Smaller women (like me) find the "normal" bike to be too long a reach when the bike itself fits my legs just fine. The "women specific" design is made for people with this shape: longer legs and smaller torso. Don't let a salesman talk you into a bike that "fits" you great because you can stand over it and hold on to the handlebars. DO your very best to try to find a WSD bike and try it before you buy a bike made for a man.

I always thought it was just because i was 55 that i had these problems (numb hands/fingers; back/neck problems...) but last week i was with my good friend Elena who is only 30 and she has an off the rack mens' (Italian) bike and she has the same problems.