Average Gal's First Time At Bat

[indigoiis]

Hi Bella,
You're getting lots of good advice here.
You CAN get a bike on Craigslist - that's how I got my first road bike - but if you can, take it for a good long ride first. A good seller will let you ride the bike for at least a half hour. Bring a tool to raise or lower the seat as comfortable (or if the bike has a quick release seatpost, use that.) The saddle should be set so that when your foot is in the down pedal at six o'clock, there is a slight bend to the knee while seated on the saddle. If you can wear bike shorts to your test ride, do.

Also, like RR said, size is different on different models and frames. I ride a 49cm cross style tourer that is a little small for me but is very aggressive and fun to ride, while my road bike is a 54. I am 5'6 with very short legs and a long torso, so women's specific design (even though I have it on my road bike) is not the best geometry for me.

The only way you'll know is to take the bike out and ride it. The bike shop's horse isn't going to tell you if you'll love the ride.

Enjoy the shopping!

[aicabsolut]

If you're looking at WSD bikes, a 54cm may be the right size. FYI, I'm 5'7" and ride a 54cm unisex frame. Anyway, some manufacturers basically make their WSD bikes a size down from marked compared to the unisex line, though there is some variation, like seat tubes may be on the longer side. So, if I got the women's version of my bike (a Specialized), I would get a 56cm.

I would guess that 50cm is fairly small for you, and it might mean you'd have some pretty aggressive saddle to bar drop (i.e., you'd need a lot of seatpost, and the head tube will be short). A 54cm could be too big. 52cm may be right on. This will all vary by manufacturer.

[Biking Bella]

If you're looking at WSD bikes, a 54cm may be the right size. FYI, I'm 5'7" and ride a 54cm unisex frame. Anyway, some manufacturers basically make their WSD bikes a size down from marked compared to the unisex line, though there is some variation, like seat tubes may be on the longer side. So, if I got the women's version of my bike (a Specialized), I would get a 56cm.

I would guess that 50cm is fairly small for you, and it might mean you'd have some pretty aggressive saddle to bar drop (i.e., you'd need a lot of seatpost, and the head tube will be short). A 54cm could be too big. 52cm may be right on. This will all vary by manufacturer.

Ahhhh, I think you hit the nail on the head here! I forgot to mention that the 54cm that the store quoted was for a WSD frame they had! Sorry everyone, but I did learn a lot from the mistake!

[fatbottomedgurl]

Okay well I ride a 50cm and I am 5'3". Height is not the judge. It's leg length, torso length, arm length and other factors.

All of this "Well I have a friend who..." reminds me of "He's just not that into you."

I suggest going to a shop with a fit kit.

Or... okay I'll be the one... check out Craigslist, find some bikes with decent components between 50 and 53 cm, take a few test rides, if one feels good spend a few hundred bucks on it for a starter bike and see if you actually like road riding. Then save your pennies for a higher end bike down the road.

[featuretile]

My bike is a flatbar roadbike from Specialized with Sora components. It has the EZ Fire shifters. They work great. I had them adjusted once when I first got the bike and had a little difficulty with shifting in one gear. I have since just passed 1000 miles on my odometer (yeah!!!!) and have never had a problem shifting.

I think WSD bikes must have a larger measurement than men's because mine is 51cm and I am 5'3" and it fit perfectly as soon as I got on it. Perhaps you would fit on a 54cm in a women's and something else in a men's style.