"WSD" for the taller lady...worth it?

[Hard-Drive]

Excuse the second "new bike" thread from me in a week, however I have persuaded my other half that she should buy a road bike and join me on the currently fabulously empty roads!

She's tall, 5'9", with long legs, 36" or so. Am I right in saying that with her own "geometry" as such, the usual "WSD" geometry is arguably a bit pointless for her? My rough understanding was it was mainly developed for the shorter lady, with lower standover heights etc, however as her legs are 4" longer than mine all that is not relevant. If she is looking at more of an endurance frame rather than race, perhaps just a shorter stem and a female specific saddle would be all she needs?

I notice that the Ridley Liz frameset is identical to the men's Fenix version...kinda backing the theory up?

Any suggestions for suitable bikes gratefully received...

Endurance geometry
Carbon frame
Slightly wider rubber (28mm or so)
Rim brakes
£1000 max

Thanks!

[dreamer75]

I'm 5'9 - my mtb is a "unisex", as was the previous one, but my roadie is a WSD. With all of them I always wonder if they're a bit small, but the next size up is way too big. I suspect 5'9 is on the crossover between frame sizes or something ! My suggestion is for her to try to sit on the bikes and make a decision based on what they feel like. Like me the standover is less relevant - long legs so no problems there! For me it's been about the saddle to bars geometry, and enough room for my legs. Sweeping generalisation but I think for the same height, men's bodies tend to be longer, whereas women's bodies tend to be shorter and legs longer. I would definitely try to sit on one - not always possible I know, especially at the moment!

I don't know my leg measurement but I don't suppose radically different to your OH - my roadie is a Trek WSD from about 4 years ago, and my first mtb was a Trek. I have the saddle far back on the rails to give me a bit of space but the next size up is too much of a stretch... oh and on saddles for women? Get prepared to spend £££££ trying loads of the things. I have a bag full and after 4 years trying I think I've only just found one that might be comfortable !

[HughG]

Sounds like she's got pretty long legs relative to body. My understanding is that the WSD frames geometry is typically shorter reach, so would suit her well.

My sister is similar proportions, but 5'11" and bought one of these late last year having always ridden mens bikes with shorter stems and hasn't stopped raving about it since.

[Usget]

A friend from work is similar dimensions and came to the same conclusion - she was most comfortable on a men's fit Cannondale Synapse. Fits all your criteria except price or frame material - you'd be looking at an alloy frame to get under £1k.

[Hard-Drive]

Thanks for the replies ladies and gents, much appreciated.

If we stand side by side her bum is clearly higher than mine, but our hands are in pretty much the same place. As it happens, she's only owned one adult bike, a hybrid/borderline BSO thingy, and proper bikes/road cycling will be a whole new thing for her. I think what we might try is me passing on my 2007 Giant TCR A 0, with the addition of a shorter stem and a ladies' saddle (£50 total?) and see how she gets on with it. That means I have double justification to buy myself a new road bike as per my other thread, and after some miles and some bike swapping she might have a clearer idea of what she wants, and she may up her budget or re-prioritise...for example she may prefer hydraulic discs over a carbon frame.

We shall give it a go...hopefully if it's about right it will see her through lockdown and then if she does want her own bike we could visit an LBS once things are back to normal.

Thanks again!

[FredClogs]

My missus is comfortable on a blokes bike, my understanding is womens fit bike suit the larger torso and shorter limbed female body shape... I mean its a load of nonsense really, ask Bobby Ball...

Good news is we can share bikes without having to adjust anything, I am half and inch taller than her but her legs and arms are longer than mine.

[Hard-Drive]

Thanks again for the input guys, really appreciated.

I stuck some MTB pedals on my Giant yesterday and she had a quick whizz up the road. It was a bit long on the reach but really not too bad. It's currently running a 110mm stem with 7 degrees down rake, so for a few quid I've ordered a 70mm, which should be about right, especially as I can flip it to bring the bars up a bit, plus move one stem spacer under the stem rather than over it too. I've also ordered a cheap (but well reviewed) WSD saddle and some 25mm tyres to replace the 23mm on it (don't think I could go any bigger).

She has some kit but will buy decent bib shorts and some road shoes, and from the bike bits perspective it's cost under £50 so that's way better than dropping proper money on a new bike when she is inexperienced and won't know what she really wants yet.

Thanks!