WSD vs Men's bikes

Oran

Hi Sara, its nice to hear from someone who understands my situation. You have reassured me. I have improved and my speed has picked up about 3km per/hr faster. Like you I had it meassured up to me and my pedal power is better. I have been riding my bike for two years but about 8months ago I had modified to suite me and the handle bars changed because I have wide soulders the stem is shorter and aerobars closer to me. I will compete in half ironman this weekend it will be my first. ( midlife crisis at 43)

mgagnonlv

True and true.
The WSD logo means different things for different manufacturers, but typically, it means:
1. a small-frame bike with maybe a shorter top tube for its size;
2. narrower handlebars (38-41 cm, as opposed to 42-44 cm centre-centre);
3. on some models, shorter cranks;
4. on some models, brakes with a shorter reach;
5. a "girlie" colour.

Point 5 is entirely a question of taste, so I leave it out.
Point 1 depends as much on the brand and model design as it depends on the WSD logo. And to a point, a shorter stem may compensate for a longer top tube.
Point 2: handlebars and brake levers can be changed fairly easily by the bike shop if that's a problem for you.
Point 3: Cranks can also be changed by the bike shop, though it takes more time and might cost money. With 29 inch inseam, you probably need 160-165 mm cranks, 170 mm cranks at the most.

The overall point is that there are smallish WSD frames which come de facto with wide handlebars and 175-mm cranks... a nonsense IMHO. So you should rather look at the specs themselves than at the WSD logo.

__________________
Michel Gagnon
Montréal (Québec, Canada)

overthere

I went to one lbs, and tried the Fuji. They showed me the Fuji Ace, told me it was a WSD, and didn't do much except adjust the seat. I felt like I was ready to fall on my face! I didn't realize until later from the internet, that it wasn't a WSD at all, and the top tube was too long for my shorter torso 5'1" body! Tried a Trek lbs...they had the 1500 and I still have to go back and try it on the road, I just tried it on the track - but it felt great! But I was hesitant because the seat was really uncomfortable (they would trade it out) and the 650 tires...the I went to another lbs, where I had gotten my wellworn Specialized Hybrid Crossroads. The young guy, who happened to be the owner, really spent time, fitting me to the bike, a Dolce Elite , just on the track! Measured me, adjusted things for me (being a handsome young man with a winning smile helped too) and when I took it out, ZOOM ZOOM!! It was soo fun! And it has the 700 wheels, is the 2004 at 10% off. I'm soooo tempted. I had expected to try out the Sport, as I had saved about $700. This will be about $450 more.

I'm investing in my health, right?


overthere

Oran

the moral of this story is to get a bike fit done and get the bike built for you by an exprienced person. If you live in Sydney try Steve Hogg(pedel pushers) who who has built and meassured world champs to their bike. Improve speed and most of all comfort.
Dont waste your time buying a bike off the shelf.

PS my first half ironman was great and looking forward to enother one soon.

Conniebiker

I build my own for budgetary reasons (and I'm a scavenger for parts) but they always come out almost the same sizing as my bf's rides. I can ride his 20" inch mountain bike and its only a little stretchy to the bars, but my frame is a 17.5 and 19. Joys of being 5'8 and long inseam. My race bike is really not that far off from the stock standard Giant XTC. The only thing I do is change the seat and the stem.
Terry liberator race, and a 60mm handlebar stem(which is nice for trail handling too). I also ride 175mm cranks(probbably odd)

new2bikes

lleenn, I'd love to know how your 47 WSD Trek worked out. Like you, I'm only 5'0" tall with a 70 cm inseam, bare feet - floor to crotch, and a total arm length of 52 cm shoulder to the web between my thumb and forefinger. I've been trying to find a bike for the past month, and am frustrated with how few small higher end bikes are carried by most bike stores. The only two I can find (in carbon) are the Trek 5000 WSD (which I think I love) and the Giant OCR Comp. 2. The 5000 Trek's smallest size is a 47 and I think it fits (I bet a 45 would have been perfect. Alas, it doesn't come in that size). The top tube is 19.6 inches - is it the same on yours? Do you feel stretched out a little, or did you adjust after a short time and maybe a stem change? The Giant is a 43 with a 20.2 inch top tube. I wanted to look at the Bianchi Vigorelli (steel/carbon) in a 44 (not women specific) and the LeMond Croix de Fer (women specific), BUT NO ONE IS WILLING TO STOCK THEM WITHOUT A SPECIAL ORDER!
Anyone else with similar measurements and a 47 WSD Trek out there? How's it feel? Are you happy with it? Thanks, in advance, for any advice and for sharing your experience with me.

Oran

Just buy the frame for your size and get the rest buit around you so that you are aerodynamic and comfortable. Look up bike fit on the net on google and I am sure a specialised bike shop will come up.

