I'm not qualified to comment as someone of the male persuasion, but I would definitely recommend the Defy 1 as a all-round sportive friendly road bike.
It appears that the Avail 1 has the same geometry but with some tweaks for the ladies. That seems like a safe bet to me!
As always, it's worth trying out a range of bikes for yourself to see which 'feels right' to you.
Exciting stuff, good luck Fran! :glasses:0 -
if you aren't stuck on the women's specific, I say try as many as you can and get the one that feels great to you. However, if you are a shorter girl like I am, the Women's really is the way to go. Again, see what feels great to you there.. I have the Specialized Dolce and I love it. But whatever you get A) get it fit properly to you and
make sure to post a pic for us!! So happy for you Fran!! 0 -
The Planet X is amazing value!
The Boardman Team Carbon Fi is also amazing value:http://www.boardmanbikes.com/fi/fi_road_team_carbon.html But whether you can still get one will be the question...
I can't comment about the others though; don't 'poo poo' SRAM kit either, I prefer it to 'middle of the road' Shimano kit. It's lighter too!0 -
The Giant Avail's have scored well in Bicycling Magazine's comparison tests. The Avail Advance 1 was selected as the overall best women's specific bike in the Classic (endurance) category and the Avail 1 was highly rated among the more entry level bikes, though I can't remember if it took first place. The Defy's always do well in reviews and the Avail is the women's specific version of the defy.0
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I wouldn't buy too much into the Carbon hype. Aluminum is fantastic, and quite often just as comfortable. I ride an aluminum bike and wouldn't trade for carbon, especially if it is a non-race bike. I'd go for the Avail. Giant has fantastic cred and they all ride very well. You won't be disappointed.0
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Thanks all, lots to think about there. Not sure about carbon yet, maybe if I loo k to upgrade in a couple of years. Unfortunately can't get a Boardman, Cloggsy, as they are sold exclusively at Halfords which isn't on Cyclescheme. Gutted cos they look top! I'm going to rung around see what stores have in stock (if anything) and take a look in the flesh :-)0
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As far as compromises, get the best frame and wheels you can, groupset just get something 10 speed - you can always replace the componentry piecemeal as they wear out - just as long as you stick with upgrading shimano to shimano (Tiagra>105>Ultegra>Dura Ace) or SRAM to SRAM (Apex>Rival>Force>Red)
^^ This
Personally I find alloy bike rides more harsh than carbon, if complete with alloy wheelset it's nightmare (maybe I'm too sensitive :laugh: ). They may give a faster response when sprinting out but probably not the ideal choice if comfort is a main concern.
Good luck & have fun with whatever you eventually get!0 -
I wouldn't buy too much into the Carbon hype. Aluminum is fantastic, and quite often just as comfortable.
Really? Have you ridden a carbon bike? Carbon has much more 'give' than Alu' and it's 'stiffer' if built right too...0 -
it took me a while to "buy into" carbon, but to be honest, my new machine is far more responsive than the Alu. frame I replaced, whilst managing to be the most comfortable frame I've ridden since the days of 531db/Columbus slx skinny tubed framesets back in the late 70's/early 80's... difference was I couldn't stand up to climb a hill on one of those without the frame moving so much I had to slacken the QR on the brakes before steeper climbs...
I still have the odd nightmare about descending at 60mph on something made of string and glue, but then I'm around 106kg and 186cm, not a petite young lady (or columbian alpine specialist!)0 -
You've got me re-thinking about this one TBY - it does look amazing - and it's not THAT far too Sheffield from where I am.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBPXSLPRIVLDY/planet_x_pro_carbon_sram_rival_womens_road_bike
I may have to test ride the Giant Avail 1 and the Planet X one (if it's possible to do that) and see which feels more "me".
Do shops let you do test rides if they have to get the bike in for you to test ride it (ie. it's not in stock and has to be ordered)?0 -
I believe the chosen bike is the one you ride and love. I hope that you have a chance to ride each bike you are considering, without this, all other considerations could be useless. I believe carbon is far better that aluminum, for any applications. My thought is that anyone who argues otherwise has not been able to afford carbon. With that said, this is your pocketbook, and, if aluminum is what is in your price range then that is OK, and you should be very proud of your selection. Aluminum is an excellent frame despite my positive experience with carbon. I do believe you are wise in going for the 105s if you can afford that! Good for you. My wife just bought a Specialized Dolce which is WSD. She rode it and fell in love with the ride. It is aluminum, carbon fork, 105 components, and with zertz inserts and 25C tires for a more comfortable ride. Best of luck to you, but don't do to much internet shopping, go out and ride the bikes one after another. One other thought, a quality bike shop will help you choose a female appropriate bike. A bike shop that is not "female friendly" is not a quality bike shop, period.0
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Some research on metallurgy and metal joining practices would suit someone making claims that Carbon is ultimately better than any other frame material. Aluminum, titanium, and even steel can be formed with proper tube shapes, sizes, and thicknesses to give vibration dampening, more comfortable rides, and stiffness/responsiveness in handling and performance. If you buy a cheap crap aluminum bike frame then you're going to get crap performance, but the fact remains that an aluminum or steel frame can be made cheaper than a carbon fiber one without as much risk to frame strength/integrity and still have similar, if not identical, ride qualities that the lower end carbon fiber frame has. In general, the price points of frames goes as follows:
Cheap Steel
Cheap Aluminum
Expensive Aluminum (good ride qualities)
Cheap Carbon (flexy as hell and leaves question to the strength of the frame, especially after a spill)
Cheap Titanium (can be flexy if the tube diameters/shapes aren't right)
Expensive Steel (fantastic ride qualities and so classy)
Expensive Carbon/Titanium (Not worth the cash unless you're a TdF racer looking to shave a second off a several mile climb)
Experience as a manufacturing engineer with emphasis in materials science, metallurgy, and metal joining practices goes a long way in dissecting the marketing crap that we get shoveled every day.0 -
Most bike stores here in the US will let you test ride bikes; bring your pedals and seat if you're picky, and go for a ride! Some bikes are made more for climbing hills or cruising so that's a consideration, but the true test is to have your shop fit you to the bikes you're thinking of and take them out for 15-20 minutes. If they won't let you test ride one I'd say the bike shop isn't the kind you want to frequent; customer service is very important in a shop!
