So I'm building a bike for my girlfriend...
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
So I'm building a bike for my girlfriend...
I'm trying to find her an inexpensive frame. I've been checking all of the super-cheap sites (BD, Performance etc.) and none of them seem to have womens's-specific frames. I've measured her up, (Fit Kit) and she definitely needs a frame around 54cm with a short top tube. In other words she needs women's geometry, I'm not being naive or sexist here. Any suggestions?
#4
Elitist Troglodyte
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Dallas
Posts: 6,925
Bikes: 03 Raleigh Professional (steel)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
So .. why are you asking here? Ever noticed the Bike Mechanics forum?
Oh. Wait.
Never mind.
Oh. Wait.
Never mind.
__________________
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
Stupidity got us into this mess - why can't it get us out?
- Will Rogers
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You're missing the point. I work at a shop. I cannot EP her a frame like I normally would since it clearly would not be for me. I'm trying to find an online wholesaler who carries WSD frames for Scattante cheap.
#7
Gunner.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Santa Clarita, CA
Posts: 1,735
Bikes: Giant TCR, Spooky Skeletor, Pivot Mach 6
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 9 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 9 Times
in
3 Posts
I think WSD was shown to be a bit of a myth (marketing)? How small is she that she can't ride a normal frame? The Performance frames measure pretty small and I think are currently $99.
Rob
Rob
#8
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Some women's frames have slightly different geometry to account for the statistically more likely proportions of women vs. men. That doesn't mean that a women's frame will have better geometry or that a "men's" frame wouldn't be fine.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,225
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Itty-bitty Cervelo RS? I'm guessing that doesn't jive with his bike-shop-employee budget if he can't get employee pricing on it.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 7,075
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
my $300 women's build
i measured my girlfriend and found a 80s bianchi that fit perfectly. the bike now wears NOS campy 8spd, shimano bar ends set to friction, a new 9spd ultegra cassete, new 9spd chain, and new race lites
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 434
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I took my girlfriend at the time, now wife, to a shop to get her fitted. I knew that particular shop had 1/3 of store dedicated to women bikes and such. She ended up on a 58 WSD Trek. Compared to a men's 58, the top tube is way shorter. Whatever you end up doing, make sure the fit is good to go.
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Berkeley
Posts: 2,265
Bikes: 2010 Tarmac SL, 2013 Fairdale Weekender, 2013 Fairdale Coaster, 1995 Specialized M2 Pro, 1972 Schwinn Heavy Duty, 2014 Surley Long Haul Trucker
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I got my ex-wife a 2010 Specialized Ruby Pro. Then she left me. I think you should leave her before things get out of hand.
#18
175mm crank of love
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,387
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm trying to find her an inexpensive frame. I've been checking all of the super-cheap sites (BD, Performance etc.) and none of them seem to have womens's-specific frames. I've measured her up, (Fit Kit) and she definitely needs a frame around 54cm with a short top tube. In other words she needs women's geometry, I'm not being naive or sexist here. Any suggestions?
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,407
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
WSD can make a significant difference for fit. Don't believe the garble about their geometry being a myth. My wife stands 5'5" and has about the same inseam that I have, and I'm a bit over 5'8". I comfortably ride a 54cm men's trek (with a 120mm stem), and she fits beautifully on a 54cm specialized Ruby.
Fit fit fit, the most important thing is to figure out if she needs a WSD at all. If not, you're in better shape for affordable options.
-Jeremy
Fit fit fit, the most important thing is to figure out if she needs a WSD at all. If not, you're in better shape for affordable options.
-Jeremy
#20
Mrs. umd
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 1,399
Bikes: Specialized Dolce Vita & Transition
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
No, it is not a myth. Women in general have longer legs compared to their torsos than men do (this also varies by ethnicity). Leg and torso length are quite important for determining frame size. Women can use men's bikes, but they may not be the best fit.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 68
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I know that WSD makes a difference. I also know that she NEEDS WSD geometry because I did a Fit Kit on her (yes, that is what we're calling it these days) and have had her ride several different bikes. She has very long legs and a short torso. I wasn't asking whether WSD was necessary for her, I was asking if any of you know where to find a cheap women's 54cm road frame.
#22
Banned
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 28,387
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I know that WSD makes a difference. I also know that she NEEDS WSD geometry because I did a Fit Kit on her (yes, that is what we're calling it these days) and have had her ride several different bikes. She has very long legs and a short torso. I wasn't asking whether WSD was necessary for her, I was asking if any of you know where to find a cheap women's 54cm road frame.
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Long Island NY
Posts: 772
Bikes: Panasonic 500
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Lets see...
Cheap
For a girlfriend
Already know the size
OP can/will/wants to build it himself
Bikes Direct? Nomally I am with everyone else when it comes to BD, but once in a while they serve a purpose, and this seems like one of those times.
Cheap
For a girlfriend
Already know the size
OP can/will/wants to build it himself
Bikes Direct? Nomally I am with everyone else when it comes to BD, but once in a while they serve a purpose, and this seems like one of those times.
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 615
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'm trying to find her an inexpensive frame. I've been checking all of the super-cheap sites (BD, Performance etc.) and none of them seem to have womens's-specific frames. I've measured her up, (Fit Kit) and she definitely needs a frame around 54cm with a short top tube. In other words she needs women's geometry, I'm not being naive or sexist here. Any suggestions?
I know that WSD makes a difference. I also know that she NEEDS WSD geometry because I did a Fit Kit on her (yes, that is what we're calling it these days) and have had her ride several different bikes. She has very long legs and a short torso. I wasn't asking whether WSD was necessary for her, I was asking if any of you know where to find a cheap women's 54cm road frame.
What you need is a frame with a short top tube relative to the other dimensions. If you just search for a "women's 54cm" you may rule out plenty of good frames and/or end up with something with a top tube that is too long. There is nothing inherently female about that kind of frame. Take the measurements you have already used and calculate the stack and reach values that are ideal for her fit. Then calculate it for each frame you are looking at (if the manufacturer doesn't provide it already). You will notice that some frames have a shorter reach relative to the stack. That's what you want.
#25
Fred-ish
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 1,800
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The difference in effective top tube in WSD bikes vs non-WSD bikes of the same manufacturer and model seems to range from 0 difference to less than 1cm for a medium bike, whereas the difference in effective top tube from manufacturer to manufacturer for like seat tube length is often significantly greater than that. Which is why so many riders fit on a range of sizes, depending on the brand and model.
Such a minor variance makes the "WSD" difference insignificant and easliy accomodated with the variety of stems and handlebars available. That's not to say that many riders would not fit well on a "WSD" bike, but it has little to do with their sex.
Such a minor variance makes the "WSD" difference insignificant and easliy accomodated with the variety of stems and handlebars available. That's not to say that many riders would not fit well on a "WSD" bike, but it has little to do with their sex.