Spesh Hardrock Womens

"Coyoteboy" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
Anyone actually own one of these? The GF is looking for one and last
time rode my old XC which was too big for her. By far. I'm 6'1 and she
is 5'4. Looking at the spesh hardrock frame i spotted they do a womens
specific bike. Gimmick? Its pretty hard to test ride bikes where i am -
most shops stock either £2K bikes or £50 bikes, and wont let you take
them for testers anywhere other than in the shop showroom lol.
-----------------------------

See if you can put a cash deposit down on the checkout counter for the test
ride in the parking lot. I'm sure they won't disagree on that one.

The main differences are the following:
Smaller frame
Different saddle
Shorter stem
Wonky paint job
Possibly shorter cranks (165mm maybe)

She sounds like just the right size for the majority of the women's bikes.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Coyoteboy said:

Anyone actually own one of these? The GF is looking for one and last
time rode my old XC which was too big for her. By far. I'm 6'1 and she
is 5'4. Looking at the spesh hardrock frame i spotted they do a womens
specific bike. Gimmick? Its pretty hard to test ride bikes where i am
- most shops stock either £2K bikes or £50 bikes, and wont let you
take them for testers anywhere other than in the shop showroom lol.

J

Read my commenst on WSD here. It's great if it's the right fit, BUT they
are designed for a very specific set of proportions. Only. There are many
women out there who do not need WSD to get a good fit. In addition, the
component sets are limited if you stick to WSD. Sure it's great if it works,
there are some women who have found the right bike that is WSD, but there
are plenty of us out there who think it's a marketing ploy.
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/biking/ridetips.asp

the squid said:

The main differences are the following:
Smaller frame
Different saddle
Shorter stem
Wonky paint job
Possibly shorter cranks (165mm maybe)

Phil's on the right track but there is a lot more to a WSD bike than a
smaller frame. They are designed specifically for short toso, long legged
women. Which is great if that's your body proportions... but that's only
some women, not all.

I suggest looking at overall good fitting bikes, and not just WSD bikes.

Penny

"small change" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Coyoteboy said:

Anyone actually own one of these? The GF is looking for one and last
time rode my old XC which was too big for her. By far. I'm 6'1 and she
is 5'4. Looking at the spesh hardrock frame i spotted they do a womens
specific bike. Gimmick? Its pretty hard to test ride bikes where i am
- most shops stock either £2K bikes or £50 bikes, and wont let you
take them for testers anywhere other than in the shop showroom lol.

J

Read my commenst on WSD here. It's great if it's the right fit, BUT they
are designed for a very specific set of proportions. Only. There are many
women out there who do not need WSD to get a good fit. In addition, the
component sets are limited if you stick to WSD. Sure it's great if it
works,
there are some women who have found the right bike that is WSD, but there
are plenty of us out there who think it's a marketing ploy.
http://www.specialtyoutdoors.com/penny/biking/ridetips.asp

the squid said:

The main differences are the following:
Smaller frame
Different saddle
Shorter stem
Wonky paint job
Possibly shorter cranks (165mm maybe)

Phil's on the right track but there is a lot more to a WSD bike than a
smaller frame. They are designed specifically for short toso, long legged
women. Which is great if that's your body proportions... but that's only
some women, not all.

I suggest looking at overall good fitting bikes, and not just WSD bikes.

FWIW, my roommate's girlfriend is riding a 19" regular Rockhopper, and it
seems to fit her just fine. She's also a lot of leg and medium torso and
5'10". She's happy with it.

--
Phil, Squid-in-Training

Thanks for the comments (and the link, Penny) much appreciated. I'll be
taking her out and about to try some out - she doesnt really fit the
WSD philosophy of long legs short body - shes more or less evenly
proportioned so i think it must be a case of trying all and seeing what
fits.

Thanks again,
James

Coyoteboy said:

Thanks for the comments (and the link, Penny) much appreciated. I'll
be taking her out and about to try some out - she doesnt really fit
the WSD philosophy of long legs short body - shes more or less evenly
proportioned so i think it must be a case of trying all and seeing
what fits.

Thanks again,
James

I ride a standard 15" Kona FS, I'm 5-3, balanced proportions.

Penny

ok, ta.