Is WSD all that???

[DrBee]

In a similar line to the "Trek vs Giant" thread started by Hammer - I am in pretty much the same situation. I have a Trek 7200FX and am looking forward to purchasing my first road bike. Actually it's just about all I can think about right now! My goal is to ride a century and local MS150 eventually. Unfortunately, the closest LBS is 2 hours away in Memphis or Jackson. So - I'm trying to figure out what specs are desirable for a road bike and narrow down my choices before I make the trip. My question is about WSD. Is it worth it?

I'm 5'6" if that matters.

[Veronica]

It depends on the woman.

I think it's great that bike manufacturers are realizing that there are differences between men and women's bodies. There are some women who could not get comfortable without that different geometry. I'm not one of those. I'm 5'5" and I ride a production Rivendell. I've been looking at other bikes lately and tested both set ups on a Pilot. I preferred the regular geometry - felt scrunched in WSD.

V.

[yellow]

To know, you must ride it. Before I got my bike (women's specific Specialized) I rode a whole bunch of "traditional geometry" production bikes...Trek, Cannondale, Giant, you name it. None of them were quite right (reach was always just a little too far).

First ride I took on what my DH calls my "chick bike", I knew it was the one. I can reach everything OK and it fits me perfectly. I am short but pretty evenly proportioned (I think). That being said, my next bike will be a custom build!

[Tater]

I think it depends on the bike maker and the woman riding the bike. I too have a WSD Specialized and I love it. I am a bit vertically challenged at 5'3" and always had issuess with other bikes. I had problems with over-extending and hurting my neck and shoulders, or with reach/shifting/brake levers. I am very happy with the bike I am on now.

[Eden]

As far as being "worth it" WSD does not necessarily mean more expensive - in fact sometimes it means less than a comperable men's bike if you can believe the LBS. I was in drooling over a Ruby this weekend and he was of the opinion that they are selling it for less than a comperable men's frame (he thought the Tarmac SL - but after looking I'm thinking maybe not...., but the top end Roubaix - which is pretty comperable is priced at least $1,000 higher.)

Anyway - if you are little like me WSD is a savior - I'm too small for any unisex bikes, but many women are just fine with normal geometry. Its all in what fits you personally the best. Oh- and don't rely on fit calculators - I had one of them putting me a 49 which is way way to big - I ride a 44. Get fit by a reputable shop and test ride test ride test ride.

[bouncybouncy]

YES...it is "All That!!!"

IF your body requires that particular geometry!!!! Like the knowledgable ladies that are always here on the forum...you must test to know AND get fit by a reputable shop!!!

I was "measured" by my husbands trustworthy shop-owner who set me up on a frame and customized the coponents to my specs....and i must say i have never had a moment of pain (**due to bike fit) which, to me, says he did a pretty D@## good job...especially after reading what some of these poor girls have gone thru to get a good fitting ride.

good luck...and RIIIIIIDE!!!!!

[bikerchick68]

yep... everyone here is right on... I tried WSD... and it just didn't work for me. I have a "guy" body... short legs, long torso... so for me a guys geometry bike works better...

I have met several women wanting their first bike who are 5'7"... they will ask what size I ride... and I always tell them they can't use me as the indicator! Most women my height ride a larger size than me... my short inseam and long reach have me on a mens 49cm bike! sounds pretty small and it is really... but it's perfect for me. Most other women 5'7" ride anywhere from 51cm-53cm! Longer legs... just call me stumpy...

[ladyfish]

Don't limit yourself. Ride WSD. Ride regular frames. Ride different manufacturers. Get the bike to fit--doesn't matter WSD or not. As you've read, it's all in your own body geometry. I'm 5'4". I have a short torso and average length legs (in my opinion). I purchased a WSD bike--fit me great.

I got a big kick out of a different salesman at the store when I went to pick up my bike. He looked at the bike size, and then asked me "you have pretty long legs, don't you". I had to laugh, since I've always considered myself stumpy. But in "bike" terms I do have long legs compared to my torso length.

So try as many as you can. You will feel the difference--even if you haven't ridden lots of bikes before. Some are just more comfortable than others.

