If you could own your own bike shop...

[Kernyl]

I'd like to see more higher end bikes in small sizes/WSD available to try in the shop. As a women with a very "womenly" geometry (short reach, long legs) I am frustrated by the lack of choices for me when I walk into a shop and look at bikes. Yes, I want carbon and high end components.
I do understand the inventory issue though, a shop doesn't want to get stuck with bikes they don't think will sell. It's a risk for me to have to order a bike without having a chance to ride it though. My last two bikes have been purchased this way and luckily worked out. I do appreciate the shop that is willing to work including special orders, swapping components etc. to get me what I need/like and not try to sell me something I don't want or like just because it is what they have. Maybe if more women start buying higher end bikes it will get better.

[Becky]

I'd like to see more higher end bikes in small sizes/WSD available to try in the shop. As a women with a very "womenly" geometry (short reach, long legs) I am frustrated by the lack of choices for me when I walk into a shop and look at bikes. Yes, I want carbon and high end components.
I do understand the inventory issue though, a shop doesn't want to get stuck with bikes they don't think will sell. It's a risk for me to have to order a bike without having a chance to ride it though. My last two bikes have been purchased this way and luckily worked out. I do appreciate the shop that is willing to work including special orders, swapping components etc. to get me what I need/like and not try to sell me something I don't want or like just because it is what they have. Maybe if more women start buying higher end bikes it will get better.

The shop I work at got stuck with a high-end carbon road bike in size 44 because of a special order situation (not going into details). It took a year to sell that bike because of its size and pricepoint.

I do understand your frustration though. I'm not particularly short, but short-torsoed with long arms and legs. I ride ~50cm frames, and I can't tell you the last time I got to test ride a bike prior to buying. I've made do with trying similar bikes and studying geometry charts, which is admittedly not ideal.