Ladies / Women's Bike Fitting

I want to start a discussion about bike fittings for women as I often have issues making my bikes fit for my smallish stature and proportions. It would be good to hear others' experiences and solutions. [I'm 5'5" with legs disproportionately long for my back and really small hands!]

I've just bought a stock Surly Steamroller (49cm), the same size frame as the Wilier I had been Bike Fit(ted) to last year. (Steamroller is from - http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/21273/Surly_Steamroller_Bike_2010 - really good deal imho).

Though the frame on the Surly is a near perfect fit, I am now having to play around with different stem and handlebar options as it came with a 40cm bars with a massive reach and a 10cm stem. I'm going to ride it on the hoods (have already stuck on some Sram brake levers) and as it is, the stretch is just too much.

When I bought the Wilier my local bike shop swapped the handlebars for women specific WSD Bontrager bars, which sadly don't seem to be made any longer. So I can't get those.

So, after a fair amount of research I have now ordered a Thomson Elite X2 Road Stem at 70mm from Rutland Cycling and a 3T Ergo NovaPro Alloy Road Handlebar at 38cm (I like the thick 'egg shaped' top bar) from Wiggle to reduce the length and drop.

Will see how it goes...

First of all, well done on buying a decent bike ;-)
Where did you get your original fitting done?

It took me nearly a year of trying bar and stem combos when I originally got my plug, the custom frame was a bit better but it still took a bit of experimentation, I also had to adapt it when I moved further out and my commute became considerably longer.
I'm still in a constant circle of tweaking. I think the next frame I buy will be in conjunction with a proper fitting from Scherrit.

Because I'm tall, but also have the long leg, short reach problem (like most women) I find that the larger frames I have to go for, invariably have a top tube that is too long for me. My custom frame has a shorter top tube - as much as I could get away with without toe overlap, which has helped - but I still think there is work to be done. I'd love to be able to use drops - but at the moment the reach is always too much for me.

First of all, well done on buying a decent bike ;-)
Where did you get your original fitting done?

Thanks Clefty! On Your Bike - was really impressed with the service. Their fitters are trained by Cycle Fit, I believe.

The Bontrager WSD bars have a very short reach - 7cm and On Your Bike gave Alex an 8cm stem.

There do not seem to be any WSD bars available in the UK any longer.

The ergonova pro being a compact bar has a 7.7cm reach, and we have teamed that with a 7cm stem. As such the Wilier has a cockpit with 15cm of reach, and the steamroller 14.7cm of reach.

It does amaze me that a small bike still comes with cockpit components that would fit a much larger rider.

It's probably worth speaking to Corinne (Stiff Link on here I think) too (Mrs Bike Whisper), she's diddy*

*I'm sure she won't mind me saying this

It took me nearly a year of trying bar and stem combos when I originally got my plug, the custom frame was a bit better but it still took a bit of experimentation, I also had to adapt it when I moved further out and my commute became considerably longer.
I'm still in a constant circle of tweaking. I think the next frame I buy will be in conjunction with a proper fitting from Scherrit.

Because I'm tall, but also have the long leg, short reach problem (like most women) I find that the larger frames I have to go for, invariably have a top tube that is too long for me. My custom frame has a shorter top tube - as much as I could get away with without toe overlap, which has helped - but I still think there is work to be done. I'd love to be able to use drops - but at the moment the reach is always too much for me.

Really helpful, thanks love. I'm up for a period a tweaking - just a bit frustrated that the fairer sex still has far fewer options when it comes to components and frames. (did you ever see your Brompton again btw?)

It's probably worth speaking to Corinne (Stiff Link on here I think) too (Mrs Bike Whisper), she's diddy*

*I'm sure she won't mind me saying this

will do...

What Clefty said.
http://www.lfgss.com/thread21125-6.html#post2156864

The Bontrager WSD bars have a very short reach - 7cm and On Your Bike gave Alex an 8cm stem.

There do not seem to be any WSD bars available in the UK any longer.

The ergonova pro being a compact bar has a 7.7cm reach, and we have teamed that with a 7cm stem. As such the Wilier has a cockpit with 15cm of reach, and the steamroller 14.7cm of reach.

It does amaze me that a small bike still comes with cockpit components that would fit a much larger rider.

