WSD bikes and Cranky LBS owner

[tygab]

... and I love it also. I am 5'3 and my LBS spent a goodly amount of time fitting me, adjusting seat, bars and so on.

I am also of the opinion that there are different bikes for different people, and to presume all WSD bikes won't work for all women, seems a bit odd. I certainly wouldn't go to an LBS you don't feel comfortable with.

My very far removed interpretation of the situation is that the bike guy is saying something like "I know what they do to a bike to make it a women's bike and I can do all that too because <my words here> I am a smart bike guy." This I think assumes the frame sizing doesn't matter, but the components can be swapped around. Which may be the case, but if so, is he packaging some of his in stock bikes so adapted for this set of customers to come in and try out? If not, how does he expect to service those who are small and/or have shorter arm reach?

All that said, I was disappointed to realize the Specialized women's bike which had similar componentry and frame qualities to my husband's model was nearly 700-800 dollars more at my LBS. For what I cannot tell you. I did not see this problem in the Trek line and felt for the money I paid, I was getting a bike every bit as good as their men's cycles at that price point.

I think my bike meets all my current needs, which is that of a newbie but a fairly serious one. I will have to see in a few years thoguh if there will be things I want in a road bike that my current bike can't offer and that somehow I can justify spending for. Who knows... I already have drooled at several carbon fiber frames and some of the 'niche' builders but have told myself I have to do a lot more riding before I can entertain such things. It's always fun to imagine I am an advanced rider who will actually notice the difference in these things, but right now I am just a hill slug.

[mimitabby]

the guy at my LBS seemed to think that the trek WSD's were just the thing for my 5 foot tall neice.

[snapdragen]

Sounds like one of the LBS's near me. Only this guy refuses to carry anything but road bikes and mountain bikes. Hybrids are a waste of time in his opinion - just a marketing tool.

[Commit2BFit]

I bought a Pilot 5.2 WSD this year. I absolutely love it.

I am 5'4" and long waisted, but I still have a terrible time finding a bike with a comfortable top tube length. My LBS thought they could fit me on standard Pilot, but they agreed the WSD was a better fit.

I love the more upright riding position of the Pilot. I am properly positioned for an efficent pedal stroke and the smaller STI shifters are a godsend. I have small hands and riding with the standard size STI was painful.

My previous bike is a Sequoia Elite, which is a great bike, but it just doesn't fit like the Pilot.

[Geonz]

The LBS may indeed know what he's talking about... but it may not apply to you. What is "proper" cycling position? I would ask him "proper for what?" for maximum efficiency? for minimal back strain?
He seems to assume that nobody in their right mind would keep a higher body position, because he implies that a person would probably want to go back to a lower position, which to me is a clue that he may be locked into "everybody should ride like I do."
Now I want to go out and examine all the bicycling backsides and see if other bikes (besides racing ones) put the legs in front of the crank or not. I think there could be validity to this... I've always felt more efficient on a slight upgrade, and wondered if the different angle - which would be, sending the legs behind the crank with the tilt - was behind that.
Hmmm.... so does he like Joe Breezer bikes, which it would seem throw the legs even further behind the crank?
Anyway... the other thing about LBS dudes is often they don't have the greatest social skills...

[Jo-n-NY]

I also have a WSD, a Specialized Dolce. Before trying it I tried the Allez and there was a huge difference. I am 5'2" and I felt that my arm stretch to the handlebars and brakes on the Allez was more then a stretch than I was comfortable with. My legs are in prefect alignment with the crank. I "think" that with a WSD it is more about the upper body reach than the leg length.

The first thought I have when riding my bike is "it fits me like a glove" and I never had that thought with any other bike that I have owned.

[Bad JuJu]

I wonder whether the guy's "legs in front of the crank" remark referred to that rule of thumb wherein a plumb line dropped from a certain point on the knee should bisect the pedal axle. If so, it's got to be a vast overgeneralization. I mean, it may be true for some WSD bikes that are set up in a certain way, but it's certainly not true of all of them. And whether it even matters depends to a large degree on your particular cycling needs and desires.

I agree with Sue's point, that this guy sounds like the type who think everyone should ride like he does and the ones who don't--well, they don't count. What an a$$! Avoid him like the plague.

[Bikingmomof3]

The bike shop should sell you what fits and what you like. Not what they like or dislike. I went with the intention of buying a Pilot and ended up with a Trek 1000. DH really wanted a Pilot, yet preferred a 1000.

I do not have a WSD, the "regular" 1000 fit me perfectly. I did have a difficult time deciding between the Pilot and 1000, both rode nicely.

Chose what fits your body best, and what you like being on and feel good on.

[wannaduacentury]

My local LBS just got some in, but w/local events these next couple of weeks, are behind on getting them together. But they're putting one together for me to test ride a 1.0. later this week. We'll see. I think they'll be popular in my area(the pilots) that is. They've ordered a fair amt of them.

[bcipam]

I have a very good friend who runs a very sucessful bike shop and he does sell alot of Trek Pilots both regular and WSD. I sortof understand the reason your bike shop guy doesn't like the Pilot and the WSD bikes. I'm hoping he was actually much more patient with you and explained why the Pilot and and WSD appears "gimmicky" to him (as my friend and I have discussed this at length - he agrees with your LBS guy) and why it wouldn't be a good fit for you.

This is why I am an advocate of having a bike fit done by a professional fitter, someone not associated with a bike shop that sells certain brands. Shops are limited on the models and brands they can sell. They will push what they can sell. I have heard many women order a WSD style bike and are totally unhappy, thus forcing the shop to take back a bike they didn't want in the first place and can't sell. Just make sure the WSD model is really for you. The Pilot is a very upright bike. With the shorter top tube, you might actually be sitting bolt upright. Just not a good cycling position especially if you are serious about riding.

There is a misnomer about having to sit upright if you have shoulder/neck problems. I have a very serious neck/spine degeneration and I am fairly laid out on my bike. My back is almost paralell (sp?) to the top tube. I have no neck problems but I did have a good fitting and I can comfortably reach the handlebars, shifters, brakes etc and I have learned to strengthen my core muscles and ride properly.

The LBS guy is right, but then again so is the customer. I really think he was trying to do the right thing and not sell you a bike you won't in the long run, like. He could have just sold it to you (and it's not cheap!) and if you were unhappy, oh well, tough luck! I rather a shop refuse to sell me something if they thought it wasn't right for me.