I'm going to be buying my first road bike...but is it best to go for a unisex or a women's specific bike? The Trex Lexa has been recommended, but I've found a unisex Pinnacle dolomite one for £50 cheaper and it has carbon forks (never heard of the make before). Any advice?
I don't know much (anything!) about road bikes but I've just bought a 17" female specific Orange Diva and it feels very simillar to my old 15" Marin Bear Valley (from before the Bear Valley became a women specific bike) but I *think* it's more comfortable to ride (early days yet).
I guess a lot depends on your height - I'm about 5'6" and the 17" Diva is largest size available. I think I'm probably pretty close to the max height for the Diva - my guess is a tall woman might not necessarily be better with a womens' bike.
If you can have a go on the pinnacle first, and it's comfortable then go for it.
Women specific bikes tend to have thinner tubing, and so are lighter, but also have a shorter top tube for the same height (due to the typical build of women). So if you don't fit in to the "long legs/short torso" category, then there's no point going for a women's specific bike.
FWIW I ride a Trek Lexa (not much 'cos I'm not supposed to be riding a bike yet!), it's a world away from the slightly too big for me blokes road bike I was riding before!