WSD vs Men's Bikes

[salsabike]

Major diff---shorter top tube in WSDs, for those of us with relatively short arms and torsos. It was definitely something I needed to get. So, conversely, women with longer arms and/or torsos may do fine or better with men's frames.

[pooks]

Ah, okay! That makes sense. I think I have longish arms and torso probably average for my height -- 5'8". Of course, I'll find out for sure when I start actually testing new bikes.

Thanks for the info.

[SadieKate]

WSD is does not mean step-through. Step-through is simply a type of frame, commonly called a mixte or the woman's version of a hybrid. Waterford, Bob Jackon, Mercian, etc. are a few of the very short list of companies that I know of that actually make serious road bikes in a step-through or mixte design; you probably won't run into any of these unless you try really, really hard. Many standard road bikes today have sloping top tubes but not enough to be called a mixte.

Shorter top tube, maybe shorter cranks, narrower bars, shorter reach brakes, maybe lighter tubing, different saddle. There are a number of things that may make a bike "WSD." Of course, some companies simply paint it a different color and call it WSD.

[East Hill]

Many standard road bikes today have sloping top tubes but not enough to be called a mixte.

The sloping top tube is not enough to make such a bike into a mixte. A true mixte has DOUBLE top tubes.

(Like most of my bikes... )

East Hill

[short cut sally]

Pooks, Fuji makes a yellow bike called the Roubaix..Its not a WSD though if thats what you're looking for..am getting mine fitted right now. Waiting on a comfortable saddle before I take her out..

[SadieKate]

The sloping top tube is not enough to make such a bike into a mixte. A true mixte has DOUBLE top tubes.

(Like most of my bikes... )

East Hill

Yes . I just didn't want to get into all the details and design issues and confusion. Xeney's current single speed project is a good example.

[pooks]

Now that I know a step-through isn't automatically a WSD I'm not sure about mine.

When I went to the LBS for a fitting last week ($20) the plum bob showed that my foot wasn't quite where it should be -- close but not quite, and they couldn't get it adjusted any closer. When I put my elbow at the end of the seat and stretched my fingers out to the (what is it, stem post?) my hand was a knuckle and a half too long, and again, they adjusted everything as best they could but ultimately said the bike is too small.

I know I just need to get into a bike shop and start trying them out.

Are the handlebars with twist gears (which is what I have) a real weenie kind of thing? Do I really need to learn how to shift gears, but how do I test ride bikes when I don't even know how to shift gears?

This learning curve is going to be long.

(Let's don't even discuss clipless.)

[mimitabby]

Well, Pooks, I left you alone (well, alone with friends) for a few days and you've already focussed in on some interesting looking bikes. A yellow bianchi!
(my bianchi is bright yellow and dark navy blue)

get thee to some bike shops and have fun!

[Trekhawk]

Do I really need to learn how to shift gears, but how do I test ride bikes when I don't even know how to shift gears?

This learning curve is going to be long.

(Let's don't even discuss clipless.)

LOL - that sounds like me. I had not been on a bike for around 20 odd years and didn't have a clue. The shop gave me a quick run through and off I went. No points would have been given for pretty shifting but hey I didnt crash or break anything. Hee hee and because I didnt know any better I went clipless straight away. Lets just say Im glad not too many people I know saw me in those first few months. Picture this, rider with no idea (that would be me) going up hill changes to harder gear instead of easier, bike stops suddenly, rider forgets to clip out..... TIMBER. Anyway I survived and Im glad now that I just jumped in clipless feet and all.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Ah, okay! That makes sense. I think I have longish arms and torso probably average for my height -- 5'8". Of course, I'll find out for sure when I start actually testing new bikes.

Thanks for the info.

If you are 5'8" with longish arms, in my opinion the odds are that you can be comfortably fit to a "regular" bike. You might consider getting a "slightly" shorter stem than they would normally put on for a man though- like maybe 2cm shorter than their usual stem. Of course everyone is different...

[pooks]

Thanks again, more good info!

[DarcyInOregon]

I am 5'8" and ride a WSD. Suzie is 5'9" and with longer arms than I have, and she rides a WSD. Suzie and I ride Pilots that are the same frame size. I had my stem and handlebars swapped out to make the bike fit me well. Suzie is having problems with her saddle, that is all, and she doesn't appear to have any fit problems.

Pooks, when I selected my WSD last year, it was based more on having had bikes in my past that were men's bikes, and there was always something about those bikes that made my rides uncomfortable. I biked anyway because cycling brings me great joy, but I hated it that the bikes were designed for a male, and not for a female. The bike I have now is the best bike of my life and I will need a dramatic change in my physical condition to make me desire another bike.

When you go to look at bikes, keep an open mind. A men's bike might suit you, but then again, a WSD might suit you too. Since you are brand new to road bikes, you might consider renting one first to get used to a road bike, before you look to purchase.

Darcy

[silver]

If you are 5'8" with longish arms, in my opinion the odds are that you can be comfortably fit to a "regular" bike. You might consider getting a "slightly" shorter stem than they would normally put on for a man though- like maybe 2cm shorter than their usual stem. Of course everyone is different...

Very good Lisa!!!!

I'm 5'8" have very long arms and a regular torso. I ride a 58 cm regular (not WSD) bike. And I've replaced the 110 mm stem with a 90mm.

[aicabsolut]

It's not just arm length. It's about effective torso length, which has to do with the reach of your arms, your actual torso length, lower back flexibility, etc. A lot of long waisted people need to sit more upright for lower back comfort and even though the torso is tall, the effective reach is shorter than another person their height.

Femur length may also be a factor. A woman with longer femurs may need to sit back farther to get the proper knee position relative to the pedal axle, and thus the bars get even farther away.

The best thing is to go sit on a bunch of different bikes. Women's components like bars and saddles can be added easily to a regular bike.

If the top tube is too short, you may feel stiffness in your shoulders (you may tend to hunch the shoulders to have straighter elbows and take weight off your hands and pressure off your triceps), or you may feel that your elbows are in your lap, or that there's a hunch in your back.

[pooks]

Okay -- so there's no shortcut to know! That means when I'm surfing the web looking at bikes, I need to look at both until I know better what kind of bike fits me, or probably until I finally find the right bike.

Long femurs? I wonder if that's my problem. I can't sit far enough back on my current bike to be really comfortable.