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.

[Triskeliongirl]

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.

FYI, the terry classic can handle racks and fenders, and comes with 165mm cranks and 38cm bars in your size. Even the terry isis, a speedier model, can handle a rear rack and tires up to 28mm wide.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

FYI, the terry classic can handle racks and fenders, and comes with 165mm cranks and 38cm bars in your size. Even the terry isis, a speedier model, can handle a rear rack and tires up to 28mm wide.

Yes but TJF9 wants wider tires AND fenders. I suspect the Terrys can fit tires UP TO 28mm (but without fenders), and maybe 25mm with fenders? A good question to find out the answer to.
A well equipped varied terrain touring bike *should* be able to handle 28-32mm wide tires WITH fenders, and up to 38mm tires without fenders.

[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

[nancynyc]

Hi All,

Based on the great advice received here, I treked to upstate CT to try the Terry bikes. I rode both a Terry and a Specialized WSD, and felt better on the Specialized, although with both I experienced a bit of neck pain and an unpleasant feeling between my shoulder blades. The guy at the bike store said that was not concerning, that he'd experienced something similar when he switched over from a road bike, and that it should go away after the first ride or so. Do you all agree?

Also, I'm trying to understand the advantages/disadvantages of a compact versus triple crankset. A random woman customer told me I'd want the triple and the bike guy pretty much agreed, but one of his co-workers and a guy I spoke to at Bicycle Habitat in Manhattan said that they prefer the compact. What do you all think? I'd like my bike to be as versatile as possible.

I'm also trying to decide if I should spend the extra bunch of money for the carbon frame...

Thanks again!

[KnottedYet]

One of my bikes is a triple. The other is a compact double.

For hauling loads and commuting and going up and down hills, I dig my triple.

For going fast with just one little bag on fairly flat terrain I have my CD.

If I could only have one (triple or CD), I'd choose a triple. I *like* my granny gear!

Edit to add: both bikes are steel cyclocross that I use on the road for the most part.

[Zen]

Triple v. compact double, it depends on your strength and experience. Are you a good climber? You might want a compact double. I never use my largest chain ring and there have been rides with hills that I was halfway through before I realized I was still on the middle ring but there are times when I really need that granny.
It also depends on the gearing combinations, you could probably get close to a triple gearing ratio with the right double combination.

[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.)

[trichef]

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.)

i second that. carbon may seem lightweight and pretty in the eyes but i've read from other forums that it isn't as durable as titanium or steel or even alu. but it dampens road vibrations way better than steel and alu.

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes but TJF9 wants wider tires AND fenders. I suspect the Terrys can fit tires UP TO 28mm (but without fenders), and maybe 25mm with fenders? A good question to find out the answer to.
A well equipped varied terrain touring bike *should* be able to handle 28-32mm wide tires WITH fenders, and up to 38mm tires without fenders.

No Lisa, the terry classic is a TOURING bike and can be fitted with BOTH wide tires AND fenders, I know becase I had two of them before moving to the Isis. As I said the Isis can fit tires up to 28 without fenders, and a rear rack, as built, but on one of mine I had cantis put on so I can go to 32 on it. I could have also had it modified (bridge moved) for fenders, but I don't ride with fenders so I didn't bother.

[kdskaggs]

I found that the carbon fiber seemed to amplify the bumps in the road. It also squeeked a lot, like the frame was vibrating. The bike felt squishy to me, if that makes any sense. I was pretty disappointed because I have heard how great CF frames are. My husband has a CF mountain bike and loves it. Maybe at his weight the frame is more beneficial than at mine.

Kenda