WSD vs Men's frames

[Owlie]

From my experience, Trek and Cannondale "shrink it and pink it". They put shorter reach shifters, narrower bars, usually shorter cranks and a women's saddle then say it is WSD. Specialized uses a different geometry. I cannot ride Specialized women's mountain bikes even though I am the "typical" WSD build. I like a longer top tube on my mountain bike and yes the WSD is also much more upright which I didn't like. My Specialized mountain bike is my first unisex bike.

So yes, some people it is marketing BS. Some companies actually put thought, resources and engineering into a different geometry but some men should ride the WSD geometry.

I got totally duped when I bought my Cannondale thinking it was a different geometry, then when I found all the aches and pains I was having I looked at a geometry chart and realized I hadn't done my homework and was paying the price with an ill fitting bike. On a road bike I like a shorter top tube for comfort I don't like aggressive geometry road bikes, my plan is to sell my Cannondale at some point (when I can afford a replacement) and will likely go Specialized WSD.

If you like a Trek and hate the women's scheme get the "unisex" and you can swap the bars, shifters and saddle then you're pretty much at WSD.

There's some difference between the unisex Madone and the Madone WSD models I was looking at, to the point where I'd need different sizes. (But they're not huge differences, and I'm a long-legged freak ) Cannondale and Giant seem to have minimal differences between the unisex and women's, at least, for the last couple of years. It's like half a centimeter of top tube length and they call it good. Either way, I can't afford the componentry swap, so unless my only option in that regard a pink bike (sorry, westtexas!), I'm going for the WSD.
I do like the Specialized WSD, though.

[Velocivixen]

@Tulip & Marquise. Thanks for both perspectives. I would definitely go to a real person for a "fitting", but I have to buy a bike first. So it would be good to know what size I need. A sales woman at a LBS did my measurements and gave me a bike size of "51" as a starting point. I think that's too small for me. The bike I want is a Kona Honky Inc. and they come in 49, then 53. I felt closed in on the 49, so I presume I need the 53.
I know that bikes are sized differently.
I'll try the site you mentioned Marquise and see what it gives me.
Thanks.

[OakLeaf]

I would definitely go to a real person for a "fitting", but I have to buy a bike first.

A good LBS will fit you up before you buy your bike, so that you won't be ordering a frame that doesn't fit you. Some brands and models will just never fit you in any size, no matter what they bolt onto the frame. That could be the situation with you and the Kona.

[Catrin]

.... The bike I want is a Kona Honky Inc. and they come in 49, then 53. I felt closed in on the 49, so I presume I need the 53.
I know that bikes are sized differently.....

It doesn't necessarily follow that the 53 would fit - a good LBS with a good fitter will help you determine which frame will fit you better before the purchase. My first LBS sold me the smallest Trek 7.6 FX, which wasn't inexpensive, but it was still too large for me & I didn't know enough to realize that at the time. I've since learned that some brands will never fit me...and I will also never purchase another bike from that store. Gear, yes, bikes....no.

That doesn't mean the 53 cm wouldn't fit you, but it is worth exploring it with a fitter to make certain that it will before you pull the trigger

[pll]

@Tulip & Marquise. Thanks for both perspectives. I would definitely go to a real person for a "fitting", but I have to buy a bike first. So it would be good to know what size I need. A sales woman at a LBS did my measurements and gave me a bike size of "51" as a starting point. I think that's too small for me. The bike I want is a Kona Honky Inc. and they come in 49, then 53. I felt closed in on the 49, so I presume I need the 53.
I know that bikes are sized differently.
I'll try the site you mentioned Marquise and see what it gives me.
Thanks.

@Velocivixen: It is not necessary to buy a bike. After testing a dozen bikes, I decided to get a professional fit and recommendations from the fitter. It cost me a bundle ($300), but I walked out with some recommendations about bikes (specific models and frame sizes) to look for or go with a custom bike. If I had bought from the shop that did the fitting session, I could have received a $200 credit towards the bike. I bought my bike elsewhere and the information from the fitting session was very valuable. I have the fit sheet for use anywhere.