Road Cycling - New Road Bike for 5'0 Tall Woman......

I am in the market for a new road bike and I would like to get your opinion..............

I'm 5'0 and I am having lots of trouble even finding a bike to test ride! I have looked at the Trek 1000 and the Mercier Ella women specific bike........Yes, unfortunatly this is my price range ($500-$700)

The Mercier is a deal because it has 105 components and a carbon fork, it is normally retailed at $1500 but I can get it from a lady on the internet for $700 (I would have to put the bike together)

The Trek 1000 can be ordered from my local bike shop. It isn't woman specific but it is $529 and I have the service from the shop for the lifetime of the bike. I have been told that I need a 43cm

Here is my question: Is a woman specific bike better than a unisex? Is the bike shop services worth buying the Trek? Any help would be appreciated............Thanks!

P.S. For those of use with small feet....trek.com store has road shoes on sale! I just got my first pair of Nike's for $30 normally $70!!! And the best part is......they are very cute!

I am in the market for a new road bike and I would like to get your opinion..............

I'm 5'0 and I am having lots of trouble even finding a bike to test ride! I have looked at the Trek 1000 and the Mercier Ella women specific bike........Yes, unfortunatly this is my price range ($500-$700)

The Mercier is a deal because it has 105 components and a carbon fork, it is normally retailed at $1500 but I can get it from a lady on the internet for $700 (I would have to put the bike together)

The Trek 1000 can be ordered from my local bike shop. It isn't woman specific but it is $529 and I have the service from the shop for the lifetime of the bike. I have been told that I need a 43cm

Here is my question: Is a woman specific bike better than a unisex? Is the bike shop services worth buying the Trek? Any help would be appreciated............Thanks!

P.S. For those of use with small feet....trek.com store has road shoes on sale! I just got my first pair of Nike's for $30 normally $70!!! And the best part is......they are very cute!

I don't think a women's specific bike is necessarily better than a unisex bike or visa-versa. What is better is a bike that fits correctly. :)

If you see yourself as a cycling enthusiast, as opposed to a casual cyclist, then you should take the time to get fit correctly by one of the better bike size fit systems, like FitKit or Serotta.

Then the money you invest in your bike will be spent with more confidence.

Perhaps the shop you visited already sized you. If after you have test ridden the bike they recommend you feel confident in their recommendations, go for it. Have you been able to test ride the Mercier? Can you be sure it will fit you properly without test riding it?

It is also better to buy from a shop, and you can be sure that Trek will back up their product. Who is the Mercier dealer in your area? Where will you take the bike if you have a serious warranty problem with it? Trek has an excellent reputation for follow up service. You can't go wrong there. :)

My personal opinion on the Trek 1000 is that it is one heck of a nice bike.

And for what it's worth, the Mercier name is a very old established marquee from France made popular by the success' of the great French racer Raymond "Pou Pou" Poulidor. lIke so many other brand names, it has been sold and is no longer made in France. These bikes are made in Tiawan.

Here is my question: Is a woman specific bike better than a unisex? Is the bike shop services worth buying the Trek? Any help would be appreciated............Thanks! Better in quality or better in fit? The Mercier sounds like a better quality bike, but just because it's a higher-end bike generally, not because it's a WSD. As for fit, it depends on you. WSD bikes are based primarily (not entirely, but primarily) on the fact that women are "more leg, less torso" than men (okay, men are "less leg, more torso" than women :) ). So most frames proportioned for men's bodies, if they're the right length in the seat tube (leg length), they're too long in the top tube (too much reach). You could find a frame with a shorter top tube, but then it would probably be too short in the seat tube. One, you'd have to put in an absurdly long seat post (and probably an absurdly long stem), and two, since your legs would be, in effect, too long for the frame, you'd risk "toe interference" with the front wheel when turning.

WSD bikes take this into account by running shorter top-tubes for the same size seat-tube, and, in some cases, using smaller (650) wheels, either up front or for both. Mercier makes brief mention of 650 wheels on its site, but isn't specific about front/rear, or what's used on what frame sizes. Their frame geometries are astonishingly close to those of the more "mass-market" Raleigh Capri WSD. Another nice touch is that they're more subdued in their appearance. The decal/paint job on the Raleighs just screams "This Is A Women's Bike!"

Long story short, if you're proportioned like most women, go for the Mercier. Yeah, it's at the top of your money range rather than the bottom, but you're getting into an entirely different league of bike, and one that's probably going to be a much better fit. The componentry and build quality will be so much better than the Trek (the 1000 is their absolute entry level road bike, after all), you'll notice it right away, and appreciate it on every ride. The downside is, you can't test ride the Mercier. Hey, for fit purposes, look for a geometrically-similar WSD bike (again, the Capri comes to mind) at an LBS, feign interest, and test ride it.

LBS service? Depends on what comes with the new bike, and what you can do yourself. The few free tune-ups that come with a new bike are a nice touch, but since I can do it all myself, I personally don't place much value on it. Warranty coverage is another issue. If you're discreet about it, you might be able to claim to be the original owner, and still be covered. I'd be much more concerned about this if it were an Al frame.

