Quote Originally Posted by emily_in_nc View Post
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?