WSD vs Men's Bikes

[Thorn]

I was having a chat with our LBS about bike fit. He was complaining that he dislikes the label of WSD and the typical color choices of WSD bikes. Not, however, because the rare woman like me comes in and says, "No way am I buying a pink bike!!!"

His complaint is that he gets men in his shop who have short arms/torsos and fit perfectly on a WSD bike. Once or twice he got the guy to buy a neutral colored WSD model, but most men won't even consider a "girl's" bike.

Anwyay, it all comes down to fit. Your build and the build of the bike. Be open minded. Find a LBS you trust and a fitter that knows how to fit.

[pooks]

I definitely won't be buying another bike on the internet. The bike I have was bought that way because it is chainless and that's what my husband wanted, and so he ordered them. He said he didn't want to have to deal with chains. I guess when I get a road bike, I'll have to learn how to deal with them. Urrrrgh.

On the other hand, I love the bike I have and will continue to use it for utility cycling, which is all nearby. I don't think I'll want to put baskets and such on my road bike. Even though my funds will be limited and I won't be buying an expensive bike, I think I'll be wanting to keep the road bike as lightweight as possible.

[bike4ever]

Pooks -

Please keep in mind that not all bikes companies have a different frame for their WSD bikes in comparison to their "regular" bikes. One prime example is Giant. If you look at the actual frame measurements between their two small sizes, the frames are exactly the same. Their women's versions have smaller handlebars and different component sizes than their "regular" versions. Be careful to research frame size before settling completely on a WSD bike.

Good luck.

[pooks]

I'll definitely be test-riding any bike I buy and not buying until I'm certain it is a great fit. The surfing I did last night was looking at bikes in my price range, and then (okay, shoot me) colors. I figured I'd test ride the bikes that I loved the color of, just in case it actually turned out to be that great fit.

But I also know once I actually get to the bike shop, all bets are off and I will likely end up on totally different bikes. It was just a bit of "window shopping" before the serious shopping begins.

However, this test ride thing. When I test rode bikes before, nobody offered to let me go off for a few miles; it was just a matter of riding around the parking lot. Is that something they don't offer unless you ask?

And of course I don't know how to change gears or anything, so that's going to be problematical, unless I stick to the kind that are in the twist-handle. Does that make me a big weenie?

[Trek420]

However, this test ride thing. When I test rode bikes before, nobody offered to let me go off for a few miles; it was just a matter of riding around the parking lot. Is that something they don't offer unless you ask?

Depends on the shop.

I always say you are shopping for two things; the bike AND a shop.

While signing a release or waver is to be expected, and or maybe leave them a copy of your id being limited to the parking lot is not. Sometimes though that's all it takes to know "wrong bike" or "wrong shop".

My LBS has a small very small "fleet" of loaner bikes, he's loaned me a road bike when my baby's in for a while, and I know if I wanted to test ride anything I'd be able to take it for a spin up the hill but then as Chris says "I know where you live".

Another shop I go to will special order in my size (tiny) in any bike even if I just wanted to test ride. They know they'll sell it, large base of women cyclists. Since there's no parking lot....I'd have to take it out.

These two shops I have a relationship with so they would let me ride.

When Knott and I did a pilgrimage to Rivendell they offered a test ride right off the bat. Again there's no lot so you could really ride. They had I think it was a Legolas in my size....and favorite color....I feared for my REI Visa.

[pooks]

Where is Rivendell?

I'm excited about looking for a new bike. My goal is to drag this process out. Research, test ride, then research some more. I now know the frustration of getting the wrong size bike. I don't want that to happen again!

[Fredwina]

Rivendell is in Northern California. as fasr test riding , as trek says, that really depends on the shop. (test)Ride lots!