Women's Road bikes

[suew]

Hi would appreciate some advice. I'm after a road bike for competing in triathlons and general training and looking to spend under £1000. I've been looking at the Specialized range and just wondered if getting the latest model is worth it. I can get the dolce elite 2011 for 750 or the 2012 dolce sport for 800. Also these are online,is it risky measuring what frame I'd need or is it worth going to a store and potentially paying more? The shops I have locally to me don't have a huge choice. I have a Giant store where I could get an Avail or a local bike shop where I could get a specialised. Does anyone have any recommendations? Thanks

 

[Nearly there]

Look at mens bikes more choice

 

[derrick]

It's worth driving out to find a shop were she can try one for size, once you know the size you can buy online if it''s cheaper or haggle a bit to get it for the right price.

 

[vickster]

More choice in men's bikes as said. How tall are you, inside leg measurement? If over 5'5ish, certainly look at men's bikes. easy to swap the saddle, stem and even get narrower bars. Certainly sit on a gew

Get the best spec for your money, don't get hung up on year as last year's models can often be a bargain. It sounds silly but also get one you like the look of most if a choice of 2 similar specced bikes - if you love its looks, you'll ride it more

 

[suew]

Thanks, I'm 5'9" and inside leg 32" so will go back and have a look at men's too. Both shops I went to both steered me towards the women's ones. Not too bothered which year it is either just want as much for my money.are there any features I should be looking out for that are worth paying a bit extra for?

 

[RaRa]

I'm 5'8" with same leg measurement as you and ended up with a man's bike. In the end I picked what felt best but I was steered that way by the bike shop as they hinted that women's specific bikes often do not have the same spec componants on them as a similarly priced mens bike.

 

[lulubel]

In the end I picked what felt best but I was steered that way by the bike shop as they hinted that women's specific bikes often do not have the same spec componants on them as a similarly priced mens bike.

This is definitely true. If a man's bike does work for you, you can often get a lot more for your money.

 

[fimm]

I'm 5'7" and ride a bike that belonged to (and was slightly too big for) my 5'5" boyfriend. Definitely try non-female-specific bikes. You may even find they fit you better!

 

[vickster]

Thanks, I'm 5'9" and inside leg 32" so will go back and have a look at men's too. Both shops I went to both steered me towards the women's ones. Not too bothered which year it is either just want as much for my money.are there any features I should be looking out for that are worth paying a bit extra for?

I am about the same size as you, and found all women's road bikes too small. I ride a 54.5cm Pearson carbon, I think their frames come up on the large size (I would probably fit a 56cm in most). I couldn't find a women's bike that was bigger than 54cm at the time. Only considered men's/unisex frames. With the women's specific frames, you tend to get lower end components for the same money as a men's/unisex frame that comes with the next groupset up (e.g. Sora on the women's. Tiagra on the men's etc)

For £800 you should easily find a Tiagra equipped alu/carbon bike, even 105. Where do you live? Many of the bigger online retailers also have stores

 

[vickster]

You can get Tiagra on a women's frame but typically you'll pay more than for a men's bike (and there is less choice so less likely to find a bargain)

 

[suew]

Great thanks for all your advice. I'm in Bromley, Kent but my only local places are either Giant or a local retailer and neither had much choice of women's so I'll go back and look at the men's too. I guess it's either that or go into London unless anyone knows any others in the area?

 

[vickster]

I was in the Giant shop in Bromley not long ago, they had some good sale models

Shop in Orpington here http://www.cyclesuk.com/article/orpington_bike_shop

I'd head into London - Onyourbike at London Bridge and the big Evans and Cyclesurgery near Oxford Circus (also a CS on the Purley Way, not to mention Geoffrey Butler in S Croydon if you fancy Italian )

 

[suew]

Perfect thanks, I'll have a look at those this week.

 

[vickster]

GB have a couple that may be of interest - Dolce Elite in 54cm @ £750 or a Secteur SRAM (nice and simple to use) @ £750 in 56cm (a more relaxed geometry than the Dolce I think)

http://www.gbcycles.co.uk/category/192/Sale_Bikes

 

[suew]

Yes I had a look at that one there it's on my shortlist maybe I'll go to the cycle surgery on purley way and then gb. You've been so helpful thank you.