Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Fitting Your Bike
Reload this Page >

Bikes for shorter people - ideas?

Notices
Fitting Your Bike Are you confused about how you should fit a bike to your particular body dimensions? Have you been reading, found the terms Merxx or French Fit, and don’t know what you need? Every style of riding is different- in how you fit the bike to you, and the sizing of the bike itself. It’s more than just measuring your height, reach and inseam. With the help of Bike Fitting, you’ll be able to find the right fit for your frame size, style of riding, and your particular dimensions. Here ya’ go…..the location for everything fit related.

Bikes for shorter people - ideas?

Old 10-03-21, 04:18 PM
  #1  
KC8QVO
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,173

Bikes: Surly Disk Trucker, 2014 w/Brooks Flyer Special saddle, Tubus racks - Duo front/Logo Evo rear, 2019 Dahon Mariner D8, Both bikes share Ortlieb Packer Plus series panniers, Garmin Edge 1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times in 99 Posts
Bikes for shorter people - ideas?

I am researching bike geometry here. My girlfriend is pretty short (5'2", 26-1/4" inseam). I'd like to come up with some better bike options for her.

She has an old bike now that we've made work. It has 26" wheels. I am not sure what the rest of the dimensions are, but it is an old Murray step-thru with drop bars and, I believe, 10spd trans.

The challenge with it is she rides it with the seat bottomed out and she isn't getting proper leg extension. This is leading to hurt knees on rides over about 15 miles. We did a day ride last Fall ('20) that was around 30 miles, with mostly descending terrain, and she had to walk the last mile or so.

What I am trying to weed through is this:
- She wants to have the comfort and stability of being able to plant her feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle
- She needs to get her leg extension out more

The above are direct opposites of each other. If one were to attempt to set "normal" (upright triangular frame) bike geometry up to do this the pedals would be on the ground.

I thought about a custom frame that would allow for a low bottom bracket, but the problem is immediately pedal strike and there is no way to get a crank low enough that would allow the proper leg extension.

In another thread recently the Giant Revive crank-forward design came up. That is closer to a recumbent than a conventional bike. The benefit, in any case, in the fitment challenge here is that leg extension is achieved by increasing the distance of the saddle, horizontally (mostly), to the crank. This is as opposed to vertically in the case of a conventional bike design.

Are there any other design methods that we can look at for ideas?

I recall seeing bikes made for much smaller people in years past that were conventional bike geometry - upright bikes - only the seat tube, crank, and headset were lower. I don't recall the wheel sizes, I'd think maybe 20-24". They couldn't be very big - the headset height would be the limiting factor as you can only set the angle back so far. However, I can't imagine the physics of how the two issues mentioned above would be any different - same issues, different scale.
KC8QVO is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 05:05 PM
  #2  
philbob57
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chicago North Shore
Posts: 2,331

Bikes: frankenbike based on MKM frame

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 602 Times in 371 Posts
MTB with road wheels?
philbob57 is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 05:18 PM
  #3  
Moisture
Drip, Drip.
 
Moisture's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 1,575

Bikes: Trek Verve E bike, Felt Doctrine 4 XC, Opus Horizon Apex 1

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 193 Times in 163 Posts
I dont understand why you think you need a custom frame. Any xs or size possibly size s will work just fine.

There is no such thing as having correct leg extension and being able to touch the ground while in the saddle. You are supposed to hop off the front of the saddle and straddle the bike as you come to a stop.

If she doesn't want to do it, either ride without full leg extension or make due with your two feet and a pair of sneakers.
Moisture is offline  
Likes For Moisture:
Old 10-03-21, 05:44 PM
  #4  
jfouellette
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2021
Location: Montreal
Posts: 390

Bikes: 1999 Bike friday NWT, 2009 Bike Friday Tikit, 2023 silverock Dewy, 2008 Dahon Smooth Hound, 2023 Litepro Trifold

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 190 Post(s)
Liked 228 Times in 138 Posts
Hi,

A real world problem. There are smaller bike frames available XS and S. Giant has a line of these (Liv). A step thru is certainly a good choice. Now putting he foot on the ground, does she want all of her foot or just the ball of the foot? This will make a difference. I am short myself 5'5". I understand the issue.
jfouellette is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 06:28 PM
  #5  
KC8QVO
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,173

