Need Cyclocross Bike Recommendations for My Petite Wife!

[rpr]

I can't find any cyclocross bikes for my wife. She is very petite. Any recommendations?

[Veronica]

How petite is she?

V.

[rpr]

Approx. 4' 9" and 95 lbs. She is in excellent physical condition, and exercises regularly, but is not a very skilled rider (bike can't be too sensitive or have quick steering).

[Trek420]

well rpr, invite your wife here.

and here's good thread to start:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8211&highlight=cyclocross

[Quillfred]

Redline's cyclocross series start at 44 cm.

www.redlinebicycles.com

[rpr]

Thanks for the Redline tip. Just checked out their web site and the components sound good, but I have ner heard of Redline before.

How would Redline compare to the better known manufacturers like Trek and Canondale?

[Trek420]

rpr (and Mrs rpr hopefully by now?) "How would Redline compare to the better known manufacturers like Trek and Canondale?"

there's nothing wrong with Trek Canondale Specialized, love them love 'em....and they can be more widely available depending on where you are but I love the smaller independent builders.

Often that's where innovation is. While the "big three" have WSD now, that would not have happened but for builders like Terry and Luna bikes.

more about small frames:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9047&highlight=terry

[madisongrrl]

Thanks for the Redline tip. Just checked out their web site and the components sound good, but I have ner heard of Redline before.


I think Redline is more known for BMX bikes, but they make decent cyclocross bikes also. I just got a Redline Conquest Pro Cyclocross bike and I had it built up in 10 speed shimano 105 for about 2k. It is a great bike and I'll be very competitive racing on it.

[madisongrrl]

You might also want to check out Bianchi. They do make cross bikes in smaller sizes. Surly makes a cross bike that would possibly fit a smaller individual, but they are a bit heavier (especially the fork it comes with).

[SadieKate]

rpr, is your wife going to be racing the bike? How will she be using it?

[rpr]

rpr, is your wife going to be racing the bike? How will she be using it?

No racing. Just for staying in shape, but we live around the Blue Ridge Mountains and it is very tough riding (street as well as path/trail), so we are looking for high quality/light bikes even though we will not be racing.

I will encourage her to join this forum, but she generally likes me to do research on purchases like this...I'm an engineer (for better or worse).

[madisongrrl]

so we are looking for high quality/light bikes even though we will not be racing.



What is your budget?

[SadieKate]

Without the racing aspect, I wonder if there are some touring bikes that will take larger tires that might fit the bill. 4'9" is going to be a challenge.

[rpr]

$500 - $2,000 as far as budget.

Hoping for the following as minimum components: Aluminum frame, carbon fork (more forgiving for her bad back) and Shimano 105's.

Redline seems to have the only cyclocross bikes I can find so far that has a good shot at fitting her. I prefer the components on the Conquest Pro, but the standover may be too high even on the 44 cm frame. The Conquest 24" would probably fit her better, but I really don't like the components on the 24" model.

[oldbikah]

I bought a Bianchi Axis cyclocross about a year ago, after searching extensively for a small frame. They make about the smallest around. I love the bike. It listed for about $1400 I think. They have a good website and frame geometry charts are available to show standover.

[emily_in_nc]

I don't know if they qualify as cyclocross bikes in any way, shape, or form, but you might want to give a brief look to a Bike Friday (http://www.bikefriday.com). Why a folding bike? Only because they have 20" wheels and are made in custom sizes to fit any size person, and at 4'9", your wife's options in stock bikes (unless you go with a child's model) are going to be very limited.

You can spec Fridays out in many different models, component types/levels, different handlebar shapes and sizes, and they can be quite light, depending on the componentry chosen. They also come in "petite" models, which are suitable for riders up to 125 lbs in weight. These models have thinner tubing so are even lighter. My Bike Friday is a drop-bar petite Pocket Crusoe, which I use for general utility rides, touring, and travel. I love it, and it has really held up to a lot of abuse - like riding our gravel road numerous times and riding across New York state with 30 lbs of panniers and gear without even a flat. Bike Fridays are steel bikes, not aluminum, but steel really helps with comfort. My bike comes with 406 wheels, which allow wider tires than 451s (on some BF models). They also make a mountain model, the Pocket Llama. The Crusoe that I have is more of a touring bike, and normally comes with flat or touring bars, but I prefer drop bars. I have bar-end shifters because I wanted to use mountain brakes (V-brakes) and mountain gearing in back for really tough climbs while doing loaded tours. The great thing about Bike Friday is that just about anything is possible. My husband also has one and loves his too.

Just another thought if one of these, properly equipped, could work for cyclocross, which I know very little about, just sticking my head in here for a moment.... :)

Good luck!
Emily

P.S. Here's what my bike looks like:
http://home.earthlink.net/~emilys7/cycling/emily_riding.jpg

[madisongrrl]

$500 - $2,000 as far as budget.

Hoping for the following as minimum components: Aluminum frame, carbon fork (more forgiving for her bad back) and Shimano 105's.



You might have a hard time spending less than $2000 if you want a carbon fork, and shimano 105. I had a very hard time finding a complete bike in my size with the components that I wanted, so I had to have it built up. Redline Conquest Pro frames are about 600-700 (i think...but I'd have to check the price list for my bike build). Carbon forks are probably upwards of 250 (just a guess). Shimano build kits are 1000 (give or take). Plus labor, tax, pedals and seat (and maybe even a bike fit if she has back problems). So you might have a hard time fitting carbon fork and shimano 105 in a 2000 budget.