Thinking of getting my wife a new bike and was wondering what you guys thought of the Synapse Carbon 4 or Supersix Utegra vs the new Wilier Izoard STELLA?

Thoughts

I can only speak for the synapse (carbon 6) which my wife has for her first road bike. She really likes it as its a nice comfortable ride. I figured the happier she is riding the more she will ride, so comfort was a priority.

Don't limit your self (and your wife).

The bell curves between men/female on the important proportions are largely overlapping, meaning that most female's really don't need a "female" model*. Perhaps pick a wide saddle (SMP or Terry).

* In many, many cases the only difference are crappy parts, horrible soft wide saddle, more spacers/shorter stem and a pink accent. The frames are similar as the male models.... the latter actually makes sense considering the smalll differences

So to sum it up; avoid female models, they are mostly a marketing gimmick.