Road bikes designed for women

[nancynyc]

I'm shopping for my first road bike and am wondering if I should aim for one designed specifically for women, as I'm 5'2" and narrow. The guy at my LBS suggested the Specialized Sequoia Elite and said that it wasn't important to get one of the women-specific models. I would love to hear what other people think about this.

Thanks!

[KnottedYet]

It's only important to get a Women's Specific Design bike if WSD is what fits you best.

After you've ridden a few, you'll get a feel for the type of geometry you like.

WSD doesn't feel right to me, but cyclocross geometry feels lovely for some reason. (I've bought 3 cx geometry bikes in the last 2 years.)

It's all geometry and magic.

Having a label like WSD, Cyclocross, Cruiser, Touring, Racer, just gives you a nice short-hand way to describe the general geometry you like best, which helps you when you go shopping. But you probably have to go shopping to get a feel for what you like best!

Ride lots of bikes! Ride everything!

[Beane]

Aside from geometry, which I agree with Knot about, you should also consider the components on the bike, specifically the handlebars and brifters (brake/shift levers). I am not a particularly small woman (5'7") but I find that I vastly prefer narrower handlebars (38-40cm). They aren't necessary women's specific, but are just on the smaller side. Also, people with smaller hands tend to prefer short reach brifters that they can reach more easily. These are things that can be changed once you have the bike (moderately easily) and won't necessarily be on a bike marketed as "women's" or necessarily NOT on a men's bike.

[RoadRaven]

I am 5'10" with long legs...

My two main bikes are one normal/mans, one female specific

My Giant TCR2 has become my TT bike with bull horns and bar end shifters. It is a small frame. 53.5cm effective top tube length.

My other bike is my road race bike, a womens specific EMC2 FemEtapePro. I think it might be a large frame (large because it is women's, not mens). 54cm effective top tube length.

For me, the frame size is irrelevant.
What matters for me is the front end. Before I got the bullhorns and bar end shifters on the Giant, the reach for my brakes was always tough - especially downhill... I never got around to putting shims in, though that would have solved the problem.

For me, getting the EMC2 showed me how delightful a narrower set of handle bars, with short reach levers could be.

For me, the front end is the reason why I would buy female specific.

Focus on a comfortable size frame, and if there is an option for narrower front end with shortreach levers, then opt for that.

But ultimately, the frame size is what you need to focus on - you can change the seat, the front end, the crank length... but you are stuck with the frame size.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Keep in mind that bike stores tend to like to sell what they stock in their store. (what a concept)
If they don't sell WSD bikes, they tend to say things like "women specific bikes are just a bunch of hype. You don't need anything like that because we can adjust the fit perfectly to you on any bike here in the store".

I went into a big bike shop recently and asked the owner if he had any steel bikes. He said "No we don't. But you won't find steel bikes around for sale anyway- they don't even make them any more because they are inferior."

[mimitabby]

Smaller women (like me) find the "normal" bike to be too long a reach when the bike itself fits my legs just fine. The "women specific" design is made for people with this shape: longer legs and smaller torso. Don't let a salesman talk you into a bike that "fits" you great because you can stand over it and hold on to the handlebars. DO your very best to try to find a WSD bike and try it before you buy a bike made for a man.

I always thought it was just because i was 55 that i had these problems (numb hands/fingers; back/neck problems...) but last week i was with my good friend Elena who is only 30 and she has an off the rack mens' (Italian) bike and she has the same problems.

[Zen]

I went into a big bike shop recently and asked the owner if he had any steel bikes. He said "No we don't. But you won't find steel bikes around for sale anyway- they don't even make them any more because they are inferior."

That's funny and appalling at the same time. What did you say?

[nancynyc]

Thanks to everyone for all the info. I think I'll trek out to Long Island to try the Terry bikes, because it seems no one in NYC sells them.

[tjf9]

I'm shopping for my first road bike and am wondering if I should aim for one designed specifically for women, as I'm 5'2" and narrow. The guy at my LBS suggested the Specialized Sequoia Elite and said that it wasn't important to get one of the women-specific models. I would love to hear what other people think about this.

Thanks!

