New Bike Recommendations?

peanutzip said:

Hello all!

I have been looking at Trek and Specialized mostly, but am unsure of which would be best for what I would like to do. (For example, getting the Trek 1500 WSD vs 2100 WSD vs. 5000 WSD)

Depends on your budget, tastes, and riding style. For general riding, all could be excellent choices, but obviously the bikes differ in frame, components, and price. You need to ride them and see which works best for you and your budget. Depending on your body proportions, consider a real women's specific designed bike such as those made by Terry, Luna, or Rodriguez, among others. The Trek WSD bikes have some compromises in the small frame sizes because they use 700c wheels rather than going with a smaller wheel size as those other builders do. Take a look at these links for some discussion of fitting bikes short women.

http://www.lunacycles.com/skinny.html
http://www.terrybicycles.com/buybike/faq.html
http://www.rodcycle.com/women.html

At 5' 2" you may be fine on a standard bike. Maybe not, depending on your individual proportions.

peanutzip said:

Also - does having a compact frame that places you more upright (like the Trek Pilot series for example) put you at a disadvantage in racing?

Upright frame makes you a bit less aerodynamic. Being uncomfortable will put you at a disadvantage.

peanutzip said:

Or, if you're someone like me that has had lower back pain in the past is it a better option?

Hard to say.

peanutzip said:

Or is it just a learned position?

Yes, somewhat. Some people never get comfortable in the dropped bar position, which is why the "flat bar" road bike concept seems to be getting popular. For racing, you need the varied hand positions of the drop bar to optimize power under different condtions (drops for sprinting and getting low on a solo break, or pulling into the wind, hoods or tops for climbs, etc...)

Bottom line, ride different bikes, think about how YOU will use the bike. Make sure that the bike you get fits well.

Good luck!