Thoughts on 13 inch frame?

[melissam]

Hey Denise and laughlaugh,

What you're describing (top tube length vs. seat tube length) is one of the reasons behind the WSD frames (Women's Specific Design.) Women typically have shorter torsos relative to their leg length than men of the same height. WSD bikes generally have shorter top tubes relative to the seat tube length.

Laughlaugh -- try the 15" frame size, but if you feel too stretched out, you should probably look at some women's specific designed frames. Trek makes a lot of WSD bikes. Bianchi makes the Eros Donna. Specialized makes the Ruby series. I forget what Cannondale calls their "women's" frames.

Denise -- How's it going? Long time, no chat! You can't change out your top tube, but you can change your stem length. Careful, though, because drastic changes will affect the handling of your bike. Your bike shop can give you recommendations.

Hope this helps!

-- Melissa

[laughlaugh18]

Melissa - both the 13" and 15" bikes I'm looking at are wsd (that's why I have to go back tomorrow; they didn't have the 15"wsd in stock). I've test ridden a bunch of bikes and I'm pretty convinced that wsd is the right thing for me!

[Bruno28]

Hi lastlaugh -

I'm pretty new to this biking thing but I bought a trek 7.2 fx wsd with a 15" frame a couple of weeks ago. I'm 5'2". At first it felt a bit of a stretch on the legs but now it feels really comfy - I think the chain store bike I was riding before was too small (and basically rubbish).

Trouble is I think its quite hard to tell if the fit is right till you've had time to get used to the bike...so, I guess this is no help at all

Good luck!

[laughlaugh18]

B28,

I agree about knowing whether a bike fits - how do you know till you've been on it for more than 15 min! Fortunately, the bike shop is willing to keep adjusting it for me as necessary as I get to know the bike better.

Where near Edinburough are you - I've driven around the area and it's gorgeous!

[Bruno28]

Glad you liked Scotland, laughlaugh.

I'm in a town about 25 miles west of Edinburgh. There's a canal towpath that takes me into Edinburgh from my home. My goal is to cycle right along it. So far my longest ride has been 10 miles (pretty feeble)- but that's just taken 2 weeks from a postion of zero exercise.

Scotland is all beautiful (apart from the odd urban blemish). Everyone should visit if they get the chance.

I love what I've seen of America also - esp New York.

[bluegator]

I am 5'1 and just recently bought a 15in 7.2 FX. At first I worried it was too big but I wanted to save a few hundred bucks rather than get the 13in 7.3 FX at a different store. Fortunately, as I have been riding, I noticed that once I get off and going, I sort of "settle in" and the reach feels fine. But yes, you are very luckily the store is so patient. Good luck :-)

[OakLeaf]

This guy has toe overlap.

I forget where the text was where he said that, maybe it was on the event's website.

I'm just sayin'....