New bike: Dolce or Giant Avail 4?

tier

Between two options. They're ladies bikes and for a complete beginner to race bikes.

Dolce is 870e and aluminum frame, FACT carbon fork legs with Zertz inserts, shimano 2300 drivetrain, triple chainrings and mavic rims.

Giant Avail is about 700e and AluxX SL aluminium, Fluid Formed™ frame, CroMo fork, Shimano 2300 24 speed shifting, Giant Sport stem and seatpost, Giant CR51 rims, Formula hubs, stainless spokes wheelset.

As I said, it's new to me. I'd be inclined to go with the slightly cheaper. Any opinions appreciated.

Tau

I've been thinking of recommending this to a female friend:

http://www.canyon.com/_en/roadbikes/bike.html?b=2104

It is on the expensive side compared to the other two you list, but it is considerably better specced. I'd be put off by the lack of carbon fork on the Giant Avail.

I'm interested to see if there are any other suggestions?

tier

Well, I guess it's not much more expensive than the Dolce one. Is that stocked in Ireland? Haven't really been given any other recommendations in my budget and I'm also slightly limited in that some of the options were not available for my (short)height.

Caroline_ie

I tier.
I am also quite very short and I couldn't recommend the Specialized women bike geometry more. I have a specialized Ruby myself, in a Size 44 and it fits great ( I am 5 foot nothing ). I have met other small riders with Ruby or Dolce bikes and they all agree that it is a great women's bike. I am actually thinking of upgrading my frame to another women Specialized frame in a year or two.
... the Specialized are also way prettier than the giants, they have a little more character.

tier

Hi Caroline ie, good to hear it suits short folk! And it is pretty. Can I ask if you it just for racing and/or commuting and how you find it for either purpose? I currently ride a hybrid and love the cycling so want to expand the hobby. Just a bit cautious about the different sitting position from the hybrid - it'll probably take a while to adjust to.

Caroline_ie

tier wrote: »

Hi Caroline ie, good to hear it suits short folk! And it is pretty. Can I ask if you it just for racing and/or commuting and how you find it for either purpose? I currently ride a hybrid and love the cycling so want to expand the hobby. Just a bit cautious about the different sitting position from the hybrid - it'll probably take a while to adjust to.

I use my one for racing and training. It is confortable for longer spins as well, I have done a lot of sportives ( Wicklow 200 etc ) on it as well.

I wouldn't be worried about cycling in the drops, you only really use the drops when racing. The good thing with drops bars is that you can hold them many different ways, on the hoods, on the flat top bits, in between ( sorry for the non technical jargon here ) ... if anything, it is was more comfortable than an hybrid and easy to get used to it.

snollup

I see there's someone selling a womans Scott Speedster on the cycling adverts sub forum. 105 group set. Might be worth a look.

Caroline_ie

snollup wrote: »

I see there's someone selling a womans Scott Speedster on the cycling adverts sub forum. 105 group set. Might be worth a look.

I know the owner, she's in my club. 54cm will way too be big if OP if short.

tier

Thanks for the tip but yes it's way too big. I'm 5'1" so I'll probably need a 43. Virtually impossible to find secondhand.

Caroline_ie

tier wrote: »

Thanks for the tip but yes it's way too big. I'm 5'1" so I'll probably need a 43. Virtually impossible to find secondhand.

I know ... I feel your pain.
42 for Giant
43 for trek
44 for specialized

Not sure about the other brand.