New Bike

[kdskaggs]

Oh, I plan to have another pro fit with the Serotta. Problem is that I have already had two. I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider. I really believe this to be true in my case. I love the bike but not the way I feel on her. If she can be modified with components in any way to fit me, I'd be pleased as can be -- maybe. DH has offered to get me a new bike for our upcoming 20th anniversary. Can't think of anything I'd rather have.

Anyone here have a Rivendell? Seemed similar to my Serotta in style only much cheaper.

Kenda

[emily_in_nc]

I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider.

That's so odd - I always hear of women at least ending up on bikes that are too big for them (typically non-WSD models with too long a top tube for our typically shorter torsos). I know I always rode bikes that were too big for me until I became enlightened on WSD sizing back in 2003 and bought a Terry!

Emily

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

That's so odd - I always hear of women at least ending up on bikes that are too big for them (typically non-WSD models with too long a top tube for our typically shorter torsos). I know I always rode bikes that were too big for me until I became enlightened on WSD sizing back in 2003 and bought a Terry!

Emily

Emily, the Rivendell observation applies in general I think, but they are talking about the overall size of the frame- not about top tube length and reach so much. They are talking about people who buy bikes that they can put their feet on the ground while still in the saddle at a red light- like the way we could when we were kids.
The too-long top tube issues is a well known problem for many women. But it has to do with our torso/arm reach, not with our overall frame size needs.

Say for instance you have two 5'6" riders- a man and a woman. They are both riding 50cm frame bikes. Both bikes are too small for them. So...they both get identical "right size" frame bikes of say 54cm frames. The guy is comfy now. The woman might be on the right size frame now, but her shorter arms are now causing her to have numb hands, weight too far forward, etc. The reach is too long for her. So then she gets a women's proportioned 54cm bike. Now she's still on the right size frame bike, but is comfy and the reach is no longer too long for her. Her weight is balanced and her fit issues are gone.
It's too different things really.


Kenda- what makes you say that Rivendells are like your Serotta?
What is it really that you are looking for in a bike in general, --what kind of riding do you want to do on it? And what kind of body posture do you want/need to be in?

[elk]

I'm just listening in here; have nothing of consequence to add except that now you've written this letter, I KNOW you're going to have the right bike soon...

it's interesting to me because I'm 5'4, always thought of myself as kind of a pony...and with every bike I tried, they kept putting me on bigger sizes. the cockpits were too short.... I woulda thought I'd have a 16 and an 18.5 fit...and with my Globe I ended up with a size 53 women's....

Must be the right size becasue so far I **knockwood*** have no issues and with the others I felt the problems pretty quickly.
anyway. Fit is facsinating....

[indigoiis]

I also have a bike that is a bit too small - I need a longer stem.
I can see the hub, and I did originally feel "squinched."
I put the saddle back an inch on the seatpost, and readjusted my posture to a more forward arch, loosey arms, with purposefully rounded shoulders.
I had much less neck and shoulder pain.
It took a few tries to get used to riding this way, and it also helps to strengthen back and ab muscles with regular stretching and roll crunches.

One thing a small bike does to me is put too much pressure on my rear.
I long for a longer top tube. Some day.

[Trekhawk]

Oh, I plan to have another pro fit with the Serotta. Problem is that I have already had two. I was reading the Rivendell site last night which states that most bikes are a few sizes too small for the rider. I really believe this to be true in my case. I love the bike but not the way I feel on her. If she can be modified with components in any way to fit me, I'd be pleased as can be -- maybe. DH has offered to get me a new bike for our upcoming 20th anniversary. Can't think of anything I'd rather have.

Anyone here have a Rivendell? Seemed similar to my Serotta in style only much cheaper.

Kenda

Hmm well all I can say is that there are fit specialists and then there are real fit specialists. I had a great fit session awhile ago it was not cheap or short (lasted about 2.5 hours). They definitely would have told me if my bike was too small. What info did you get from your two previous bike fits??