Quote Originally Posted by indysteel View Post
I don't disagree that a lot of shops don't understand the WSD product they carry and/or carry less of a selection for women, BUT some of the worst service I've gotten is from sales women who didn't understand what a particular manufacturer's "WSD" label means. It sometimes means very little, and yet they insist that it does.

This is my take after buying a number bikes: Somebody either understands bike fit or they don't. There are only a few fit issues that I see as being absolutely specific to women. We come in all shapes, sizes and proportions. WSD is just a starting point when it comes to fitting a bike to a woman. You don't have to be a woman to get that, nor does being a woman guarantee that you do. There are plenty of men who deviate from the norm enough that they could benefit from a fitting with someone who isn't going to make any fit assumptions based solely on gender. The same applies to women.

I'm not saying that your bike shop does or doesn't get bike fit, but I would suggest that it's not necessariliy a gender issue if they don't.
My issue wasn't actually with fit. I bought a WSD because of how tiny my hands are - I just didn't feel safe breaking on the unisex styles - but I certainly tried them. But it was annoying to me that once it became obvious the WSD was right for me (and the shop agreed) they seemed a little lost. They didn't really know the differences between models or really have an opinion. I get why, the other bikes they have ridden and tested, but it was still annoying.

Perhaps female sales people wouldn't solve this problem. But it seems natural to me that a woman would be more inclined to have knowledge about WSD. It is unfortunate that some one would push you into a WSD if that isn't right for you though.