Originally Posted by
smoore
Agree. I am a short guy with short arms and 28" inseam. I can ride a 49 but only if it comes with a TT no longer than 51cm max. Which means a 48cm or 44cm is generally what fits me best. Women (or men) who are 4'11 to 5'4 most likely will find even a 49cm just a bit too large.
I think the areas that probably impact many women (not all) are saddle design, bar width and lever reach.
Nail on the head. Stock saddles are expected to be replaced, but my size small Liv had man-size bars; I had about an inch taken off them and they were still a touch too wide for my taste, but there was no more room to trim. And levers; good grief, do they think I'm Andre the Giant or something?
Problem is, there are enough people who are taller than us, but not too tall, that the big companies don't care about us around the edges. I'd gladly go custom, but that's too many $$$$.