WSD road bike for tall women?

[lcinva]

As someone above mentioned, WSD is more about torso length than height. While I'm not 5'10'', I am 5'7'' which is taller than most women the WSD were built for. I can't ride unisex bikes, I guess because my arms are short...I don't know, I've always been told I have a long torso - but on unisex bikes my arms are way too stretched out and it is totally uncomfortable. Getting a WSD was like night and day. I ended up with a Giant Avail Advanced 2, and I LOVE it. I think it was a teeny bit longer in the top tube than the Specialized WSD bikes, so I definitely am not cramped, but I'm also not stretched out hanging on to the bars for dear life. The bike stores I shopped at all had XS, S, and M in stock. I fit on a S.

I did notice in shopping around that the Specialized WSD were very difficult to find in 54" and above - many were totally out of stock.

Anyway, it totally depends on your body geometry, but I happen to fit on WSD bikes, in the same size that a petite 5'2'' with long arms would fit on.

[out_spokin']

Really depends on your inseam vs. torso. If you can ride a 56cm, you have a number of WSD options. If you need a taller frame than that, you really have only a couple choices. I'm 5'10 and all legs (need a 59ish seat tube) so believe me, I've tried. Another custom rider.

Terry has a great trial program and have a couple larger sizes. If you have a good LBS talk to them about getting one of them in to ride. And a few of Trek's road models come in a 58. Haven't ridden one yet, on my list IF I can track one down. Guessing that might not happen. I have yet to find any other stock WSDs in larger than a traditional 56cm size.

But if you really don't need WSD...just test ride the heck out of all the appropriately sized men's bikes, right??

[colorisnt]

The custom bike idea is a great thing, too. I just recently discovered the Luna cycles. Wow! If my next bike could be one of those - a commuter specifically - that would be awesome. Beautiful bikes and you can make them what you want. I don't know what I would do without my road bikes. My Columbia (the commuter) is a really old ladies custom. It's a nice bike.