Bontrager Vella Vana and Camu Bag Review
I am putting these two bags together in one review as other than straps and zippers they are much alike.
Getting women to use bicycles as a form of transportation is rather important to me. I feel as society see’s more women on bikes, as more women empower their children and families to chose a bike, the more we success we will have with getting better laws, infrastructure and movement forward in the US for bikes.
Making biking easier, more functional, and well better looking is a huge step in to doing the above. I feel Bontrager is making strides in this.
Bontrager Vella Vana Messenger MSRP: $110
A streamlined messenger bag that comes in black or a deep purple. The unique feature of this bag is on the back, under a zipper two clips are hidden to firmly snap this bag on to your rack.
Other features in the bag include:
- A separate, elevated, sleeve for your laptop to keep it from hitting the ground
- Expandable when you need more room
- External key and wallet pocket
- Padded messenger strap
Bontrager Vella Camu Shopper MSRP $110
The basics of this bag are the same but instead of a messenger bag it is shaped to fit a paper grocery bag perfectly. The messenger strap is replaced with two hand straps and the top is closed by a zipper top.
The bag still has the installation feature onto a rack, expansion feature with a full zip around the bottom when you need to carry more and adds side straps to cinch down on the sides and keep things safe!
Things I Would Change (Cons)
The bags are really good and durable bags. They’ve encouraged my better half who is a true girly girl to branch out and use a bicycle for other things. With that, I have to make note of a few things that I hope in the next run they address.
- More mounts for blinky lights
- More reflective bits
- Some sort of tie down on the bottom for when I have precious cargo and can’t fathom the bag coming unhitched
- Maybe a rain fly
- More colors. Make it fun, make it eye catching. (Remember hi-viz yellow is the new black!)
Some other cool photos and features
This product was provided for free for review. I was not bribed or paid for this review.
Preview: All City Macho Man Cyclocross Bike
One of the most exciting parts (there were many) of Frostbike 2012 is the reveal of the new All City Macho Man Cyclocross bike. This is the geared version of their well known Nature Boy.
I can tell you right now this bike is what I’ll be racing next cross season, and will be ordering the gold frameset option as my pit bike. Yes, I said it.
Some of the below photos are my own from the show, some are Jeff Frane of All City.
All City Macho Man Specifications that Matter
Frameset: 4130 ChroMoly steel, double butted, externally tapered, overlized, awesomeness.
Fork: 4130, lugged crown
Derailleurs: 105 rear & CX70 Front
Okay really. It’s steel. It’s new 105 that feels yummy in your hands. Tiagra hubs, cassette and bla bla. This will be my race bike for 12-13. I plan on using the fully built bike like you see above as my pit bike and building up the GOLD frameset option with nicer spec to save weight.
Full Review: Salsa Cycles Casseroll
For the past couple months I have been riding the 2011 Salsa Casseroll on the road, on side streets, commuting, off the beaten path and really it has been the bike strapped to the roof of my car while traveling all over NC, SC and TN. I will be sad when I have to send this bike back as it truly is the Cadillac of road bikes (minus the drivetrain.) You can read the preview over yonder before you dive into my full review.
What is so different about the Salsa Casseroll?
Normally bike shops have these Casseroll’s grouped with their road bikes. To me, that is a huge mistake. These bikes take the road very well but the tall head tube, mount for rear rack, beautiful front rack and ability to rock fatty 700×38 with fenders this bike is more than a road bike. This bike is a go to commuter, light touring and really to do everything beside the hard single track riding.
This bike would fit in well next to your Trek Madone for when you want to be more up right, haul some panniers or maybe take the slower path next to your kids and want a more stable riding geometry.
The bike is ready for multiple riding positions
Earlier this week I witnessed the most beautiful Casseroll build to date with swept back urban bars and paul brake levers with bar end shifters. The woman riding it was glamorous looking with a rear rack and panniers. The silver bits all over really accented the paint and made me feel giddy that this person really got it. The bike had some minor swaps from the stock build (handlebar, brake levers, bar end shifters) and she totally rocked it hard core. It made me want to run home, order up some parts and duplicate the build.
The Build of the Bike
The bike has some Shimano bits, shifters are STI Tiagra 3×9. Brakes are Tektro. Cranks are Sugino.
