advice on purchasing a new entry level roadie?

greenleprechaun

G'day guys!

I am currently searching for a good entry level road bike (womens), around $1500 upto 2000. I know that i want 9-10 gear 105 componentry with triple chaining, however don't know too much about frame specs, which is where the price difference comes in

I was out bike shopping today and was recommended the following:
LeMond tourmalet $1900
Avanti giro $1900 and vivace $1450
Anyone heard of the avanti vuelta ($1500)? i can't seem to find any good info on it.

Plan to continue searching in the coming weeks, but i was wondering if anyone had any advice on the above bikes, or could recommend others that are within a similar range.
What about others brands like fuji, scott, felt, cannondale?

Cheers, any info will be greatly appreciated

warday

Hi

I have an Avanti San Remo Pro which has everything you want - 105, triple, 10 speed cassette etc. I am really happy with it. I am no expert so I can't comment on its frame spec's. Cost me just over $2000 with pedals, shoes, pump etc...

The Avanti models you mention above I though had double chain rings - but I haven't checked the Avanti site for sometime.

Good luck with your looking. Finding a triple may be a problem as they are less common - "real roadies" don't use triples. But, I must admit it has been handy to have the extra gearing on the odd occassion.

Regards
WD

sm0241

There's a large cycle shop in Chatswood just outside Sydney, I've been in the shop a few times at the weekends looking at the mens Avanti's and Specialized stuff as I'm gonna purchase myself.

If I'm in again this weekend I'll check if they have that Vuelta, they did have about four or five womens road bikes in the Avanti section but I can't remember the models.

Thanks,
Steve

anthonyg

Well in that price range you realy should at least look at Giants. They may not be all 105 but they are good value for money and Giant makes good quality frames.

Given your username and desire for WSD I suspect that you are on the short side. If that's the case then getting good fit is going to be more important, and unfortunately more difficult and I would be looking at that first rather than component levels. If you are short then I would strongly reccomend that you look seriously at 650c wheeled bikes rather than XS 700c wheeled bikes and there are a few of them around. Giant, Trek and Cannondale all make entry level adult 650c bikes and I would be looking at the Giant inpaticular because it has a slightly more relaxed seat tube angle than the others. Avanti does make a 650c wheeled bike I believe but I think this is more aimed at the youth market but it could be worth a look.

For a reference I'm a 5' 1" male riding a custom 650c bike and my experienced opinion on this subject is that you would want to be 5' 4" and taller before 700c bikes would fit properly.

Regards, Anthony

FREDBLACK

Where do you live. Just thinking which shop to recommend in your area.

thomas_cho

Have u considered compact chainrings? It might widen your bike options.

Also it might pay to ask if the shop will do the swap of parts from the double to a triple.

nerdag

Avanti Vuelta is the same frame as the Vivace (i.e. all aluminium), but has a 105 10s drive train. IIRC, the only part that is not 105 are the cranks/BB, which are OEM from FSA (not that big a deal, really). The main difference between the Vuelta and Giro is $400, and the carbon seat stays.

The 2007 Giro looks schweet in its straight white though!

n

Scotttri

Felt F85 is good for money ($1600) however its not a tripple

peterlip

Not a triple, but a compact, so is almost as good range wise.

If you're in Melbourne, have a look at my favourite shop (other than buying from them, I have no interest in them).
They have Felt F80 (triple) for $1300: http://www.bikes.com.au/html/s02_ar...341&art_id=1007

Scott Speedster S30 (either compact or triple) for $1600: http://www.bikes.com.au/html/s02_ar...353&art_id=1067

I've got a 2005 Felt F70 and love it. It's a triple and because I live near hills, I use the granny gear a lot.

__________________
Road: Felt F70
Commute: Raceline Comp LX

greenleprechaun

hahahaha, my name is a bit deceptive. i'm actually 5'6 but have been told to look for women's bikes for a better fit. although i'm finding the fit on most guys bikes comfy. cheers for all the info

greenleprechaun

what are compact chainrings?
and i have asked about swapping double to triple, and most stores are happy to do so, just means increasing the price of it. if i can get a cheaper bike, i'd be happy to swap chainrings. i just think $2000 is my limit.
Cheers

greenleprechaun

i live in melbourne. visited a few bikes shops specialising in avanti, specialised, fuji, ginant, trek and lemond. havn't seen any cannondale, felt's for the moment.
any info would be greatly appreciated!

greenleprechaun

they look good. thanks! hahaha, i think it's making my decision harder now, dont know which direction to go in!

matagi

Well I'm 5'6", female, and I ride a men's bike so I reckon it's more a case of what fits best. You should try a WSD just for comparison purposes because you might actually find it works even better for you.