Ladies road bike

[hepburn]

Thanks to a rather unexpected PPI refund I am now in the position to buy my first road bike. My budget is £1000 tops. I really don't want to waste this money and make a huge mistake but the choice is completely bewildering Has anyone got any recommendations for me please? I would class myself as intermediate. I can manage 30 miles no problem and don't struggle too badly with hills but would welcome anything that makes getting up them even easier..

 

[jefmcg]

In a similar position, I started hitting shops. My line was "I'm looking for a drop bar commuter". Some people steered me towards flat bars (??) so I didn't spend much time in those shops; one shrugged their shoulder in the direction of road bikes and told me they could get any model in I wanted, so crossed them off. Then it was time for a few test rides. Eventually I worked out what I wanted (alu, tiagra) and found a couple of shops I liked, and chose a bike. There are probably dozens of models that would have done for me (and thus, different dozens for you), so eventually you have to just pick one.

Still, very happy with my 2012 Giant Avail, which I passed the 20,000km mark on this weekend. Definitely have a look at Giants.

 

[hepburn]

Thanks for replying. 20,000 km! I'm impressed! I have actually been looking at Giant Avail 1 - along with all these:-

http://www.evanscycles.com/products...tiagra-womens-2015-road-bike-ec071057#reviews

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Ride-Juliet-400-Womens-2015-Road-Bike_74495.htm

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Giant-Avail-1-Womens-2015-Road-Bike_73899.htm

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/special...nents-bikewear/fcp-product/52383?listing=true

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/cube-ax...nents-bikewear/fcp-product/59819?listing=true

I am completely baffled by all the different specifications....

 

[Pale Rider]

You are in danger of drowning in a sea of information.

All I would say about the specs is they tend to be very similar make to make at the same price point.

You want something that fits and that you like the look and feel of - only you can decide that.

A good local bike shop can be invaluable in this situation, if you have such a thing.

The chains, such as Evans and Cycle Surgery, tend to be variable, although the branch near you may have a good reputation.

@jefmcg suggestion would be a good place to start.

I don't know her, but I do know she is a very experienced cyclist who posts a lot of sense on here.

 

[vickster]

Where is Kent are you?

Perhaps @Ganymede and @Hill Wimp can suggest some good shops in Kent . There are other ladies in the county who frequent the forum too, just their usernames escape me right now

Go to some shops, sit on a few. If you can stretch to a bike with 105 it's probably worth it assuming the frame is good and most importantly the bike fits you, just because the route cables look better and the shifting is a little smoother than tiagra

However, check that the reach to the brakes is ok for you. If not, you might want the addition of secondary levers on tne handlebars. Personally, even though I'm not a petite woman, I don't get on with the Shimano hood shape on the shifters (I can't reach my hands round and get adequate purchase on the brakes to stop the bike)! So my roadbikes have SRAM. However, 99% of off the peg bikes have shimano so this may not be an option

 

[vickster]

Cyclesurgery site is down so can't see those, but on looks, I'd go check out the Merida. Also less ubiquitous on tne roads than Giant and Cannondale. I personally like something a bit different...on tne proviso it's the right bike in terms of fit and comfort

 

[Hill Wimp]

I ride a Specialized Dolce which i adore and would recommend to anyone. I am a bit biased towards Specialized though.

I bought mine via Evans as i knew what i wanted but i did get a full fit with Gary at Wildside in Tunbridge Wells which has been worth its weight in gold to me.

Lockes of Sandwich are my LBS now and they are brilliant.

 

[vickster]

Merida have a number of dealers in Kent, eg Canterbury, Sheerness, Gillingham etc

http://www.merida-bikes.com/en_gb#

Call some of the local guys and see what they can offer

 

[Hill Wimp]

Cyclesurgery site is down so can't see those, but on looks, I'd go check out the Merida. Also less ubiquitous on tne roads than Giant and Cannondale. I personally like something a bit different...on tne proviso it's the right bike in terms of fit and comfort

Got to second what @vickster said. Its got to be the right bike in terms of fit and comfort and i would add you dont need to stick to the female specific bikes either.

 

[vickster]

Got to second what @vickster said. Its got to be the right bike in terms of fit and comfort and i would add you dont need to stick to the female specific bikes either.

Although if on the petite size, under 5'3 or so, you may struggle to get a unisex bike to fit, especially one where you don't need to start changing bars, stems and cranks. Even at 5'10 on a 54cm frame, the bars are too wide for me, as standard a 42cm is fitted, I need a 38, or I get tendonitis in my hand! If you need to start changing saddles, bars, stems, you're looking at not far off £100 extra, and cranks would be another £100+

In terms of the getting up hills, that's down to the gearing as much as anything. A compact chainset (50-34) with a wide cassette (11-32) has recently got my bulk up newlands corner and box hill without having to stop!

 

[MichaelW2]

How tall are you.
This is the key question for selecting a woman's bike. Few manufacturers make good bikes for the shortest 25% of female population.

 

[hepburn]

Thanks so much everyone for all your replies and pointers. I think I am going to really enjoy looking for this bike.

 

[hepburn]

How tall are you.
This is the key question for selecting a woman's bike. Few manufacturers make good bikes for the shortest 25% of female population.

Therein lies the rub - I am just under 5'3" .........

 

[Hill Wimp]

How tall are you.
This is the key question for selecting a woman's bike. Few manufacturers make good bikes for the shortest 25% of female population.

That is so true. I am 5'4 and the sizing is a nightmare. What the shop or manufacturer say should fit me very often doesn't which is one of many reasons why i stick to Spech. I know my size in their frame will fit my reach in all of their different bike types and models.

Where abouts in Kent are you @hepburn ?

 

[hepburn]

That is so true. I am 5'4 and the sizing is a nightmare. What the shop or manufacturer say should fit me very often doesn't which is one of many reasons why i stick to Spech. I know my size in their frame will fit my reach in all of their different bike types and models.

Where abouts in Kent are you @hepburn ?

I'm in NW Kent.

My friend has the Cube bike that I posted the link for and she has a 47. She is taller than me but when I put my measurements in the sizing calculator it says I need a bigger size than her???? Weird. Just like clothes differ from shop to shop - I'll just need to sit on loads and see which fits the best. It's a nice problem to have!