As far as entry level road bikes go, the Diamondback Airen 1 is definitely a contender that will take you well into your road cycling career. A precisely built piece of art, this fairly light 7005 alloy frame, carbon fork, and Shimano-outfitted bike is just what women want. Diamondbacks' 'Divine Design' geometry is specially created with the female cyclist in mind. However if you are long-legged, with a shorter torso- you may want to also test out the men's line series of bikes, as the compact frame sizes in Diamondback's line may just be a little too 'compact' for your comfort. Kinetics, aesthetics, and well-thought design all go into this lovely little speed machine. Having been riding the 2012 model for just over 2 years, I have put her through quite a beating. Pedaling her for everything from weekend road rides to upgrading her with wider wheels and racks for short and efficient tours, my Airen 1 has proven to be one strong and versatile road warrior.
Extremely affordable, reliable components, and sturdy frame allow for versatile touring use that most high-line road bikes aren't cut out for. After several miles of riding, the shifting system and brakes do tend to need more frequent adjustment than higher-end road bikes, but that goes with the price tag of this model. The Airen 1 model is complete with plenty of rear rack and water bottle braze-ons, and plenty of room to attach touring essentials. With that said, this being a racing frame- it is not recommended to heavily load the rack as you'll run the risk of additional tire punctures and uneven wear on your frame and wheels. While a compact geometry frame, the chain-stay is just long enough to provide heel clearance for your small to medium rear pannier bags. For those ladies wanting a quick and light, short distance touring bike (at an entry-level price) the Diamondbacks' line of Airen bikes is definitely worth a look.
