I'm in the market for a bike for my gf and was wondering if any of you Socal women could give me some advice on the best womens bikes out there.

My budget is around $1500. The only requirements I have is that it comes with at least 105 components and preferably a compact crank. How have your experiences been with the various womens lines?

I absolutely love my WSD Trek 1500. Trek was one of the first to come out with WSD and you can easily find her an excellent bike within your budget looking at their models. Nice boyfriend! ;)

Well some of the women I know tried WSD bikes and still found a smaller mens bike to fit them better/more comfortable... So I would take her to a shop and have her try both WSD and smaller mens bikes and see what she feels most comfortable on...

I know a lot of taller women who do not ride WSD bikes... it really depends on each individual's torso/leg proportions and arm length.

Specialized and Trek are the two at the forefront of WSD designs. I found the TT on Giants and Cannondales too be a little long, and the latter has toe overlap issues on their smaller bikes. Again, it all depends on the individual.

Not sure about the Trek, but the Specialized aluminum Dolce is something in your price/component range. You can find good deals on eBay, as they are popular models and many women (like me) use them as a First Bike before upgrading. If she's short enough to fit a 48cm, she is welcome to borrow my old bike to try it out.

My wife has the Specialized Ruby and she loves it.

My GF picked up a Specialized Dolce over the weekend. She's 5'2" and found the best fit with the Specialized. She also looked at Trek but was sort of in between sizes with their wsd models.

My take on WSD's is that they are great for shorter women (5'3" and shorter). Taller women may benefit from unisex models as there are more sizing options.




-Erik

For some bikes "women's specific" could just be a different color scheme.

I had her test ride a 51 Ruby and it seemed to fit her fine.

All the local stores around here have a pretty weak selection of womens bikes and they keep trying to sell me whatever they have in stock in though it's not what I want. I'll probably take her down to Incycle in Pasadena this weekend and have her try out some other brands.

they should have a womens only bike shop that sells only womens mountain and road bikes....

My girlfriend just got a 49cm WSD 2006 Lemond Reno and from everything i can see it fits her pretty well. She's 5'3" with a 28-29 inch inseam. On the other hand, my sister just got a 52cm (or 54cm, can't remember) Felt F75 and she's the same height but with a longer inseam. However while the standover fits her just fine, she is a bit stretched out with the toptube length and will be getting a shorter stem for a better fit.

As mentioned earlier, WSD usually means shorter toptube compared to a bike with a similar seattube length to accomodate the fact that women usually have a longer inseam and shorter torso compared to a male of the same height.

they should have a womens only bike shop that sells only womens mountain and road bikes....

Why?

I ride a Specialized Tarmac Comp, which is a great bike, but I would probably get a WSD design if I had my choice. I find that the stem is just a tiny bit too long, which results in shoulder and back pain after about 20 miles of riding. I'm 5'3" with about a 28" inseam. (I can't really complaint about the Tarmac, though. It was a gift that a friend obtained at a nice discount because it was a year-old model.) With the new 2008s coming out soon, I would recommend seeing if you can find a 2007 Ruby Comp at a discount.

I would love a store that specializes in women's bikes. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find WSD models in the right sizes at your local LBS? If you are lucky, a LBS might have one or two WSD models at all. Then, it's a crapshoot if they have the right size in the WSD model. To look at Specialized's WSD mountain bikes, I had to go to four different stores that carry the brand. One had no WSD mountain bike models at all. One had a medium WSD FSRxc. Finally, I found a store that had a small size WSD model -- the small FSRxc (but not the Comp model with disc brakes). At the fourth store, I found the other bike I wanted to examine, the small WSD Stumpjumper FSR. Of course, since the stores that carried the models were different, I really could not do a very good side-by-side comparison. A store specializing in women's bikes would likely actually have such bikes in stock.

My wife thought she'd never get on a road bike ever ever ever under any circumstances and I'm crazy for thinking that anything shaped like that could possibly be comfortable, especially for her because .... (see how this discussion went?)

I got her the Scott Contessa. She agreed to a hundred miles before passing judgment. Miles 0-5 were horrible. Various saddle (and other) adjustments later, she likes it just fine. Other notes: It has a full 105 drive train. It's the 52cm frame. She is 5' 4.75" (those three quarters mean a lot to her!) From what I've seen now, I'd say one of the biggest benefits of the WSD bikes is the shape of the shifters/brake levers so that smaller hands can handle them. We got a fairly good deal as well -- the LBS basically let me out the door for my stated budget of $1200, which included about $250 in accessories that they let me pick out and installed on the bike for us. They really wanted to see her happy. It worked.

My wife thought she'd never get on a road bike ever ever ever under any circumstances and I'm crazy for thinking that anything shaped like that could possibly be comfortable, especially for her because .... (see how this discussion went?)

I got her the Scott Contessa. She agreed to a hundred miles before passing judgment. Miles 0-5 were horrible. Various saddle (and other) adjustments later, she likes it just fine. Other notes: It has a full 105 drive train. It's the 52cm frame. She is 5' 4.75" (those three quarters mean a lot to her!) From what I've seen now, I'd say one of the biggest benefits of the WSD bikes is the shape of the shifters/brake levers so that smaller hands can handle them. We got a fairly good deal as well -- the LBS basically let me out the door for my stated budget of $1200, which included about $250 in accessories that they let me pick out and installed on the bike for us. They really wanted to see her happy. It worked.

