looking at trek and gary fischer... need advice!

[Aggie_Ama]

One thing I did was print the geometry chart of the Specialized (which I knew I hated), the Trek Fuel WSD and the Gary Fisher Hifi Deluxe (which I ride). How is you relationship with the LBS? Can you test ride or rent? Can you return it if it is absolutely the wrong bike? Can you try other brands? Just some things I was able to do which I think really helped me know my Fisher is the perfect bike for me.

[blackhillsbiker]

You might consider trying Kona, as well. The geometry is not as compact as a WSD, but they seem to fit me better than GF, which stretches me out way too much. I test rode a Cinder Cone that felt pretty good. I have a 32" inseam and am 5'8" with a long torso and long arms.

Deb

[Irulan]

I am having a lot of discomfort because the reach is really long. We have moved my seat all the way forward. We have narrowed the width of the bars, but need to narrow them some more. We are getting ready to shorten the stem. I am not sure can ever make this bike work for me, but we are trying.

sound to me like you should just pitch the bike you are on. Trying to make something work through stem adjustments and seat fore/aft adjustments is stop gap. That kind of jerry rig fit will rarely give you a bike you love to ride.

Remeber that WSD is typically proportioned for shorter torso, longer legs. Try lots of bikes, including non wds bikes. I have four mountain bikes that all fit me great, only one is wsd.