For the person riding 20-30 miles maybe twice a week or the girl commuting through crappy weather these parts will be perfect. If riding in rain or anything other than dry weather I may suggest to put on mini v-brakes for better modulation and stopping power.
The build won’t break the bike, and gives you the ability to upgrade parts as you would like.
With the Pro’s there are always Cons
The bike is relatively heavy, it isn’t a super light weight steel tubing. If you are carrying it up and down steps it won’t break your back, but it will surprise you next to that Madone.
The geometry is for light touring comfortable riding. You won’t get a snappy feel out of it, especially with the Sugino triple crank and bb. It will excel and the fat tires float over rough terrain, but will feel slow next to your 700×23 tires.
I wish they had run a compact crank up front and mountain bike gearing in the back. Truth be told I hate triples and as it is a 9 speed in the back they could have kept it at the same price.
Final Thoughts
If this was my personal bike I would totally rock a Salsa Casseroll but with a custom build. Ordering a frame and fork, zip tying a little basket to the front rack, running new 10-speed 105 5700 group in silver. The external bottom bracket will stiffen up the cranks a bit. If I was looking to haul I would run 10 speed mountain gearing in the back, and keeping a compact in the front.
To me the Casseroll is for someone that understands fatter road tires, ability to run geared or single speed, racks, fenders and all that good stuff. It is for someone that has the eye for a custom bike but can’t drop the cash yet.
It’s a good bike and at $1200 you really can’t beat up on the parts for the extras you get.
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- Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
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- Casseroll Top Tube
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- Tiagra STI Shifters
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- Short & Shallow Drop Bars
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- Rear Drop Outs
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- Velo Orange Cages
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- Sugino Cranks
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- Adventure by Bike
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- Pretty Fork & Rack
This bike was provided at no-charge for review. Yes, I am a QBP rep but also have strong opinions that hopefully were shared during this review. I wasn’t bribed or threatened on this review. Amen.
Preview: Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers
Shoe covers are a funny thing. For me, it is the make or break temperature. If I have to put shoe covers on it normally means that most of my friends won’t ride with me because it is too cold. Recently I realized my hobbled together shoe covers that I have been putting more and more duct tape on every year have had it. They are neoprene ones that I had bought probably 8 years ago now. They’ve worked wonderfully and the duct tape I believe added more windproofing to them!
After hunting around, looking at price, material and of course colors I decided on some Pearl Izumi P.R.O. Barrier WxB Shoe Covers. Why? #1 price at $50 MSRP. #2 wind AND water protection #3 bright ass yellow.
Details from Pearl Izumi
- MSRP $50.00
- P.R.O. Barrier WxB fabric provides optimal wind and water protection
- Fleece lined
- Waterproof, fully taped internal seams
- Two stage hook and loop closure provides both sleek fit and easy on and off
- Kevlar® road bottom spreads open for easy on and off while providing superior durability
- Recommended for road shoes with external cleats
- Reflective elements for low-light visibility
Full review coming, for now learn more or buy some at Pearl’s site.
I purchased this product on my own dime. It was not given to me for review and I was not bribed to say nice things. This is my disclaimer.
iPhone Bicycle Ready Cases
Yes, this is a bike blog but behind it all I’m a tech freak. Ask anyone about any tech product I have purchased, I research and research…then research a bit more. By the time I get to a store I tend to know more about the product than the person selling it to me.
At the end of 2007 I purchased my first “smart phone” an iPhone. It was awesome, it had a camera, could connect to WiFi, did all smart things with my MacBook Pro. I was smitten, it went every where with me.
Then one day I crashed with it in my back pocket. The delicate screen cracked. I was saddened as there was no insurance for these things. I sent it off to a place in Florida that specialized in replacing the screen. $150 later I had my phone back and it was back to being in love. 6 months later I dropped it 1.5 feet to a counter, it cracked again. I was done, with it cracking it shattered my heart. How could I love something so much that was so delicate?
At this time the cases were very flimsy and the famous Otterbox was not invented, but there was rumors about it. Fast forward, I had a BlackBerry for a year and a half, and then an Android for almost two. At the end of this past December I was gifted with a new iPhone 4s and again I’m back in love with my phone. I work more efficiently, I talk to Siri when I am driving and I am content. (I’ve been doing my best not to live on the phone btw.
