vickster
Legendary Member
A friend of mine is looking for her first road bike, budget £600-700 ish. A more relaxed geometry. She' 5'5 and would prefer a ladies bike (from an aesthetics point of view really, plus better off the peg fit would be anticipated). Currently has an Apollo MTB (she knows but it has served her well, did L2B on it a few years ago), now looking for a 'proper' bike 
Minimum spec really will be a carbon fork and Sora groupset
She test rode a 2014 Giant Avail 3 today, first ever time on a road bike which she really liked, good price at £600 down from £700. If she could get the 2014 Avail 2 with Tiagra for a good price she'd be tempted (likes the colouring), the LBS we went to wouldn't budge on price for the 2
Evans are getting her the Cannondale Synapse Sora WSD in for a test ride in the week
She sat on a 2015 Trek Lexa S in Action Bikes, doesn't like the colouring but does the 2014 model, Evans don't have her size to test, but Cyclesurgery do. She could get a testride on the 2015, but with no intention of buying from that shop, it wouldn't really be cricket to do so
There's a Specialized Dolce which looks ok, but at £585 it only has Claris which is off putting considering the price and other options. I have suggested she test ride it after the C'dale if Evans still have the size on the shop floor
Last, most expensive option could be a Bianchi Via Nirone Sora but it's £750 and a 'unisex' so may need other adjustments
I have had an Avail 2 so can obviously vouch for it, but not the others.
Any experiences of the others?
Or anything else we've not considered (looked at Pinnacle, Norco etc but they don't look at good)
Minimum spec really will be a carbon fork and Sora groupset
She test rode a 2014 Giant Avail 3 today, first ever time on a road bike which she really liked, good price at £600 down from £700. If she could get the 2014 Avail 2 with Tiagra for a good price she'd be tempted (likes the colouring), the LBS we went to wouldn't budge on price for the 2
Evans are getting her the Cannondale Synapse Sora WSD in for a test ride in the week
She sat on a 2015 Trek Lexa S in Action Bikes, doesn't like the colouring but does the 2014 model, Evans don't have her size to test, but Cyclesurgery do. She could get a testride on the 2015, but with no intention of buying from that shop, it wouldn't really be cricket to do so
There's a Specialized Dolce which looks ok, but at £585 it only has Claris which is off putting considering the price and other options. I have suggested she test ride it after the C'dale if Evans still have the size on the shop floor
Last, most expensive option could be a Bianchi Via Nirone Sora but it's £750 and a 'unisex' so may need other adjustments
I have had an Avail 2 so can obviously vouch for it, but not the others.
Any experiences of the others?
Or anything else we've not considered (looked at Pinnacle, Norco etc but they don't look at good)
