How tall are you? (Women only, please)

[Bluetree]

How tall are you?

At 5-1, I don’t think my height is that uncommon. It may be shorter than the US average of 5-4, but my area (Southern California) is about as ethnically diverse as you can ask for, and I see many female cyclists around my size.

From observations and anecdotes – purely unscientific, I assure you – I noticed that my shorter climbing compatriots find the Specialized Ruby to be the favorite (including myself). Off the top of my head, I can name 5-6 KOM-type short women who ride the Ruby Pro or S-Works.

I have also noticed that my female racing teammates tend to be taller (on average). Most of them are taller than 5-5 and choose to go with non-WSD bikes: i.e. Specialized Tarmac over the Ruby; Cannondale System 6 over the Synapse Feminine...

I’m curious to know what is the “real” marketplace for women’s bikes and accessories. I have had trouble finding small bikes that fit and have talked to quite a few women in the same boat.

Are bike manufacturers out of touch with their customers or are there really so few short women outside of my area?

P.S. Sorry if this has already been asked. I did a search but couldn't find anything.

[Aggie_Ama]

I am 5'2" and a few tenths of an inch. I ride a Cannondale Synapse Feminine, I can't even find a men's bike for commuting that will fit.

[crazybikinchic]

5'6 Specialized Allez

[Flybye]

5'8"
Shoe size 10.5-11
I like being tall except for when I shop for clothes and shoes.
I ride a Specialized Ruby Comp, frame size 54 cm. Women's specific. Professional bike fitter says that is is "just right".
It's easier to find men's stuff - bikes and shoes - than women's in my size. I had to purchase men's Sidi's.

[VeloVT]

5'6". For the most part I can fit on both women's bikes & men's bikes.

[sbctwin]

4'10"...tell me about finding an adult bike
I ride a Lightspeed Bella XS - 650 wheels. I really like it, but did have to switch to flat bars because I didn't feel I had control with drops.

I am trying to find a new commuter. I was looking at the 44cm Volpe, but decided the standover height was too much of an obstacle. The reach felt great, but when I had to make a 'defensive' stop on my current commuter, I realized I would have been in trouble with the Volpe. I have decided to wait out the Soma mixte and hope I can get one of the first (they said only 60 will be produced in the first round)...

[trickytiger]

5'8- ride a Cannondale WSD, R-series, frame size 56. Men's bikes do not even come close to fitting me- the top tube is too long.

[Pax]

I'm 5'10" and ride a 56cm Trek 1500 WSD.

On my commuter (Trek 7.5FX) I don't mind the wide bars but on my road bike I need a narrower grip to accommodate my torn rotator cuff, the 1500 has been a great bike for me.

[sundial]

5'8"
Shoe size 10.5-11
I like being tall except for when I shop for clothes and shoes.

My mother, bless her heart, is 5'11 and wears a 11 1/2 narrow shoe. She grew up during the Depression and learned to make her clothes. I don't know how she managed to find women's shoes in her size, but she did. I have a hard time finding 10's anymore. The kids today are larger and are wearing more 10's and 11's.

[Kuota Rider]

5'8"
Shoe size 10.5-11
I like being tall except for when I shop for clothes and shoes.
I ride a Specialized Ruby Comp, frame size 54 cm. Women's specific. Professional bike fitter says that is is "just right".
It's easier to find men's stuff - bikes and shoes - than women's in my size. I had to purchase men's Sidi's.

I feel some of Flybye's pain...(though she didn't really sound like she was in pain). I am 5' 10 1/2" with a size 11 foot. They dont even make a woman's cycling shoe in that size. Most top out at 42.5 maaaaybe 43cm. So it's off to the men's shoes which never really seem to fit right.

Bike? Kuota Kebel, (56cm, not WSD). Again, they don't make a WSD large enough for someone of my vertical stature. But that isn't really a problem because the only real difference on a WSD are things that really don't apply to me anyway, (smaller hands, shorter legs, shorter reach...) I love my Kuota and I have from the first day I pushed on the pedal for the first time.

[Rosie8]

Standing 5'5", have been riding a WSD Giant Suede for the last couple of years. Still love it for cruising around and getting in exercise. The seat is as high as it is safe to set it because my legs must be longer than average?

I switched the handlebars from the original flat bar risers to North Road style and love how my wrists and forearms feel much more relaxed even after 10 miles or more.

[GLC1968]

I'm the average of 5'4", but I have extra short legs and a long torso. If they made men's bikes small enough for me, I wouldn't need a WSD. It's just rare to find a stock men's bike smaller than a 48cm, so I have to buy WSD and make my own alterations until I can afford to go custom.

[oxysback]

I'm the average of 5'4", but I have extra short legs and a long torso. If they made men's bikes small enough for me, I wouldn't need a WSD. It's just rare to find a stock men's bike smaller than a 48cm, so I have to buy WSD and make my own alterations until I can afford to go custom.

Yep, I'm like you, but 5'5". Long torso...short lets. My current bike is 48cm, not women's specific. When I got a fitting done in Feb. only very minor adjustments needed to be made. The fitter said I had things dialed in pretty well.

[Possegal]

i'm 5' 2" and a half, so i just round up.
i have a Trek 1000 WSD bike. i didn't do quite the serious shopping i should have, and should my interest continue i will likely shop around for another bike in a year or so. but so far, my little trek has done OK by me.

[songlady]

I'm 5'6 with a short upper torso. Finally ended up with a 51cm Ruby, MUCH better than the 52cm Roubaix I started on.