I'm 5'3" and narrow, and also proportioned in the WSD way. Certainly your LBS can change things like stem and handlebars to customize the fit, but if the top tube is too long, the bike may never fit right.

I felt really comfortable on WSD bikes (I tried the Specialized Dolce and the Trek Pilot and 5.0), but couldn't find any that could handle racks and fenders and wider tires. That is why I went with a bike built up for me. I have a Salsa Casseroll frame (which was very similar, geometery-wise, to the Treks) with Shimano 105 components (including 165mm cranks to accomodate my shorter legs), and a 38cm handlebar.

[Triskeliongirl]

I'm 5'3" and narrow, and also proportioned in the WSD way. Certainly your LBS can change things like stem and handlebars to customize the fit, but if the top tube is too long, the bike may never fit right.

I felt really comfortable on WSD bikes (I tried the Specialized Dolce and the Trek Pilot and 5.0), but couldn't find any that could handle racks and fenders and wider tires. That is why I went with a bike built up for me. I have a Salsa Casseroll frame (which was very similar, geometery-wise, to the Treks) with Shimano 105 components (including 165mm cranks to accomodate my shorter legs), and a 38cm handlebar.

FYI, the terry classic can handle racks and fenders, and comes with 165mm cranks and 38cm bars in your size. Even the terry isis, a speedier model, can handle a rear rack and tires up to 28mm wide.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

FYI, the terry classic can handle racks and fenders, and comes with 165mm cranks and 38cm bars in your size. Even the terry isis, a speedier model, can handle a rear rack and tires up to 28mm wide.

Yes but TJF9 wants wider tires AND fenders. I suspect the Terrys can fit tires UP TO 28mm (but without fenders), and maybe 25mm with fenders? A good question to find out the answer to.
A well equipped varied terrain touring bike *should* be able to handle 28-32mm wide tires WITH fenders, and up to 38mm tires without fenders.

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes but TJF9 wants wider tires AND fenders. I suspect the Terrys can fit tires UP TO 28mm (but without fenders), and maybe 25mm with fenders? A good question to find out the answer to.
A well equipped varied terrain touring bike *should* be able to handle 28-32mm wide tires WITH fenders, and up to 38mm tires without fenders.

No Lisa, the terry classic is a TOURING bike and can be fitted with BOTH wide tires AND fenders, I know becase I had two of them before moving to the Isis. As I said the Isis can fit tires up to 28 without fenders, and a rear rack, as built, but on one of mine I had cantis put on so I can go to 32 on it. I could have also had it modified (bridge moved) for fenders, but I don't ride with fenders so I didn't bother.

[kdskaggs]

I found that the carbon fiber seemed to amplify the bumps in the road. It also squeeked a lot, like the frame was vibrating. The bike felt squishy to me, if that makes any sense. I was pretty disappointed because I have heard how great CF frames are. My husband has a CF mountain bike and loves it. Maybe at his weight the frame is more beneficial than at mine.

Kenda

[nancynyc]

Hi All,

Based on the great advice received here, I treked to upstate CT to try the Terry bikes. I rode both a Terry and a Specialized WSD, and felt better on the Specialized, although with both I experienced a bit of neck pain and an unpleasant feeling between my shoulder blades. The guy at the bike store said that was not concerning, that he'd experienced something similar when he switched over from a road bike, and that it should go away after the first ride or so. Do you all agree?

Also, I'm trying to understand the advantages/disadvantages of a compact versus triple crankset. A random woman customer told me I'd want the triple and the bike guy pretty much agreed, but one of his co-workers and a guy I spoke to at Bicycle Habitat in Manhattan said that they prefer the compact. What do you all think? I'd like my bike to be as versatile as possible.

I'm also trying to decide if I should spend the extra bunch of money for the carbon frame...

Thanks again!

[KnottedYet]

One of my bikes is a triple. The other is a compact double.

For hauling loads and commuting and going up and down hills, I dig my triple.

For going fast with just one little bag on fairly flat terrain I have my CD.

If I could only have one (triple or CD), I'd choose a triple. I *like* my granny gear!

Edit to add: both bikes are steel cyclocross that I use on the road for the most part.