5'9", need comfort geometry

My husband and I started riding hybrids early last year and now we are looking for road bikes so we can join clubs and ride further, easier. We're both over 50 and are looking for bikes with a comfortable geometry. I also have a wrist issue that needs special attention. I'm just under 5'9" tall with a 33.25 inseam (floor to pelvic bone in bare feet).

I have narrowed my choices to Specialized Ruby/Roubaix or Cannondale Synapse.

In the Specialized line I have ridden a 56 and 58 Roubaix. I felt pretty comfortable on both but the stem needed to be changed to bring the bars closer to me for comfort. The 56 felt best, but still needed a shorter stem.

A fitter at an LBS believes a 54 Roubaix would fit me best, and even better yet a Ruby 56 (which supposedly is a WSD version of Roubaix 54) based on the measurement he took of my shoulder width. He said he will put me on the bike on a trainer and do a comprehensive fitting and take measurements to make whatever adjustments are necessary to achieve the best fit and comfort. Two other bike shops also do fittings on a trainer, so I have 3 choices in that regard.

I'm wondering if there are other tall women my height who have a bike that they feel very comfortable on and that is smaller than some might expect, even WSD. I am trying to be open minded and trust the LBS since they are more experienced than I am. Did anyone else set out bike shopping figuring they'd end up with a bigger bike than the one that actually fits you best?

I am very confused about this and afraid of making the wrong choice. The hybrid I bought last year is too big, so I am trying to stay with a shop that will do a comprehensive fitting at the time of purchase.

I'm 5'8" and ride a 52cm Surly Cross Check. But in hybrids I rode a 56 cm Kona Dew.

I've come to the conclusion that sizes mean nothing when one looks across models (only within models). I'd be inclined to try whatever bike the LBS suggests. If it doesn't feel right, don't buy it, and don't be shy telling the LBS guy what feels right and what feels wrong. That's how they help narrow things down and choose a better bike for you. (like, really, don't be shy)

My DH is 5'10" and rides a 54 cm Trek. Don't get stuck on a certain size that is supposed to fit because of your height. Buy the bike that fits, regardless of its size. And have fun looking and test riding!

Emily

Thanks for your replies. The more I think about this and shop, the more I think it's not a good idea to get stuck with any particular number, just as you are suggesting.

One thing that makes this even more difficult is that even if I scour all the bike shops (or seemingly all of them) within a 25 mile radius of my home, I may not find the bike in the frame size I'm looking for. So, is it safe to say that if the 52 Roubaix is too small, and the 56 is too big, then the 54 would be right for me with some small adjustments? I don't understand how people can find a bike with a perfect fit unless (1) they search all over creation for a bike with that frame size and ride it, (2) get lucky, or (3) buy a custom-built bike.

Maybe I am over-analyzing this too much.... :confused:

I think you are! ;)
Work with a shop you trust.
Ride, ride, ride.
Different brands have different measurements so a 54 in brand X will fell different from a 54 in brand Y.

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

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The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

My brain hurts from all the number crunching so I took a break tonight. After a short while, I started thinking about the Roubaix 56cm and I think that is the smallest size I should go. Unfortunately, its equivalent in the Ruby (58cm) doesn't exist. But I liked the way I felt on the Roubaix 56cm at a shop.

My husband's old '72 Schwinn has a very comfortable reach for me, but the bike is too tall. I want a bike that feels like that, but shorter.

The search continues.....

Thanks so much for your replies!

Jen

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Originally Posted by Yen

The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

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None of the shops I go to *don't* do that! How on earth can they expect you to buy a bike you've never even ridden!?!? Ooooh, that gets right up my nose!

If they won't bring in a size unless you promise to buy it, I'd consider driving out a couple hours or so to find a shop that will bring in the size.

I can understand wanting pre-payment if you were looking at a bike they don't normally carry (say a Rivendell Saluki or a Soma), but you are asking about a very popular bike THEY ALREADY CARRY, just a size they are missing right now!

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Originally Posted by Yen

The problem is, the shops we've been to say they won't order the bike without a commitment from me to buy it. Is there a shop that will do that?

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We gotta find you a better shop.

One of the shops I go to, not my fave LBS but larger and more misc. stuff anyway .... I've but to oggle a bike and they run over and offer to bring one in.

At 5' nuthin" it's hard to find a bike that fits and you must try the bike.

I always wave off their offer but someday may take them up just to try carbon or a Trek Portland or ...

They know if they get the bike there and I don't buy they will sell it so why not have the size?

