Which bike do you ride & why?

[GLC1968]

I'm 5'4" with very short legs. I have a very old Specialized Rockhopper MTB. It's not WSD and it fits me fine for what I use it for (casual all-terrain rides).

Both of my road bikes are WSD - but they have to be to get the right dimensions without going custom.

[wolfak]

#1
'03 Diamondback Wildwood Deluxe - chose because it fitted well, had nicer feel and look compared to the base model. I've pimped it out sufficiently into a commuter with rack, grocery bags, fenders, all the works.

#2
'07 Trek 1600 WSD Roadie - chose because it fit the best of any of the road bikes I had tested. Also, I really, REALLY liked the color, the light weight, and the feel. However, I sometimes have questions/concerns. I'm 5'8" and a men's frame size may have suited me as well. It has a Bontrager Fit women's seat, and I do like it for the reason I have it - exercise, longer rides with DH. I'm having some shoulder issues from riding on it (I've got some extra flab to love, er, lose) and am considering a different stem and/or handlebars. One of my LBS clerks had cautioned that WSD bikes were geared toward smaller gals and the smaller width handlebars might be too narrow for me. I'm considering an adjustable stem that I have seen on some touring bikes.

If I could do it over again...
I might have more strongly considered selling the DB and buying a cyclo-cross or touring styled cycle that could serve my needs for commuting and weekend recreation.

[Trek420]

Commuter: 12 year old GT Outpost trail. Pictures somewhere here on a powdercoat thread. Why? Cause it fits and is a hoot to ride.

Mixte: '70's Motobecane converted to a freewheel. Why? Because it makes people smile just to see it.

Road: custom Mondonico Futura Legero, why? Because it fits me like a pair of jeans, I'm 5' nuthin' so went custom. And it's beeyooteeful and rides as good as it looks. I'll never look at another bike.

Also have a '80's lugged steel Giant RS940 which is being built up as one of Knott's bikes. I have to take her word for it that it's great since I can't even get a leg over the top tube

[Zen]

I'll never look at another bike.

Oh, c'mon now. Who do you think you're kidding?

[MtnBikerChk]

Fit on a mtb is not the micromillimeter measurement demand that a road bike can require. I like all my bikes for what I do with them.

RIGHTO!

I had a fit session before I bought my last MTB. He gave me the best dimensions and then I went out and bought the bike I wanted. We made it fit and I think I do alright

Titus Motolite.

[Trek420]

Oh, c'mon now. Who do you think you're kidding?

OK, caught me. Sure, I'm married to the Mondonico, but I'm not dead yet.

[KnottedYet]

OK, caught me. Sure, I'm married to the Mondonico, but I'm not dead yet.

This is the woman who recently sent me a PM distinctly stating that we need an Xtracycle!!!!

Oh, and what was that about a tandem? Hmm? Speak up, we can't heeeeeear you!

[ikkin]

just pulled the trigger on a titus motolite mtn frame. bought it because of the juliana fiasco and to have a great all-around bike.

also have a cannondale r1000 that i need to get on more often. bought that 'cause of an awesome fit at an awesome price.

[Jen-Jen]

I ride a WSD Trek 5.0 pilot and I love it. I found out that my lower half of my body is almost the same length as my torso. I also have a leg that is an inch and half shorter than my other. Compact design with WSD components works wonders with me for road bike, but I own another Trek 5000 mountain bike. I was afraid of it not being WSD, but in the smaller size it was wonderful, fit me well. I have no problems with pain, which is a problem for me if the bike doesn't fit quite right. I'm a Trek girl.

Hubby is still looking for the life time warranty on me.

[Sandrider]

I have an 8-year-old Kona Nunuu hardtail, 16 inches. I bought it because it was what I could get at the time and it has served me well for over 1,000 miles. However, I am not sure it is the right size for me because I have toe overlap. Despite the probably wrong size, the bike handles well in sand, mud, rocks, deep narrow ruts etc. I would love to check out a women's specific bike if I had the opportunity. I am trying to learn about other bikes through reading this forum!

Linda

[dirtygirl1]

#1. MTB: Norco Faze 1 (Full Suspension) - not WSD and I love the way it fits. The make a size XS and it's perfect for me out of the box (I am 5ft 4 and a petite woman). I love this bike because it is so flexible. I use it to race 24 hour enduros - it is great for climbing but also rocks on the dh sections.

#2 MTB: Norco XTC 1 (hard tail) - not WSD and i love the wat it fits. Great for short track or speedy short rides.

#3 DH Bike: Norco Sasquach - again, not WSD but again, i love the fit.

#4 Road: Giant TCR1 - not wsd but the fit is right.

#5: Commuter: Norco OCR3

I guess you can say that I like the way the Norco fits ... they make an XS and this makes me happy :-)

Best bet is to get fitted properly on the bike you decide you like - most bikes can be adjusted to fit you if they are close. The other more spendy option is to get a custom frame built.

[Crankin]

Ah, another mistake. I knew I should have bought the Norco x small.
But, my road bike issue is being rectified. I tried out another Kuota frame, that was only produced for a short time. I could stand over it! So, the first week in Sept. we will be switching out my components to this frame, along with a different bar and brifters. I am happy that the shop is doing this for me for free. He does not want me complaining around town. He knows I lead rides/have contact with a lot of riders and could really poison his business if he doesn't make me happy.

[jayno67]

I've had alot of bikes, none women specific. All fit nice with the right stem length, and seat post (ie layback or zero setback) but I am prolly average build 5'6" with longish legs so WSD not really needed IMO.

Current bikes -

Niner MCR 29er size medium, 90mm stem zero set back post, was gonna go for a small frame, this being a 29er I still had this brain blockage that you have to be a big girl to ride one, not so Med is the go. Geometry on this bike is totally DIALLED.

Jamis Dakar XC pro dually - 17" wonderful fit - this bike feels tiny now I ride a Niner

Jamis Dragon 17" - perfect fit - lovely bike now feels like a pram compared to Niner

Kona Explosive from the ninetys single speed to run the dog and ride down the shops

[stephanie1129]

I ride a Santa Cruz Blur XC, which is not women specific, but I bought it because it fit me better than any non-custom full suspension that I have tried. (Santa Cruz's women specific bike, the Juliana, has the same effective top tube, but had a higher stand over.) I am only 5'0" and my inseam is barely 27". I put a slightly shorter stem on it than what it came with, and it fits like a dream.

I have a beater hardtail mountain bike that I use as my spare, or to ride to school, or let friends borrow. It's an XS (13in) Novara Piedra, which is women specific. The geometry is different from the blur, more upright, but I don't think that's due to the fact it's women specific because the men's version, Novara Aspen, has the same kind of geometry. I think Novara just didn't do a great job with the XS frames. Fine for riding around town or a back-up bike, and I can't complain about the price.

[bike4ever]

So now I get to change. I was on a Salsa Ala Carte (look here soon to be for sale). I am now on a Gary Fisher Paragon. This is their high end 29er hardtail. I am absolutely loving it. Oh, and I'm 5'4", and the bike fits perfect.