Cases that Seem Bike Shop Girl Proof
Over the past couple weeks I have been looking at all different cases that would keep the iPhone in one piece and safe from me. Cases have been recommended and the general consensus has been Otterbox Defender has been the general consensus. There has also been talks of the LifeProof Case.
The above cases seem the most durable, the LifeProof can be waterproof but is recommended to test prior to submersion.
BioLogic Bike Mount Case – seems cool, the idea of having my iPhone on the front of my bike does worry me, but probably safer than my jersey pocket.
This guy won’t keep your phone too safe, but it sure is cute – found on Cafepress with oceanem.
Wahoo Fitness Bike Pack turns your iPhone into a cycling computer with wireless sensors. It mounts to your handlebar through a pretty simple looking mount (has anyone used one?) I’m going to try to get my hands on one of these for testing, or if you have one please contact me for a review.
If you want something more basic, Topeak has a cool dry bag with foam built in. Plus a mount on the back to put on the handlebar. Oh, they come in white – which is catchy for me!
Preview: Surly Troll. One Part MTB, One Part Utility
While at the Surly Intergalactic Headquarters of QBP I was able to demo a few bikes for commuting purposes from my abode to the headquarters. While there was also a Civia I haven’t put up yet, there is a Surly Troll that also busted a friends hip on the black ice across the Minneapolis pavement.
The Troll was an interesting vehicle and rather fun to ride. Take the proven 1×1 platform, edit a few things, add a crap ton of braze on mounts for fenders, racks, and various other things. Add mounts for a killer Surly trailer, and have sliding drops like I’ve never had before. The Troll also has a bigger brother, the Ogre, which is the 29er based completely on the Karate Monkey. Once the Ogre is available in another color other than army green I plan on replacing my beloved Karate Monkey frameset with the new Ogre. It won’t be breaking any weight barriers, well maybe with being heavy, but it is tough, stout and can take abuse from the best of them. Oh yeh, it’s steel – that’s a winner too!
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- A Surly Love Note
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- Fender Mounts & Room for Fatties
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- Strength in the Gusset
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- Trailer Mounts
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- 4130 Steel
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- Fatties Fit Fine
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- Torsion Bar
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- Kenda Tires
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- The Troll
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- Can You Count the Mounts
Preview: 2011 Salsa Cycles Casseroll
Getting lost on a road with two full water bottles and the knowledge of a well packed bag sitting behind you is bliss.
Details from Salsa Cycles
The Casseroll is our relaxed road bike, perfect for long road rides, credit card touring, and randonneuring events.
Intended Use: Randoneur, Commuting, Century Rides, Credit Card Touring
Key Specs: Steel frameset, Shimano Tiagra 9 Speed, Tektro cantilevers, Salsa Delgado Cross rims, painted to match Salsa front rack
Overview from my Eyes
To say the least, I was elated when the words came through this past September that Salsa would be sending an updated Salsa Casseroll for review.
For the past three years I’ve been commuting, morphing and loving my original Salsa Casseroll purchased as an all around steel bike. (Purchased with my hard earned cash, not given to review.) There were things I wish were different, like the strange semi-compact geometry which was fun to ride as a road bike but not as upright as I would like for long distance or commuting. Or that the long pull brakes didn’t allow me to run fat 38c tires with fenders.
As I have been beating around, commuting, tooling around Charlotte, taking along the back roads, finding hard packed gravel roads and learning what this bike yearns for – I am pleasantly surprised. Never did I think there would be so much change between the two bikes. The characteristics are still the same, but the handling, geometry and capabilities have grown. Personally, I added a rear rack to compliment and allow for panniers or a rear trunk bag. The front rack that comes stock is beautiful, but I’m still left wondering what type of bag to put on it. Normally I am left strapping a stuff sack with a bungee cord.
A full review is coming along well, I need to somehow do a quick over night tour on it before I can tell you how it does for “credit card touring.”
This bike was provided to me for no charge from Salsa Cycles. I’m reviewing this completely unbiased and my relationship with Salsa Cycles as a rep will not taint any views or opinions I have of the bike or how I share them with you. Swear.
