5'9", need comfort geometry

[Yen]

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.

[KnottedYet]

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)

[emily_in_nc]

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

[Yen]

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....

[7rider]

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.

[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!)

[Lifesgreat]

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.

[Yen]

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

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

[KnottedYet]

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

Hooray!!!!

[tc1]

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. Oh yeah, I'm kinda fat too so I am hoping as I lose weight the bike will get even faster.

[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.

[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...

[Yen]

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.

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.

[Kano]

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

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!

Why should they have to make it work?

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

[out_spokin']

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!