What kind of Road Bikes do you ride?

[GreenLady]

There are plenty of WSD bikes out there. Ok, maybe not "plenty", but many companies make them: Trek, Giant, Orbea, Cannondale... I'm 5'3" and ride a 49cm Airborne Wasp frame. Unfortunately, they don't make Airborne frames any more; they were great bikes.

Anyway, don't settle for a bike that doesn't fit you. You are spending lots of money on a bike and you want it to fit; if a bike store doesn't have bikes that fit you, have them order it, or move on.

And yes, the bike scene almost everywhere is male-saturated. Some males will be patronizing, or ignore you, or whatever. On the other hand, others will be very nice, precisely because you are a woman. Try to find the nice ones - they do exist!

[DrBee]

I have the Trek Pilot 2.1 WSD and love it! The geometry fits me just right and it's a super smooth ride.

Welcome to the forum! Head on over to the Getting to Know you thread and introduce yourself further.

Good luck finding the right bike. Try everything you can get your hands on! You'll be amazed at how different they feel. And make sure you get a good fit!

[cherinyc]

I really appreciate you all taking the time to respond to my posting. I am learning so much already. BTW - I have to say that it is because of my boyfriend's support that I even had the guts to get back on a bicycle after 15 years, so I probably didn't paint such a great picture of him. He is very loving and generous, but he comes from the old school of "no pain-no gain", so when I say something hurts, he's probably thinking it's just because I am not used to it.
Anyway, it's hard to not get frustrated, I just have to remember that he is fully supporting me in my cycling endeavors - in his own special way.
Just wanted to clear my conscience

[FreshNewbie]

Cheri, I didn't think you pained a bad picture about your SO and I didn't take it that way either. All i am saying is that some guys don't feel any discomfort on their bikes and they unintentionally tend to assume that women' should not either. My bf is also supportive and he was the one to get me into cycling, however when I tell him i need a 4th saddle he doesn't really understand my problem with the other three

[pikato]

BTW - I have to say that it is because of my boyfriend's support that I even had the guts to get back on a bicycle after 15 years, so I probably didn't paint such a great picture of him. He is very loving and generous, but he comes from the old school of "no pain-no gain", so when I say something hurts, he's probably thinking it's just because I am not used to it.
Anyway, it's hard to not get frustrated, I just have to remember that he is fully supporting me in my cycling endeavors - in his own special way.
Just wanted to clear my conscience

LOL, no problem. After I completed my first group ride this weekend, I came home & Kirk(my SO) told me "I like you as a cyclist, you're not a wimp anymore". It's those weird offhanded comments that make you proud, lol.

And I don't think anyone's bashing your boyfriend, as much as, annoyed the bike shop didn't give you better service.

[RoadRaven]

I'm going to add my voice to those saying how well the Giant TCR and OCR fit...
I have the Giant TCR in a small frame (I am 5'10") and it just felt right from the moment I went for my first ride.
I had to get a different seatpost and it is extended out as far as possible as I have long legs... but wow, do I relish hoping on that bike...

[fasteryet]

My two cents...
I've got a Cannondale R800 Feminine, which is several years old and fits perfectly. I'm 5'4'' and it's a 50 cm frame.
This year I wanted to go faster, and bought a Cannondale Six13. It's not women's specific, so I went to a 48cm frame, which has a shorter top tube, and swapped the handlebars from a 40cm to a 38cm, and also got a shorter stem.
I spent a long time with my bike shop getting the fit right. My advice would be to go with the best shop. Many of the bikes these days are similar, so it comes down to who you trust, who's the most knowledgable, and who offers the best customer service.
And don't be afraid of aluminum. If that's what you can afford, there are plenty of bikes out there with a good ride.

[farrellcollie]

I have a scott contessa roadster -it (obviously?) is a wsd. I test rode the trek pilot 2.1 wsd, specialized dolce elite, bianchi eros donna, giant ocr wsd, lemond reno, a cannondale wsd of some sort, and a raleigh of some kind. I am a short stumpy person who needs the wsd - the regular design were too long for my arms. I was measured at two lbs.

[Nanci]

Another thing- if you find a ibke you love, not at the shop you love, you can buy it and take it to the shop you love from then on. I bought my Trek on eBay because I have always found the owner of the local Trek shop to be rude- for years and years. So my bike goes to a Cannondale/Felt/etc. shop and they take perfect care of her.

Nanci

[hirakukibou]

I ride a Luna and I love it. The woman who made her does mostly custom work but you can get some prebuilt models (that's what I did). It fits me beautifully and is a wonderful ride. Check out her website www.lunacycles.com. Goood luck!

[Trek420]

I ride a Mondonico Futura Legero. It's made by the same man who builds the more-often-seen Torelli bikes. He makes a few each year with his name on the frame. He just retired and now his son is the 3rd generation of frame builders.

Most people who ride Torelli know someone who loves the bike. In my case that was my ex-GF and she loves hers. So when I needed a new bike I tried lots and lots and lots...but had the Mondonico built.

If I was getting one "off the rack" I'd get the Torelli, I've been told it has a slightly shorter top tube.

It's a great bike and rides as good as it looks.