Txcyn

I have a trek 2100wsd 47C. I am 5'3/4" and it fits perfectly. I recently changed the seat to a terry butterfly. I love the set up. I do not feel stretched out at all. I like the adj shifters because of my small hands. I am not sure if the other bikes you are looking at have them.

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otherworld

Have a look at the 2005 Giant OCR zero in the x-small size. My lady has just purchased one of these and loves it. She is petite and with a shorter torso as are many women. The Giant actually has a 50cm top tube which is shorter than the trek so called ws model and others as well. It's also RED and not some puky powder blue or lilac. In fact I think it might be the shortest frame commercially available. It has a very low stand-over height but can still fit two bottles inside the frame. It also has 700c wheels. Don't get into 650c wheels as you will be limiting tyre options and convenience. Make sure you get a compact frame as this type will give you a low enough stand-over hight ie. you will be able to stand over the bike with both feet on the ground. The points about smaller brake levers and shorter cranks are valid (particularly the cranks) but not as important as having a frame that you can fit into. (My lady has never bothered with other than standard cranks and levers etc.) The OCR zero fits the 700c wheels and still provides clearance for your feet by having a bit more angle on the head tube. Some will tell you this makes the bike less responsive in a race situation but unless you are Robbie McEwan and anticipate contesting a lot of full-on bunch sprints you probably won't care and you'll have a bike that rides well. Having carbon forks, rear stays and seat post provides a good ride and helps with the stiffness of the alloy frame. If comfort and road vibration become an issue get wheels with low profile rims and crossed spoke patterns. There is a fashion for deep section rims and radial spokes at the moment but these give a harsher ride. At your weight you also don't need 120psi in your tyres. 90-100 will be enough and will be more comfortable also.

Good Luck Jay.

Txcyn

The Giant XSmall (currently have a giant cypress hybrid for neighborhood riding) is 52C. I went to local shop that had sizing bicycle and was told I needed no larger than 47C. I had a 50C compact road bike with the top bar slanted. It was way to big for me. I have barely a 28 inch inseam. I compared many bikes and the Trek 2100wsd had the 165 cranks and adj shifters. The 650C tires do not seem to be a problem. I have 1 tube for spare, decided if I have 2 flats on one outing, time for me to go home. Because of my size and weight, flats so far are not a problem. Husband at 6' and 200# has had many flats. I only have had one. I was drafting and rode into a brick. My bike is Red and White. The 5000wsd is black and blue. Looks good. Most important, get sized. Good Luck!!! Cyn

new2bikes

Thanks,Txcyn. I've accepted the fact that I'm going to need the 650 tires. I tried riding a Specialized in a 43cm with 700 wheels. I just didn't have the control that I had with the Trek. They have the same length top tubes even though the Specialized is a smaller bike - in order, apparently, to accommodate the 700 wheels. Other than those bikes and one Giant OCR Comp 2 (Giant's having production problems), I haven't found anything else out there to test ride at my price point(and I've been to LOTS of places), but I'm getting closer to going with the Trek. You have 3/4 of an inch more height than I do, but I have about an inch of clearance on the 47. And, even though I would never buy a bike based on color, I love the color! The reach felt better than it did the first time or two - maybe because I've test ridden it a number of times and am getting used to the feel of a road bike. Are the 650 tubes easily available? How expensive are they?

I might as well ask you - since you sound about my size - what type of pedals and shoes did you get? I appreciate your input. Thanks.

new2bikes

Thanks for your input, Jay. I tried the Giant, and it was okay, but I think the Trek may work better. I have the Giant catalog in front of me. The 2005 OCR in an XS has a 42 cm frame with a 20.1 inch top tube, or 51 cm. The OCR Composite has a 43 cm frame with a 20.2 inch top tube, slightly longer. Trek's 47cm size has a 19.6 inch top tube, or 49.78cm and the Trek 43 cm has a 19.1 inch top tube, or 48.5 cm.

new2bikes

Cyn, one more thing. I think you're right about the brake levers / shifters. Without the short reach levers, I'd have to stop by smashing into something. With small hands, having the levers closer to the bars is especially helpful.

tjocesq

sorry to jump in...sounds like a good discussion here and I am also a short rider (5ft2 3/4 in.). I ended up getting a frame that fit and custom building w/research I have done. (I had the expendable income a few years ago). I used to ride an aluminum frame w/carbon fork but still felt my teeth chattering at 50 miles. Now ride a steel frame and it is a much smoother ride.
with triathalons being more popular it seems that the 650 tubes are more readily available and the same price as the 700 counterparts.
Also, I heard that Terry makes good bikes for short riders.
with that said--I understand Bianchi also has a great wsd that includes handlebars w/a more shallow drop and shorter reach. Anyone have any experience with the bianchi? A woman I ride with is in the market--I told her about this forum and hopefully she'll join.

Thanks for letting me jump in!