Help selecting road bike...Please :)

[north woods gal]

Hi Kim

Add my vote for trying out one of the WSD models, if there's one available at your bike shops. Almost without exception, I've had to modify every standard (men's) bike I've bought to get a comfy fit - narrower handlebars, woman's saddle, shorter stem and so on. I am tall at just under 5'9", but it's all legs with short torso, so always something of a fight to get a good fit without going WSD. In fact, my 2013 Trek Domane WSD is the only bike I have that needed no mods to get a good fit for me. Still the exact same bike, now, as when I rode it out of the shop.

Also, understand that it takes a bit of time for your body to adapt to a road bike if you've never ridden one. May feel a bit awkward at first, but that's normal.

Best of luck.

[Skierchickie2]

And I am the opposite: 5'-6", all torso, no legs. So I need a small frame (so I can stand over it) with longer reach. I once had a Trek rep look at me and say "that (50 cm) bike is way too small for you!" - and then I stood over it and she understood.

I've tested WSD bikes before, and they all have felt wrong - cramped, and like my knees would hit the handlebar. According to my LBS, Trek at least thinks all women have long legs relative to height, and all men have shorter legs. Everyone is different, so try everything you can. A side by side test of the same model in WSD & mens/unisex might tell you a lot. And remember that the frame is the one thing you can't change out - if the reach is right, you can always change handlebars, saddles, etc. And you can change the reach a bit, too, with a different stem.

Happy hunting!