Road bikes designed for women

[tjf9]

I'm shopping for my first road bike and am wondering if I should aim for one designed specifically for women, as I'm 5'2" and narrow. The guy at my LBS suggested the Specialized Sequoia Elite and said that it wasn't important to get one of the women-specific models. I would love to hear what other people think about this.

Thanks!

I'm 5'3" and narrow, and also proportioned in the WSD way. Certainly your LBS can change things like stem and handlebars to customize the fit, but if the top tube is too long, the bike may never fit right.

I felt really comfortable on WSD bikes (I tried the Specialized Dolce and the Trek Pilot and 5.0), but couldn't find any that could handle racks and fenders and wider tires. That is why I went with a bike built up for me. I have a Salsa Casseroll frame (which was very similar, geometery-wise, to the Treks) with Shimano 105 components (including 165mm cranks to accomodate my shorter legs), and a 38cm handlebar.