Bikes: Surly Disk Trucker, 2014 w/Brooks Flyer Special saddle, Tubus racks - Duo front/Logo Evo rear, 2019 Dahon Mariner D8, Both bikes share Ortlieb Packer Plus series panniers, Garmin Edge 1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by philbob57
MTB with road wheels?
Initially I skipped right past this response. Then I read it a few times and I can not understand the depth of what you are getting at. So I have to ask - can you explain the theory of what you are getting at? Is there something special in MTB geometry? Or are you simply getting to the road wheels, in your reference, being smaller diameter = lowers the BB? Do explain.
KC8QVO is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 06:34 PM
  #6  
KC8QVO
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,173

Bikes: Surly Disk Trucker, 2014 w/Brooks Flyer Special saddle, Tubus racks - Duo front/Logo Evo rear, 2019 Dahon Mariner D8, Both bikes share Ortlieb Packer Plus series panniers, Garmin Edge 1000

Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 405 Post(s)
Liked 115 Times in 99 Posts
Originally Posted by jfouellette
Now putting he foot on the ground, does she want all of her foot or just the ball of the foot?
She sits on her bike now with being able to shuffle both feet on the ground to push around without pedaling. I don't think she can completely lay her feet flat on the ground, just the balls.
KC8QVO is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 06:40 PM
  #7  
Clem von Jones
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 23 Times in 16 Posts
There's no such a thing as a bike where you can keep sitting and reach the ground with your foot. You have to get off the saddle and stand when you come to a stop. That's how cycling is. Maybe toy bikes for little kids work that way but not real bicycles.
Clem von Jones is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 07:25 PM
  #8  
philbob57
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Chicago North Shore
Posts: 2,331

Bikes: frankenbike based on MKM frame

Mentioned: 7 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 714 Post(s)
Liked 602 Times in 371 Posts
Mountain bikes come in smaller frame sizes than road bikes, but she probably won't want to ride pavement on standard MTB tires. S, XS, Liv are probably better ideas.
philbob57 is offline  
Old 10-03-21, 07:48 PM
  #9  
eja_ bottecchia
Senior Member
 
eja_ bottecchia's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,793
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1020 Post(s)
Liked 462 Times in 292 Posts
Try a bike with 650B wheels. Emma Pooley, a former announcer for GCN is fairly short. She had a whole segment recommending bikes with 650B wheels for shorter riders.
eja_ bottecchia is offline  
Old 10-04-21, 10:58 AM
  #10  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,809

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,731 Times in 3,261 Posts
A mountain bike that doesn't have suspension and is fairly lightweight. Or better yet IMO, a cruiser with tires smaller than 700C. My wife won't even look at a bike with 700C wheels anymore.

https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...bikes/c/EB600/
These probably look awful to those used to the aesthetically pleasing and racy looking road bikes, but for leisurely rides they are very comfortable.
Iride01 is offline  
Old 10-04-21, 12:07 PM
  #11  
Riveting
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 1,221

Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 590 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times in 260 Posts
Originally Posted by KC8QVO
The challenge with it is she rides it with the seat bottomed out and she isn't getting proper leg extension.
Seat height and proper leg extension should never be compromised. If she needs to get a foot on the ground to shuffle forward, the proper way is to just remove one foot and shuffle with it, while leaving the other foot on the pedal. Never lower the seat to be able to get both feet on the ground, never.

But if she absolutely wants/needs to take both feet off the pedals to put them on the ground while still sitting on the seat, maybe install a dropper seat post.

Last edited by Riveting; 10-04-21 at 12:28 PM.
Riveting is offline  
Old 10-04-21, 01:21 PM
  #12  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,809

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,731 Times in 3,261 Posts
Some cruiser style bikes will let you have a proper enough saddle height and still put both feet on the ground. Saddle height IMO is more critical as the seat tube angle get up near and into the road bike and TT bike geometries.

Something like this Lux 7D step-thru cruiser. Notice how the seat tube angle is so acute to the chain stay putting the BB well out in front. So one can ride it leisurely in a upright sitting position and still stay in the saddle and put your feet down when stopped.


https://www.trekbikes.com/us/en_US/b...olorCode=green

Road bikes, hybrids and many other bikes with a more vertical seat tube you can't or don't really want to have your seat that low. At least not if you want to ride a medium to fast speed on them.
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 10-04-21, 01:34 PM
  #13  
Clyde1820
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: USA
Posts: 1,944

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 610 Post(s)
Liked 558 Times in 423 Posts
Originally Posted by KC8QVO
... pretty short (5'2", 26-1/4" inseam) ... The challenge with it is she rides it with the seat bottomed out and she isn't getting proper leg extension.