And then I'd say to buy the one that feels the best that you can afford. Sometimes we get 'stuck' with our bikes for a very long time; you may not buy another one for several years. Unless you wreck, which we all hope not to do! LOL.
Have fun shopping!0 -
Most bike stores here in the US ...
OP is in the UK... so it might not be quite so true - frankly, a lot of our bike shops don't quite have the same resources... Normally you're OK if you're a 5'7" - 5'10" bloke as that'll be the bikes they have in stock... anything outside of that, its down to ordering/getting a bike on SOR from the distributor and it's not unknown to be charged for a test-ride (refundable against purchase normally)...
Other than that, you're pretty much on the money...0 -
I currently ride a Trek Lexa and love it. I took the plunge a year ago and got rid of my Trek hybrid. Best decision I have made in regards to my cycling
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I narrowed my choice down to 2 aluminium bikes (Cannondale Synapse 5 105 Alloy Women's, Giant Avail 1) and 1 carbon bike (Planet X Pro Carbon SRAM Rival Women's), and went test riding this weekend. It was a close call between them all, but I had this excited gut feeling about the Giant from the moment I rode it, so I got that....not had a proper spin on it yet as it's very stormy here - I think I cursed the weather! Anyway, here it is
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Congrats! Looks beautiful!0
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I narrowed my choice down to 2 aluminium bikes (Cannondale Synapse 5 105 Alloy Women's, Giant Avail 1) and 1 carbon bike (Planet X Pro Carbon SRAM Rival Women's), and went test riding this weekend. It was a close call between them all, but I had this excited gut feeling about the Giant from the moment I rode it, so I got that....not had a proper spin on it yet as it's very stormy here - I think I cursed the weather! Anyway, here it is
Rawr! Sexy bike. I love white bar tape on black bikes 0 -
White tape rocks... it just sort of looks...well - Pro, I suppose... Mainly because to keep up to it you need a mechanic who re-tapes the bars every day for you... :laugh:0
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Good choice ...
I have a Giant Avail Alliance (half carbon), and even after 3 years riding it I still love it :-)0 -
White tape rocks... it just sort of looks...well - Pro, I suppose... Mainly because to keep up to it you need a mechanic who re-tapes the bars every day for you... :laugh:
I got myself some baby wipes yesterday as per your top tip to keep the white tape white!!0 -
Good choice ...
I have a Giant Avail Alliance (half carbon), and even after 3 years riding it I still love it :-)
That's good to know :-D0 -
Well, took my new bike on its inaugural ride today and commuted into work on it. My verdict is that I absolutely LOVE it !!
It made light work of the hills, I found I was up them before I'd even noticed. I took a bit of time on the flat bits to ride a bit slower and get used to the gear changing and the different riding positions, with it being my first time using drop handlebars. Even with taking my time I still knocked a minute off my time and got in with an average of 12.6mph!
I was quite grateful for the added bonus of the bar top brake levers as it gave me a greater degree of confidence whilst I got used to the bike. I did go on the drops briefly on one downhill bit, but it did scare the bejesus out of me so was back on the hoods fairly quickly. I'll keep trying on that score!
The bike basically made my hybrid seem like a carthorse, and it is a fairly decent hybrid (Specialized Vita Elite), so now I have 3 bikes - a mountain bike for bombing around locally between fields and tracks, a hybrid which I was planning on using for commuting and my bestest bike, the Giant. Now I'm wondering if I'll want to go back on the hybrid again!! I may use it for when the weather is bad and in the winter...I'll have to see how it goes, and if I'm not using it I can always sell it.
So that's my brief ride report and it's all good :-) Thanks for all the advice on here!0 -
Congrats on the new bike! I wanted the same thing out of a bike and ended up with the men's Jamis Quest. I've also got a Jamis mountain bike and an Electra hybrid.0
