What do you think about WSD?

[TrekTheKaty]

Ditto the frustration with "girly" paint jobs. I want the new Madone, but it has pink trim (like Ariel's--looks cute on you Moon ).

[Catrin]

On another forum I belong to, a young man spoke up in horror that an LBS had actually suggested that he get a WSD bike. The responses of the men were quite simple - if his body needed that geometry then there was nothing wrong with it. If it was too "girly" then he could get it powder-coated if he really had to. Then several of the men pointed out the pink found on some of the TDF riders kits and, apparently, there are a few male pro racers with pink bikes. They seemed to be having fun with this - but they made their point to the young man - he needs what will fit him.

The discussion was interesting. I think that, perhaps, another name could have been given to WSD bikes that wouldn't make it seem like it was only for women.

[KnottedYet]

The discussion was interesting. I think that, perhaps, another name could have been given to WSD bikes that wouldn't make it seem like it was only for women.

It is what used to be called "sport touring" geometry, according to my LBS. Georgena Terry got the whole women's geometry train a'rolling and it has really taken off. She deserves far more credit than she generally gets for bringing the frame geometry and the saddles with cut-outs into prominence for this generation. (She didn't invent either, but she sure saw a market that needed them!)

[TrekTheKaty]

On another forum I belong to, a young man spoke up in horror that an LBS had actually suggested that he get a WSD bike. The responses of the men were quite simple - if his body needed that geometry then there was nothing wrong with it.

I was wondering when this would happen. I used to play golf and they had women's balls that were pink. I hated them. It had to do with swing speed and ball compression. Now, they've acknowledged that amateur men have about the same swing speed as a female pro. SO, they now sell, what used to be women's pink balls, under a different name so they can market to men (I think "noodles" are one of the brands).

[zoom-zoom]

That being said, I now know that my long body and short legs are more compatible with men's bikes. I think we have done well making this one work for me though.

I have similar proportions. But I am small and have small hands, so the components on my WSD Cannondale work for me. I never tried a men's frame, so I can't compare. Next bike for me will likely be a men's/unisex cyclocross frame, which I hope we can spec out with short-reach components.

[arielmoon]

I have similar proportions. But I am small and have small hands, so the components on my WSD Cannondale work for me. I never tried a men's frame, so I can't compare. Next bike for me will likely be a men's/unisex cyclocross frame, which I hope we can spec out with short-reach components.

I am 5'7 with long arms and big hands. One of the guys was commenting that my drops are so short that there is nothing behind my hand when I am in them. I laughed and told him it was my big hands. But really I assume that is another WSD thing. Again, it's not terrible but if I get carbon bars I may look for ones with more reach.

[Aggie_Ama]

Ditto the frustration with "girly" paint jobs. I want the new Madone, but it has pink trim (like Ariel's--looks cute on you Moon ).

Just go Project One then ! Actually I don't think it is a huge increase if the frame is the real killer for you.

[TrekTheKaty]

I would love that! Did you see the flames?! OMG!

[TxDoc]

how essential is it to get a woman's specific design road bike?

Don't worry about the WSD label - just find a bike that fits your body.
I know that I belong to the minority here - but I find the WSD label a marketing hype.
Fit is based on finding the correct bicycle geometry for your body proportions, and not based on gender. There's men that fit on WSD labelled bikes and women that fit on regular stock bikes (which most people believe to be built for male bodies).
Find a reputable bike fitter, and test ride many bikes until you find the right one for you. When you know what geometry and size you need - go shop for the colors you like.
And don't worry if it does not say 'WSD' on the frame

[Bike Chick]

I like the WSD geometry because of the shorter top tube, shorter cranks, smaller grips, short reach shifters and narrower handlebars, however, some of the "girlie" paint schemes they've come up with are just too much for me to handle. I was at the Trek factory a few years ago during the dealer demo days and was having a discussion with the Trek ladies at the WSD tent about the WSD bikes. That was the year that Trek came out with that Pepto-Bismol pink bike---it wasn't even a pretty pink---and they used it on several models. Well, I proceeded to voice my opinion about the pink bikes and said something about how a man must have come up with that idea and ....that's when one of the ladies told me that it was her idea. I shut up and realized not all women feel the same as I do. So find the one that fits and the one that YOU like. Like TXDoc said, find a reputable bike fitter and test ride as many as you can find. You will learn a lot about bikes during the process.

[Lesley_x]

That pepto-bismol bike sounds quite horrendous!!

I'm just going to test ride a whole bunch and see how I get on. The problem now is no shops have mens bikes in small enough sizes...

[Aggie_Ama]

Don't worry about the WSD label - just find a bike that fits your body.
I know that I belong to the minority here - but I find the WSD label a marketing hype.
Fit is based on finding the correct bicycle geometry for your body proportions, and not based on gender. There's men that fit on WSD labelled bikes and women that fit on regular stock bikes (which most people believe to be built for male bodies).
Find a reputable bike fitter, and test ride many bikes until you find the right one for you. When you know what geometry and size you need - go shop for the colors you like.
And don't worry if it does not say 'WSD' on the frame

I agree. WSD is supposed to fit the more common build of women. But I know men with long legs and short torso (ummm my Dad!) so they would work better on WSD.

[Cataboo]

WSD bikes do not work for me - so I avoid them and all their pastel colors. I did buy one once and it fit so badly I didn't really ride it.

I don't have long legs by any stretch of the imagination, and I have a longer torso and arms I guess. So I ride men's bikes. I do have very small hands, but I've never had a problem shifting or braking with standard levers - and I actually prefer handlebars that are 42 cms wide.

however, I have a gf that's the same height as me whose legs are probably 3 inches longer - who I would say should ride wsd. I think my bf shoudl also ride a WSD, 'cause he's 5'7 with a 33" inseam.

[Bike Chick]

That pepto-bismol bike sounds quite horrendous!!

I'm just going to test ride a whole bunch and see how I get on. The problem now is no shops have mens bikes in small enough sizes...

Yes, finding small sizes is a problem. It's why I drove 6 hours last week to find a shop that carried them.

BTW, here's a picture of that bike. It doesn't look as bad as I remember but at the time I thought it was horrid.

[zoom-zoom]

BTW, here's a picture of that bike. It doesn't look as bad as I remember but at the time I thought it was horrid.

Someone around here has that bike. She has pink EVERYTHING on it. It's a bit overkill.