What I am trying to weed through is this:
- She wants to have the comfort and stability of being able to plant her feet on the ground while sitting on the saddle
- She needs to get her leg extension out more
About the only way I know of to be sitting in the saddle yet being capable of putting both feet (stable) on the ground is: a pedal-forward frame design, such as the ones Trek Electra has. In the smaller (likely smallest) frame, someone with ~26in inseam should be able to sit on the saddle and be able to place (or nearly place) the feet flat on the ground. Adjust the stem and bars for proper hand position, and you'd be good to go.

As you already know, a step-through frame can help with access to the ground, but with a normal and traditional saddle to BB/pedals positioning in the geometry, it'll be very hard to both sit on the saddle yet still being able to place the feet flat on the ground. Still, with a step-through frame design, it's an easy (and IMO necessary) skill to learn how to rise up and forward off the seat (into the step-through area of the frame) while standing on one pedal, reaching down to the ground with the other foot. Saddle will be at the proper height for leg extension, but the rider's technique of moving forward off the seat when needing to reach the ground solves that part of the problem.

While several inches taller than she is, my inseam isn't much longer. So I've always done better on XS frames with shorter top tubes, step-through frame designs. (I tend to ride much more upright, nearly fully upright, on my bikes, as it's more comfortable for me; which again helps me lean toward smaller bikes with shorter top tubes, taller stems/bars.)

One possible step-through frame -- Velo-Orange Polyvalent Low-Kicker (step-through) frame.

Another possible step-through frame -- Rodriguez Adventure step-through. The step-through is a custom option, but Rodriguez also does custom frame geometry for you as well, if you prefer. One option, for getting the lower step, the more-slack seat tube, the taller head tube, stem and bars, so that it'll fit like a glove.

Or the Electra bikes, by Trek. They're a "pedal-forward" design, hence a lower saddle height while not sacrificing leg extension.
Clyde1820 is offline  
Old 10-04-21, 01:37 PM
  #14  
ClydeClydeson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Posts: 1,606
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 580 Post(s)
Liked 921 Times in 518 Posts
As above, it is not possible to be able to put both feet flat on the ground and get proper leg extension on a standard bike, regardless of frame size - your legs should be damn near completely straight when the pedal is at the bottom of its stroke, and there needs to be some clearance between the pedal and the ground. Feet flat on the ground when seated with proper leg extension on the pedals is a geometric impossibility.

Possible solutions:

A 'crank forward' bike as Iride01 suggested. I don't know who makes these in 2021 - Giant and Electra?
A recumbent bike, which has the pedals out in front of the saddle instead of underneath it. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recumbent_bicycle
A change in priorities for the rider - either practice sliding forward off the saddle when stopping and standing over the frame (the strategy most cyclists use), or leave the saddle lower than ideal but give up on longer rides.
ClydeClydeson is offline  
Old 10-04-21, 01:51 PM
  #15  
Trakhak
Senior Member
 
Trakhak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 5,337
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2428 Post(s)
Liked 2,883 Times in 1,645 Posts
Might be worth watching
with her. Former World Champion Emma Pooley explains her views on bike fitting for smaller riders.
Trakhak is online now  
Likes For Trakhak:
Old 10-06-21, 01:06 PM
  #16  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,500

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
This isn't a bike problem, it's a mental issue. Yes, there are crank forward bikes (google), which allow what your GF wants. They are OK for short trips on the flat, but not too much more IMO. She just has to suck it up and learn how to mount, start, and stop a properly setup bicycle. There's not really another answer. Little used parking lots can be good for this sort of thing. It's a matter of doing it over and over until it feels OK to her and she's stopped making mistakes. You know how to stop a bike without falling over. Teach her how. It's just fear, that's all. Fear can be overcome.

My wife is 5'1", rides an MTB converted to drop bars. She runs 1" tires which are possible to find. It's a good solution.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Likes For Carbonfiberboy:
Old 10-06-21, 01:44 PM
  #17  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,809

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,731 Times in 3,261 Posts
Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
This isn't a bike problem, it's a mental issue. Yes, there are crank forward bikes (google), which allow what your GF wants. They are OK for short trips on the flat, but not too much more IMO. She just has to suck it up and learn how to mount, start, and stop a properly setup bicycle. There's not really another answer. Little used parking lots can be good for this sort of thing. It's a matter of doing it over and over until it feels OK to her and she's stopped making mistakes. You know how to stop a bike without falling over. Teach her how. It's just fear, that's all. Fear can be overcome.