So who's actually building this bike up then? Is it me, or is it you, darling?

Giant make WS bars.

80mm reach/120mm drop and down to a 360mm width

http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/en-PA/partsaccessories/indoorcycling/330/30773/

it's also worth noting what Scherrit told me about bar width, the narrow bar does fit women, but women tend not to have that strong an arm as men does, and may find a wider bar easier to hold onto while sprinting for instance.

I put a 40cm bar instead of a 36cm on the missus' bike and she now able to stand up and sprint with confidently, and does so more often.

To get away from you?

A quick search also shows Specialized making one ladies road bar as well - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57981

And Bontrager still have these on their site. - http://bontrager.com/model/08368

Action Bikes in Sheen are a Bontrager dealer and might be able to order them for you if you struggle to get them online.

Deda4Girls 38cm bars are my all time fave, not made anymore though unfortunately. Good shape, just a bonsai version of a normal anatomic road bar (I had the WSD Bontragers for a while and hated the stumpy look and teeny reach).

I've got 40cm Ritchey WCS bars and stem on my road bike now though. They do the job too.

Wow...I almost searched all posting on this website about female's cycle especially for x smaill size, I'm 5 feet, desperately short..my budget is quite tight so preper second hand..but after reading all, it seems impossible...

I'm 4'11 and have the same problem re top tube length, even with my titch 43cm roadbike. Had to change to a longer seatpost and get a compact handlebar, as recommended by Scherrit.

Now that I'm looking to get another bike, Islabikes (Luath small) seem a likely (the only?) option although I may try a Surly LHT or a Crosscheck in their smallest size (44cm) just for the hell of it. It would also be helpful if shorter cranks were more widely available.

Wow...I almost searched all posting on this website about female's cycle especially for x smaill size, I'm 5 feet, desperately short..my budget is quite tight so preper second hand..but after reading all, it seems impossible...

Jieun, it's not impossible but not far off :-(. Take a look at Islabikes or Trek's roadbike - their 1.2 model. Islabikes are made with 700c wheels whereas other companies seem to have xsmall with 650c wheels.

Or check this for more option;

http://www.lfgss.com/thread46928.html

I've just thought of something. When I was researching my roadbike last year I had a fit with OYB and found it interesting that the focus was more on leg length than reach, so whilst a 47cm bike was good for the legs, it was horrible reach-wise as I couldn't operate the brakes effectively with only one finger. Admittedly I was very nervous because I was more comfortable on a hybrid (still am).

Fortunately Scheritt's wife understands my pain :-) so she pointed me in the right direction re toptube length. Unfortunately it does mean I'm limited in my choice of bikes, but compact handlebars, short-reach levers and shorter cranks help.

It could well be that if I want to try a 'standard' dropbar small bike, I'll need to bring a compact handlebar with me and get them to swop them over. The joys of being a shrimp :0(

A quick search also shows Specialized making one ladies road bar as well - http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57981

And Bontrager still have these on their site. - http://bontrager.com/model/08368

Action Bikes in Sheen are a Bontrager dealer and might be able to order them for you if you struggle to get them online.

But can you find either of them for sale in the UK?

A quick google search does not show them being sold in this country.

But can you find either of them for sale in the UK?

A quick google search does not show them being sold in this country.

Action Bikes in Sheen are a Bontrager dealer and might be able to order them for you if you struggle to get them online.

...

I would be surprised, if no online shop in the UK has them listed that there are any for sale in real world shops in this country.

Even less likely that one pair would be shipped over.

sigma in kingston has a specialized concept store and a womens section so should be able to source bontrager/WSD bars etc.

it's also worth noting what Scherrit told me about bar width, the narrow bar does fit women, but women tend not to have that strong an arm as men does, and may find a wider bar easier to hold onto while sprinting for instance.

I put a 40cm bar instead of a 36cm on the missus' bike and she now able to stand up and sprint with confidently, and does so more often.

interesting. i like my arms out in front though, no wider than my shoulders. Am prepared to try a few variations though...

Useful advice and experiences people - thanks! Hopefully the bars will arrive tomorrow so I can report back on them. Might actually have my hands on a half decent pair of MTB shoes in a 37 by then too!