WSD...Does it really make a difference?

[Chiquita]

This is my second year riding and the hybrid just isn't cutting it anymore. I have been leaning towards the Trek 1500 WSD but I can get a killer deal on a carbon frame Fuji TeamPro. The only catch with the Fuji is that I won't have the opportunity to ride it before I order it. Not such a good deal if it doesn't fit.

So... do the WSD bikes really prove a better ride for the ladies? And is the TeamPro a good bike?

Thanks so much for the help!!!! :)

[Nanci]

Is the Fiji killer deal so killer that you can re-sell without a loss if it doesn't work out?

Can you go ride _any_ carbon frame to see it you like carbon?

I have the WSD 2100, and have been very happy with it. I bought it without trying it first- just got lucky, I guess.

Nanci

[Polly]

if wsd bikes didn't exist, then my choice would be very limited. Though to be fair, it's not that big a choice as it is!

I'm 5ft 2" with 31" inside leg. I need a shorter top tube, and this is what wsd bikes cater for. My legs are 2" longer than those of my 6ft tall husband. If i sit on his 16" bike there is no way I can reach the handlebars. My 12 year old daughter is currently 4ft 10" with 30" inside leg - she's 'borrows' my juliana cl (borrows as in jooly is now refered to as 'her' bike!)

If you are over 5ft 5" then you have a big choice, most generic bikes will come in a frame size that can be tweaked with stem and seatpost layback to provide a good fit.

This is my experience anyway :)

[DrBee]

There are a number of other threads around here on WSD (I'm not sure how to link them to this), so try doing a search.

It really all comes down to what feels right once you are on the bike. I'm 5'6" with a 30" inseam and WSD seemed to work for me. I would definitely try to ride as many bikes as you can. I just bought my first road bike (coming from riding a hybrid as you are) and I tried to test out a diversity of frames. For me the Pilot 2.1 WSD (which has more carbon and different geometry) had a more comfy ride than the 1500 WSD and had an overall different feel. I don't have any experience with the Fuji, so I can't comment there. However, there was a huge difference in the feel of the 1500 WSD and the Giant TCR2. Totally different feel - with similar frames and components. So, ride whatever you can, don't limit yourself to 2 models, and do (like Nanci said) at least try a carbon frame before buying the Fuji. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[Aggie_Ama]

Like everyone else has said, if you are short WSD really will make a difference. Polly's explanation is what the LSB told my husband when he was thinking WSD wasn't necessary (I was green and thought a woman needs WSD).

I am hoping to buy a new bike next year and I won't buy without riding. It is too expensive an investment to buy blind. I look at it like a car, I would buy one without test driving. ;)

[Geonz]

Or a pair of shoes, or a bra, or a partner :-)

[Derf]

Is there someway that you can get fitted first? I thought I would end up with a WSD Cannondale, but when they set me up on the test bike and used the angles that the WSD C'dale would have, it just didn't work for me. I ended up with a 50 cm R600 -- non WSD.

[caligurl]

if wsd didn't exist.... i'd have a hard time finding a bike that fit! even on my wsd (ruby pro) i had to shorten the stem! i have longer legs/shorter torso.... so i NEED wsd!

as far as other gear... my current shoes and helmet are men's versions (by choice.. as i wanted a black helmet and specialized carbon fiber shoes..)

[Fuji Girl]

I have a Fuji WSD (2004 Fuji Newest WSD), and yes, it really makes a difference. The smaller handlebars, shorter top tube, and shorter reach to the brake leveres, really make a difference to me. But, it might not make a difference to you.

The Team Pro is a great bike! But not so great if it doesn't fit you. Is there any way you could test ride another Fuji with similar geometry? If you cannot, I would go with the "sure thing" and not with the "maybe." But if you can...it might be worth it.

[mimitabby]

T
Trek 1500 WSD but I can get a killer deal on a carbon frame Fuji TeamPro.
So... do the WSD bikes really prove a better ride for the ladies?

Thanks so much for the help!!!! :)

I'm not a new rider but very new on this forum. There are a lot of acronyms that i have never heard of. what's WSD?

thanks

[SadieKate]

Women Specifc Design - usually involves stuff like shorter top tubes, narrower bars with a shallower drop, brake levers adjusted for shorter reach, a woman's saddle, frame tubing may be manipulated for a lighter rider, etc. Therefore, it can mean changes to the components only or it can also involve frame design.

