Road bikes designed for women

[Beane]

Aside from geometry, which I agree with Knot about, you should also consider the components on the bike, specifically the handlebars and brifters (brake/shift levers). I am not a particularly small woman (5'7") but I find that I vastly prefer narrower handlebars (38-40cm). They aren't necessary women's specific, but are just on the smaller side. Also, people with smaller hands tend to prefer short reach brifters that they can reach more easily. These are things that can be changed once you have the bike (moderately easily) and won't necessarily be on a bike marketed as "women's" or necessarily NOT on a men's bike.

[RoadRaven]

I am 5'10" with long legs...

My two main bikes are one normal/mans, one female specific

My Giant TCR2 has become my TT bike with bull horns and bar end shifters. It is a small frame. 53.5cm effective top tube length.

My other bike is my road race bike, a womens specific EMC2 FemEtapePro. I think it might be a large frame (large because it is women's, not mens). 54cm effective top tube length.

For me, the frame size is irrelevant.
What matters for me is the front end. Before I got the bullhorns and bar end shifters on the Giant, the reach for my brakes was always tough - especially downhill... I never got around to putting shims in, though that would have solved the problem.

For me, getting the EMC2 showed me how delightful a narrower set of handle bars, with short reach levers could be.

For me, the front end is the reason why I would buy female specific.

Focus on a comfortable size frame, and if there is an option for narrower front end with shortreach levers, then opt for that.

But ultimately, the frame size is what you need to focus on - you can change the seat, the front end, the crank length... but you are stuck with the frame size.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Keep in mind that bike stores tend to like to sell what they stock in their store. (what a concept)
If they don't sell WSD bikes, they tend to say things like "women specific bikes are just a bunch of hype. You don't need anything like that because we can adjust the fit perfectly to you on any bike here in the store".

I went into a big bike shop recently and asked the owner if he had any steel bikes. He said "No we don't. But you won't find steel bikes around for sale anyway- they don't even make them any more because they are inferior."

[mimitabby]

Smaller women (like me) find the "normal" bike to be too long a reach when the bike itself fits my legs just fine. The "women specific" design is made for people with this shape: longer legs and smaller torso. Don't let a salesman talk you into a bike that "fits" you great because you can stand over it and hold on to the handlebars. DO your very best to try to find a WSD bike and try it before you buy a bike made for a man.

I always thought it was just because i was 55 that i had these problems (numb hands/fingers; back/neck problems...) but last week i was with my good friend Elena who is only 30 and she has an off the rack mens' (Italian) bike and she has the same problems.

[Triskeliongirl]

I ride Terry bikes (Georgena Terry invented WSD) because they fit me the best. I have the body type they are designed for, long legs, short torso, and overall height relatively short (5'4") but not as short as you. Before you buy, test and see how you feel on a wsd bike vs a men's design.

[RoadRaven]

Triske, Mimi... what length are your top tubes?

Lisa... good on you! Never listen to a salesdude who says "cant" or "dont"
Bikes don't come in steel... huh!

[Wahine]

This ppost is meant to echo what everyone else has said. I do not fit on a WSD frame. I feel cramped through my torso and uncomfortable. I am 5'7" but I ride on a frame similar in size to Roadraven's. That's because I have a long torso relative to my leg length and I'm taller than the average American woman. It's all about what feels best. So go out a ride a lot of bikes!!

[Triskeliongirl]

Triske, Mimi... what length are your top tubes?

Lisa... good on you! Never listen to a salesdude who says "cant" or "dont"
Bikes don't come in steel... huh!

One one bike it is 48cm, on the other 49cm.

You can see them in post 6 of this thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=18597

[Zen]

I went into a big bike shop recently and asked the owner if he had any steel bikes. He said "No we don't. But you won't find steel bikes around for sale anyway- they don't even make them any more because they are inferior."

That's funny and appalling at the same time. What did you say?

[kdskaggs]

Your neck and shoulder pain could go away, depending on what is causing them. I have both but the reason I do is that my frame is too small for me. I am test riding different bikes now and found that larger frames that fit me better do not cause me neck or shoulder pain, my neck and shoulders both feel very free and SO much better than my current bike.

Good luck! Bike shopping is tough!

Kenda

[kdskaggs]

Oh, one other thing, have you ridden a carbon fiber frame? I test rode one Friday, expecting it to be wonderful but found that I actually prefer my steel Serotta. The salesman was shocked!

Kenda

[KnottedYet]

Yeah, do try the carbon before you get too far in your shopping.

(I don't like carbon as much as I like steel, but I'm glad I tried it anyway.)