I must be built funny.

[Owlie]

I checked out bikes on a whim back in March when I was still in hiding. Apparently my legs require a different bike size than my torso. The only possible exception to this was the Trek Lexa, which was a wash as to whether I needed the 54 or a 56. I tried out a Dolce, which my back and shoulders absolutely loved, but I'm not sure how well my knees would get on with it unless I took it out for a long ride. The guy at the shop thought I'd need a 57cm until he let me try out the 54(?) cm they had. OOPS. (FYI, the effective top tube on the 57cm is longer than that on my too-long current bike.)

Sigh. I might have to go custom, but that won't be an option for a long, long time. Thoughts?

[emily_in_nc]

You don't say whether you're a long-legged, short-torso'd type or the opposite. If the former, try WSD frames; the latter, mens/unisex frames. Some people do have to go custom, but the majority of folks of your height should be able to fit a stock frame, with possible changes in stem, seatpost, handlebars to dial in the fit. I'd bet that you can fit a stock frame unless your proportions are extremely unusual.

[Biciclista]

what emily said

the fact is, most bikes are not made to fit most women well.

[ultraviolet]

Without information about what your proportions are, I don't think anyone can give you any advice or ideas.

For example: I seem to be a difficult fit because I have proportionally short legs and long torso, which most people would call lucky because that's what "unisex" frames are designed for, BUT...I have short arms, tiny hands and low-ish flexibility. In the end, what I've found is that I need a taller headtube than what's found on many road bikes, and I invariably end up having to put a short/shallow bar on most of my bikes along with short reach, or reach adjustable, brifters/levers. The stock road bike geometries that work best for me are LeMond (now defunct), Gary Fisher, Specialized Roubaix, and the Cervelo RS. I can make others work--my "race" bike is a BMC but I've left plenty of steerer on the fork and use a stem with a good bit of rise, and I have a couple of older steel bikes that I need to use taller stems on as well--but that's the short list of the bikes that are closest to "ideal" for me.

[emily_in_nc]

I'm wondering if since you're tall you didn't try WSD frames? Many folks think they are only for us shorties, but that's not true. They are made for folks with long legs and short torsos, no matter what their height -- or gender, actually; it's just that women are more likely to have this body proportion.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, what knee issue do you think you might have with the
Dolce? How would you otherwise describe your proportions?