WSD Mtn Bikes

[VenusdeVelo]

Hi all, wondering if anyone out there has tried the WSD (women's specific design) mountain bikes by Gary Fisher or Trek. I have a WSD 5200 road bike I absolutely love, it's the first time in 10 years of road riding my bike actually fit me. I ride it and not vice versa. And yes, I have had professional bike fits, loads of them, I just know I am suited for WSD (so let's not debate that point

I am limiting my search to Gary Fisher if I can (the Big Sur or Tassajara) if I can (I am living in Europe right now, so I am limited in terms of brands also). I would consider Trek though, but they are harder to get a hold of. I had a Trek dualie, and I am looking now for a hardtail. My mtn bike riding here will be also limited to more single track, not much in terms of real "mountain" or anything. I tried a hardtail a few times and I just like their efficiency better, and I have no back problems....

Anyone try a Gary Fisher and like it/dislike it? What about a WSD version? I am a roadie at heart, but want to do some fun MTB on the weekends here ...

[Irulan]

personally I don't like GF bikes because I do not think they are the best value for the money, and they have a history drivetrain problems ( you can google Gary Fisher bikers and chain suck)
www.mtbr.com has a bike review section. You have to take the reviews with a grain of salt but you will find a lot of comments there.

formica

[JanT]

Several years ago I was shopping for a hardtail mountain bike, and it came down to a Gary Fisher Hoo Koo e Koo or TREK 6700WSD. The geometries felt about the same to me, and they had similar components and prices. I bought the TREK simply because I'd enjoyed my first TREK mountain bike, and because I wanted to buy it at the LBS two miles from my house, which has provided me great service. Some friends have the HOO KOO's and they have had good luck with them. Can't address the other models. Have fun shopping!

[annie]

Venus,

I, too, have a 5200 Trek WSD which I treasure. I know what you mean concerning fit. I, too, find a WSD bike to be the best fit for me. Anyway, I can't tell you anything about the GF bikes, having never owned one. But I do have a Trek 6500 WSD mtb. (Comparable modell now is the 6700.) Again, the fit is what I want. I feel like I am riding the bike, not like it is taking me for a ride. I tried a coule other bikes, but came back to the 6500 because it felt the best. It's certainly not a high-end bike...............I don't ride off-road enough to justify getting a better one (yet - who knows what the future holds!) but it's comfortable, it fits me, and other than the weight, I love it. I've never had any problems with it. I consider it a great starter bike for going off-road. If I ever got more serious about off-road I would probably want something better, but 'til then, it's enough bike to keep me happy. Just was out on it today, in fact, and I am still smiling.
Good luck with your choice. I hope you are able to find something just right for you!

annie

[Jo-n-NY]

Actually I have a Raliegh Tara. I also do not do much MTB but it is extemely comfortable and easy to handle. I even put smoother tires on it and road the Bike NY 5 Borough Bike a Thon with it because on some of those roads I did not want to use my road bike.

Just another idea for you.

[Barb]

I tried the GF Tassahara and the WSD Tass. I am 5'4 with a short torso and was not really comfortable on the WSD. For me it was the narrow handlebars. I am picking up my Tassahara next week.

[shewhobikes]

I have a Big Sur, size M--I'm just over 5 foot 6. And I'm a total newbie and have put far more miles on my road bike. However, so far no complaints with the Big Sur. It feels predictable and sturdy to me, but not slow. Does that make sense? Let us know what you do.

[Biking Chick]

I have a 4900 WSD that I love ... have looked at the Gary Fisher bikes but opted for the Trek after test riding both brands. Being from Wisconsin we are very loyal Trekkie's. Of all the bikes we own (fellow bikers are the only ones who understand the sickness of owning more than one or two bikes) only one is not a Trek. Due to your current living arrangements the 4900 may not be your best option. One of the highlights of a trip I made to Great Britain last year was a shopping trip to a bike store in London that was also a Trek dealer - it was one of the few places in GB where Wisconsin was recognized as the home of Trek bikes!