With such a common size I can't see why they would have any problem bringing one in for you without the commitment to buy...
Even at my size (like Trek I'm 5' nothing) I have not had to commit to purchasing my bikes sight unseen. Even my 44cm Ruby Pro, which had to be tracked down at a shop in Australia (it originally lived at the Avanti Bicycle Company in Victoria - any Aussie gals know the place? :) ) my shop ordered it in even though they'd lost my phone number and were just hoping and praying I was truely serious and I'd call back. (though I think that small bikes are more in demand than most shops realize - when I special ordered my first 44cm bike the shop actually ordered two more and sold them pretty quickly)

I have an 05 roubaix comp that I love. I am 5'7"1/4 with a 32 inch inseam. The fit said I measured for a 53, well I took the 54 with a shorter stem and it worked out fine. For me the ride with the zertz is excellent and I also use it for sprint tris with bars on. It sounds like a 54 is what you need, but try it before you buy it.

I am 5' 9.5" and ride a 54 cm Felt. It is very comfortable for me, but I am toying with getting a little shorter stem.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

If a 52 is too small and a 56 is too big, there is no reason why the shop can't have a 54 shipped. You can try it. If you don't buy it, chances are someone else will. It's a common enough size and a popular enough model that it shouldn't be an issue. (and biking season is coming up, plenty of folks will probably want that same bike!)

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Yes, what Knot says! I found that my 54 Roubaix offers a plush ride but is still zippy enough to keep up with the racing bikes. I also have a Sequoia and on both bikes I ended up with a 80 mm stem vs the standard 110 that comes on the bike. Maybe a shorter stem is just what you need to dial in the fit.

Also, if your dealer has it, use the Butt-O-Meter to check what your sitbone width is and buy a saddle accordingly. :)

If you haven't already, pick up this month's Bicycling magazine. They have the picks of the season and offer suggestion on how to shop for a bike. You can also view more info about choosing a bike online at their website.

www.bicycling.com

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I got tired of crunching numbers and my head was so full of facts and numbers last night that it was almost spinning. Today I even considered a custom bike. But, I think I need to get accustomed to the road position and let my neck and shoulders relax and find my best position before I consider that option.

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Originally Posted by KnottedYet

None of the shops I go to *don't* do that! How on earth can they expect you to buy a bike you've never even ridden!?!? Ooooh, that gets right up my nose!

If they won't bring in a size unless you promise to buy it, I'd consider driving out a couple hours or so to find a shop that will bring in the size.

I can understand wanting pre-payment if you were looking at a bike they don't normally carry (say a Rivendell Saluki or a Soma), but you are asking about a very popular bike THEY ALREADY CARRY, just a size they are missing right now!

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Exactly!!! I just don't under stand that. The other night I asked two young guys at a shop if people order their bike sight unseen if they don't fit on the next size up and down. They said yes. That idea makes me nervous, if I can't return the bike without a 100% refund.

Well, today Hubby drove for 45 minutes to a shop outside of town, one we found on the internet. I think we finally found our dream LBS. He called me while he was there and asked how I'd feel about being able to bring a 56 cm Roubaix home and ride it for the weekend and see how I feel on it. ARE YOU KIDDING???!!!!!???:D:D:D (There isn't enough room to add enough big smiles to demonstrate my joy over this.) We'll take his old road bike there to get measured, as he loves the fit of it and wants a bike that fits like that one.

They also have a trainer and a fitter with impressive background credentials. They do computerized fittings and told my husband that I will not leave their store without a bike that fits.

NONE of the other stores we visited offered to go to this length. When we asked, they answered as if we were asking to borrow a lot of money. I can't understand why they think they can't sell the bike if I don't buy it -- I'm not 8 feet tall so whatever bike I'd order shouldn't be hard to sell.

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Originally Posted by Yen

I'm just under 5'9" tall ......

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Correction: Hubby measured my height last night and said I'm exactly 5'8". Where'd that 3/4 inch go?

It sounds like the shop 45 minutes out of town is the winner!

Hooray!!!! :D

I'm glad that you found a good LBS that will let you demo a bike. That's the kind of service that you need. But don't write off custom if you're still not dialed into a fit. I'm 5'10" and have a similar inseam to you, so I'm essentially all legs and no torso. After several LBS's and a serious fitting I finally decided to look into a custom build, since just stem swapping didn't get me the reach I wanted. It took a while, but I found a local builder who built me a fantastic steel frame for just a bit more than what I was hoping to pay for a stock bike. I had to go with components a step down from what I hoped but that's always upgradeable, and I'm not a racer so no biggie. And you can get the colors and parts that you want. Anyway, good luck and take your time!

I got a Rodriguez. I got one of their stock frame sizes after being measured, they have a choice of many many sizes, and they make all the other little magic adjustments. They also will make you a custom frame, but I didn't need one. They don't call any of their frames woman-specific, but they specialize in fitting anyone. I am 5'10", and like many women my height got legs up to there, but a short reach. When you look at my bike, the top tube looks way too short for a bike that tall. But it is wonderful and stable and steel and most important of all, FAST. :cool: Oh yeah, I'm kinda fat too so I am hoping as I lose weight the bike will get even faster.