[DrBee]

Women's specific design - it's a different geometry. WSD bikes typically have a shorter top tube which reduces the reach. It all comes down to how you are shaped. Height alone doesn't seem to matter.


edit: OK SadieKate posted at the same time and she gave a much better explanation than I did. :p I tried.

[SadieKate]

It all comes down to how you are shaped. Height alone doesn't seem to matter.But this is a very good point.

[DrBee]

Thanks :) Now I feel less dorkful :p

[HipGnosis6]

OK.... so.... I'm pretty average in proportion for a woman except that I am very tall. I read about and considered the advantages of WSD, but I wound up getting a non-WSD bike. I found that, at 6'1", I could not find one large enough!

[stella*]

I am short (5ft 3in). My legs are shorter than my torso. WSD doesn't work for me. I need the longer top tube. If the LBS has another fuji with similar/same geometry and set up--test ride to see if it will work.

what it boils down to: is the fit of the bike. Many of us find that WSD fits and some of us have found that it doesn't.

[Bikechick B]

I am new to biking---I bought a bike 3 months ago just to ride with a friend--had no idea what i was doing--probably still don't. I bought a hybrid--but I already know I want a road bike. I am test riding this week---plan to buy by end of week. I am 5'6'',31'' inseam. I have test ridden a Fuji-Finest, Newest,Absolute, and Roubaix...Love the Roubaix.
I have test driven the Giant OCR -for women--only thing I liked better than the Fuji Roubaix was the seat. I plan to test ride the Specialized Dolce and a Cannondale before I buy. LBS is holding the Fuji Roubaix for me. What do you experienced riders think?
Next---I have already bought and been trying to use clipless peddles (Shimano 540) I am having trouble with getting the right spring setting--they seem hard to get out of for me--I seem to have terrible trouble turning my foot to slip out. Should I switch to the Speedplay Frogs or something else. All these decisions just to ride a bike!!!!!!
I ride with a group of 5 new women riders--we ride between 20 and 30 miles at a time. Plan to ride a 40 mile fundraiser this Sunday.
B-B:

[Starfish]

Hope this question fits this thread...

What kind of luck is anyone out there having with LBS's swapping out some WSD components on men's bikes?

I don't need a WSD frame, but I have tiny hands and would like lower gearing out of the box, and I do need shallow bars, shorter stem, WSD saddle, etc. I'm starting to wonder if I need to look to a custom for the next bike, because I also seem to want gearing that is not standard.

Curious if anyone has a LBS that will order a men's bike, but put some WSD components on without lots of upcharge?

Thanks!

[gibnutlover]

As a stunning :) 6+ footer I have been doing a lot of thinking (but not yet test riding) involving WSD. I am must curious to know what any other possible tall riders have discovered in their quest for a great fitting bike (Hipgnosis6--this means you). I am long legged at about ~35 inch inseam but feel I am about as average as a six footer can get in the other areas.

Also, does anyone have any experience with the Scott Contessa CR1 or Contessa Speedster? I am leaning heavily toward Scott because I can get a pretty good price on their bikes courtesy of my "2nd fun job" but cannot test the WSD bikes because we only actually carry the mens. Have not yet made it so far as to shop for other local sellers.

[SJCzar]

Starfish, I'm not sure if all LBS are willing to put the same amount of effort into the right fit but mine offered.

When I bought my road bike I wasn't sure if I'd prefer the WSD or regular. I'm 5'4" with a 30" inseam so I could have went either way. They did not have a WSD in stock in my size and the factory (Trek) was behind in production and I really wanted my bike right away. They said that they would switch out any of the components if I didn't feel comfortable with the regular setup. Fortunately I loved everything about the bike and didn't need any changes, but it was nice to know if I did, they were willing to do what they could.