At 5'1" I find that the WSD gives me the right fit for my body - it wasn't until I rode a non-WSD that I realized how important it was for me to have the smaller grips and the geometry of the crank placement in relation to the seat. The first time I rode my first road bike, Trek's 2200 WSD, I wasn't comfortable with the bike but after that second ride ... I was hooked. I'm glad to see more manufactures addressing the needs of women but obviously we still have a long way to go.

Now if I can get the sporting industry to address the fact that there are women who enjoy upland game and offer a wider selection of boots for field work ... I'd be a way happy camper!

[SadieKate]

Now if I can get the sporting industry to address the fact that there are women who enjoy upland game and offer a wider selection of boots for field work ... I'd be a way happy camper!

I'm with you! I flyfish. I own the Fishmobile (aka the Bike Bus) - the drift boats don't go anywhere without me ! I wear women's size 6 shoes. I have a garage full of wading boats that I slopped around in for years until a few companies (LLBean, Orvis and Simms) got their act together. I participated in a clothing focus group with Simms a few years ago. The 3 women in the room nailed the company president and I have to say he took it nicely. They make a very wide variety of women's wader sizes now -- only had to have the feet custom fit for once rather than the whole darn wader. Patagucci keeps touting their "women's" line for fishing (and I haven't checked their line this year), but it really is just men's stuff and not sized small enough. The few clothing items they do make for women and fishing are pastel colors. Yuck!! Now, my problem is I can't find good flats booties in my size and the SIL/BIL moved to Florida (free housing). I can hear those redfish calling my name!

[Biking Chick]

I participated in a clothing focus group with Simms a few years ago. The 3 women in the room nailed the company president and I have to say he took it nicely.

Did you hear my computer chair crashing into the desk as I flew up to applaud, whistle and stomp in appreciation ... well ok, I didn't actually stomp but darned close!

My dh is a one-man advocate and has done more than his share to promote women's involvement in the outdoor sports market. Can ya tell I'm proud of him? But we still have a long way to go to infiltrating the good ol' boy network in the sporting industry.

I'm glad to hear that the inconvenience of having to modify waders has not detered you from enjoying the sport of flyfishing - I've never had the patience to master the art of casting and am in awe of those who can. I'm not sure what yahoo in R&D decided that what women want out of sporting apparel is pastel? The only good thing is that I can fit into youth sizes and as women everywhere know ... anything 'made for men' is cheaper and less apt to fall apart within a few months time. But that's for another gripe session

While I'm on my soapbox. One of the sporting goods stores in our area carries a fairly well stocked dog training department. They offer a terrific price on 40# bags of dog food - same brand I feed my dogs - the only trouble is - they only carry it in 'large breed' - hardly suited for my cocker spaniels. Ticks me off big time ... whenever we visit the store I wander back to that department and ask why they only carry brand X dog food in large breed formula. Inevitably the answer is because large breed dogs are 'hunting dogs'. I like to remind them that my English cockers are also hunting dogs .. and oh by the way why doesn't the store carry more field/sporting apparel for women?

Back to the subject at hand .... on yer bike!!!

[VenusdeVelo]

Thanks eveyone for all the responses, it really helps...I think, becuase of my love for my Trek WSD I will really try and find a Trek dealer that I can look at whether getting one is an option. I have seen a couple here, but because women do not ride here as much as men, I may need to order a WSD if I think I really want one. At least though, it sounds like it would be a good decision.

And Biker Chic, I am also from WI back in the US (we left there last year to move to Europe). And yes, I also have a spot for Trek in my heart ;-) (well, at least Fisher is owned by Trek also in case I go that route). Let me know if you road bike, I have a good friend with whom we started a women's riding club a couple of years ago and I know she is still looking to get more women involved (near the Greenfield area of Mke). I miss the "Betties" ride (a name coined by Terry Bicycles).

And thanks all for the comments...I will let you know what happens when I get there...luckily it's riding weather here already (not sure it is as nice in WI at the moment....)