Bike Fit Question

[SadieKate]

Remember WSD bikes aren't for everyone! Every bike builder uses slightly different geometry so the top tubes from one brand to the next vary widely. I'm 5'3.5" with long legs/short torso. I've never ridden a WSD bike. I shop for short top tubes and don't give a flip about the size of the frame -- I measure the top tube and look for one that will work with an appropriately size stem to maintain the proper handling of the bike. I then make sure the components fit me (adjustable reach levers, proper saddle, proper bars). Stand over height is not the issue for those of us with long legs/short torsos.

You need to take a tape measure with you to the store and actually put it to the frame. Just using a shorter stem isn't always the best alternative as you can sacrifice handling. One of the ways companies say a bike is for women is just having short reach levers and a women's saddle. Well, the shop better be willing to swap the saddle for you or go down the street to the next shop. If you can ride a 58 cm frame you probably don't have reach issues with the levers. Women's shoulders very widely also; I bet a decent LBS can swap out the bars also. A good shop will swap at no cost if they have the same/comparable item in stock or give you credit towards a replacement that fits.

Sore knees can come from test pedals that don't allow you to clip in as usualy, a saddle that is not properly positioned fore/aft, a wide Q-factor, all kinds of things. If you're stretched out over the bike because the top tube is too long you may be pulled forward over the crank.

You've got all kinds of factors to consider but don't get too hung up on a WSD if you can ride something in the 58 cm size range. I highly recommend a professional fit so you can determine the best cockpit length for you and then let the "size" of the bike be secondary. Shouldn't a good LBS credit the cost of the fit towards the purchase of a bike?

PS - You can get an estimate of the total cockpit length by measuring from the ctr of your current bike's seatpost to the center of the stem and also from the ctr of your seatpost to where your hands rest on the bar. This will give you an idea of where to start and if you want to be more stretched out or not.

[cyclingnewbie]

I'm not specifically looking at WSD bikes. I have found that a traditional road frame tends to be a tiny bit long in the top tube (on most of the bikes I've tried, so far) and some of the WSDs do have a little shorter top tube length. But the WSDs I've seen so far have not been able to accomodate my long legs. And your right; I haven't found that I have a reach issue with the levers. I am thinking about a professional fit. Actually, I am thinking about getting up the courage to go to the local pro-oriented shop and ask them to do a fit. They make it clear that they are not interested in the recreational rider as a customer, but I would think they would be willing to do a fit for me. They will probably die when they see an inexperienced female-fat-forty-something darken their elite doorway. So far, the bike shops I've been to have used the try-it-and-see-how-it-feels method of fitting a bike.

[Melody]

So far, the bike shops I've been to have used the try-it-and-see-how-it-feels method of fitting a bike.

I don't think that's unusual. I'm guessing that many shoppers, esp those just beginning to cycle, don't want to go with the expense of getting a pro-fit, so the LBSs don't even mention it.

I will say that if the pro shop isn't interested in helping you, try to find a different shop. You're spending your money to buy a bike and they are not inexpensive, so they should give you the courtesy you deserve as a customer. Also, if they treat you with disdain while looking a spending hundres, if not thousands of dollars, imagine how they will act/think while servicing your bike? "I can do this quick. It's not like it matters." Admittedly, the pro-shop may not be that way, but attitude to customers is, IMO, pretty important. Customers are what keeps a shop in business.

Mel

[Steph_in_TX]

2cm can make a huge difference for your knees. If you need a 58, then don't go smaller. You can only raise you saddle so much before you hit the minimum insertion point. It happened to my husband and don't think that wasn't an expensive deal to fix. Of course, he wasn't terribly disappointed to have to buy a new bike since he used the opportunity to upgrade to a higher model.

You might also want to take some measurements and use a website fitting program to at least get an idea of what size and various measurements might fit you best. There is one on coloradocyclist.com. There are others, but my brain can only recall that one at this moment.

Happy hunting!

[SadieKate]

Good, I was afraid you were looking only at WSD bikes. You know what I do once I know what top tube length I want? I get on the web at look at the geometry/measurements of any bike that is in my chosen price range/performance critieria. You can then even estimate if the next size smaller might work - just be careful that you don't sacrifice headtube height and can't keep the drop from saddle to bar to a reasonable number.

It sounds like you've got enough data to do this. VeloNews and Bicycling just came out with their annual reports. You might find some bikes listed there that are worth checking the measurements. At your height, you have a wealth of bikes from which to choose (lucky you!), you just need to find the brands with the short top tubes.

Good luck! Don't let that pro-oriented shop intimidate you. You sound far beyond what I would call a recreational rider, more of a "fitness" rider but not a racer. Recreational to me is someone who hangs their helmet on the bars and doesn't have their brakes connected most of the time. Your money is worth the same as the next person's and you're the one standing in their shop. A good fitting can save you lots of time - - just be clear on the type of riding you want to do.

[Adventure Girl]

Recreational to me is someone who hangs their helmet on the bars and doesn't have their brakes connected most of the time

I like the ones who have their quick release tightened in the "open" position... Like they used the QR as a handle to tighten the nut.

[cyclingnewbie]

Somebody needs to tell me how to quote your comments!

I knew that every bike manufacturer had different sizing, and confirmed that on my first day of test rides. My next LBS stop has Bianchi, which I want to try. The snooty pro-shop also has Bianchi, so I would like to look at Bianchi at the LBS before I venture into the elite shop so I maybe sound like I know what I'm talking about. If I think I like the Bianchi the best, I will get it at the pro-shop if their price is reasonable, just to get a more professional fit. I was also disappointed that the two shops I've been to so far didn't have very many bikes in the 58 cm range to try. Is that not a common size? Do most people ride something smaller than that?

[SadieKate]

I wonder if they're selling out of the 58's with the spring training fever. I have a friend who can only find 58s and needs a 60. Frustrating! And we're on the wrong coasts to swap shops! Make sure as Melissam said to be sure the measurements are taken on the same place on the bike and then compare the measurements from the websites. You'll get an idea of what size Bianchi you need and then you can always call around.

[Ninabike]

Hi Cyclingnewbie,

I have a Bianachi although my problem is that I am small. If you are looking at short top tubes, you can pull up different manufacturers on the web and check out the geometry on each one. Look at the lengths of the top tubes on their 58cm bikes and compare them. the Bianchi site is BianchiUSA.com.
Believe or it or not, my bike is a Bianchi Alfana 44 cm frame. The top tube is 514. The Trek WDS actually has a relatively shorter top tube (I believe something like 497 mm for a 47cm bike). Good luck!!

Nina

[nuthatch]

58 is pretty big, I think. I'm 5'9" and I take a 54 but, like cruziegirl, I have hamster legs - come to think of it, I have many parts that look like a hamster....

[cyclingnewbie]

I got the impression from one shop that they didn't have many 58s because it was too early in the season (we still have snow). So I'm trying to remain calm about buying a bike and take my time. But it is really hard to not jump off one and say, "I like that one!!"

[CorsairMac]

I have hamster legs - come to think of it, I have many parts that look like a hamster....

Has visions of nuthatch on a bike riding endlessly in circles!

Cycling: See the "quote" button on the bottom right hand corner of each persons response? Click on that and it'll copy their comments into your comment box, then you can edit etc to you hearts content! and good luck on the bike search!

<-----gonna go sit in a corner and pout coz I can't afford a road bike right now! ....living my dreams thru ya'll!