Can't Decide!

[Kelly728]

I guess a 52 wouldn't be outrageous for a 5'3" person, but yowza! I have short legs and a short torso and my 48 fits me perfectly (but it's not WSD, so that might make a diff). I've ridden a 47 and have a 49 touring bike that's a bit big. I only wish I had the length to ride a 52- it would've made buying a bike allow me so many more choices.

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

Thanks salsa, I'll look around and see what I can find. I'd rather not lay out any more money (aka after this bike I won't have any money!) but this is getting difficult.

Oak- The seat tube on the 50cm was raised to the point where it was quite a bit above the handlebar stem. The 52cm was level with the handlebars. Maybe I was more comfortable because it was more upright?

[OakLeaf]

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

So that means that top tube length is going to be really critical for you, and if they're talking about putting a super short stem on the 52 cm bike to compensate, that could adversely affect the handling.

Seatposts generally have a lot of room to play with, so it's your torso length and arm reach that should determine your frame size, not your leg length.

[salsabike]

Kelly, honest to God, the extra $150 or whatever it is there for a bike fit would be SO well worth it. It's depressing to get a bike and then find out over the next few months that it's really too big--I've done that. Had a bike with a top tube way too long for me and had to get a different bike. And I got a bike fit before I bought the next one, which I love!

[ACiveE]

I've been doing the same thing... going around to different shops, test riding, etc. I would suggest you shell out the $100 or whatever it is and get a professional fit. I actually went to three fitters... paid $100 for one, $50 for another, and the other ended up being free because I just purchased a bike there. Everyone stressed how you need to find a bike that *felt* right but I feared that I didn't really know what *right* meant and that I was going to buy an ill fitted bike. So I got fitted... three times. Excessive? Probably. When all measurements and recommendations came out to about the same, I decided that I had found a match.

Everyone stressed looking at womens specific bike initially but I just ended up purchasing a mens model because it just fit better. I'm not that tall, only about 5'5" but was fit by multiple shops to a 54cm Trek Madone WSD or the 51cm Cannondale Synapse. The Cannondale comes in WSD but the mens model fit better. A little bit of adjustment and I am hoping it'll be perfect. The actual geometry and measurements vary a ton... I thought a 54 was a 54 but that wasn't the case at all.

Gooooood luck!

[Eden]

Sounds like you may have a bit of a quandary..... It sounds like the shop could not put the seat post up any further on the smaller bike (there is an upper height limit having to do with the amount of post still in the seat tube), but you have a bit of a reach problem with the larger bike....

Being stretched out is never that great - you have less control and less power on the bike. If you can avoid trying to adapt a bike that is too long you'd probably be better off, but you certainly cannot put the seat post up too far - that's plain dangerous. I'm actually wondering if you might want to look into a smaller frame with non-compact geometry bike? Then there'd be less seat post out, but a shorter top tube. If I were you, I'd try looking at a 50cm non-wsd Trek 2.1 - I think it might solve your problem. The seat tube is longer and though the top tube is a bit longer too, it is not as long as the 52 wsd.

[Kelly728]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm really trying to take it all in!

I will look around for a bike fitter in the area. In the mean time, I'm going to head back out to LBS #1 and voice my concerns about the 50cm. I'm going to really pay attention to how high they raised the seat. It is a really tough area to take a bike out for a test ride (the 3.5 seconds of traffic made me super scared!). I'm making a point to leave my money in savings and my credit card at home so I don't jump on it!

[Possegal]

I know you said college park is far from where you are in MD, but the owner of Proteus did my bike fit (and several other folks on the board if I'm not mistaken) and I just loved her!!! She really helped me a lot, made a ton of changes that all seem to have worked out well for me, and didn't try and sell me anything else. Just to toss out that as a recommendation for a fit. I'm going to have her fit both my nieces this year and I think my sister is going to bring her bike in from Philly and have her do one for her too. Obviously, I highly recommend her.

[divingbiker]

I know you said college park is far from where you are in MD, but the owner of Proteus did my bike fit (and several other folks on the board if I'm not mistaken) and I just loved her!!! She really helped me a lot, made a ton of changes that all seem to have worked out well for me, and didn't try and sell me anything else. Just to toss out that as a recommendation for a fit. I'm going to have her fit both my nieces this year and I think my sister is going to bring her bike in from Philly and have her do one for her too. Obviously, I highly recommend her.

Ditto. Check out what they have at Proteus and talk to Jill about fitting.

Edit: I see that you're planning to talk to Jill. I don't think you'll be disappointed!

[Aquila]

I'm 5'5" and ride a 54cm wsd Trek Pilot, and it feels great. The modifications we've made have been to put on narrower handlebars and a piece with a slightly higher angle so the handlebars are slightly higher. The stand over is fine (a couple cm clearance); I'm in better shape now, and could probably change back to a less high angle so the handlebars are lower.