Review: Burley D’Lite Child Trailer
I’ll keep you from reading my rant of why I feel that child bike seats are unsafe and can lead to danger for the child and adult. That will be saved for another day.
Earlier in the summer Burley sent out a D’Lite Child Trailer for review purposes. Walking into the review I knew from my experience in the past with Burley, their trailers and the quality they take around design and development – I would be pleased with the results of their D’Lite trailer. As my children are grown to 10 and 11 years old, I borrowed and stole children of all sizes for the review and testing. At the bottom of this is a ton of photos to hopefully document all the details that the D’Lite has to offer.
My Burley Trailer History
My first experience with Burley outside of selling them was back in 2005. The shop I was managing outside of Boston had a few rental Burley trailers to use on the local rail to trail. During the early spring before our rental period picked up I adopted a puppy. I used a kids trailer with a couple blankets and a short leash to transport my new puppy to the shop and back. She loved it, I loved it and it was perfect. Since then Burley has actually released the Tail Wagon which is a trailer designed for your dog!
My next experience with Burley was as a bike line. My small shop in Charlotte, NC stocked and sold their road line. Beautiful steel bikes, a dying breed. Since then Burley has restructured and really going after the trailer and pull behind niche.
My latest experience was with the Burley Travoy. An urban trailer I reviewed over at Commute By Bike. The review is also reposted on Bike Shop Girl with more photos.
Details of the Burley D’Lite Child Trailer
Rear Window Unzipped
Details pulled right from Burley.com
- Available in Green or Orange
- Replacement covers available in Yellow, Blue or Red
- Bowed-out sides for increased interior width/shoulder room
- Elastomer suspension system
- Exclusive height-adjustable handlebar that doubles as roll bar
- All weather cover with waterproof zippers
- Deluxe reclining padded seats
- Five-point harness and padded shoulder harness
- Removable, washable seat pad and shoulder harness
- Tinted side windows
- Adjustable sunshade
- Parking brake
D’Lite Specifications
| Number of children | 2 |
| Capacity | 100.0 lb/ 45.4 kg |
| Weight | 28.0 lb/ 12.7 kg |
| Interior height | 25.2 in/ 64.0 cm |
| Interior width | 26.4 in/ 67.1 cm |
| Interior seat width | 20.0 in/ 50.8 cm |
| Cargo space | 35.0 liters |
| Wheel size | 20.0 in/ 50.8 cm |
Key Features
The things I found unique and completely Burley:
- Tinted side windows
- Rear window that zips down for airflow and the child can see around
- Drink and snack holders on both sides the seats
- Reflective piping and logos all around the shell
- Easy to use
- Push button wheels
- Standard 20″ wheels, not the plastic kind
- Did I mention easy to use?
- Adaptable to all types of bikes
My Overall Feelings
The D’Lite delivered as I expected it to. The trailer isn’t the cheapest out there, but if you purchase an accessory kit this could become your do all stroller, running jogger and kid hauler. The ability to completely flatten, pull the wheels off and stow it in the back of your vehicle is irreplaceable for the family on the go. Why not have one killer trailer/stroller/hauler instead of 3 that do 3 different things?
In the end I do believe that trailers are safer, allow you to bring two kids, clothing, and they are tucked behind UV windows, rain fly’s mesh, and a roll bar. 5 point harness system will keep every kid in place. Extra room allows you to put snacks and toys in with them, without the ability of them throwing it overboard.
I hope to explore how parents can get their children interested in riding in the trailer, how to do it safely and tips/ideas of how to get out with your family. In the end it is completely how the parent handles taking the their child, how they encourage healthy living and being outside.
Disclaimer: This product was provided at no charge. I was not paid or bribed for the review and was completely as judgmental as I am with everything else in my life.
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- Nice and Compact
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- Beer Carrier
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- 5 Point Harnesses
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- On the Go
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- Drink and Snack Holders
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- Tinted Side Windows
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- Bike Hitch into Trailer
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- Bike Hitch with Pin
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- Rainfly
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- Reflective Piping
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- Rear Window Unzipped
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- Foot Brake Lever
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- Rear Brake on Wheel
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- Taped Zippers
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- Sunshade on Mesh Fly
Full Review: 2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s Cyclocross Bike
For the past month I have been cruising around on the 2012 Raleigh RX 1.0 Women’s cyclocross bike. A good amount of people emailed and tweeted about the bike, so there must be an interest in women’s cyclocross! You can read the preview over yonder.
