First road bike advice

Tracy Jacks

Hi

Long time lurker, first time poster. Been trawling through posts on this forum trying to get as much info about ladies road bikes - thanks for all the great info.

I want to purchase a new road bike, up to now I've been borrowing a mountain bike for adventure races and the like. I'm hoping to get into cycling seriously and do some long spins at the weekend but still use my old bike to get into work. I (foolishly) used up my Bike to Work allowance a couple of years on my commuter so will have to purchase this bike myself.

I've visited a few bikes shops and as I'm 5 foot nothing, I'll have to go for a 47/48 cm frame. I have a budget of about €800. Although I would prefer to pay less as last week someone robbed the basket off my bike so I'm terrified that as soon as I get a new bike, it will be stolen.

I've been looking at the following
Felt ZW 95 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/felt-zw95-ladies-2011/
Fuji Finest 1.0 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/finest-10-2011-womens-road-bike-ec024656
Fuji Finest 2.0 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/fuji/finest-20-2011-womens-road-bike-ec024657
Specialized Dolce Elite - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-elite-2011womensSroad-bike-ec023878
Specialized Dolce Sport - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-sport-2011-womens-road-bike-ec024944
Specialized Dolce 24 - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-24-2011-womens-road-bike-ec023875

Would really appreciate any advice ye have for me.

coastwatch

They're all very similar, but of the of the six listed, the Felt 95 gets my vote, because
a. it the lightest by about 1kg
b. it has compact chainrings, all the others have triple chainrings
c. it looks good

Are you buying online or in a shop?

btw, the link to the Docle Elite doesn't work

Tracy Jacks

Thanks a million for that. I'm hoping to have it delivered up the north to save some cash, although I am a little bit in love with the Trek Lexa S that they have in my LBS.

Here is the link to Dolce Elite one - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-elite-2011-womens-road-bike-ec023878

I'm presuming it's a better bike because it's got Shimano Tiagra as they are one above the Sora?

Beasty

Most UK online retailers will not charge much (if any) less for a bike delivered "up north" than directly into the south

Some (Wiggle and CRC) will apply Irish VAT, but even that's only a 1% difference nowadays

I bought one from Evans a couple of years ago when they charged £20 for delivery to Dublin

coastwatch

Tracy Jacks wrote: »

Thanks a million for that. I'm hoping to have it delivered up the north to save some cash, although I am a little bit in love with the Trek Lexa S that they have in my LBS.

Here is the link to Dolce Elite one - http://www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/dolce-elite-2011-womens-road-bike-ec023878

I'm presuming it's a better bike because it's got Shimano Tiagra as they are one above the Sora?

Yes, Tiagra is supposed to be a bit better, maybe a bit lighter, but I think there's very little difference, they're both 9 speed on those bikes and both work fine.

I'm sure most of those bikes would be available in irish shops, it might be worth a look. I wouldn't expect much price difference with online and you might get a few things "thrown in". Better chance of getting the frame size right too.

Lumen

coastwatch wrote: »

Yes, Tiagra is supposed to be a bit better, maybe a bit lighter, but I think there's very little difference, they're both 9 speed on those bikes and both work fine.

AFAIK Tiagra and Sora have significantly different shifter designs. Not used either.

Also, Tiagra is moving to 10sp.

Tracy Jacks

Thanks for all the great info, just visited a LBS at lunchtime and the guy matched the online price of the Specialized Dolce Elite. Will have to head up to Wheelwork to check out the Felt bikes.