[salsabike]

WSD was absolutely necessary for me. I'm 5'5", short arms, short torso. Spent all last year on a Specialized Sirrus with a 54 cm. top tube that was way too long for me. This year, went through two bike fits, one with the Fit Kit and one by an expert cyclist and physical therapist, and both came up with the same results--that I needed about a 50-51 cm. top tube. None of the guy bikes could provide that. I got a Bianchi Eros Donna and love it. Don't feel even a little squished.

It really is important to get a good bike fit done, preferably by someone who doesn't have a vested interest in selling you a particular bike, and then to test ride several different bikes. Even if you have to make a long trip to test ride, I recommend it--it's worth the time and effort to make sure you get a bike that works for you, WSD or not.

[DrBee]

Thank you all so much for all of the great advice. I do plan to do plenty of test rides. Especially now that ALL of you have insisted upon it. I just like to have all of my ducks in a row before I walk in the LBS(s) - especially since it's so far away.

I tend to research things to death before I make a purchase. I even do this for things as insignificant as a computer mouse or a waffle iron. It's my nature.

Anyway - I will definitely test ride as many bikes as they'll let me. I'm a pretty average size with relatively average proportions (5'6" with a 29-30" inseam), so I may be able to go either way with the WSD. My thought was that I'm also more likely to get a more comfy saddle by going with WSD. I'm trying to not have to buy any other components with the bike. But - it sounds like overall fit is THE most important thing of all. I can always spring for a woman's saddle later. Geez - I'm riding a hybrid now and while I love the bike I have, I'm guessing a road bike will be a dream!

[Eden]

Unless you go super high end (and often times not even there) don't count on getting a comfy saddle on any bike wsd or not. Saddles are so particular to the individual that (IMHO) many bike manufacturers don't even try to put a nice saddle on - they just figure you know (or will find out) what you like. My mid range bike came with a stock manufacturers saddle that came off as soon as I rode it home.

[Dianyla]

I'd say WSD can be all that, depending on how you're built. I figured that I would gravitate towards WSD because I'm 5'4" with a 30" inseam (long legs, short torso). Also, my arms are somewhat short.

But, when I was shopping for a bike a few weeks ago, I rode about 6 WSD and 6 unisex bikes. Many of the WSD bikes were too cramped for me, I felt all scrunched over when I tried getting into the drops. Also, even though I'm short I have fairly broad shoulders (16 inches) and many of the WSD bikes handlebars were way too narrow.

In the end, the bike I fell in love with and purchased was the Orbea Dama Race in size 53cm, which is a women's bike however it is a rather unfeminine WSD bike, if that can be said. Both the salesguy and the professional bike fitter said that, for a WSD bike the Dama Race is rather long on the top tube to allow for a more "european" (their words, not mine) laid out racing stance. Also, the handlebars on it were the exact right size at 40cm. The salesguy's theory on why this bike didn't sell last year was because none of the men were interested in buying a women's bike and none of the women that tried it on liked the "manly" fit. So hey, lucky me!

[Nanci]

Don't just test ride at your LBS, check every BS you can reasonably get to. I looked for my MTB in three different states, rode 10's of different bikes before finding the perfect bike, which belonged to a shop guy. (I mean, he had the right size for me to test ride- but then I stuck with that frame and had it custom built by SpeedGoat, mailorder- a wonderful experience, BTW.)

And at that time, all the WSD MTB's I rode felt miniturized, like I was a bear on a tricycle, you know? So I was leery of WSD when I was looking for road bikes, but I got one, and it is absolutely perfect- feels "right," not small.

Nanci

[salsabike]

And I would like to second Eden's comments about saddles. I've never yet met a stock saddle I liked, and neither has my long-riding spouse. Whatever saddle comes with the bike gets taken off right away, and replaced with something better.

[withm]

When I bought my bike I rejected the saddle after 2 weeks. They gave me another one to try - rode it about 2 weeks and it went back too. Tried yet another one that was quickly rejected. Finally I got on the Internet and started researching saddles, and compared measurements with my old old unnamed Terry saddle, and I had asked them to get me a Terry Butterfly and that was the charm.

No charge for any of the saddles. They kept all the rejects and I got a saddle that I like.

Building a relationship with your LBS is probably the best thing you can do through this process.

Good luck
Martha