Does your LBS have any more 52 Contessas?

Since you will be in the area you can also go by Stan's in Monrovia, probably the nicest bike store owner you'll ever meet. http://www.stansmonroviabikes.com/

Since you will be in the area you can also go by Stan's in Monrovia, probably the nicest bike store owner you'll ever meet. http://www.stansmonroviabikes.com/

+1 on the Niceness Factor!

Thanks Blastinbob I'll check that out.

What do you guys think my odds are of a store willing to sell me a WSD frame instead of a complete bike?

From my personal experience, getting a WSD frame-only is much harder to find than a regular man-frame.

First of all, there seems to be this attitude among manufacturers that women don't have the wherewithall or desire to choose their own specs... hence, they only offer built-up bikes. And then many of them don't even offer their WSD bikes with anything better than the lowest level of components. (I couldn't even get a WSD Specialized frameset until I went up to the highest rung of their food chain.)

You might have better luck asking an LBS to swap out existing parts on a new bike. Another option is buying a bike off eBay for the frame only - and stripping off/selling the parts you don't want.

I've run into that problem Happytime. I'd like to build a womens bike with campy since I have a bunch of campy wheels lying around that I don't use that I could use on this bike that will be much better than the crappy wheels that usually come with the lower end womens bikes. Every LBS I've talked to is trying to sell me a bike with either DA or Ultegra and whenever I ask for them to swap out for 105 they tell me it won't be that much cheaper and try to get me to buy an Ultegra bike. It would be so much easier for me to build it myself if I could only get my hands on a frame.

If you're not in a hurry, I'd recommend keeping an eye open on eBay. You'd be surprised the number of times a good used bike pops up with the storyline, "I bought this bike for my wife/GF/SO and she doesn't ride it, so I'm selling it here..."

As the 2008 models come in, you'll see a lot more 2007 WSD bikes pop up as well, too. My $1400 Dolce showed up new for $800, not more than a year after I bought it.

EDIT: BTW, Specialized has been downgrading their components for the last couple of years on the same-model bikes. They do this as they add more bikes to their higher end. Hence, a 2005 Elite has a better drivetrain than the 2006 Elite, which has a better one than the 2007...and so on.
They have not made huge changes to their materials or geometry during that time, so if you can get a good deal on an older bike with low mileage, it might actually be a better value.

I've flipped a couple of 47cm road bikes after fixing them up. The women that have responded to my ads have all said the same thing: They call a local bike shop.......OH we don't have one of those in your size, but if you buy it, we can get it for you........

(my response.....I might as well buy it over the internet.....)

For you vertically challenged riders out there (under 5' 1") you might want to consider contacting Margo Conover. She is perhaps the only female custom builder in the States. She only makes bikes for women. Lots of good info on her site:

http://www.lunacycles.com/why.html

It would be so much easier for me to build it myself if I could only get my hands on a frame.


BBP,
Crap.....I just sold a 49cm Dave Scott Centurion frame to one of my buddies for $30. Fits 700c wheels but needed a repaint. Steel is real and no rust on this baby.

BBP,
Crap.....I just sold a 49cm Dave Scott Centurion frame to one of my buddies for $30. Fits 700c wheels but needed a repaint. Steel is real and no rust on this baby.

:(

Do all womens bikes come with 650 wheels?

No. The ones that do are usually on 43-44cm frames.

No. The ones that do are usually on 43-44cm frames.

That's what I thought too until I came across a bunch of Trek WSDs on ebay an they all have 650 wheels.

I was interested in this until I saw the wheel size...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-1600-WSD-BRAND-NEW-NEVER-USED_W0QQitemZ330143530396QQihZ014QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

No. The ones that do are usually on 43-44cm frames.


Haven't seen any in a while but a few years back, Terry was making their wimmins with a 650 front and 700 rear. Looked strange!:D

Gina really loves her Pilot 5.2. Was $2799, but got it for $1799. Brand new 05 in 06. Ultegra Triple 10 speed, no compact. Compact makes no difference to us.:p

That's what I thought too until I came across a bunch of Trek WSDs on ebay an they all have 650 wheels.

I was interested in this until I saw the wheel size...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Trek-1600-WSD-BRAND-NEW-NEVER-USED_W0QQitemZ330143530396QQihZ014QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It looks like the specs were cut-and-pasted form the Trek site. The (43cm: 650c) means that the wheels are 700 except for the 43cm, which are 650s.
Specs (http://www2.trekbikes.com/bikes/specs.php?bikeid=1442003&f=3)

It looks like the specs were cut-and-pasted form the Trek site. The (43cm: 650c) means that the wheels are 700 except for the 43cm, which are 650s.

Ah, I should assume that most of these people don't know what they're talking about. Thanks for your help Happytime :)

My gf just told me that she'd rather me get her an expensive bike than an expensive engagement ring...

