Hi all - I am looking to purchase a woman’s road bike and am looking for feedback/advice.
I am: 5’0", want a bike with quick response but not too aggressive. Can ride distance to train and also races. Doing Iron Man LP in July. Nothing too aero, want a bit of comfort as it will be my first and I need to put in many miles, many century rides. But at the same time want a bike that will perform, that has a good responsive feel.
I was considering the Cervelo R3 w/Ultegra components. It is the 2010 model and is 25% reduced. But it is still very expensive and I am having doubs about the $3k plus investment (with shoes, seat upgrade, pedals… it comes to $3.5k)…R3 is both responsive, super fast and a little bit of comfort for the long hauls. It is a road bike, full carbon.
So, my initial budget was about $2.5k with all loaded. but as a I searched I realized taht I was looking for more of an elite road bike than pure performance b/c I want to be slightly agressive and want a resposive bike…That lead me to look at used bikes; but with a carbon frame it seems I could be compromising in the long run.
So, I was looking around and found the slice (a women’s TT bike), the synapse (Cannondale performance road), supersix (Cannondale elite road) and the Cervelo R3.Cannondale Feminique 3 too slow? Didn’t like the Specialized Dolce, any type. Don’t like, but people keep trying to sell me this Jamis with silly pink cursive writing. Like Felt. Basically, very new to biking. Was originally looking to spend under $2,500.
I don’t want a strictly women’s bike; all of the ones that I tried - the Ruby, the Dulce, etc. all felt to soft/girley.
So here are my questions:
Is the 48" frame too big? My fitter seems to think no. He wants me on 700c wheels for what I want to do. I have a 28.5" inseam. Long arms, short torso, I think.
I know I can upgrade components, but should I go totally down to the 105?
any other comparable/less expensive high end type bikes with as much zip for the ladies?
Opines on the Cannondale series of road bikes?
Advice? Cannondale Supersix Women’s 3 Ultegra or 105, Cervelo 2010 R3 Ultegra, Cannondale Slice, or custom? What about the Synapse? Anyone have these models?
Is the 48" frame too big? My fitter seems to think no. He wants me on 700c wheels for what I want to do. I have a 28.5" inseam. Long arms, short torso, I think.
At 5’0" I would be looking for 650 bikes. Shops will NOT want to put you on a 650 bike because it is a hassle to find wheels/tubes/tires but it would prevent toe overlap, get you a little lower out of the wind, and allow better geometry for your frame.
I know I can upgrade components, but should I go totally down to the 105?
105, especially in the last couple years, is sweet stuff. I wouldn’t worry about components at all.
any other comparable/less expensive high end type bikes with as much zip for the ladies?
To a close approximation, all road bikes will perform the same as far as how ‘fast’ they are. The tri bikes, mostly due to the position they allow you to get in, and the aerobars and aero tubing, will be quite a bit faster than the road bikes. If this will be you only bike, the road bike will be much more convenient for long rides, group rides, etc
Opines on the Cannondale series of road bikes?
excellent
Advice? Cannondale Supersix Women’s 3 Ultegra or 105, Cervelo 2010 R3 Ultegra, Cannondale Slice, or custom? What about the Synapse? Anyone have these models?
you need to decide if you want to ride your ironman in the aero bars or not, and if you want a tri bike as your only bike or not. once you know that you can narrow things down a lot. Between the R3 and cannondale road bikes, both are excellent, can’t go wrong either way.
keep in mind womens specific geometry is a myth, you don’t have to limit to women’s bikes unless you like the pinks and the flowers
Hey Courtney–my wife is about your size and has also long-leg/short-torso configuration. After trying a bunch of them out, we got her onto the XXS (47) Scott Addict, and she loves it. Of all the ones she tried (Specialized Dolce and Allez, Bianchi C2C) this was the one that she felt most comfortable on–you might want to give one a shot if you can. The R3 seems to be in your price-point (2300) and might be worth checking out.
