KC8QVO

Hi all,

I am thinking through some bike sizing for a short girl I know. I am hoping there are more options than I think.

For starters, she was going to borrow my mountain bike but it is too big. Its a 26" wheel size with a 48cm seat post (center of bottom bracket to center of seat post clamp). The approximate height of the seat at it's lowest point (above ground, not in relation to the bottom bracket) is 77cm depending on where you measure to (tilt of the seat etc). Since the top tube is so tall for her to start with I'm thinking a frame with a seat post in the 42cm range would be a better starting point. I think the dimensions we have now are actually pretty close if she was riding the bike - the length to the pedals for her isn't far off, but we can't get any further down to get her more comfortable to start with.

The top tube on the bike is 53cm. That seemed like it would work, but I think shortening that up would be even better to get her more upright - maybe down in the mid/upper 40's would be better.

As far as materials go - something inexpensive, so steel is the likely route, but I wouldn't rule out aluminum if it suits. Being able to add accessories like racks and fenders would be a big plus - so braze-on's would be a must. I know there are ways to add them (braze-on's and accessories without them), but I think getting a frame/fork with them from the get-go would be the way to do it if possible.

Terrain is mostly paved trail, some road, and some unpaved trail. From the riding I do and where we want to ride I'd say a tire width in the upper 40mm to 60mm range would be ideal, if at least having more frame/fork clearance for wider then run a narrower tire to start. I don't think anything less than mid-40's is going to work well for her.

Thoughts?

Brian25

Beyond being described as "short" ---- More specifically, she's how tall**********

AnthonyG

Forget 26" wheel bikes as a starting point from the get go.

The correct starting point is a juvenile 24" wheel bike. Lots of good options to look at these days from Giant and Specialised to start with.

linberl

Her height would be useful. I'm not tall, 5'4" and I absolutely love riding 20" and 16" wheeled folding bikes. They are nimble, stable, fast on acceleration, and easy to control. I have a friend who is 4'11" and she can ride them as well. You can try to find a small Bike Friday (or if your budget allows, get a new one or one of their "pre-loved" resales) or a Dahon (make sure it is one with the adjustable stem). Brompton is probably out, as it didn't quite fit me (too long reach).

KC8QVO

I will find out her height next time I get a chance.

As far as folding bikes go - I have a Dahon Mariner D8 (20" folder) for fitment giggles, but I don't think she wants to go that route.

I will have to look in to the 24" range and see what's available. I never thought about it as it isn't a mainstream (I don't consider it to be, anyway, maybe it is more so than I think) size. I've always thought 26" would be the smaller contender as far as general use bikes go (mix of road/off-road).

linberl

Terry bikes are full sized but can be made for very small riders: https://georgenaterry.com/why-custom/

slowpacer

Maybe a step through bike like Specialized Crossroads? Crossroads 1.0 & 2.0 have 700x45mm tires and are listed on their website for $450 & $550.

Specialized used to make extra small Sirrus a few years ago but i don't know whether or not they still do.

KC8QVO

As far as height goes - she's 5'2".

We were talking about bikes the other day and she likes the folding bikes. I am not sure that is the best "start", though. We'll see how she takes to my Dahon Mariner D8 first. I think a regular bike would be a better starting point (gear range, frame strength, accessory mounting - racks, fenders, etc). For local rides without much incline a folder with equivalent gear range to the Mariner (or greater range - namely on the low end, top at 90" bottom under 30") would "work" but it is a limitation for having a "versatile" set up to start with.

fishgirlcycles

I'm 4'11 with a cycling inseam of I think 27", so I sympathize with your friend--finding a bike "off the rack" that fit was a nightmare. The Liv Beliv was the best I could find that was still full-size (I also tried a Bike Friday and ended up returning it) but with a low enough stand over height. Has brazeons for fenders/rack, and certain models come with those already. I still ended up changing the handlebars out to narrower ones, and put on shorter cranks. There's a significant amount of toe overlap though, especially with fenders on, so she'll need to be mindful of that when starting out. You get used to it pretty fast!

AnthonyG

OK, at 5'2" she's not really that short. This is why people wanted numbers and I was giving advice assuming she was shorter than this. Truth be known its actually harder to get her a good fitting bike because she's in the awkward middle.

If you were going for perfection then I would build a custom bike with 650c or 24" mtn wheels. Or you could even go custom with smaller 20" wheels. 26" and 700c wheels are still to large for her.

I'm 5'1" and I bought myself one of these, https://www.giant-bicycles.com/au/arx-24
Yes it needs higher gears for an adult and I have fitted another crankset along with a new seatpost (long) yet the fundamental geometry is MUCH better than larger wheeled bikes. Its one of the best starting points going. Other than this you go full custom. Folding bikes are another option yet personally I find the cranks to be too long on the folders.

linberl

Cranks can be changed on all but the cheapest folders, where it is a one piece system. My Bike Friday has 160mm which fit me perfectly.