Seven bills for a French-made Reynolds frame 105-ish WSD bike - sweet deal, even with the caveats.

i'm 5'2" and got a WSD bike. so far i'm VERY happy with it.. i noticed the difference immediately when trying different bikes.. in the reach for the brakes..

i ended up with the specialiced dolce elite.

WSD bikes are nice, but sometimes if you compare bike geometries (found on website) you can find a "mens" bike in the same frame geometry, just in a smaller size. As for the shift levers, you can have smaller reach shift levers put on any bike.

Like the other poster said, "fit" is key on a road bike. Believe me, I know...it's hard to sometimes find a road bike in stock to fit a shorter person, especially women.

Another one you might find to try is the Specialized Sequoia. I am ordering a Small in that (5'4"). You might find and be comfortable on an XS. These are usually in stock or can be ordered by a Specialized dealer. Most comfortable road bike I've ever ridden.

My riding partner has the Elle and absolutely loves it. She is 5'2 and was having problems with her reach on other bikes. The WSD has completely changed her riding ability for the better. It is a great bike for a great deal.

I have a men's bike, and I feel extremely comfortable on it. I am 5' 1 1/2", and I thought that I would not find a comfortable bike, but I stumbled onto the bike I have now, and I've never looked back. It's a good scene.

I would focus more on a bike that was comfortable and fit you best rather than a WSD bike or not. Sure, they take some ergonomic issues and iron them out on a WSD, but overall, I really just want to be happy with my purchase.

Add to that, if you have a good LBS that is selling you a bike, there will most likely be a service plan included with the purchase. You buy this bike from this woman, and you are on your own, and let's cross our fingers and hope there aren't any problems you didn't see right away, like a cracked frame or something. Of course, if you have no intention of going to this LBS once you buy the bike, then there's no issue as far as going to another LBS and having to pay extra for the services that the normal bike shop that comes with the purchase of the bike.

Good luck with whatever you decide, and let us know which way you go.

Koffee

Road bike Buying.
I feel your pain. I am 5'0". I had been in the market for a road bike a while. Trying hard to test ride everything. I was told so many times we don't stock your size. Or you can't ride that, or this is your only option. I got frustrated and confused. Finally i found a shop that was able to help me. They took the time to explain sizing, and the importance of being comfortable on bike. I would tell people i wasn't comfortable on a bike they'd say no its a great fit for you. Load of crap. I end up purchasing a Cannodale (who is not known for there road bikes)R500 Femine, but it was in my price range, didn't have bottom level components (some 105 and mostly tiagra) the frame was quick nimble, but most importantly the bike fit. My advise would be to Ride everthing. Try the 650c tires as well as the companies that make the 700. There are more options than people will tell you so long as you are confident and pursue them.

Test ride everything before you buy it so you are not uncomfortable with your purchase or the money won't be well spent.

Good Luck and Happy Shopping.

" I end up purchasing a Cannodale (who is not known for there road bikes)" '

What is that about.

" I end up purchasing a Cannodale (who is not known for there road bikes)" '

What is that about.

I've been looking at Road Bikes for years. I was always told to look at Specialed and Bianchi, Trec, and Lamond, Cannodale never came up. Everyone always recommended them for Mountain Bikes. The cannodale i bought is a sweet little Bike. Its excellent, but everyone i know that rides scratches there head and says a cannondale road bike. Maybe its just some rhode Island bias, but it seems like they just started offering entry level bikes in my price range. When i was looking at them 4 years ago, they were all over 2K to get a nice one. I was trying to imply that sometimes what you hear, or read from other people/sources is not always the way it is. Its best just to get on the bikes and try them yourself. I wasnt trying to offend you. It was the best bike i road. I'm ashamed i didnt have them on my list in the first place.

I am 4'11''
I bought 2 trek 43 cm wsd bikes this year, a new one (1500) model for me from LBS and one off ebay for my daughter (year 2000, model 2000 which is essentially the same as the 1500). the new one was $1000 and the '00 was $650. I like the short cranks (better for your knees) and the 650 wheels are easier to accelerate with the shorter cranks than the 700's. I test rode only the trek and the specialized allez - the allez has 700 wheels and higher stand over and little longer top tube - it just felt bigger -
we are both happy with the treks so far.

Just an update.........

I talked with the LBS and they had a 43cm Trek 1000 sent over to the shop closest to me. I am supposed to go and try it out this afternoon and I am really excited. I'm sure ya'll know the feeling........

The best part is that they have a deal with Team In Training participants. I ran a marathon with TNT in February. The deal is the Trek 1000, Helmet, Shorts, & Gloves all for $560. With that kind of deal, I hope the 1000 works for me.

I will keep everyone updated..............

just in case that does not work I just thought I would direct you where I was sent for shorts. Team Estrogen. They have info on bikes for WSD. May be above your price range, but a thing to look at anyway.

Another one you might find to try is the Specialized Sequoia. I am ordering a Small in that (5'4"). You might find and be comfortable on an XS. These are usually in stock or can be ordered by a Specialized dealer. Most comfortable road bike I've ever ridden.

