5'9", need comfort geometry

[KnottedYet]

It sounds like the shop 45 minutes out of town is the winner!

Hooray!!!!

[out_spokin']

I'm glad that you found a good LBS that will let you demo a bike. That's the kind of service that you need. But don't write off custom if you're still not dialed into a fit. I'm 5'10" and have a similar inseam to you, so I'm essentially all legs and no torso. After several LBS's and a serious fitting I finally decided to look into a custom build, since just stem swapping didn't get me the reach I wanted. It took a while, but I found a local builder who built me a fantastic steel frame for just a bit more than what I was hoping to pay for a stock bike. I had to go with components a step down from what I hoped but that's always upgradeable, and I'm not a racer so no biggie. And you can get the colors and parts that you want. Anyway, good luck and take your time!

[tc1]

I got a Rodriguez. I got one of their stock frame sizes after being measured, they have a choice of many many sizes, and they make all the other little magic adjustments. They also will make you a custom frame, but I didn't need one. They don't call any of their frames woman-specific, but they specialize in fitting anyone. I am 5'10", and like many women my height got legs up to there, but a short reach. When you look at my bike, the top tube looks way too short for a bike that tall. But it is wonderful and stable and steel and most important of all, FAST. Oh yeah, I'm kinda fat too so I am hoping as I lose weight the bike will get even faster.

[EDHGirl]

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall. I'm 5'10" and just bought the 2008 Cannonale Synapse 3 WSD in a 56. I had several shops tell me I didn't need WSD at my height, that they could make most bikes work for me. In the back of my mind I still had the nagging feeling that being 5'10" doesn't mean I don't have the same proportional issues that make WSD work for smaller women. Why should they have to make it work?

I went searching for a WSD in my size and was stunned at how comfortable it was. Like it was custom made for me.

If you can find a Cannondale dealer within your area, I would really suggest giving it a try. This was a real investment for me and I loved walking out of the shop knowing I would never second guess my decision.

[elk]

I think there's more I want to add to "fit,fit,fit" and "find a BS you trust"

1. take your time and give yourself choices

and then

2. trust yourself.


it's so exciting to fall in love with a bicycle...

[Yen]

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall. I'm 5'10" and just bought the 2008 Cannonale Synapse 3 WSD in a 56. I had several shops tell me I didn't need WSD at my height, that they could make most bikes work for me. In the back of my mind I still had the nagging feeling that being 5'10" doesn't mean I don't have the same proportional issues that make WSD work for smaller women. Why should they have to make it work?

I went searching for a WSD in my size and was stunned at how comfortable it was. Like it was custom made for me.

If you can find a Cannondale dealer within your area, I would really suggest giving it a try. This was a real investment for me and I loved walking out of the shop knowing I would never second guess my decision.

Thank you for the tip. What is your preferred position on the bike -- more upright or more stretched out? I'm looking to be more upright, at least to start with, and maybe I can stretch out more later. We borrowed a couple of Roubaixs for the weekend, mine is 56cm. It's a little too stretched out for me even with a 75mm stem which is quite short and was put on just to give me an opportunity to test this frame size since none of the other shops were willing to order this size just so I could test it. If I can bring it back about 1-1/4" inch, it might be perfect, which I think suggests the next size down which is the 54cm Roubaix, or the 56cm Ruby. I'll see what the fitter says when he sees me in person on Tuesday.

[Yen]

I think there's more I want to add to "fit,fit,fit" and "find a BS you trust"

1. take your time and give yourself choices

and then

2. trust yourself.


it's so exciting to fall in love with a bicycle...

Thanks! It's hard to be patient, but I know patience will pay off.

[Kano]

Just wanted to say that you shouldn't write off WSD just because you're tall.

This is true, but not only shouldn't we write off WSD, but we also should not write off "mens" or "unisex." I tried WSD and was "crowded" on it. The "mens" bike was a whole different story!

Why should they have to make it work?

On the other hand, we DID have to "make it work" by putting a shorter stem on it, shimming the brake levers and a different saddle: it wasn't after all, custom. There's nothing really wrong with having to "make it work" when we're buying stock items. Just like clothing off the rack at the mall, it needed a bit of alteration to become MY bike.