When I was trying out bikes, it seemed like the numbers were different and felt different with different models, even within the same brand.

Let us know how your adventure looking went, and good luck with it.

[fatbottomedgurl]

I agree on getting fit with a fit kit. Did anyone actually measure your inseam, torso, and arms? or when you said they "fit" you did they just put you on a bike? Measurements are where a bike shop should start the fitting process. Then they compare your measurements to the bike charts.

You can't determine the right bike size by your height!

BTW I have the Trek 2.3, 50cm. I got the triple because on the Treks there are issues with chain clearance on the smaller frames w/ doubles. I am 5'2", have short legs and a long torso so did not get the wsd. We put a more upright stem on it to ease my shoulders and neck. I love my Trek. She is fast and climbs and corners great! Hope you find the right bike for you too.

The components on the Trek and Giant are similar. I would take the WTB Deva saddle on the Giant over the Treks Bontrager any day of the week.

[Ana]

Sounds like you may have a bit of a quandary..... It sounds like the shop could not put the seat post up any further on the smaller bike (there is an upper height limit having to do with the amount of post still in the seat tube), but you have a bit of a reach problem with the larger bike....

Can they put a longer seat post in the smaller bike? If you are seriously considering purchasing this bike, they should be willing to make the accommodation to test ride it since you will be needing that modification if you purchase it anyway.

Let's be realistic: all the bike shops know you're looking other places as well. You need to find the one with which you are most comfortable and offer you the most for the money you are considering to spend. I think honesty is the best policy and to tell the shop that recommended the 50cm that another shop sized you for a 52cm. I have to say that 52 cm does seem large for you, especially since you have a short torso...

I am 5'3" and my top tube is 510mm with a 70mm stem. I have a "long torso for my height" i.e. I have very short legs. My bike almost fits be perfectly but I am still tweaking the small things (seriously considering a bike fit but cannot suffer the costs after the holidays yet...).

Bicycle stores are also a business and they need to offer you the things that you want. I purchased my bicycle from a dealer which I felt only mildly comfortable and I regret it. I wish I had a bought it at a friendlier store that offered me more assistance, guidance and negotiation.

I say there's no rush and just keep test riding the bikes as many times as you have to until the bike (and size) that is right for you is clear. I am a novice so I fell in love with my bicycle instantly and regret not having test ridden more bicycles before purchasing my beauty. I now some of TE members test ride bikes 4-5+ times before purchasing. Just keep in mind how much you are going to be spending. Make sure you get what you want because looking back, that $200 won't matter as much as you think if you have what you want. You can't buy a new bicycle for $200 and after committing the other $1,000-$2,000 it will totally seem worth it. Plus, if you get the bicycle that is best for you, you will like riding more and are more likely to ride!

[uforgot]

I have over a 31" inseam so basically no torso.

Maybe I was more comfortable because it was more upright?

Hey, I'm 5'4", no torso! Isn't it fun having your waist right below your bust? Anyway, I have a 32"+ inseam. You and I must be all legs. 50cm bikes have always felt too small for me, and I have several inches of standover on those bikes. Besides standover, I look at top tube length. With being so "leggy" , do you also have the short arms? I find that I can't go any longer than a 52.5cm toptube with 90mm or shorter stem. WSD's are made for us.

If I had it to do over again, I'd get a fitting. Way cheaper than going through a lot of bikes. You can also get a friend to help you and go to www.wrenchscience.com and do their fit system. It will give you a starting point, or at least tell you if you are in range.

[aicabsolut]

Hmm.. I think you need to do a lot more test riding.

I would go and try a larger Specialized bike, and maybe a men's bike. If you can get to Annapolis, Capital Bicycle has a good selection. If you're worried about going all the way out there for nothing, call first and ask about availability. They don't have a big test area, but they do have a good fitting area where they can some measurements while you're on the trainer and give you a good idea of what kind of geometry you need.

See what other brands you can find with WSD bikes, like Cannondale, Orbea, and Blue (Blue has started making a WSD bike for 2009, but their supply is low right now). You might need to come down to the DC area, but I think it'd be worth the drive if you can find a great fit. I know my sponsor shop in DC has a 52cm Ruby kicking around. There's often a big selection of lower end ($-wise) Treks at the shop next door if you want to try some more. Once you find the right bike, you can then see if a shop closer to you can order it for you and then you can take advantage of some free service deals from the closer shop that come with a bike purchase. But to start, you need to seek out some more variety and sit on more bikes. It doesn't really sound like you've got a good feel for what will be right for you yet.

All these WSD bikes are different. They all have a relatively shorter top tube, but they treat the fork, head tube, and rear triangle differently. They will all feel different.