first road bike

its a good idea to stay on the same brand, since fit and sizing would be guaranteed, just chose the same size you are confortable with on the FX 7.2 , always on the women-specific geometry of TREK's. My choice would be the Lexa SL, 750 GBP, the Lexa SLX is closer to the 1k GBP but i don't think that upgrade is really decisive, except for the Shimano 105 Shifters, which are better than the Tiagra. With time you will come to learn all these specific specs names and it will actually make your life easier when you decide to upgrade or replace components. On the Lexa's you can chose a triple chainring or a compact chainring (the compact chainring is a double chainring). If you are planning to ride on serious long and steep mountains then you might want the triple chainring because you get more gear options, otherwise decide for a compact chainring. For a road bike the double chainring is better and compact double chainring provide you with plenty of gear options too. p.s. on second thought double check sizing before buying, framesize is always a bit subjective

thanks a lot. I was looking at the Trek Lexa as you have recommended. I think its edging as the favourite at the moment !

Hi stamfie, I'm a very new roadie, and to this forum as well! Have been doing some"research" for a new bike and found it interesting (if not shocking) to see that much similarities: 1) Hooked to cycling since I owned the WSD 7.2FX for one year 2) I'm 5'1" 3) Budget is also $1K 4) Currently very inclined to get the 2013 Lexa SLX C, black/pearl. My LBS best offer is $1350 before tax. 5) Oh, andI last but not least, very often I found myself just like a kindergartner for ppl here are very technical!! But I do learn a lot and have lots of fun reading all these technical posts :-P If, by any chance you already bought your new bike AND it's a Lexa SLX (Shimano 105, compact chain rings), please let me know how you like it? Thanks!

Hi
Thats quite funny that we seem to have such a similar story !
I have now test ridden the Lexa SL (£850) and the Specialised Dolce sport equipped triple (£870).
They both felt rather strange having ridden a straight bar bike for so long but I'm told that it takes getting used to. They were both beautiful bikes tho !
I havent bought yet as I cant decide between either and also because it seemed so alien that I'm seriously considering going up the FX model route and getting a faster , cabon fork equipped one of them . So pretty confused still and undecided

lol168 said:

Hi stamfie, I'm a very new roadie, and to this forum as well! Have been doing some"research" for a new bike and found it interesting (if not shocking) to see that much similarities: 1) Hooked to cycling since I owned the WSD 7.2FX for one year 2) I'm 5'1" 3) Budget is also $1K 4) Currently very inclined to get the 2013 Lexa SLX C, black/pearl. My LBS best offer is $1350 before tax. 5) Oh, andI last but not least, very often I found myself just like a kindergartner for ppl here are very technical!! But I do learn a lot and have lots of fun reading all these technical posts :-P If, by any chance you already bought your new bike AND it's a Lexa SLX (Shimano 105, compact chain rings), please let me know how you like it? Thanks!

Have tried finding a Trek dealer that has a Lexa to test ride? A test ride is the single best way to find a bike that works for you. The opinions of others don't carry much weight when it comes to what a rider feels on a bike. A successful test-ride will last about an hour. i'd recommend not locking yourself into one bike. Instead ride a few bikes (maybe more). Buy the one that fits best, rides best, handles best, appeals to your aesthetic needs, and fits in your price range.....or close to your range. I took a friend's wife shopping for a bike one day. We spent the entire day visiting bike shops (and Tucson has loads of bike shops), and she rode many bikes. As it happened there was a bike that day that she kept going back to in her mind as it seemed to fit her bill. She even rode the bike twice, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. However the next day she snuck off to a new bike shop, test rode a different bike, and knew instantly it was the one. The point of the story is to keep an open mind when looking at bikes. Most bikes in a given price range are going to be of the same quality, and these days it's hard to find a bike in a real bike shop that a real turd.

Good point alienator! So far, I've test rode: Giant Avail 1, Fuji Roubaix 1.0 (2012 model $999), Raleigh Capri Raleigh Capri 3.0 (2012 model, close out deal $1200), and finally 2013 Trek Lexa SLX C. I think I read somewhere here in the forum....It's probably it's your previous post(!!) that we should keep "open minded" when it comes to test ride.... Hence I tried all these different brand while I was originally thinking about the Trek WSD bikes only. So far, my conclusion is: I think Lexa slx is better fit for me, for it's softer, and less aggressive position...... Probably due to the 25mm tires plus the Isospeed seat post?? I don't know if I should test ride more or this should be it...... Will make up my mind later.

lol168 said:

Good point alienator! So far, I've test rode: Giant Avail 1, Fuji Roubaix 1.0 (2012 model $999), Raleigh Capri Raleigh Capri 3.0 (2012 model, close out deal $1200), and finally 2013 Trek Lexa SLX C. I think I read somewhere here in the forum....It's probably it's your previous post(!!) that we should keep "open minded" when it comes to test ride.... Hence I tried all these different brand while I was originally thinking about the Trek WSD bikes only. So far, my conclusion is: I think Lexa slx is better fit for me, for it's softer, and less aggressive position...... Probably due to the 25mm tires plus the Isospeed seat post?? I don't know if I should test ride more or this should be it...... Will make up my mind later.

The differences you feel might be from the 25mm tires and the lower pressure they require. One thing that's often overlooked in test rides is the tire pressure/tire size. If you test ride a bike whose tires are inflated to too high of a pressure, that bike will have a less compliant ride than one with the same size tires inflated to a lower pressure. The Isospeed Decoupler isn't the seat post. It is a system wherein the seat tube and top tubearen't molded or bonded as one piece. instead the seat tube is independent of the top tube and is fastened together with a bolt through an elastomer. The elastomer allows much greater movement in the seat tube which softens impacts from bumps and decrease vibrations. Certainly a bike with the Isospeed Decoupler will ride differently than one without.

Thanks for correcting me regard the seat post. More questions: 1) Assume everything else being equal, I suppose a 23mm should feel less compliant than 25mm tires, correct? 2) Any recommendations on clip less shoes? I watched a YouTube video where a guy highly recommend getting SPD pedal on road bike, and mountain bike shoes, he said it's more practical and you can walk. I never ride with clip less. My purpose of riding is more recreational, and hopefully I can train my endurance, loose some weight, and and get into a couple beginner group ride. Thanks for your advice in advance!

alienator said:

The differences you feel might be from the 25mm tires and the lower pressure they require. One thing that's often overlooked in test rides is the tire pressure/tire size. If you test ride a bike whose tires are inflated to too high of a pressure, that bike will have a less compliant ride than one with the same size tires inflated to a lower pressure. The Isospeed Decoupler isn't the seat post. It is a system wherein the seat tube and top tubearen't molded or bonded as one piece. instead the seat tube is independent of the top tube and is fastened together with a bolt through an elastomer. The elastomer allows much greater movement in the seat tube which softens impacts from bumps and decrease vibrations. Certainly a bike with the Isospeed Decoupler will ride differently than one without.