Spec’s of the Raleigh RX 1.0 You Should Know
Weight for the 56cm is 21.5 lbs
The drivetrain is mostly SRAM Apex, other than TRP brakes and FSA BB30 cranks
MSRP is $1,650
The colors are stunning and I really enjoyed the sea foam green
Overall Feelings
The bike for the price point is solid. I’m sure you’ll be able to find it a bit cheaper out there, as it is MSRP advertised and most shops run lower than MSRP in store. The setup is proven, the brakes stopped, the tires hooked up beautiful and are some of the best tires I’ve seen on a stock cross bike under $2k.
Recommendations
After my first real ride I swapped the seat. You should know my love of Fizik Vesta saddles and that is what was put on the seatpost. I didn’t change out anything else, not the handlebars, stem, seatpost or tires. This bike (other than saddle which is personal preference) is out of the box ready to race and be ridden hard. My only other recommendation is to take some very fine grit sand paper to the braking surface of the rims. Painted rims aren’t my favorite and after a couple tacky races the paint started wearing off the braking strip and the brakes worked much better.
If you are a first time cyclocross racer, or using this bike for commuting/general purpose riding, leave the sissy brakes on the handlebars. They come in handy and I really enjoyed them there even though I have made fun of them in the past.
Fit of a Women’s Cyclocross Bike
Raleigh women’s line fits me. It always has. Out of the box I can take their 56cm and set the seat height and be done. I don’t need to change the stem length or angle. With that, I am biased on the fit of this bike. Normally for a cyclocross bike to fit me I either have to ride a size bigger with a shorter stem in order to have the head tube height I need, or I run a size that “fits me” and end up with lower back pain on long rides.
Final Thoughts
This is a great option in the women’s cyclocross bike market. The colors are very neutral and appealing to many different types of women. I hope shops stock them and once cyclocross season is over they sell them with a commuter tire. With rack and fender eyelets this is a great year around bike. The spec of the bike is solid, the wheels are stout and it should take any road or cyclocross course you throw at it. At 21.5 lbs some women may complain they need a lighter bike, but this is a price point cyclocross bike. Either a great 2nd pit bike, or a 1st bike to try the sport, or to try commuting and general purpose riding.
Go check out Raleigh and all they are doing for cyclocross in the US.
Disclaimer: Raleigh USA provided this bike for review, I wasn’t paid or bribed.
Review: 2012 Trek Lush Women’s Full Suspension Mountain Bike
Since posting the first photos back in July the 2012 Trek Lush has been a buzz around Bike Shop Girl. The Twitter stream gets many comments, Facebook gets many questions and my email has its own little folder of women waiting to hear more on first test rides and availability. As I mentioned a few weeks back I was fortunate enough to be loaned a 2012 Trek Lush Carbon for review and demo purposes from the East Coast Women’s Trek Demo rep.
Initial Impressions of the Trek Lush
It took a full ride to get used to riding a 26″ full suspension bike again. Lucky for me the Trek Lush is very forgiving and climbs well even when wrenching out of the seat like a single speed freak.
The bike is responsive, with the DRCV rear shock and full floater design on the backend the bike rides very well uphill. The 26″ wheels allows you to whip around the turns and cut short angles as needed. Going down hill is the most fun you can have on a non-all mountain bike. The 120mm of travel (just shy of 5″) is more than enough for cross country riders, while the DRCV rear shock and sturdy fron Fox Shox is confident inspiring to push you a bit harder and faster.
Comparing the Trek Lush to EX Series
I’ve been riding an 2009 Trek EX-8 since it came out. It has treated me well and after riding the Lush it inspired me to pull it out of the attic where it has been sitting, hibernating, since the spring. Riding the two I need to say the suspension works pretty much the same for me. The biggest difference is my EX-8 doesn’t have the DRCV rear shock, and I would love to have the 15-mm thru axle on the front fork as it really stiffens up the front end in the corners.
