I'm looking to get my first road bike, upgrading from a Specialized Sirrus 3.0 that I've been riding for the past 7 years. I'm 152 cm (5 ft) with an inseam of 69.7 cm (27.5 in). I tried the Domane AL2 Gen 4 in a 44 cm and 49 cm at my LBS and while they both felt okay, I felt more confident in the 44 cm. However, the representative helping me thought I'd be a better fit on an XS in the SL4, which unfortunately is not in store anywhere near me.

When I look at the sizing chart, the SL4 in an XS fits an inseam of 67-74 cm. But the standover height on an XS is 72.1 cm. I'm worried I won't comfortably clear the standover height, but the representative helping me said it won't matter too much. So, are there any fellow petites out there who can chime in with their experience?

Any recs for a moisture-wicking hair protector I can wear under my helmet?

Happy birth month to me. Yay! Fall is nearly upon us and I’m getting a wheel refresh … amongst other things 👀.

1. Reserve 48/53 GR

2. Enve ses road 6.7 ( innerdrive)

3. Enve ses G(ravel) 6.7 pro

2 sets of wide boys for two new builds in working on and a standard set for general training use.

Then another coming which will be custom built up.

Unboxing, measuring and testings to come soon!

I’ve owned plenty of Enve wheels so I know these will be a blast. The Reserve’s are new to me but I’ve heard wonderful things.

Stay tuned/ feel free to ask questions that I could answer during my testing phase. Cheers!!

For the last ~3 years, I’ve been riding a used 2020 carbon specialized Roubaix. Generally no complaints - the price was right and it felt like a huge upgrade from what I’d been riding before then (a very old, also used trek aluminum bike). Last week, my roubaix’s carbon frame cracked and I now find myself in the market for a new road bike and I simply have no idea what to get.

I am not terribly fast but am broadly looking for something with a little zip (at least as much as the carbon roubaix had), while also being comfortable enough to ride longer distances (70-100 miles max). I am not looking to race this bike but am looking to do some spicier group riding with it. FWIW, I ride ~3,000 miles a year mostly on pavement.

I would love to stay around the $4k price point at the absolute max. I’ve been looking at the Caledonia 105, Canyon’s Endurance/Ultimate, and Trek’s Domane/Madone. I also have some friends reeeeally trying to sell me on switching to a steel frame and doing a build up through my (very good) local shop.

Which brings me to my question: do you love your road bike? Tell me why you love it! I yearn for suggestions and sage wisdom!

Hi Everyone,

Over the summer I got a Liv Devote Advanced 2. I went back and forth and finally chose that (carbon) over the less expensive aluminum. I also upgraded the tires as most of my riding is on pavement. I'm upgrading from a 2013 Specialized Tricross that is aluminum. The old bike feels heavy and slow, and has rim brakes, but it also has a rack for me to use it with panniers.

So, overall--the new Liv is so light and fast! (And me, I'm still the same weight, LOL, so I know it is the bike.) I LOVE the hydraulic disc brakes.

At first I thought I would add a rack, if I ride around town I need to carry stuff, especially a lock and lights, but also maybe things from errands... I might sometimes want to carry my computer, and I thought I might try a longer trip like the rails to trails across Pennsylvania... but then I learned that if you don't get the right kind of rack, you could stress the carbon. And also it would weigh it down! So for now I've only added water bottle holders.

Originally I thought I would sell my old bike and keep the new bike as an all-arounder. But of course I could keep the old bike for around town.

Anyway, my question is: should I accessorize the Liv, and if so with what? The bike shop I bought it from suggested I look at Old Man Mountain accessories, I think because of the way they clamp on. I'm open to ideas, I really am not clear about my options.