I'm 5'5" and have the small. Ditto on the fit and the comfort.

Just an update.........

I talked with the LBS and they had a 43cm Trek 1000 sent over to the shop closest to me. I am supposed to go and try it out this afternoon and I am really excited. I'm sure ya'll know the feeling........

The best part is that they have a deal with Team In Training participants. I ran a marathon with TNT in February. The deal is the Trek 1000, Helmet, Shorts, & Gloves all for $560. With that kind of deal, I hope the 1000 works for me.

I will keep everyone updated..............

Women's specific..we had many of these discussions when I worked at Specialized. Like some of the other posts...women (in general) are longer-legged and shorter torso'ed, so if you are proportioned thusly, a women's specific bike or a bike with a shorter top tube makes sense. If you are proportioned with shorter legs/longer torso, the women's specific issue doesn't matter as much with the frame, but would still make sense with other women-specific components (smaller brake levers, saddles, gearing, etc). Although with respect to gearing, I've ridden with women that quite frankly, dusted me...

What I really want to address in this post is wheel size. For your height, a bike with 650c wheels makes the most sense for the reason that you can build a smaller frame that handles better with this size wheel because using this wheel results in a better proportioned frame (wheelbase, stand-over height, angles, etc). As a matter of fact, there used to be more companies that built road bikes for shorter people with this size wheel, but some of them gave up because the consumer didn't want to ride a bike with a 650c wheel because it made them "different" from everyone else who had 700c wheelsets, although no question, the frame with the smaller wheels works better. So, sometimes companies will produce the right solution, but consumers will reject it for reasons not related to function and opt instead for a product which doesn't work as well but makes them feel better psychologically.

i stopped to help a girl on a Mercier Elle last week who had gotten her chain stuck between the cassette and the seatstays. i'm glad i bumped into her because my sister might be considering that bike. the off-brand brakes seemed cheap - but you'd expect to cut a few corners with a bike like that. the girl said she got it on ebay for $800 and was happy with it. she wasn't as short as you though.

i'm a big fan of the idea of getting a steel frame if you can, and i've ridden with several women who have all said that they have less soreness on a steel frame than aluminum.

i can relate to your frustrations about sizing and the difficulty of finding bikes to test ride: i'm 6'4.5" and i have the same problem only it's that nobody has bikes big enough instead of small enough.

good luck!

Another option is REI's Novara Carema. Retails at $800 and a Pro version is coming out for 2005. Frame size as small as 38cm and has wheels that are 700c. I have an older one that I love to ride. Fit is key.

I'm eyeing the Cannondale R1000 Feminine as an additional (not replacement) bike. Great bikes, but you have to be willing to pay a bit more for the "Made in USA" quality.

Are Terry bikes still around?

Dave

Frame size as small as 38cm and has wheels that are 700c. Wow, how on Earth do they do this without big-time toe interference?

For what it's worth, Cannondale (I think the 1st to do it) has been making WSD frames since 1995. I know, I have one. It's a Cannondale compact 47 cm, 650c wheels, 165 crankarms. It's an R800 with all Shimano 105 components, they also made an R500 that had lower end components. Later models had R800c or R500c then they changed the name to Feminique.

In case anyone runs across these on E-Bay they are WSD bikes.

HGray, I know what you"re going though. I went shopping for a new mtn bike last summer. Every shop here told they were all sold out of small bikes (they probably didn't have them anyway) and to come back in the spring. At Christmas I walked into a shop in Denver and they had a mtn bike built up in my size (XS) in the frame I was looking for. I bought it! I'm 5'2" and that is the 1st time in 24 yrs of cycling that I walked in a shop and they actually had something in my size to ride.

Good luck

Kathi

Hey,
I'm 5'1. I ride a 50cm 1000C. Have you been measured for the top tube. That is my biggest problem. My top tube on 1000C is 52.4. I need 49.5. I'm looking at Trek book and 1000 43c top tube is 52.7. I also have a problem reaching the brakes. I need the adjustable reach. I went to a bike dealer that had a fit system and got my measurements and have been looking at various bikes. Mainly with the right top tube length.



I am in the market for a new road bike and I would like to get your opinion..............

I'm 5'0 and I am having lots of trouble even finding a bike to test ride! I have looked at the Trek 1000 and the Mercier Ella women specific bike........Yes, unfortunatly this is my price range ($500-$700)

The Mercier is a deal because it has 105 components and a carbon fork, it is normally retailed at $1500 but I can get it from a lady on the internet for $700 (I would have to put the bike together)

The Trek 1000 can be ordered from my local bike shop. It isn't woman specific but it is $529 and I have the service from the shop for the lifetime of the bike. I have been told that I need a 43cm

Here is my question: Is a woman specific bike better than a unisex? Is the bike shop services worth buying the Trek? Any help would be appreciated............Thanks!

P.S. For those of use with small feet....trek.com store has road shoes on sale! I just got my first pair of Nike's for $30 normally $70!!! And the best part is......they are very cute!