European women-specific stock bikes?

[out_spokin']

Hi Europe-based or Euro-knowledgeable TEers -
I'm curious...here in the U.S. there are plenty of companies selling women-specific design bikes, but to the best of my knowledge no one besides Terry Bicycles sells them for tall women (i.e. bigger than a 56cm frame). Since northern Europe in particular seems full of women like me (tall, all legs, short torso) I'm wondering if there are any companies providing off-the-shelf (non-custom) road or 'cross bikes designed for taller women?

This is mostly a theoretical question, given the difficulties of exchange rates and shipping, but since I'll be traveling there later this year I started wondering about it. Thanks for any input!

[martinkap]

Hi, I am like you, tall and long legs ... I solved my problem with buying a male's frame and putting on the shortest handlebar stem possible. Thus the seat tube fits me well and the too long top tube is compensated by the very short stem. I know it is not the best solution but it works.

I am trying to (very slowly) save up money and have Independent Fabrication frame made (from steel). I went to a good LBS and for $50 they fit me on their 'fitting' bike and gave me a table of all the measurement I need (much longer seat tube than top tube). Once I save up, I will order the IF frame.

[papaver]

I honestly wouldn't know. I'm short myself and the choice for me was already limited.

[out_spokin']

Yeah, I did the men's bike/short stem deal for a while, but it was still way too long a reach. I actually have a custom road/all-rounder bike now, but crave more experiences on different bikes. Sheesh, if I were a guy who fit on a 56cm square bike I'd be buying and selling interesting used bikes constantly!

Plus I'm considering doing 'cross...thus my curiosity about European builders arose.

marinkap, good luck with your savings fund! I wanted an IF, but didn't have the patience. But my local builder worked with me on building a variation of their 'club racer'.

[papaver]

http://www.roseversand.de/output/con...&detail2=18131

[Roar]

I am in Europe and am bike-shopping right now. When I ask about WSD, everyone's whipping out the Specialized / Cannondale brochures.

That being said, I am short like Papaver and that could be playing into it since Specialized and Cannondale make some good smaller bikes.

Papaver - I saw that thread with your bike in it. It's AWESOME. AWESOME.

Quick question: Do you find that Campagnolo hoods are smaller? I am a bit smaller than you are and I can't get my hands around the Shimanos. I thought it was because nothing was adjusted but apparently that's not necessarily the case. (You can PM me if you want... I don't mean to hijack the thread.)