WSD or not. What's a short girl to do???

[JuneHawk]

I can ride the Cannondale but not the Litespeed, the seat post would have to be cut.

[ny biker]

FWIW, my old bike is a 54 cm Trek traditional/men's frame. My new bike is a 54 cm Trek WSD frame. The difference in fit and comfort is huge.

I had the shortest stem possible on the old bike but I was still hunching over and reaching too far in order to reach the hoods. On the WSD bike, I am able to reach the hoods while keeping my shoulders back and my back flat.

I thought the old bike was okay, not perfect but I could deal with it. Until I tried the WSD frame and realized the different geometry made a big difference. The WSD frame also has a smaller handlebar that is better suited to my hands.

I am 5'7" and I thought I didn't need a WSD bike because I have broad shoulders, long arms and what I thought was a long enough torso. I was wrong.

[KnottedYet]

JuneHawk!!! So good to see you!!!!

I'm the same height as NYbiker, but with the exact opposite bike fit: WSD are instruments of misery to me, and regular geometry fit fabulously.

Height alone is never a reason to recommend WSD. A short woman could fit better on WSD (like NYbiker) and another woman the same height might fit better on a regular fit (like me).

Trek420 is a bit shorter than you, and she has had some fine rides on regular fit bikes.

Ride lots of bikes, WSD and regular, ride ones you aren't even considering buying (like a Surly or Kona) ride a couple different sizes in each model. Take a couple weeks of just test rides to get a feel for the geometry your body works best with. Take lots of notes about what feels right and what feels wrong with each bike. A good sales clerk who wants you to get a bike that fits will pay more attention to your notes than to which bikes he needs to move off the sale floor that day.

Did the shop that sold you the 40cm (!!??!!? for someone 5 foot 2!?!?!!?) take it back?

[JuneHawk]

JuneHawk!!! So good to see you!!!!

I'm the same height as NYbiker, but with the exact opposite bike fit: WSD are instruments of misery to me, and regular geometry fit fabulously.

Height alone is never a reason to recommend WSD. A short woman could fit better on WSD (like NYbiker) and another woman the same height might fit better on a regular fit.

Trek420 is a bit shorter than you, and she has had some fine rides on regular fit bikes.

Ride lots of bikes, ride ones you aren't even considering buying (like a Surly) ride a couple different sizes in each model. Take a couple weeks of just test rides to get a feel for the geometry your body works best with.

Did the shop that sold you the 40cm (!!??!!? for someone 5 foot 2!?!?!!?) take it back?

Yes, yes and yes.

Not being rude, just curious, you seem to know me from somewhere. Where? Do tell!

[KnottedYet]

I'm one of the folks on Bike Forum who recommended you come try Team Estrogen! I'm glad you did!

[JuneHawk]

Ah, thanks! LOL.

[indysteel]

40 cm???? OMG; no wonder it didn't fit.

Ride the Cannondale and try to extrapolate from there. If you feel scrunched, then the Litespeed might work. If you feel stretched out on the Cannondale or just about right, then the Litespeed's TT is likely too long for you.

And don't let the shops force you into deciding between just these two bikes. Pour over enough specs, and you'll get some feel for whether other manufacturers will work for you. I cast a very wide net before deciding on my Bianchi. As for certain selling points of WSD bikes, like narrower handlebars, talk to the shop about making swaps if necessary to make a unisex bike work.

[zoom-zoom]

June, I am only about 1.5" taller than you and ride a Cdale Synapse 5, WSD. In hind sight I now realize I would have fit better on a men's/unisex frame, since I have squatty legs. But the WSD bike has shorter-reach shifters, which works better for my smallish hands.

I am starting to shop for my next ride. I will almost certainly stick with Cannondale, since it's the primary brand our shop carries, without spending a ton more on a "niche" brand or custom. This time around I am looking at the same size frame (48cm), but SRAM Rival components. SRAM's shifters are all adjustable reach, so that solves the hand-size issue.

Any idea what your inseam (crotch to floor) is? You may do better on a WSD, but you may do well on a unisex bike, too, especially if you have a longer torso, like me.