[farrellcollie]

I just (two days ago) bought a scott contessa roadster road bike -wsd. I was all set to buy a bianchi imola (in the smallest available size)(really liked the steel, components, ride etc) - I had spent about a month riding various bikes - wsd and non wsd - all brands - I was leaning towards either bianchi (although I did not like eros donna) or trek pilot 2.1 wsd and I spent three hours at shop on Tuesday riding the scott and the bianchi - lbs was very good - changed out stem for me many times on bianchi (I think i tried every one in the shop) for me (middle aged, almost 5'2, fire hydrant build). During the fitting of the bianch -it became clear that the reach was just too long - lbs noticed it - tried some things, nothing worked - then I got on the scott and it was immediately apparent it was a better fit for me. Lbs guy even said he had always though wsd was more a marketing ploy but that he could tell before final adjustments fit was better for me. My main complaint is the stupid paint jobs on many wsds - even the one I got has got some swirly things on it - although it is at least grey in color so it doesn't look quite so goofy. I was irritated at pink, pastels, and flowers on a lot of the bikes (not that if it is what you want it is bad - I just hate the lack of choice and assumption that all women want bikes that look "girly")

[Starfish]

SJCzar: Thanks for the info on your LBS's effort. At least if I go shopping around, I'll know that some shops will really go to that extent, and that it isn't crazy to ask.

FarrellCollie: I am so with you on the choices with WSD (colors, etc.). There are some that I think are really cute, and others that make me barf. I had an online conversation with a guy at Litespeed about that. He was very polite and commiserated, but their Bella (I think?) came only in pink. I suggested that if they were only going to offer one color, maybe it could be a more universally appealing choice? I don't intend to offend anyone who rides a pink bike -- some of them are cool! I guess I just *sigh* when it is assumed that I will want a pink bike just because I'm a woman.

[HipGnosis6]

As a stunning :) 6+ footer I have been doing a lot of thinking (but not yet test riding) involving WSD. I am must curious to know what any other possible tall riders have discovered in their quest for a great fitting bike (Hipgnosis6--this means you). I am long legged at about ~35 inch inseam but feel I am about as average as a six footer can get in the other areas.

I have a 34" inseam. I picked a hybrid, though now I wish I'd gone ahead and gotten a road bike. It's the equivalent of about a 55cm frame, and we adjusted the seat forward slightly. I have notably long arms so reach was not a big problem for me, especially since the bike has a flat bar. Part of my motivation for choosing the Specialized Sirrus is that the geometry is very close to a road bike's and in theory it can be "converted" to a road bike by a stem and handlebar change when I'm ready for it. Or so says the guy at the LBS....

I'm a very new rider and have found that a women's specific seat is probably going to make my hobby a lot more fun - the stock seat on the bike is OK for neighborhood trips, but if I try to ride for more than 20 minutes in a stretch, the saddle kind of.... falls in, if you catch my drift.

[caligurl]

i'm right there with you on the pink road bikes! i'm SOOOOO glad that specialized at least did the ruby in a black cherry/ruby red and not pink! cuz if it were pink... i don't know that i would have bought it... (i did a lot of thinking about if i even wanted the red! fortunately it's a nice color and not uber girlie! phew!

i don't like flowers on my jerseys either... now i don't mind pink clothing... as long as it's NOT flowers! sometime i wonder where they get their design ideas from...????

[farrellcollie]

Hope this question fits this thread...

What kind of luck is anyone out there having with LBS's swapping out some WSD components on men's bikes?




One of the shops I went to was very willing to swap components - and even had a lemond big sky sl that had been fitted with small handlebars and brakes etc. I rode it twice along with a trek 2.1 pilot wsd (where shop also changed stem for my test ride) - so there are shops willing to do it. The shop where I bought my scott said they would be willing to do it but to try it with the original equip first because - for me coming from hybrid -and after fitting me on scott - which made an enormous difference( even compared to trek and lemond where shop had adjusted several things for me) it might be difference in riding style - I agreed and so far (two days) so good.

I admit that the trek pilot's black with pink writing did nothing but make me want to find a different bike - so I was quite thrilled when scott felt better to me.

[SJCzar]

I totally agree with some of the color choices in the WSD's. I went to a big sale that one of the local LBS was having and my bike shop buddy was all excited to show me one of the new Trek WSD's. I couldn't believe that he actually thought I would love that ugly shade of pink. I'm not a pink hater, but the whole bike done in that particular shade was really annoying looking.

[Starfish]

I just had the opportunity to fill out a questionnaire from a bike catalog. Most of the options were multiple choice about service, but one question with space for text answer was, "What one thing would you most like to see different?" or something. I said that I would like them to pressure the manufacturers to increase choice and substantive design differences in women's bikes, equipment, components and clothes. I said that I wanted to take women's cycling from niche market to 1/2-the-population market, and that I would like more differences of substance, rather than marketing.

