Advice for a female beginner

singleton

Hi all,

I'm not the person in question, but they are a family member.
I'm looking to get some advice or comment from anyone about a new bike for a 24 yr old female beginner.
Current thinking is the Womens version of the Cannondale Synapse disc - but any comments in support of this choice or with another suggestion is most welcome.

Thanks.

joe_totale-2

What's the budget?

This to me looks like an excellent bike for beginners:

https://road.cc/content/review/triban-rc520-womens-disc-road-bike-274809

bompington

joe_totale-2 said:

What's the budget?

This to me looks like an excellent bike for beginners:

https://road.cc/content/review/triban-rc520-womens-disc-road-bike-274809

Dr Bomp has one and she loves it. Not the lightest, but goes well and a good intro to road bikes.

mrb123

Synapse would be a very decent choice too though, assuming model under consideration has hydraulic discs.

fenix

What does she want to do with the bike ? Commute ? Weekend rides ? Race ?

What kind of terrain do you have ?

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Experience of being on drop bars combined with their desired balance between speed and comfort will be pretty improtant criteria for choosing bike.

Not to mention choice of a bike to ride now is quite limiting, so many sub ~£2k bikes simply are out of stock until the 2021 models arrive from around late August, thanks to the lockdown bike buying frenzy!

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/cube-axial-ws-womens-road-bike-2020/rp-prod192391 have 50/53/56cm frames in stock, decent first rim braked road bike, sportive (relaxed) position for £700

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/womens-road-bike-ultra-af-id_8559051.html isn't bad for £750

https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/5137/products/cube-attain-sl-disc-road-bike-2020-black.aspx has the 50cm frame in stock, similar if not identical geo to above but with hydraulic brakes for £1200

singleton

Thanks all - particularly for those who've taken some real effort around research and link posting - much appreciated.

Of course you've asked the same questions as I would have asked if I didn't know her, I probably should have added some more context.

Budget is £800- £1k real cost in C2W
Triban is worth a look - thanks
Alloy synapse isn't available with hydro discs, 105 model has spyres but others have lesser cable discs
She lives in London but it will mostly be leisure road rides and there is a ride club at work she will get involved with and ride with.

She was planning to buy the bike earlier in the year and train for a 100k sportive, but those plans have taken a back seat due to lockdown. She's now resurrecting the bike purchase and wants to make the most of what's left of the summer.