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall. I'm 5'10" and just bought the 2008 Cannonale Synapse 3 WSD in a 56. I had several shops tell me I didn't need WSD at my height, that they could make most bikes work for me. In the back of my mind I still had the nagging feeling that being 5'10" doesn't mean I don't have the same proportional issues that make WSD work for smaller women. Why should they have to make it work?

I went searching for a WSD in my size and was stunned at how comfortable it was. Like it was custom made for me.

If you can find a Cannondale dealer within your area, I would really suggest giving it a try. This was a real investment for me and I loved walking out of the shop knowing I would never second guess my decision.

I think there's more I want to add to "fit,fit,fit" and "find a BS you trust"

1. take your time and give yourself choices

and then

2. trust yourself.


:)it's so exciting to fall in love with a bicycle...:)

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Originally Posted by EDHGirl

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall. I'm 5'10" and just bought the 2008 Cannonale Synapse 3 WSD in a 56. I had several shops tell me I didn't need WSD at my height, that they could make most bikes work for me. In the back of my mind I still had the nagging feeling that being 5'10" doesn't mean I don't have the same proportional issues that make WSD work for smaller women. Why should they have to make it work?

I went searching for a WSD in my size and was stunned at how comfortable it was. Like it was custom made for me.

If you can find a Cannondale dealer within your area, I would really suggest giving it a try. This was a real investment for me and I loved walking out of the shop knowing I would never second guess my decision.

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Thank you for the tip. What is your preferred position on the bike -- more upright or more stretched out? I'm looking to be more upright, at least to start with, and maybe I can stretch out more later. We borrowed a couple of Roubaixs for the weekend, mine is 56cm. It's a little too stretched out for me even with a 75mm stem which is quite short and was put on just to give me an opportunity to test this frame size since none of the other shops were willing to order this size just so I could test it. If I can bring it back about 1-1/4" inch, it might be perfect, which I think suggests the next size down which is the 54cm Roubaix, or the 56cm Ruby. I'll see what the fitter says when he sees me in person on Tuesday.

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Originally Posted by elk

I think there's more I want to add to "fit,fit,fit" and "find a BS you trust"

1. take your time and give yourself choices

and then

2. trust yourself.


:)it's so exciting to fall in love with a bicycle...:)

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Thanks! It's hard to be patient, but I know patience will pay off. :)

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Originally Posted by EDHGirl

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall.

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This is true, but not only shouldn't we write off WSD, but we also should not write off "mens" or "unisex." I tried WSD and was "crowded" on it. The "mens" bike was a whole different story!

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Originally Posted by EDHGirl

Why should they have to make it work?

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On the other hand, we DID have to "make it work" by putting a shorter stem on it, shimming the brake levers and a different saddle: it wasn't after all, custom. There's nothing really wrong with having to "make it work" when we're buying stock items. Just like clothing off the rack at the mall, it needed a bit of alteration to become MY bike.

Oooh -- and for what it's worth, I love my Speicalized Roubaix -- size 52, I'm a scant 5'4"

Karen in Boise

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Originally Posted by Kano

This is true, but not only shouldn't we write off WSD, but we also should not write off "mens" or "unisex." I tried WSD and was "crowded" on it. The "mens" bike was a whole different story!





On the other hand, we DID have to "make it work" by putting a shorter stem on it, shimming the brake levers and a different saddle: it wasn't after all, custom. There's nothing really wrong with having to "make it work" when we're buying stock items. Just like clothing off the rack at the mall, it needed a bit of alteration to become MY bike.

Oooh -- and for what it's worth, I love my Speicalized Roubaix -- size 52, I'm a scant 5'4"

Karen in Boise

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We rented some Roubaixs over the weekend and got in a couple of decent rides. I loved it, but the reach felt a bit too long on a 56cm even with a 75mm stem. Perhaps I just need to adjust more to that reach, but I think the stem shouldn't have to be that short just to accommodate me. However, going to the 54cm would be just one size larger than for you at 5'4" which, on print, seems too small for me if I am 4 inches taller than you.:confused: We will ride Cannondale Synapses next and give those a try.

Maybe I just need to get used to the reach...

My "make it work" comment was directed more at the attitude of the LBS guys than making simple adjustments. I just had the feeling from them that they didn't know that much about WSD, didn't want to deal with it, and were just pushing what they already had in the store.

I'm always nervous when I'm spending a lot of money on a product I don't know that well. Any sniff of hard sell and I'm out the door.