My hat is off to the companies who are making real change in their mass market products. We have a long way to go before we can open a catalog and find 1/2 the stuff made for us, including broad choices in sizing and design.

OK -- end of rant!! ;-)

[Starfish]

I just want to add, too, that I DO love a lot of girlie stuff! Sometimes, and in some stuff, I DO want pink, flowers, whatever! I just want as many choices as the men have, I guess.

[FelesRidet]

I just bought a Trek5000 WSD and it came in Iris blue (the LBS was calling the pink color - that pepto bismol bike...) I shopped around - this LBS would swap anything out for me for very little extra cost. It came with a triple crankset which I had them swap for a ultegra double compact50/36 for $20. (and then swapped out the cassette and shifters) I test rode the triples and didn't like the way they shifted. I upgraded my wheelset, also-- I got the Bontrager racelites for $150 (I really like them!! woo hoo) When they fit the bike, they put on a different stem (I have short arms) for free. I am very happy with the WSD shifters and brakes - I can reach everything - I have small hands. I couldn't even reach the brakes on the drops of my Specialized.

Anyway, I'm happy with the WSD and the LBS. (Most of the shops I checked with would have charged me full price for all the upgrades). It wasn't a totally custom bike, but it was close and for a price that was close to the original price. Ask for free stuff - they should throw in a pair of cages, install your computer, your light, etc.

[gibnutlover]

I once heard this phrase to describe WSD for just about every outdoor gear product "Shrink it and pink it". Oh how true, although manufacturers are getting much better about actually making things for us, not just cut down man-products.

Thanks for tall/scott answers!

[farrellcollie]

I once heard this phrase to describe WSD for just about every outdoor gear product "Shrink it and pink it". Oh how true, although manufacturers are getting much better about actually making things for us, not just cut down man-products.

Thanks for tall/scott answers!


After 5 days - I like the scott contessa roadster (I am rather short) - I am curious to know if you decided to get a scott (the cr1 seemed very cool - way out of my league) and how you like it. So far I have not read a post from anyone else who has one.

[gibnutlover]

I have not yet taken the plunge, but am still leaning very heavily toward the Scott--Roadster vs CR1 as I really cannot justify (or afford) that much bike right now. I am waiting for the waves of nausea to stop creeping up on me everytime I think about spending so much money on a bike (or until the feelings of guilt pass "What would my dad say if he knew that I had spent so much on a bike? Do I tell him I found it at a garage sale?"). I know 2 guys that have picked up the Scott CR1 Team this spring and both are still very much in love with their bikes. I have been searching the internet with absolutely no luck on reviews for the Scott Contessa's. Although I know I had read a glowing review of the Contessa CR1 in a bike magazine this spring, but now I cannot find any evidence that it ever existed.
Knowing that you are enjoying yours is comforting, maybe we will be able to start our own 'exclusive' (for lack of any other Scott owners) club!

[tamara_69]

LBS is holding the Fuji Roubaix for me. What do you experienced riders think?
Next---I have already bought and been trying to use clipless peddles (Shimano 540) I am having trouble with getting the right spring setting--they seem hard to get out of for me--I seem to have terrible trouble turning my foot to slip out. Should I switch to the Speedplay Frogs or something else. All these decisions just to ride a bike!!!!!!
B-B:

I have an '05 Roubaix, and I love it. However, in looking at the Fuji website, I have noticed that the components on the '06 model seem to have been downgraded a bit. Ask the LBS about this. I also changed out the saddle, DH and I call the Fuji saddles "torture chambers" and we have two we would give away! I put on the Terry Butterfly, and it works great for me.

As for Shimano pedals, my right one was giving me problems until I went and had my bike fitted and then the guy adjusted the cleats at the same time. If you get the bike professionally fitted, which I would HIGHLY recommend, they can adjust the cleats and pedals for you at that time. You may find the Shimanos work just great for you if they are tweaked.

Good luck, and I hope this helps before you bought the bike!

Tamara

[kiwi girl]

my wsd http://www.emc2bikes.com/index.php/pi_pageid/27 was only available in black. Although to be honest I wasn't over keen on black (my old road bike was black and my commuter bike is black - I was ready for a change) I do at least like the fact that it evidences they are not just painting a bike a 'girls' colour.