Buying a female Roadbike or not?

[vickster]

I have no experience with Giant but looking at the Avail geometry chart they are pretty much identical in comparison to the Defy.
50cm Defy = 165mm head tube.
53.5cm Defy = 185mm head tube.
55.5cm Defy = 205mm head tube.

But 50cm (M) Avail has 175mm HT from my reading And a slightly shorter TT than the male version. I tried both, the M Defy felt way too big compared to the M Avail I then bought. The way too wide bars didn't help

 

[jefmcg]

But it means I could actually afford a brand new bike, so I'll keep on searching.

Check out Decathlon. Their Tribans are good value for money

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359113-road-bikes

 

[Reynard]

PS : I live in Islington

In that case, why not try Decathlon? There's a mahoosive one in Surrey Quays, easy enough to get to from Islington - you've got the Overground direct from Dalston Junction or from Highbury & Islington (but I think you have to change if you go from there iirc). They've got a reasonable range of road bikes that'll be well within your budget.

Or else there's a big Halfords in Tottenham Hale (#76 bus goes direct)...

 

[Spiderweb]

But 50cm (M) Avail has 175mm HT from my reading And a slightly shorter TT than the male version. I tried both, the M Defy felt way too big compared to the M Avail I then bought. The way too wide bars didn't help

You are right Vickster, there is a little difference with the Giant. Specialized have the same head tube lengths eg. 54cm Roubaix/Ruby or Secteur/Dolce all 165mm.
54cm Allez/Amira both 145mm.
Different brands must differ.

 

[jefmcg]

In that case, why not try Decathlon?

<tap tap tap> is this thing on?

 

[Reynard]

<tap tap tap> is this thing on?

Ooops, my bad.

 

[Elybazza61]

Just to add that my better half has been really pleased with her Avail;it is a medium which fits her 5'6 figure perfectly.Didn't have to change anything(apart from saddle and bar height/reaach) and she has found the saddle really comfy.

It was bought online from Winstanley's in 2015 when they had deals on the previous years bikes; going to be getting an Ultegra upgrade soon too.

Also think they all come with 700c wheels but some smaller Tribans etc come with smaller wheels which can limit tyre choice.

 

[CanucksTraveller]

My wife's 5 foot ten and she went with the men's Defy in a medium... I think if you're an unusual shape or a particularly small woman the WSDs are probably an option worth trying, but I don't believe they're necessary for many women.

 

[biggs682]

A good friend of mine is selling this 51cm Langdale alloy 7005 tubed bike for aprox £225 he is Derby based . So bargains can be found just got to keep looking @LeahCod @HelenQueen

 

[jefmcg]

Just to add that my better half has been really pleased with her Avail;it is a medium which fits her 5'6 figure perfectly.Didn'te to change anything(apart from saddle and bar height/reaach) and she has found the saddle really comfy.

Interesting. I am also 5' 6" (1.68M) and fit nicely into a small. Vickster who is 4 inches taller than me had a medium.

at 4cm taller than me, I think the original poster - if looking at giants would test ride the S & M to be sure.

Also think they all come with 700c wheels but some smaller Tribans etc come with smaller wheels which can limit tyre choice.

But not at the sizes your wife, or me or Leah would be buying.

 

[LeahCod]

@biggs682 I may have found a bike closer to me on Secondbike! Just waiting for the seller to confirm.
I'll keep you posted if it doesn't happen.
And yes, that's a good price for a bike that seems to be in good condition! (Not too much fan of the blue color, but that's me being fussy...)

 

[Reynard]

My Wiggins (38cm frame) has 650c wheels. Yep, it's a pain finding mundane things like inner tubes, mudguards need some bodging, and as @Elybazza61 says, there's a limited choice on tyres. But for me that was more than offset by having a bike that fits.

IIRC from when I was looking for a road bike last autumn, Tribans have 650c wheels up to and including the Small frame size.

 

[Apollonius]

As a "quite tall for a woman" person, at 1.72, I think she should be looking for 53 or 55 in Bianchi. Lesser makes would probably be medium. That Bianchi in the advert is reasonable value at the price - nice frame still being made but currently marketed as the Intenso.(I think) as the premium Infinito is now CV. Wheels are a bit average (Fulcrum 7) and 105 is OKish, but very serviceable. The stem appears to be upside down!

 

[jefmcg]

Tribans have 650c wheels up to and including the Small frame size.

I stand corrected. I can see no need to put 650 on a small frame, XS maybe, and anything below that.

 

[vickster]

I stand corrected. I can see no need to put 650 on a small frame, XS maybe, and anything below that.

Depends how small the small is I guess. Your small Giant is a 51cm or thereabouts which isn't *that* small