It also comes with 700c wheels, which is something slightly unusual for a bike of this size–most companies put 650s on at this size. Not a big deal, cept 650s are harder to come by (but not impossible), and most race support only has 700c wheels so you might be in trouble if you have a technical on the race course.
As for the grouppo question…105 is a great, solid, no-frills grouppo. You won’t be disappointed with it, but you won’t be blown away by it either. My wife’s Addict came with 105, and after 2 years she’s just now considering going to SRAM Force…mainly because her CX bike is SRAM and she finds she really likes their double-tap setup.
Maybe Trek’s Madone 4 series? The 47 has 700c. I think you have to get the WSD for the smallest two frame sizes, but it’s not a full-on girl bike like the Lexa, and the colors are fairly neutral. I’m no fit expert, just something I’ve looked at.
I was considering the Cervelo R3 w/Ultegra components. It is the 2010 model and is 25% reduced. But it is still very expensive and I am having doubs about the $3k plus investment (with shoes, seat upgrade, pedals… it comes to $3.5k)…R3 is both responsive, super fast and a little bit of comfort for the long hauls. It is a road bike, full carbon.
So, my initial budget was about $2.5k with all loaded. but as a I searched I realized taht I was looking for more of an elite road bike than pure performance b/c I want to be slightly agressive and want a resposive bike…That lead me to look at used bikes; but with a carbon frame it seems I could be compromising in the long run.
I don’t want a strictly women’s bike; all of the ones that I tried - the Ruby, the Dulce, etc. all felt to soft/girley.
So here are my questions:
Is the 48" frame too big? My fitter seems to think no. He wants me on 700c wheels for what I want to do. I have a 28.5" inseam. Long arms, short torso, I think.
I know I can upgrade components, but should I go totally down to the 105?
any other comparable/less expensive high end type bikes with as much zip for the ladies?
Opines on the Cannondale series of road bikes?
Advice? Cannondale Supersix Women’s 3 Ultegra or 105, Cervelo 2010 R3 Ultegra, Cannondale Slice, or custom? What about the Synapse? Anyone have these models?
thanks!
Courtney
Are you looking for a road bike or a tri bike?
If you want a road bike, take a look at the Cervelo RS with Rival components. Brand new it comes in at $2600 - far less than last year’s R3. Even in the XS size, it may be too big for you at 5’. That said, the RS has a slightly longer wheel base than the R3 and the RS’s curved seat stays make for a very comfy ride.
Think about finding a new fitter; yours doesn’t appear that swift. There is absolutlely no reason for you to avoid 650c bikes. At your height, there are many reasons why that wheel size is preferable. If you are planning on a tri bike, it is absolutely imperative that you get on a 650c bike. I don’t know a 700c bike that will allow you to get low enough in front at 5’ nothing.
Whatever bike you choose, fit is extremely important.
DW is 5’1 and older bike was a cannondale (not women specific) 48 frame and was too big.
She tried several 48s and ended up with Trek 4.5 women 47 frame (all 105 and under $2,000). very happy with it.
The Cervelo RS comes in an “XS” in 650c wheels. Cervelo in the past marketed it as a “comfort” road bike, but the stack and reach are now very similar to the 2011 R3, so it seems it’s not just a cruiser. Its MSRP is $2600(maybe you could get a deal). I would encourage you to at least ride a 650c bike before committing to 700c.
105 components are perfectly good components. They are more than adequate and reliable.
I’m not a fitter but I can tell you from personal experience that at 5’ tall you may be better off with a 650c bike.
I’ve been down the “700c” bike is a must road. Before you go out spend all your money on a bike that will not fit I highly recommend that you get a second opinion from another fitter.
At 5’0" you will have a hard time finding a tri bike w/ 700 wheels that will allow you to get low. The C’Dale Slice is a great bike. The size 51 has a 700 wheel. I’m 5’4", not that flexible and I can’t get low on the bike.
