Bike Advice

SwtHedgehog
SwtHedgehog Posts: 172 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I'm looking to upgrade my bike. I currently have a specialized Vita that is too large for me,and I'd like to have drop down bars. Where is a good website to read unbiased reviews (as opposed to magazine, professional, or bike shop reviews).

I am currently looking at the Dolce (Base, Base Compact, Evo), Specialized Diverge, and the Raleigh Revere 2.

My bike rides are typically around 20 miles, mostly paved trails. I would like to increase my mileage, but can't comfortably do that on my current bike.

Replies

  • CincyNeid
    CincyNeid Posts: 1,249 Member
    Bike Radar is a good site to look at.

    The Diverge is a little bit more robust for gravel/off paved road ways. If you're going to use it as a commuter, or ride on back country roads the Diverge is going to be a little bit better suited. The Dolce is the female variant of the Sectur, which what I use for my endurance rides. It's a nice bike.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    IMO, there's no such thing as an unbiased review. Everyone has their own preferences, even if they don't have an agenda. If you're buying an established, reliable brand from an established, reputable shop, then you're probably going to be just fine.
  • dtcjem
    dtcjem Posts: 76 Member
    The best advice I could give is go to a couple bike shops and ride different bikes. From there research the bikes you feel most comfortable on. If you are not comfortable you will not ride. I have a TREK Domaine and love it.
  • NorthCascades
    NorthCascades Posts: 10,970 Member
    I can't tell you where to look for unbiased reviews as I haven't found them. But test rides are great. :smile:
  • Lizarking
    Lizarking Posts: 507 Member
    bikeforums but try some bikes out like said above. I went through like 50 until I found one I liked.
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    you might also want to do a bike fit. lots of people I see riding (road) bikes, ride a bike that's too large for them, especially women.
  • SwtHedgehog
    SwtHedgehog Posts: 172 Member
    Thanks for the help/advice. I think I just need to make my decision, be confident with it, and buy the bike.

    I did get fitted at the bike shop. I should be riding a 47-49 cm frame, but am currently riding a 54 cm frame.

    The shop I"m working with gives a 50% buy back within the first two years for bikes that are umder $1000. They also give 2 years of free adjustments. I think I am just making this more difficult than it should be. If only the multifunctional mid/high end bikes could come with a cheaper price tag.
  • Triathlete1502
    Triathlete1502 Posts: 103 Member
    SwtHedgehog wrote: »
    Thanks for the help/advice. I think I just need to make my decision, be confident with it, and buy the bike.

    I did get fitted at the bike shop. I should be riding a 47-49 cm frame, but am currently riding a 54 cm frame.

    The shop I"m working with gives a 50% buy back within the first two years for bikes that are umder $1000. They also give 2 years of free adjustments. I think I am just making this more difficult than it should be. If only the multifunctional mid/high end bikes could come with a cheaper price tag.

    Some Specialised stores offer 0% interest finance loans over 6, 12 & 24 months:

    https://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/women/bikes

    All the best in your bike search! :smile:
  • lodro
    lodro Posts: 982 Member
    SwtHedgehog wrote: »
    Thanks for the help/advice. I think I just need to make my decision, be confident with it, and buy the bike.

    I did get fitted at the bike shop. I should be riding a 47-49 cm frame, but am currently riding a 54 cm frame.

    The shop I"m working with gives a 50% buy back within the first two years for bikes that are umder $1000. They also give 2 years of free adjustments. I think I am just making this more difficult than it should be. If only the multifunctional mid/high end bikes could come with a cheaper price tag.

    unsolicited advice and all that: also ask for the geometry, so not only the frame size, but also reach, ie how far you reach forward to reach the handlebars. that's largely determined by top tube length, and it's where people with relatively short torsos need to pay attention. many women have relatively longer legs and relatively shorter torsos. most bike geometry is geared toward men, who are in the opposite camp, relatively longer torsos. Personally, I need shorter reach, so in case of a choice I opt for the smaller frame.

    in any case: 54 cm is simply too large. getting a bike that fits you will do wonders for your enjoyment on the bike, also in terms of bike handling and confidence while on the bike.

    I ride on the cheap, and my strategy was: get a bike fit, buy the cheapest bike from a good manufacturer that had the geometry that would fit me, then upgrade that bike in a series of steps over two years.

    [I ride a kona rove al, 49.5 frame size, I'm 1.70 m n length, upgraded the drivetrain from shimano claris to shimano 105 and got mavic aksium wheels]
  • SwtHedgehog
    SwtHedgehog Posts: 172 Member
    I bought a bike yesterday. I had done a triathlon sprint in the morning and decided I had to get a new bike that would fit.

    The funny thing is that it wasn't even any of the bikes I had been looking at. I went to a different bike shop to try different bikes to verify that the Specialized was the right bike. The second bike I test rode just felt right and like it was the one. I felt comfortable and in control of the bike.

    I went with the Felt ZW100. It's more road bike than what I wanted, but I figure that's just more motivation to build up the touring/road bike I was going to. Plus I can still look for a cheap beater bike for multipuepose rides.

    I rode it last night and was amazed at the difference. I was able to go up a hill on the higher gears with less effort than the lower gears on the other bike. Plus, I didn't feel tingling/numbness in my hands.
  • tiggerlove
    tiggerlove Posts: 225 Member
    go to a bike shop and tell them what your looking for..i think that best. Some bike stores like the one I go to..measure you for the seat and handlebars.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    Good job. You now have a road bike that you like. Great for triathlons.

    I actually have 3 bikes one a decent road bike, one a very good mountain bike and a third bike that is 21 years old, no suspension and I just love it for running about town and doing errands. I can lock it up outside stores and not worry about it.
    I actually have 2 sets of wheels for it (as I hate changing tires). I have both off road and road tires for it. It was great when pulling kids in the bike trailer. It was a mid-price bike when I got it, I just upgraded to the other 2.

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