Do I Really Need A Wsd Bike - I'm 5'4"

[tchristinestt]

Hi,

I live in the Virgin Islands and want to start riding - first training then upgrade to some racing. I already swim, run and hike.
I'm 5'4", 105lbs but strong and fit for 46.

Problem is that I can't try a bike for proper fit. I have up to $800 to invest in a new bike. Can you help with suggestions on a good beginner/intermediate option. Novara, Trek, Specialized, K2, Cannondale?

I'm overwhelmed with all the options.

Thank you.

[Aggie_Ama]

There is a pretty active debate about WSD. I am 5'2" and it is definitely for me, I have a very short torso. Someone without a short torso wouldn't find it is necessary.

I am partial to Cannondale but Specialized is also a great brand. The Synapse Aluminum or Dolce would be a good starter bike,

[Cataboo]

WSDs are made for women who have long legs and a short torso... If you don't have long legs and a short torso, then a WSD is not necessarily going to fit you better or do you any good.

I'm 5'1 and by no stretch of the imagination do I have long legs... so I have 2 bikes which are not WSDs and they fit me fine.

[Eden]

Yup - its not about your height at all - its about body proportions... (so WSD is really a misnomer... there are occasionally men built with longer legs and short torsos)

That said, watch out, not all WSD bikes are that WSD... some have just ascribed to the "shrink it and pink it" model and haven't really put a lot of thought into the geometry. Actually getting on and trying bikes is really the only way to see if they are comfortable.

[tchristinestt]

Interesting - thank you.
I have long legs but not a short torso either!!?? So from your reply I could get a way with a men's bike.

[tchristinestt]

Thanks Eden,

That is my problem, trying bikes for fit.

[bouncybouncy]

just to add a note...

I am short (5' 1/2") with short legs, short torso but long arms (yeah...monkey arms hehe) my road bike is WSD, commuter is not, mountain bike is not...and I spent time with a professional fitter for all of them!!! So it really does depend on alot of things and overall height is not at the top of the list.

have fun!!!

[SadieKate]

There is a pretty active debate about WSD. I am 5'2" and it is definitely for me, I have a very short torso. Someone without a short torso wouldn't find it is necessary.At 5'3", I have long legs and a short torso but never owned a WSD bike nor is one necessary. My arms are long (yes, I have been compared to a chimpanzee). Matter of fact, I swapped out my bars on my Spectrum yesterday from compacts to traditional which you would rarely see on a mass-produced WSD bike. The woman who helped me fine tune the fit is the one responsible for Felt's women's bikes. She agreed that a compact bar which is frequently put on WSD bikes or marketed to women is totally inappropriate for someone of my short height with long arms.

It's the fit that's important - not the label. Labels are misleading.

[tchristinestt]

thanks all - it really looks like I need to make a trip to bike shop and try a few.

[indigoiis]

I have a wsd Specialized Dolce and frankly I don't really like the fit. I'm 5'6 but have short legs and a long torso, and don't like being so upright on the bike. Because my legs are short they fitted me for a small frame (52) and I feel like my center of balance is more over the saddle than the center of the pedal. I have an old (also small) Giant cadex that stretches me way out and I can crank on that bike. The Specialized leaves me feeling tired. I don't think it's necessarily the brand - it's the geometry. Just not for me.

It's for sale, though, if you're interested. LOL. I'll include shipping for $600. :)

[alpinerabbit]

yeah the active debate - Cervelo seems to think WSD is not necessary, but small people specific design is. Google it or search it on this forum.

[ttaylor508]

I have a WSD bike now and don't know if I would go for another one. It is comfortable, but I think a men's frame might fit me better. I am pretty proportional as far as my torso and legs go. I am just a tad under 5'4". I actually had to go up a size in the WSD bike because I was too cramped up on the smaller one and had to set the seat back all the way in order to get proper reach. Anyhow, you just need to try them and go for a LONG test ride to tell if the bike is right for you. Good luck

[SadieKate]

. . . but small people specific design is. Google it or search it on this forum.Well said.

[ehirsch83]

It all has to do with what you are looking for also. I technically have the build for a WSD but I wanted a more aggressive,compact bike for racing. I decided to go with a man's bike(I used to have a WSD so I have tried it). I went down a frame size but my seat post is up at the limit line, it gives me an extremely aggressive position. I could of gotten a WSD but bike companies do not upgrade the quality of their women's frames when they do the men's. They just don't sell enough to make it worth it. So... if you really want an aggressive frame I would say go for a smaller version in a men's frame. But... if you want to be a little more relaxed then definitaly go for the WSD b/c it will do everything you want it to do.

[Norse]

I am 5' 5" with short legs and a long torso and long arms. When I went shopping for my current road bike, it did not take me, or the guys at the LBO's, long to figure out that WSD is not for me.

[tchristinestt]

Thank you all again - seems like if I am closer to a man than a woman in proportions, I can get a smaller men's bike.

All your feedbacks really help.

[ilima]

I'm 5'4.5" with longish arms and legs and I don't need a WSD, although this isn't to say I would reject one out of hand.

I ride a 49cm unisex/men's bike. I do use a shortish stem 80mm and short reach bars. I don't use a setback seatpost, but my seat is about as far back as it can go with the non-setback post (and I probably should get a setback seatpost).

[wnyrider]

The new Bicycling magazine March issue has a brief review on the Felt ZW3 bike. What I found interesting and why I am mentioning this is that they are adding a size Tall to their women's bike lineup. This will accomodate women up to 5' 9".

[tantrumbean]

Hmph...that's not that tall! Who accommodates 6 foot women like me? :( Fortunately I seem to be able to get away with men's bikes, despite having fairly long legs and shortish arms...

[Aggie_Ama]

Hmph...that's not that tall! Who accommodates 6 foot women like me? :( Fortunately I seem to be able to get away with men's bikes, despite having fairly long legs and shortish arms...


Yup, you ride mens. Now unless you have an infatuation with pink you are probably better off or just as well off with men's bikes anyway. :p

[lunacycles]

I posted this elsewhere, but it bears repeating here, I think: taller women, especially those with long legs and short torsos, do just fine on men's stock bikes as far as reach goes. The top tube lengths on larger bikes are shorter, relatively speaking, than those on smaller bikes, for geo. reasons.
Usually, the problem (if there is one) is that the front end of the bike (your "grip height") is just too low, and all the hi-rise stems and spacers don't seem to give one a comfortable position. Women, not all, but most, do tend to appreciate a bit less drop, i.e., less differential between the saddle height and handlebar height, especially in the larger sizes. I am getting a lot of orders these days from taller women facing this issue.

[WindingRoad]

I can tell you that I love my WSD Lemond. However, I am also about 5'8 with the typical long leg and shorter torso and arm build. I absolutely LOVE my bike. I had a mens bike before this and had too many issues to count on one hand. I think mens bikes are perfectly doable but require a lot more tweeking to get comfy on. Before you buy anything get a fitting you will be glad you did in the long run.