My wife is 5'1", rides an MTB converted to drop bars. She runs 1" tires which are possible to find. It's a good solution.
I pretty much completely agree.

However if the GF doesn't really want to ride in the style of cycling the OP enjoys, then it'll be harder or maybe impossible getting her to have any desire to overcome the mental part.

So there might be a BF/GF incompatibility here. Whether that's enough to be a issue overall and for long term is for the OP to figure out.

I'd be happy to take my riding down to the level of the Trek Lux 7d I showed in a previous reply just so I could ride with my wife even if it was only less than an hours ride and 8 mph average.

She's already ruled out tandems and e-bikes. Mostly based on the fact she doesn't want to go fast. I'd probably have to get one for myself too. When I'm on a road bike, I want to go go go.

Last edited by Iride01; 10-06-21 at 01:51 PM.
Iride01 is offline  
Likes For Iride01:
Old 10-06-21, 03:38 PM
  #18  
Carbonfiberboy 
just another gosling
 
Carbonfiberboy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,500

Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004

Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3872 Post(s)
Liked 1,920 Times in 1,369 Posts
Originally Posted by Iride01
I pretty much completely agree.

However if the GF doesn't really want to ride in the style of cycling the OP enjoys, then it'll be harder or maybe impossible getting her to have any desire to overcome the mental part.

So there might be a BF/GF incompatibility here. Whether that's enough to be a issue overall and for long term is for the OP to figure out.

I'd be happy to take my riding down to the level of the Trek Lux 7d I showed in a previous reply just so I could ride with my wife even if it was only less than an hours ride and 8 mph average.

She's already ruled out tandems and e-bikes. Mostly based on the fact she doesn't want to go fast. I'd probably have to get one for myself too. When I'm on a road bike, I want to go go go.
Have you two tried a tandem? In a rather large way, it's not the same as riding a single. Speed is an analogue of exposure in rock climbing. One gets used to it, some more slowly than others. With a rider of your ability, it's not speed that's dangerous, it's other people. Cars are considerably more careful about tandems. Females are still worshiped a bit perhaps? The biggest danger I've seen on a tandem is decreasing radius corners, which just means be smart about speed. We used to have a 35mph speed limit. Then she just started closing her eyes if we picked up speed. Now she's had her eyes open at 65. OTOH, neither of us are normal. The reason we got a tandem was simply to be able to spend more time together. I was gone on my single for too many hours. Turned out to be pivotal decision. Just sayin'.
__________________
Results matter
Carbonfiberboy is offline  
Old 10-06-21, 09:01 PM
  #19  
Moisture
Drip, Drip.
 
Moisture's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Southern Ontario
Posts: 1,575

Bikes: Trek Verve E bike, Felt Doctrine 4 XC, Opus Horizon Apex 1

Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1034 Post(s)
Liked 193 Times in 163 Posts
Iride01 totally agree with this statement
:

A mountain bike that doesn't have suspension and is fairly lightweight. Or better yet IMO, a cruiser with tires smaller than 700C. My wife won't even look at a bike with 700C wheels anymore.
To add to 700c or 29" wheel comment, I share the same feeling, and I am on the upper end of most xl bikes in terms of fit. I find that 650b gives me the balance I want.
Moisture is offline  
Old 10-07-21, 09:06 AM
  #20  
Iride01 
I'm good to go!
 
Iride01's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,809

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

Mentioned: 50 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6100 Post(s)
Liked 4,731 Times in 3,261 Posts
Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy
Have you two tried a tandem? In a rather large way, it's not the same as riding a single. Speed is an analogue of exposure in rock climbing. One gets used to it, some more slowly than others. With a rider of your ability, it's not speed that's dangerous, it's other people. Cars are considerably more careful about tandems. Females are still worshiped a bit perhaps? The biggest danger I've seen on a tandem is decreasing radius corners, which just means be smart about speed. We used to have a 35mph speed limit. Then she just started closing her eyes if we picked up speed. Now she's had her eyes open at 65. OTOH, neither of us are normal. The reason we got a tandem was simply to be able to spend more time together. I was gone on my single for too many hours. Turned out to be pivotal decision. Just sayin'.
The tandem was a very real option we looked at a few years ago. But still she won't commit. And I myself am a little apprehensive about it as to get anywhere to ride it would not be real convenient. I'd either be several miles of busy streets to get to where traffic thins out or several miles on the very near by MUP, but all of those twisty up and down to get to those same less busy traffic places to ride.

