Hello, I’ve been having great anxiety about buying a new bike. I’m very intimidated going into a bike shop (I am very shy with social anxiety, I am working on this but it’s a very real problem for me, so I’m hoping to get some advice.)
I’ve been riding my bike consistently for years (1-2 times a week in nice weather) but I’m not like a serious hard core rider, more casual. I mostly ride paved bike paths. I have been using my mountain bike for these rides, with flat bars. I’m finally ready to upgrade to a faster/smoother gravel bike with drop bars, but I’m nervous about it because I’ve never ridden with drop bars before. I’m worried about how I will handle that more “hunched over” experience, so I’d prefer the more upright positioning. From all my research, I think I’ve decided on the Specialized Diverge Comp Alloy to fit my needs. The problem is that I am right between sizes according to their chart. I’m almost 5’5” (technically 5 foot 4.75”), but I know that I have long legs and a shorter torso. Some things I’ve researched say to go with the smaller 49” frame, to remain more upright since I have a short torso (less reach to the bars.) However other things I’ve read say size up in my case. No bike shop near me has a 49” in stock, and I know myself and my anxiety, and if I go into a shop, I’m sure they’ll try to sell me on an in stock 52” even if it feels too big. Help!! Does anyone else have my measurements, or advice? It’s a lot of money for me to spend, and I’m so stressed about getting the wrong size and being stuck not enjoying riding it.