Frame size ballpark for 5'9.5" woman?

Hi all,

I'm trying to help my mountain-biking buddy start looking at road bikes, and while I know this is a question that only some test rides can really answer, I'm still going to ask, just to help her get in the right ballpark. Being a shrimp myself, I have no idea what size frames she might start looking at. I know manufacturers vary and all that (having had bikes of all different sizes myself!)

She's 5'-9.5" with a 34" inseam, and longish arms (23" from tip of shoulder to wrist). Anyone on here with measurements in that ballpark, and if so, what frame size do you ride? Does she sound like she'd even need to bother trying WSD with those measurements or just go straight for unisex frames sizes?

Thanks for your input!

Emily

She's almost the same height as my husband, but her legs are quite a bit longer, so my guess is that she'll still like a WSD. They would certainly be worth a test ride anyway.

I'll let others recommend a frame size because I'd just be guessing!

I am only 5" 5.5' but my inseam is thisclose to 33 inches. It's interesting that our height difference is 4 inches yet our inseams are 1 inch. I'm planning to get a new bike and was told today that at 54 WSD would be my starting point. I don't know if there are any available (Trek 1.2) in WSD so I may go with a 52 cm in the mens version and adjust the front end of the bike accordingly.

HTH,
Q

Very similar. (5'8", 33 inch inseam, 23 inch arms)
I have 52, 53, and 56 cm frames, and 20 inch frames.
None of my bikes are WSD.

If I had to guess I'd say 56cm.
I'm 5'5" and my 54cm bike is 'almost' too big for me.

I'm 5'7.5'' and ride at WSD 54 cm that fits great. Even though I'm somewhat tall, I like the shorter reach of WS. Also, if your friend is new to road bikes, a shorter reach may help her feel more comfortable starting out. I'd guess a 56 or 57 would work out....may be hard to find WSD that big.

-LP

Probably somewhere in the ballpark of 55-56cm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Hi all,

I'm trying to help my mountain-biking buddy start looking at road bikes, and while I know this is a question that only some test rides can really answer, I'm still going to ask, just to help her get in the right ballpark. Being a shrimp myself, I have no idea what size frames she might start looking at. I know manufacturers vary and all that (having had bikes of all different sizes myself!)

She's 5'-9.5" with a 34" inseam, and longish arms (23" from tip of shoulder to wrist). Anyone on here with measurements in that ballpark, and if so, what frame size do you ride? Does she sound like she'd even need to bother trying WSD with those measurements or just go straight for unisex frames sizes?

Thanks for your input!

Emily

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I would go lower - 52-54 max if it's not WSD.

She's gonna have to get on some bikes!

(inch shorter height, inch longer inseam, ape-length arms, ride a 56 unisex Raleigh very comfortably with a half mile of seatpost hanging out)

I'm 5' 9.5" also with a 33" inseam and long arms. I started with a mens Specialized Allez, which was too long in the top tube. Realizing this, I started looking at measurements of bikes before going to the LBS.

What I found out, is that a WSB would not work for me because the seat tube would be too short. Apparently, they really aren't designed for taller women. To make matters worse, most mens bikes were too long in the top tube.

I ended up with a Kuota Kharma, size 57. There's only about a 1 cm difference between the top tube & seat tube, which works for me. I'm sure there were other brands that would have worked, but this one seemed to be a perfect match and it was on sale! It's a really cool color, too.

Just my .02

Kerry

Thanks for all the replies, ladies! Sounds like she just needs to go ride a few bikes...the frame size could be just about anything, except anything that fits me (44-47cm!!!) :D

Emily

I know this thread is somewhat old but, I'm 5' 8.25" with a 33" inseam and ride a 56cm trek, and I feel my bike is too large. I shortened my stem 10mm and it still feels like a stretch. From the sound of it, a 56 might be the right way to go for your friend