Road bikes designed for women

[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!!

[mimitabby]

okay, this custom made bike (Cavalletta) for a 5'3" woman has a 47cm top tube.
But if you'll notice the stem, it extends a way further out; from the seat tube it's 51cm and it feels good there.

I have a custom made bike because my aches and pains drove me to it.

[Beane]

mimi,
are those velocity aeroheads? do you like them?

[Over50Newbie]

When I bought my first road bike last year, I was referred to Terry Bicycles. I am only 5 feet tall. They specialize in making bikes for shorter women.

I tested 6 different bikes - Trek, Specialized, Giant (both WSD and non-WSD). I didn't like any of them. When I finally road a Terry, it fit me like a glove.

Best advice I ever had. I am now a proud owner of a Terry Classic steel bike.

Lynette

[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

[Eden]

I'm another classic WSD body. Short, but longer legs than torso, very short arms. Even with a WSD bike its a challenge finding something small enough,(my tt is 49.5cm) so I sure do appreciate the amount of manufacturers making smaller bikes these days.

[Bklynmom]

Hi-
I bought my 44cm WSD Specialized Elite at Bycycle Habitat on Lafayette St. It is my first Road Bike. They were nice, but the staff is quite young and inexperienced.

I recently had the bike fitted by a real bike fitter, my coach Felix. He made a lot of changes including putting a much longer stem on the bike. That said, it has served me well and after all those miles I have no major aches and pains to report. When I buy my next bike I will definitely have my coach help me select the bike.

[hirakukibou]

I have a women's specific Fuji (Supreme RC) and a Luna (Eclipse). I love them both and found that they fit me well. I am 5'2" and my Fuji frame is an extra small at 44cm. Fuji does make a number of women's specific bikes. I think the advice to try many different frames is sound. Some stuff on a bike can be changed, upgraded etc. but the frame is what it is. Finding the right bike is a process. Good luck