Rather lost female beginner road cyclist looking for her first bike!

From the things I’ve read the
From the things I’ve read the bikes for women do not differ in geometry very much. A good bike shop will have someone who can set a bike up for you too.

I have lower back problems and ride a Trek Madone. I only get a bit of back ache on longer rides, by which time everything aches to a degree.

There is also ‘getting fit to the bike’ i.e. that your body needs to develop the muscles and flexibility, which happens the more you ride.

Ultimately I would not worry too much on getting the geometry right (to the extent that most road bikes subscribe to a shape). Do try bikes to see which feels more natural to you, and if they feel uncomfortable reject them, but you’ll probably find that many have a similar feel. So after that it’s about choosing the right selection of componentry and looks. There’s only so much you can tell from a 10-15 minute test on a bike. Backache and anything else is likely to set in after that.

I think one of the most important things to consider is weight, especially since you’re probably not packing as much power as your boyfriend. Having a light bike means that you won’t need to exert the same force to ride up that 8% gradient.

I bought the this bike last
I bought the this bike last year as my first road bike . I did try other bikes but found this the most comfortable as I found with my typical female body shape short torso longer legs no mans bike was a good fit . Did find it rather dispiriting as many bike shops do not stock womens bikes saying either no call for them or a mans bike would be fine . I just love my bike and have joined a cycle club and now go on club rides of either 25 or 40 miles each week and plan to join the 60 mile rides some time soon .

Hi and welcome! It sounds
Hi and welcome! It sounds like you’re on the right track to start with, because often new riders make their first post with something like “Which is best, Trek Thingummybob 2.1 or Giant Oojammarwhatsit 5 series? Do I need lighter wheels? I have a flat nose, do I need cosmetic surgery to give me an aerodynamic face?” etc etc, when the reality, as said above, is that the best bike is:

a. one that fits
b. one that suits your style of riding
c. one you like enough that it will drag you out of a warm bed on a Sunday morning so you can thrash the nuts off it on your local hills

So it sounds like the Trek Lexa is a good bet for you – certainly they are good bikes. This site has a review here:
http://road.cc/content/review/93301-trek-lexa-slx-women-specific-road-bike

I have the Trek Madone and really like it. As mentioned above, they cover different price points so you can choose the one to suit your budget. That said, what feels comfortable on a test ride might feel different after a couple of hours, so I’d suggest getting the shop to do their best to ensure you get the best fit, buy the bike (only if you’re sure!), then get some miles in over a couple of months. Most shops will give it a free fettling after 6 weeks to adjust cables etc once everything has bedded in, at which point you can ask them to re-check your riding position. This assumes a level of competence on their part though. For example, I got mine at Royles cycles in Wilmslow, Cheshire, which is a decent shop and they know their stuff. I don’t how how good the advice would be in, say, Evans cycles though, despite both being Trek dealers. Alternatively, given your back history, you might choose to have a professional bike fitting – Pedal Precision at the Manchester Velodrome charged me £110 for a good couple of hours, Richard knows his stuff and will take your icky back into account. If you can tell us your area, someone may be able to suggest good local shops/fitters.

If you aren’t sure about the bike, then to help you decide, visit other shops and mention that you’ve tried the Trek Lexa. That’s Trek’s ‘female-specific endurance road bike’, and you’ll find other manufacturers have their own equivalent offering in the same market space and aiming for a similar fit/experience.

Don’t worry about not having a massive budget either. As you become fitter, faster and used to longer distances your body changes, so it’s better to spend low now then lust after a £2000 monster in a year or two when you have a really specific idea of what you as an individual want from a bike (handling, ride, spec, geometry etc), than spend big now then find out that you evolve into a different kind of rider.

Sale season is underway now, so get out there, have a shop around, take your passport or driving license to leave with the shop while you have a test ride, and don’t be afraid to try loads. Have fun!

As said, fit and therefore
As said, fit and therefore comfort is paramount. If you liked the Trek so much, I believe the Lexa range covers a few price points so might be worth starting there and comparing from there onwards.

The best bike for you is the
The best bike for you is the one that fits you best – in a first bike this is the one thing that will make a real and lasting difference to how much you enjoy and continue to enjoy cycling.

There is nothing to say that this couldn’t be a ‘men’s’ bike and as you say there will be more choice if it is. In general women are thought to have shorter torsos relative to their overall height (and longer thigh bones) which tends to mean a shorter top tube length. Men’s ‘endurance’ or ‘sportive’ bikes are often like this, so may also fit you. You may however not fit the ‘in general’ mould!

I have spoken to more than one bike shop assistant who says that when people come back for their second bike they often go for a smaller size than their first one, so maybe start small and work your way up rather than the other way around.

Budget is up to you but the sales are on and you can get a lot of bike for your money if you shop around. Just remember that a bike with 50% off that is a bit too big for you is just a slightly less expensive mistake!

Lastly, try lots. Although the chain stores may not all have the greatest customer service they will have a wider range. You can always buy it somewhere else and I wouldn’t feel guilty about it if I were you.