Tandem isn't out completely though. However since the e-bike seem like a no go with her I'm hoping to find a place that has a Trek cruiser like I've shown in the pic for her to try. So far, locally they seem to only get models with 700C wheels and she instantly rejects them without trying. Maybe when we get out to the Denver area again later this month I can find something.

She's very stubborn........
Iride01 is offline  
Old 10-07-21, 09:41 AM
  #21  
CliffordK
Senior Member
 
CliffordK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,600
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18319 Post(s)
Liked 4,487 Times in 3,337 Posts
There are a couple of things that will determine seat height.

As mentioned above, the crank forward designs allow more leg extension with a lower seat.

If a person sits bolt upright on the bike, then one can have more knee angle and a lower seat.

On the other hand, the more forward leaning one is on a road bike, the more the knees tend to hit the belly forcing one to raise the seat.

Crank length has both positive and negative influences. If one has full leg extension, then longer cranks require a lower seat. However, if the concern is leg flexion then a shorter crank will have less flexion at the top of the stroke, and may also allow a lower seat (without full extension at the bottom of the stroke).

Ultimately the decision will depend on the riding goals.

If the goal is the occasional ride around the park, or a mile or two commute, then a person may be perfectly happy with an upright posture and low seat. And that should be considered just fine.

On the other hand, if the goal is to ride 10 to 20 mile commutes, and perhaps half century or century rides, then the solution should be to slowly raise the seat, and learn to dismount to get the feet on the ground.
CliffordK is offline  
Old 10-07-21, 03:35 PM
  #22  
Bearhawker
Full Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 311

Bikes: '23 Devinci Hatchet Carbon Apex1 '19 Norco Bigfoot 6.1 ,'12 Motobecane Turino (killed by dog crash), '12 Trek 3700 Disc

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times in 74 Posts
Have you considered something less orthodox?

Devinci foot-forward bikes have a lower seat height and she might find that useful.

Further away from orthodox you venture into recumbents with possibly even lower seat heights.

Further yet - recumbent trike where you don't have to put your feet down when stopped. That is likely the route I'm going next, unless I go FULL deviation with a velomobile.

lol
Bearhawker is offline  
Old 10-07-21, 09:29 PM
  #23  
linberl
Senior Member
 
linberl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 3,460

Bikes: Trident Spike 2 recumbent trike w/ e-assist

Mentioned: 25 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1321 Post(s)
Liked 374 Times in 288 Posts
I'm pretty short, 5'4". One thing to consider is a Bike Friday. First of all they make custom bikes for all sizes from little people to NBA players, and the bikes fit perfectly. Second, they have adjustable bike frames which, when coupled with the smaller 20" wheels, can be sized to fit anyone perfectly without buying a custom frame (they are called OSATA frames). You can call and talk to them. Nice thing about BF 20" frames is it is much easier to stop and the step through makes it a lot easier in traffic, too. Lower center of gravity. And small wheels accelerate faster. I love my BF bike. So much easier to ride and handle, less big heft to manage around.
linberl is offline  
Old 10-08-21, 04:59 PM
  #24  
AnthonyG
Senior Member
 
AnthonyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times in 289 Posts
I don't want to be rude, yet you've asked this question before. A couple of times at least and I've answered you before.

The key requirements is shorter cranks, and then building the bike around it.
140-150mm cranks is probably right.
The best off the shelf solution is a Giant ARX24 or similar from their Juvenile bike range. You categorically will not find an adult bike built that small. They don't exit without going full custom (plus knowing exactly what to do) and they probably never did.
Bikes this small were always considered Juvenile bikes, yet back in the day when everyone rode simpler bikes, they didn't seem so basic.

https://www.giant-bicycles.com/us/bi...years-24-inch-
And the ARX 24 isn't in the current line up. You may be able to find one new old stock or just try one of the new ones.

Last edited by AnthonyG; 10-08-21 at 05:04 PM.
AnthonyG is offline  
Likes For AnthonyG:
Old 10-09-21, 09:35 PM
  #25  
AnthonyG
Senior Member
 
AnthonyG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Queanbeyan, Australia.
Posts: 4,135
Mentioned: 85 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3450 Post(s)
Liked 420 Times in 289 Posts
Here's a new to the World market small bike from Giant.

https://www.liv-cycling.com/us/flourish-24

I think the cranks are still too long at 6inch (152mm), ideally you would shorten them to say 135-140mm, and then the step off will be a little higher than you would like, but still its far better than anything else that I have seen recently.

Last edited by AnthonyG; 10-10-21 at 06:27 AM.
AnthonyG is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.