LBS and womens bikes

[Possegal]

As a native of the 'burgh I'm curious what LBS you found that you like a lot. Always good to know a good place back home as well as one local to me here.

[breeze]

As a native of the 'burgh I'm curious what LBS you found that you like a lot. Always good to know a good place back home as well as one local to me here.

The great LBS is Dirty Harry's, out in Verona. They were really busy on Saturday, and still made me feel like the only customer in the shop. Plus, while I was out riding, they fit DH for a bike so that he could ride, too-- totally great.

The terrible LBS that wouldn't return my calls is Pro Bikes in Squirrel Hill, and the guy that I contacted (5 times) was their general manager for all three of their stores. Still waiting for that return call/email... not holding my breath, obviously.

[Possegal]

Thanks! Good info. There is a Pro Bikes in the South Hills (where I'm from) and I've bought clothing there but nothing more. My family usually has their bikes serviced at West Liberty Cycles, as we can walk to them. Small store but I know they've been happy with them. I've again only bought clothing there.

[nuliajuk]

...
This is a long-winded way to tell you not to write off the LHT before finding one to test ride if possible. The LHT is all-day long comfortable, but it is heavy as it is meant for fully-loaded touring and the smaller sizes could be said to be over-built and perhaps a little too stable. I loved mine, and while I did eventually sell mine for reasons unrelated to the bike, I will always have fond memories of it.

I have a very short torso and arms relative to my height, so the touring bike I already have - much shorter top tube than a LHT - fits me very comfortably on long rides. Plus, it's lighter than a Surly. I tried being "stretched out" years ago on the advice of bike shop employees and just ended up with a very sore neck.

[Catrin]

I have a very short torso and arms relative to my height, so the touring bike I already have - much shorter top tube than a LHT - fits me very comfortably on long rides. Plus, it's lighter than a Surly. I tried being "stretched out" years ago on the advice of bike shop employees and just ended up with a very sore neck.

It sounds like you already have a touring bike that works for you, sweet! I am not stretched out at all on the LHT myself, I was just referring to the slacker geometry of a touring bike. Personally I ride a slightly smaller size bike than my inseam and reach might suggest because I require a VERY upright riding position due to neck and hand issues myself.

[breeze]

I'm going to ride the Terry (and others) at the out of town dealer this morning, hippety hop! Woke up early, even. I can't wait to get to the LBS!

[TigerMom]

I'm going to ride the Terry (and others) at the out of town dealer this morning, hippety hop! Woke up early, even. I can't wait to get to the LBS!

Superexcited for you and we can't wait to see what you end up getting!

____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[emily_in_nc]

If you're not happy with the Terrys, you might try to find a Felt. I saw this one in my LBS today. Tiny! Only available in petite (with 650 tires), which might be too small for you, but they have a lot of good women's options. And I suspect they are considerably cheaper than the Terrys.

That Felt looks nice, but the Geometry tab seems to do nothing. That's a bad thing as geometry is SO important!

[Koronin]

For the geometry tab to work you have to go to the main page and go back to that bike: Here's the geometry info:
Medium Petite Small Tall
Head Tube Angle 72 71.5 71.5 72.5
Seat Tube Angle 74.5 75.5 75.3 74
Top Tube Horizontal 525 497 515 545
Top Tube Center to Center 507 483 499 525
Head Tube Length 140 130 120 160
Seat Tube Center to Top 470 430 450 500
Seat Tube Center to Center 429 390 407 447
Bottom Bracket Drop 70 45 70 70
Chainstay Length 417 400 417 417
Front Center 584 561 584 595
Wheelbase 991 956 991 1002
Rake 50 40 50 50
Standover Height 726 675 702 749
Seat Post Diameter 27.2 27.2 27.2 27.2
Fork Length 370 370 370 370
Lower HS Stack 1 1 1 1
Reach 374 362 377 384
Stack 541 507 520 561

[emily_in_nc]

Thanks, Koronin!

[breeze]

So... I'm still undecided. The LBS wasn't exactly as helpful as I thought/hoped they would be, and they didn't have the bike that I really wanted to try (Symmetry 44X50 with 650c wheels) built up. I rode two different versions of the 46 Symmetry (flat bar and drop handlebars) and the 44 Terry Tailwind. There was some confusion in the shop because the bikes are labeled S, XS, etc on the seat tube (and not numbered) so the sales dude assumed that S was the size that I needed. After I rode it, I made him go and get the chart, because it didn't feel correct to me-- lo and behold, S is the 46, XS is the 44, and XXS is the 42.

