Ladies, what do you think ? New road bike opinion needed....

[Lard Armstrong]

I am buying a new 1st time road bike for Mrs Lard;

Tiagra preferred.
In old money she is 5'2", 29" inside leg.
I want something which she can progress on if she enjoys it, and can easily sell if she doesn't :-(
Budget is £800

Giant Defy 2, Giant Avail 2, look promising.

What do you think ? Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance

 

[vickster]

The Specialized Dolces have a very good rep and also the Trek Lexa's

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/road-bikes/f/female#!

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/lexa-sl-t-2012-womens-road-bike-ec030301

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/trek-le...s/bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/40680

As a leftfield option, the Orbea dama is a lovely looking thing IMO if you can find one in budget and size

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/orbea-a.../bikes-components-bikewear/fcp-product/22496t

You do tend to get a slightly more poverty spec on the ladies bikes versus the mens (sexist or what) - maybe a small framed men's might work too (although it looks like 52cm is usually the smallest, which will be too big still)?

 

[PpPete]

I'd certainly avoid the cheaper Avail models which have a steel fork. Nothing wrong with steel forks in themselves but the ones on the Avail I've seen are huge to fit the modern look (like a carbon fork) and as a result they are horribly heavy.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

How about the Felt ZW95 ? Any thoughts ?

 

[ttcycle]

I'd second the Specialized Dolces and do agree that specs on women's bikes aren't as good for the price point.
My only gripe with Specialized is that a couple of years ago they raised the prices of their bikes whilst at the same time putting more generic components on their machines...not good.

Has Mrs Lard given you any feedback as to what she'd be interested in? Might be worth taking her to your LBS and having a look at what she feels comfortable on. £800 is a decent budget - let us know how you get on.

 

[pepecat]

I couldn't decide between a trek and a specialised (having sat on neither - this was just from preliminary research), and i went to a (not so) LBS and sat on a trek..... and loved it. Its a 2009 1.2 WSD and fits me nicely. I'm 5"7' with a 30 inch inside leg, and the 50cm frame suits me fine. Its aluminium frame and carbon forks and rides like.... well, nicely. I like it, anyhow!

Best thing to do is go to a bike shop and see what fits / suits mrs lard. She's the one riding it, so she's gotta be comfortable on it.

 

[Lard Armstrong]

Thanks for your insights, long story short, Mrs Lard is now a proud owner of a Felt ZW95 and adores it. I bought from eBay (unwanted gift, unridden, still in the original box). It was a bit of a bargain and is the perfect size too. I took a bit of a risk, but it has paid off.

I was planning to get a Dolce or Lexa, but she wouldn't let me spend 'all that money', so this was a good compromise.

It looks great, with detailing in very light blue (bit like Bianchi celeste), very girly.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012/Fit-Woman/ZW-Series/ZW95.aspx

Interestingly, I couldn't find any online reviews from the usual sources (road.cc, bike radar, here).

Thanks again.

 

[ttcycle]

Fantastic! I look forward to seeing details of you both on rides- good to hear that you got a good deal!