[spokewench]

It really is hard to tell if you need a Women Specific design or not. I am 5'4" and have never had a wsd, and am perfectly happy with the bike that I have. I do not have a short waist so all my men's frames have worked for me. Sometimes, you have to work with them, i.e. swapping out stem heighths and lengths and types of handlebars, reach on brakes, and length of cranks, but I have always been happy once I have them dialed in.

[JuneHawk]

June, I am only about 1.5" taller than you and ride a Cdale Synapse 5, WSD. In hind sight I now realize I would have fit better on a men's/unisex frame, since I have squatty legs. But the WSD bike has shorter-reach shifters, which works better for my smallish hands.

I am starting to shop for my next ride. I will almost certainly stick with Cannondale, since it's the primary brand our shop carries, without spending a ton more on a "niche" brand or custom. This time around I am looking at the same size frame (48cm), but SRAM Rival components. SRAM's shifters are all adjustable reach, so that solves the hand-size issue.

Any idea what your inseam (crotch to floor) is? You may do better on a WSD, but you may do well on a unisex bike, too, especially if you have a longer torso, like me.

73cm or so.

[zoom-zoom]

73cm or so.

It would be close, but I think maybe doable. Sounds like you also have a long torso. I'm not convinced that a WSD is going to be better for you. Standover for both the men's and women's Synapse 6 is the same (72.1). If they were too big you'd have to go down to a 44, which only comes in WSD. But then I wonder if you'd be cramped in terms of reach.

And those both come with SRAM Apex, which means you wouldn't even need "women's" short-reach components.

[Catrin]

My first bike was a Trek WSD design, and it was just too long for me. Perhaps if they had made it a size smaller it would have worked, but the proportions did not work out right. My beautiful steel steed is not a WSD design and while we did have an expensive conversion to fit it to me, it had nothing to do with the reach. In that department the bike fit me fine.

I am 5'3" in my stocking feet and, at least so far, mens/unisex frames have fit me best if I can find one small enough. I am long-legged for my height but my arms do not seem to be all that short. There are differences in how different manufacturer's measure their frame sizes though, nothing replaces test rides if at all possible. That can be a challenge sometimes, but nothing replaces testing them out.

[Cataboo]

I'm 5'1-5'2. I don't ride wsd bikes because they are too short in the top tube for me. I have a longer torso or longer legs or something. I know at least two women the same height as me that have longer legs - they ride wsds.


the geometry of that litespeed would work for me - one of my bikes is a litespeed.


But you're really just going to have to test ride the bikes!

[Laguna]

Of course stand-over height is important but if there is one dimension that is "most important", it is top tube length. If that dimension if off then you will have the never ending battle of moving your saddle all the way forward or all the way back and/or having to ride a super short stem that will throw off balance and handling.

I know it is very hard to find many bikes in stock that you can ride. Stores just don't stock lots of 44cm, 48cm bikes. And at 5'2" I'm betting that is where you will end up. Get all your dimensions, do your web homework and then be willing to drive to some non-local shops if you have to. Or, try to attend some larger bike rides or events where you might have a chance to ride or at least straddle someone elses bike.

Have you tried the XXS or XS Giant yet? How about a Terry? Be willing to consider 650c wheels if you need to, they are not the disability some people think they are.

Last, Georgina Terry has a great podcast and there are two programs that may interst you. If you don't download MP3 files you can just click and listen on their site. Check out "Small Things Considered" and also "Buying a Bike-The Bike Shop Experience.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/podcast/page/2

I'm a short guy and finding a bike that fits has been a battle for 30+ years. Good luck, have patience and do a regular search of Craigslist for your state and even nearby states if you are willing to drive.

[Becky]

I would ask the shop to find a shorter seat post that will fit the Litespeed....you shouldn't be expected to buy it without riding it.

I agree with your shop guy that sizes can fluctuate somewhat between brands and models. See if he'll give you a range to consider.

As for WSD: I'm 5'4" with long legs and a short torso. By all accounts I should be the ideal WSD rider. But I have a preference for non-WSD bikes....go figure. I do keep an eye on things like handlebar width and brake and shift lever reach though. Ultimately, it's an individual decision, not some magic formula.

Good luck!