The other thing you will notice is the geometry and of course weight. The Lush fits women better, has a better stand over and everything I have read on test rides, the Lush reacts better to lighter weight women with the suspension setup. I’m 160lbs, so I don’t need to worry about the lighter weight suspension setup!
Overall Impression
Since the Trek Lush Carbon was a loaned bike from a traveling rep I didn’t have the bike as long as I normally do. I didn’t make as many long 5 hour rides in the mountains as planned due to weather but I did ride the bike a good amount.
The Trek Lush, is a great riding women’s designed full-suspension mountain bike. It is straddling the line of cross country machine and light all mountain. I believe having a completely redesigned bike like this will push the targeted market. Hopefully get more women to try new things and go confident as this bike does inspire confidence.
The handling of the bike tracks very well, allows you to make some errors that other bikes would make you regret. That has always been the way of the Trek “full-floater” suspension design.
The Trek Lush in the carbon model will be a stretch for some women. I am sure Trek didn’t stock as many of this model, but I do believe there is opportunity to sell a sub $5k mountain bike and the person interested in it will want the spec that Trek put on the bike. A good drive train, carbon bars, light components and stout yet reasonably weight wheels.
It was a very, very, fun bike to ride. Personally I don’t think I would go for the carbon mostly for the cost. If you are a woman in the mountain bike market, the Trek Lush series starts at $2,199 which is rather reasonable for the bike build. If you can find a local demo and take one for a spin.
Things I Would Change
There were two main points on the bike that I highly disliked.
The grips – some folks like those foam basic grips. I am not one of them. The whole time I was missing my Ergon‘s!
The crank – I wanted a compact double on this bike. It would make the shifting and chain slap a ton better, plus I don’t see myself climbing on a 120mm bike in the granny gear or jamming in the big chainring/small cog very often.
Disclaimer: Trek Bikes provided this bike free for review, I wasn’t paid or bribed.
2012 Trek Lexa Women’s Road Bikes
The 2011 Trek Lexa bikes were an amazing hit for Trek Bikes corporation.
It’s one of the top selling women’s road bikes. Many women asked for Lexa by name at demos, and dealers also told us they had many women coming in asking about them. Women love the comfortable fit, race-inspired performance, and the fact that we have so many color and graphics options. It was fantastic to see so many of them at the many triathlons that we sponsored this year. - Trek Women Brand Manager
These bikes are also a very searched term that brings many new readers to Bike Shop Girl. We should have a couple of Trek Lexa’s in our hands soon for review. Make sure to check back if you are looking for more riding feedback!
2012 Trek Lexa Road Bike Line Up
2012 Trek Lexa SLX $1,379.99
The SLX is the top dog of Trek women’s aluminum road bikes. This frameset has shaped aluminum tubing to allow for stiffness where you need it, compliance where it benefits. Equals a lighter ride that is more comfortable to ride. The drivetrain is mostly Shimano 105 10-speed matched with Bontrager components. Available from 47 – 58cm. Also available in a white and grey color.
2012 Trek Lexa SL $1,209.99
The SL takes a step down on frameset to a more standard round tubing. Still a great frame design if you are riding <40 miles. Drivetrain is the new Shimano Tiagra 10-speed with Bontrager components. The bike is available in a compact double (two chainrings) and triple. I hope that you’ll find mostly the compact double at your local bike shop. Available from 47 – 56cm. Also available in a dark blue and white color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
2012 Trek Lexa S $959.99
The same frameset as the SL with different parts. Taking a large step down to a Shimano 9-speed Sora drivetrain. This bike is a great starter, but if you really get riding you’ll start wearing out parts. Personally the plum color of this bike is my favorite of the Lexa lineup as I’ve never seen a women’s bike this color. Also available in a light carolina blue and white color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
2012 Trek Lexa $729.99
The same frame as the SL and S but now with an aluminum fork. Drive train is 8 speed and I would recommend this for either someone looking to dabble in the sport, a teenager still growing or someone on a tight budget. If you think you’ll ride more than 2-3 times a month, take the upgrade to the Lexa S as the carbon fork and 9 speed parts will be better suited if you keep the bike for awhile. Also available in a white and mint color. Note there is no 58cm in this model.
View the full line up and more details at TrekBikes.com