You can try the Slice in the 47 w/ the 650c wheels that may fit.
If you go w/ a road bike I would still look at the 650 options. You can find plenty of 650c wheels and tires. Just plan ahead for your races.
actually just bought a new road bike TODAY for my wife, who’s exactly 5’0! she was looking for something maybe 1 step down from you, and doesn’t have much interest in tris. i had really assumed 650 wheels would be her only choice, but they were very hard to find where we live (switzerland) and in the end, we found a great fit for her on a 700c bike. she got a BMC sparkle (silly name, i suppose, but it looks great!). she actually got fitted on a synapse with full SRAM apex - it was a pretty good fit, too, in the 48 size. i had assumed she’d be way harder to fit, but actually we found several frames that were ok. she’s gone with full 105, and i think you’d be OK there too - i’ve got 6-year-old 105 on my roadie and it’s still rockin’! if anything, upgrade to an ultegra rear derailleur and maybe nicer wheels.
in her case, i think it’s important that she was an elite gymnast for many years. she’s hugely flexible so getting low is no problem - i think it really opens up the number of bikes/geometries that ‘work’ for her. the cervelo would be a great, great bike, and if my wife’s anything to go by you could get a good fit on the synapse. we also tried out a CUBE axial - great value for an ultegra bike with great wheels, but not sure if it’s available in the USA.
anyway, here’s the BMC (i’m a bit biased on their stuff. . .) and try to search for my recent threads, “road bikes for petites” or something.
forgot to add: whether or not “women’s specific geometry” is a myth, things like smaller and shorter-reach brake levers were a must for my wife. the cannondales didn’t have them. shimano makes a ‘small hands’ version of 105, which is on my wife’s BMC, and she’s really happy with it. she also spent a few minutes on a dolce and didn’t like it either. . .
There is an idea out in the wild that women have different proportions than men. This is only true because women tend to be shorter than men. That is to say, at any given height, men and women have the same proportions.
So, often what women’s geometry really means is
less agressive, cruiser geometry
or
pink and flowers, with the same geometry as the mens bike
So women looking for a bike need not limit themselves to womens geometry, and if they intend to race they may want to avoid those women’s specific bikes that just have less aggressive geometry.
Short women (and men!) will need to think carefully about wheel choice though. The industry is going to try hard to keep them off 650 wheels, and that may not be a good thing.
keep in mind womens specific geometry is a myth, you don’t have to limit to women’s bikes unless you like the pinks and the flowers
Jack, I have begun looking for a bike for my girlfriend and have come across this comment a couple of times. Would you, please, elaborate on this?
On the 650c wheel size choice, definitely go with 650c unless one of the exceptions below applies to you. The smaller wheel size will allow a better, more proportional fit and minimize possibilities of toe overlap which on a smaller frame like yours can definitely be an issue (more on a road geometry frame than tri though).
650c is a pain in the ass if:
-you buy a 650c tri bike (as there are lots of these on the market) and then later buy a 700c road bike (as there aren’t many 650c road bikes on the market) and want to share an expensive pair of race wheels between the two of them…
-it’s harder to find someone to lend you race wheels if you ever feel like giving them a shot
-it’s harder to find replacement tires, tubes, smaller selection of race wheels on the market etc
-your LBS doesn’t sell or support any brands that make a 650c bike AND you feel like you’ll be going to them for a lot of support and work on the bike (comes back to the harder to find tubes, tires, etc)
-you flat in a race or on a ride and don’t have a spare. Now obviously you should carry a spare or two but say you use those both up, well the chances of another 650c rider (ie, the chances of another 5’2" or so shorter rider) being the one to pull over and help you are pretty slim. That being said you can totally squeeze a 700c tube into a 650c tire (as a coach I’ve done it for riders).
Funny note, ten years ago anyone under 5’10" or so would likely have been talked into riding 650c wheels;) I’m 5’10 and my first real tri bike was a Softride Powerwing with 650c wheels as that was what was hot back then!
