Specialized Women’s Deflect Hybrid Jacket Pro Review - By Karen Cooper

• Lightweight polyester in a stretch woven construction for form fit comfort
• Wind and water resistant material for protection from the elements
• Zip-off sleeves and shoulder yoke converts jacket into a vest
• Single back zippered pocket securely packs essentials
• Silicone gripper on back of waist to hold the jacket in position
• Velcro closure at the wrist for custom fit
• Reflective trim on the back for visibility
• MSRP: $120
• Color tested: Dark Blue
• Size tested: medium

The Specialized Deflect Hybrid jacket is fully water and wind resistant and has been redesigned with removable sleeves, making it lean and versatile. The thing I like best about this jacket is the sleeves are all in one piece with a zipper and snap closure that makes it easy on/off and you can roll it up and stash it in the back pocket and not worry about it any more, also preventing getting your sleeves mixed up, or worse… losing one. The other part of the brilliant design is the lightweight stretchy fabric and form fit making it easy to move around without a bulky look; a plus for gals in multiple winter layers. It also has a nice length – just past the waist with the back being slightly longer to cover your tush from the elements and a silicon gripper along the back waist holds the jacket in position.

Trek 2.3 WSD Pro Review - By Karen Cooper

• Frame - Trek Alpha Black aluminum w/TCT carbon stays
• Fork - Bontrager Race, carbon
• Wheels - Bontrager Race
• Tires - Bontrager Race Lite, 700 x 23c
• Groupset - Shimano 105 (w/an Ultegra Rear Derailleur)
• Brakes - Aluminum dual-pivot
• MSRP - $1809

Meet the Trek 2.3 WSD
When I first started riding road bikes, the woman’s specific design movement hadn’t really gained much momentum. Over the last few years, the trend has really taken off, with lots of manufacturers thinking about what we women need in a bike and designing equipment that fits those needs.

The Trek 2.3 WSD (Women’s Specific Design) is a good example, filling a spot midway in the full WSD product line-up. The next jump up the line moves into Trek’s base Madone WSD. Below the five Madone WSD models, Trek offers a 1.2, 1.5, 2.1 and 2.3 WSD spec levels with prices ranging from $880 MSRP for the 1.2 to $1809 for the 2.3 we tested. For reference, the lowest equipment spec level of the Madone WSD jumps to $2,469 MSRP.

The 2.3 WSD comes in a wide range of frame sizes: 43cm, 47cm, 50cm, 54cm, and 56cm; I tested the 47, listed as an XS. Compared to the seat tube height, the top tubes start out with slighter longer on the smallest frames, and gradually transition towards shorter top tubes on the larger frames. The head tube angles are relaxed for a comfortable, stable ride, a confidence inspiring choice for beginner to intermediate level women riders. With full sloping top tube and seat tube sizes down to a 43 (the only WSD size to run a 650c wheel), the Trek WSD line allows even the shortest of us girls to get into a perfectly sized sporty road bike.