I was definitely looking for comfort geometry when I bought my Cannondale. I'm never going to race and just want to be able to go 50 miles without being crippled the next day.

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Originally Posted by Yen

However, going to the 54cm would be just one size larger than for you at 5'4" which, on print, seems too small for me if I am 4 inches taller than you.:confused: We will ride Cannondale Synapses next and give those a try.

Maybe I just need to get used to the reach...

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Don't compare yourself to other people. I'm shorter than you but taller than Kano, yet I ride a bike smaller than Kano's. It depends on proportions of your body and the bikes.

If the reach is uncomfortable, you will never get used to it and it can cause problems in your back, neck, shoulders, wrists...Keep trying lots of bikes and combinations. The more bikes you ride the more you will understand what makes some more comfortable for you than others.

What Tulip says!

I am kind of long-bodied, and I used to think short legged, but maybe they're not so short anymore now that I'm not so round. I don't feel like I'm stretched out on my bike -- I have a 90cm stem and we rotated some kind of gizmo to angle the handlebars up a bit.

It could be that I just like to be stretched out in general, so it feels more natural to me?

Karen in Boise

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's true... a person's height does not really determine the size. That's counter-intuitive, but it's starting to make sense.

I got measured today and, sure enough, a 54 is for me. I may be able to borrow a 54cm Roubaix Expert Triple this weekend and see how I feel on it. I already know the 56 was too big but I loved its smooth ride. I need a comfort geometry road bike and if this one fits me, it may be the one. I'm not sure though if I'll go for the Expert or the Comp.... I'll see how I can cut corners on other expenses to help the decision.

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

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Originally Posted by kermit

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

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Kermit, thanks for enabling me. :) I'm trying to come to terms with the price and if the $900 would really get me THAT much more than the Comp. The Comp also sounds like an excellent bike. I'm afraid if I ride the Expert there will be no turning back. If I can be completely satisfied that the difference in price is really worth it, I'll probably go for it. I could join a vanpool at work and save $1200 a year and cut back in other areas.

So, you think the Zertz inserts really do make a difference? I have nothing to compare this with being that I ride a Hybrid now, and haven't owned a road bike for 20+ years.

I think you need to ride everything to appreciate them. I started with a low end shimano 105 aluminum bike and made the mistake of going into a specialied store where there was a SALE. So the 2005 roubaix comp (full ultegra at the time) was amazing to me. Like I mentioned I have injuries from my former hobby of showing horses and the back would kill me on the aluminum bike. The comp vs. the expert is now a big money difference (sorry, I am a bad influence) but this will be a FOREVER bike. If the expert is what you want, do it. The comp. is a great bike but I think now it has 105 and ulterga mixed. Still good stuff, but upgradeable. The expert has a wicked paint scheme with the red striping. Really cool.

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Originally Posted by kermit

I think you need to ride everything to appreciate them. I started with a low end shimano 105 aluminum bike and made the mistake of going into a specialied store where there was a SALE. So the 2005 roubaix comp (full ultegra at the time) was amazing to me. Like I mentioned I have injuries from my former hobby of showing horses and the back would kill me on the aluminum bike. The comp vs. the expert is now a big money difference (sorry, I am a bad influence) but this will be a FOREVER bike. If the expert is what you want, do it. The comp. is a great bike but I think now it has 105 and ulterga mixed. Still good stuff, but upgradeable. The expert has a wicked paint scheme with the red striping. Really cool.

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Why, you enabler you! ;) I saw a Ruby Expert in person at another shop.... zowie, is it beautiful. It was a 54 and too small (that size matches the 52 Roubaix which is a size too small for me).

Has your husband made any comments about the Roubaix on fast descents? I've read some comments on-line that concern me about shakiness on fast descents (40+ mph). Now, I am not planning to go that fast downhill :eek: as I get a little scared at 30 mph, but I'm wondering if that is a fact about the Roubaix CF frame. Yet, so many love this bike that if that were a common problem then it seems we'd be reading a lot about it.

I still haven't ridden a C'dale Synnapse but I want to test ride a 54cm Roubaix first to see how it feels in my size.

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Originally Posted by Yen

Has your husband made any comments about the Roubaix on fast descents? I've read some comments on-line that concern me about shakiness on fast descents (40+ mph). Now, I am not planning to go that fast downhill :eek: as I get a little scared at 30 mph, but I'm wondering if that is a fact about the Roubaix CF frame. Yet, so many love this bike that if that were a common problem then it seems we'd be reading a lot about it.

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For what it's worth -- and I haven't done an 40mph descents yet -- I haven't noticed any shakiness when descending that hasn't started with ME. I feel pretty stable on my Roubaix. A little vibration from the chip seal maybe, but that's not the bike either!

Karen in Boise