Ah, I should assume that most of these people don't know what they're talking about. Thanks for your help Happytime :)

My gf just told me that she'd rather me get her an expensive bike than an expensive engagement ring...

Sounds like you got a keeper! :D

Do all womens bikes come with 650 wheels?

This could start an entire thread derailment........According to the custom build pro's (Baylis, Sachs, Goodrich, Fattic et al), you know guys that have ONLY been building custom frames for 30 years.......most folks under 5' would be better suited riding a 650 wheeled frame. The rider is more comfortable on the bike, less toeclip overlap and the bike looks more symetrical. You just have to get over the fact that the bike looks smaller.........right Joy? The smaller diameter wheels allow for a shorter wheelbase (and therefore shorter top tube) and hence a less hunched over ride.

I found a 650c Cannondale road bike for someone 4' 10-1/2 at the January ADT swap. Fit her perfectly.
Thanks George, that was a key buy for her. Angelina may be posting here soon, she wants to find a "starter" group in Long Beach of the OC.

So to answer your specific question, no not all womens bikes have 650c wheels.

Gina is 5'4 and rides a 47 cm WSD Pilot. Has 700 wheels. SHe also has a Bianchi 51 traditional frame that is a good fit for her. One shopguy told me the WSD changes the size needed. I was shocked that she like d the 47. SIde by side, about the same height as the 51. HB's are actually higher cause of the upright position.

This could start an entire thread derailment........According to the custom build pro's (Baylis, Sachs, Goodrich, Fattic et al), you know guys that have ONLY been building custom frames for 30 years.......most folks under 5' would be better suited riding a 650 wheeled frame. The rider is more comfortable on the bike, less toeclip overlap and the bike looks more symetrical. You just have to get over the fact that the bike looks smaller.........right Joy? The smaller diameter wheels allow for a shorter wheelbase (and therefore shorter top tube) and hence a less hunched over ride.

I found a 650c Cannondale road bike for someone 4' 10-1/2 at the January ADT swap. Fit her perfectly.
Thanks George, that was a key buy for her. Angelina may be posting here soon, she wants to find a "starter" group in Long Beach of the OC.

So to answer your specific question, no not all womens bikes have 650c wheels.

My bike still looks small, whatever the wheel size. The biggest issue with me is that with 650 wheels, you will always have to be your own SAG. And you can't just walk into an LBS and expect to find the tires/tubes you need. And you can't swap wheelsets with buddies. You become, in essence, alone in the cycling world.

And you can't just walk into an LBS and expect to find the tires/tubes you need. And you can't swap wheelsets with buddies.

That is what I'm trying to avoid.

And you can't just walk into an LBS and expect to find the tires/tubes you need. And you can't swap wheelsets with buddies.


650c is a very common size. This size used to be all the rage for tri-bikes a few years ago. Yes I agree you can't swap wheels with your buddy (i mean your taller buddies:D )

I just called the following: (Perf on RBB, Ted's, Bike Palace, Tri Lab in RB and Helens). They all have some 650c tires.

bbp: you live in Lancaster......you'll be ordering road tires via mail order anyway. Aren't most of the shops up there mountain bike oriented?

650c is a very common size. This size used to be all the rage for tri-bikes a few years ago. Yes I agree you can't swap wheels with your buddy (i mean your taller buddies:D )

I just called the following: (Perf on RBB, Ted's, Bike Palace, Tri Lab in RB and Helens). They all have some 650c tires.

bbp: you live in Lancaster......you'll be ordering road tires via mail order anyway. Aren't most of the shops up there mountain bike oriented?

I actually live in Palmdale now but most of the shops are road bike oriented. I have yet to see any shops around here carrying high end mtn bike stuff. The Block Shop is more BMX/Dirt oriented but still carries a fair share of road stuff.

I do mail order most of my stuff but only due to the cost savings.

I actually live in Palmdale now but most of the shops are road bike oriented.

See I assumed something and was incorrect! Thanks for clearing up that mis-perception.
Can I assume no one sells surfboards up there?:p

Seriously I think you'd find the selection of 700c OR 650c tires via mail order much better anyway.

Gina is 5'4 and rides a 47 cm WSD Pilot. Has 700 wheels. SHe also has a Bianchi 51 traditional frame that is a good fit for her. One shopguy told me the WSD changes the size needed. I was shocked that she like d the 47. SIde by side, about the same height as the 51. HB's are actually higher cause of the upright position.

Measurement depends on the mfg. I have a Leader 53cm that measures the same as a Terry 48cm. Some measure from the center of the bb shell to the center of the top tube, some measure to the top of the top tube, some measure to the top of the seat tube. The leader measures to the top of the seat tube.
Get the tallest she can stand over, as that puts the bars up higher. You want the seat/bar height to be pretty close. If you look at the racer bikes, the bars are way lower than the seat, and those guys are really hunched over. Riding should be comfortable, not painful.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/

I picked up a Greg Lemond Versailles WSD (2006 model) for $1200. Carbon/Steel frame. Has Ultegra and 105. Very happy with it.

http://2006.lemondbikes.com/2006_bikes/versailles_womens.shtml