The 46 is definitely too much of a reach for me, though I found the flat bar to be more comfortable than the drop handlebars. This makes me wonder if part of the problem is that I'm just not used to the more aggressive riding position. I had a lot of forearm discomfort/pain within about 15 minutes on the 46 Symmetry drop bars; some discomfort on the 44 Tailwind with drop handlebars, much less on the 46 flat bar. I wondered if I was locking my elbows with the 46 due to stretching, but did feel discomfort with the 44, possibly because I'm not used to putting my weight on my arms much at all when I'm riding.

I was having some trouble with reaching the brake levers in a comfortable way. I have small hands and my stopping distance was really increased while riding on the hoods because I was finding it so hard to push the levers. I know that it is possible to add shims to the Shimanos, but is that the only solution for this? Are there brakes that are known to be smaller that I should be thinking about, or ways to adjust the levers that would bring things even closer? Looking at the front of the brakes, I think my fingers are hitting the top part, right below the pivot point, which may be making it more difficult. Also, only my index and middle finger are even able to graze the lever when my hands are on the hoods.


So, I'm thinking about a few things right now:

1) This shop was kind of unhelpful in getting the bike adjusted or any kind of fit dialed in. The guys on the floor were young, and I had to point out the various bikes and sizes to them. I didn't get a chance to try the exact bike that I was interested in buying (in the correct size). On the other hand, I had zero issues with standover, and much less stretched out feeling on the 650c wheels and shorter effective top tubes on the Terry bikes, even with the too-big 46. I haven't ruled out the Terry Symmetry, but it wasn't the "Cinderella slipper" of a bike that I'd hoped.

2) I want to go back and try the Specialized Dolce again, but try to find a smaller model if possible. I also liked the secondary brake levers, though I had the same reach issues with the main levers and my small hands.

3) I'm motivated to try to find a Felt dealer with a petite bike (thanks for the suggestion, Muirenn! We're on the same page!) and looked around on Saturday. I called three dealers while I was in Columbus, with no luck-- the general comment was "We don't sell them because they don't sell." I'll be calling around locally tomorrow morning to see if there's anything nearby.



The spouse has been helpful during this process, though I think he was hoping that I'd find the perfect bike yesterday. He's getting slightly sick of holding my helmet, license, and keys while I question the shop guys, but I think its because he just wants to spend Saturdays riding together instead of testing new bikes. (He's getting a new bike, too, but his process has been vastly different and easier, as he's 5'10 with long arms.)

[Koronin]

Emily, You're welcome.

breeze, good luck. I hope you can find a Felt dealer that has a bike you can try. I love my Felt. I also know through experience (hubby's actually) that all bikes do not work for all people. He first bought a Canondale and that was just totally the wrong geometry for him. He also bought a Felt F 5 and it's so much better for him. So keep looking until you find the right bike for you.

[MGM]

I was having some trouble with reaching the brake levers in a comfortable way. I have small hands and my stopping distance was really increased while riding on the hoods because I was finding it so hard to push the levers. I know that it is possible to add shims to the Shimanos, but is that the only solution for this? Are there brakes that are known to be smaller that I should be thinking about, or ways to adjust the levers that would bring things even closer? Looking at the front of the brakes, I think my fingers are hitting the top part, right below the pivot point, which may be making it more difficult. Also, only my index and middle finger are even able to graze the lever when my hands are on the hoods.

Hmm, I had this issue also, even though I'm taller than you at 5'6". However my very long legs placed me on a 54cm bike, and many shifters and levers were hard to fully engage. I found the Ultegra equipped bikes more comfortable on my hands, as was Apex. And yes, the LBS can shim.

Felt does make very good, comfortable bikes at very competitive prices. Specialized is higher priced, but rides really nice. IMO.

[Anyabeth]

I read through this with interest because even though I am taller and was a much easier fit for my LBS I has some similar experiences. The shop guys seemed much less knowledgable about the WSD bikes (which I guess since they don't ride them . . .) and really wanted to put me on a men's bike. I didn't object but kept having problems because though I am 5'7" my hands are tiny and the reach for my hands was tough.

Gear and clothing selection for women was also less than half of that for men. There was only one pair of shorts in my size and they were $150. This is especially frustrating to me since I am a new rider and don't really know how things fit. Since they don't seem to have female employees there wasn't anyone I could really ask.

It is interesting because I feel like I had a pretty decent experience overall and they were certainly trying to be welcoming towards women riders. But a few small things would go a long way to make them more friendly.

This shop did admit that they sell a lot of special order bikes in the smaller sizes. But they still didn't want to stock much under a 48. I should give them credit because they do carry women's sizes in mountain bikes and small cyclecross.

[Custardcup1]

Try a Felt, I don't think you will be sorry. I researched every bike out there for myself, 4'10" with a 25 inseam. Nothing and i mean nothing fit me except the Felt. I absolutely love it and now realize how big my Trek 7.2 Hybrid was, not the right size at all!! The Felt is so light and pretty and flies down the hills. I couldn't be happier.