Oooh -- and for what it's worth, I love my Speicalized Roubaix -- size 52, I'm a scant 5'4"

Karen in Boise

[Yen]

This is true, but not only shouldn't we write off WSD, but we also should not write off "mens" or "unisex." I tried WSD and was "crowded" on it. The "mens" bike was a whole different story!





On the other hand, we DID have to "make it work" by putting a shorter stem on it, shimming the brake levers and a different saddle: it wasn't after all, custom. There's nothing really wrong with having to "make it work" when we're buying stock items. Just like clothing off the rack at the mall, it needed a bit of alteration to become MY bike.

Oooh -- and for what it's worth, I love my Speicalized Roubaix -- size 52, I'm a scant 5'4"

Karen in Boise

We rented some Roubaixs over the weekend and got in a couple of decent rides. I loved it, but the reach felt a bit too long on a 56cm even with a 75mm stem. Perhaps I just need to adjust more to that reach, but I think the stem shouldn't have to be that short just to accommodate me. However, going to the 54cm would be just one size larger than for you at 5'4" which, on print, seems too small for me if I am 4 inches taller than you. We will ride Cannondale Synapses next and give those a try.

Maybe I just need to get used to the reach...

[EDHGirl]

My "make it work" comment was directed more at the attitude of the LBS guys than making simple adjustments. I just had the feeling from them that they didn't know that much about WSD, didn't want to deal with it, and were just pushing what they already had in the store.

I'm always nervous when I'm spending a lot of money on a product I don't know that well. Any sniff of hard sell and I'm out the door.

I was definitely looking for comfort geometry when I bought my Cannondale. I'm never going to race and just want to be able to go 50 miles without being crippled the next day.

[tulip]

However, going to the 54cm would be just one size larger than for you at 5'4" which, on print, seems too small for me if I am 4 inches taller than you. We will ride Cannondale Synapses next and give those a try.

Maybe I just need to get used to the reach...

Don't compare yourself to other people. I'm shorter than you but taller than Kano, yet I ride a bike smaller than Kano's. It depends on proportions of your body and the bikes.

If the reach is uncomfortable, you will never get used to it and it can cause problems in your back, neck, shoulders, wrists...Keep trying lots of bikes and combinations. The more bikes you ride the more you will understand what makes some more comfortable for you than others.

[Kano]

What Tulip says!

I am kind of long-bodied, and I used to think short legged, but maybe they're not so short anymore now that I'm not so round. I don't feel like I'm stretched out on my bike -- I have a 90cm stem and we rotated some kind of gizmo to angle the handlebars up a bit.

It could be that I just like to be stretched out in general, so it feels more natural to me?

Karen in Boise

[Yen]

Thanks for the info. Yes, it's true... a person's height does not really determine the size. That's counter-intuitive, but it's starting to make sense.

I got measured today and, sure enough, a 54 is for me. I may be able to borrow a 54cm Roubaix Expert Triple this weekend and see how I feel on it. I already know the 56 was too big but I loved its smooth ride. I need a comfort geometry road bike and if this one fits me, it may be the one. I'm not sure though if I'll go for the Expert or the Comp.... I'll see how I can cut corners on other expenses to help the decision.

[kermit]

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

[Yen]

I hope you get to ride the Expert triple. My husband got the first 08 at our bike shop and it is awesome. The bike is beautiful and you won't have to do anything but ride. I am a big specialized fan and your LBS should be able to play with different stems for that perfect fit. Good luck. I have had a roubaix comp for 4 years and love it. After a broken back and hip the zertz make a difference.

Kermit, thanks for enabling me. I'm trying to come to terms with the price and if the $900 would really get me THAT much more than the Comp. The Comp also sounds like an excellent bike. I'm afraid if I ride the Expert there will be no turning back. If I can be completely satisfied that the difference in price is really worth it, I'll probably go for it. I could join a vanpool at work and save $1200 a year and cut back in other areas.

So, you think the Zertz inserts really do make a difference? I have nothing to compare this with being that I ride a Hybrid now, and haven't owned a road bike for 20+ years.