The Cannondale Six13 Feminine Road comes in a 40 cm. I got one a month ago (I'm 5'1.5 with a 27.5-inch inseam), and it fits me like a glove!
Printable View
The Cannondale Six13 Feminine Road comes in a 40 cm. I got one a month ago (I'm 5'1.5 with a 27.5-inch inseam), and it fits me like a glove!
Litespeed makes a Ti model that uses 650 wheels and is made for shorter people. I think they outfit it with either road or TT group and bars depending on what you ask - I have only seen the TT version though. It looks nice if you like 650s, and the brushed titanium finish is always beautiful.
Hmmm, I don't get what the negative terry talk here is about. I love my terry bikes, both with 24" front and 700c rear wheels. They are the only non-custom bikes I know that give you both a slack seat tube (73 degree which is impt. if you are long femured) and short top tubes (mine are 48-49 cm), with no toe clip overlap. I just feel much better in terms of balance and handling on my terrys than on bikes with longer top tubes and itty bitty stems and short reach bars. I have a 2005 titanium isis and 2003 steel isis that I converted to a travel bike with s/s couplers. They fit like a dream.
I had a bike friday pocket rocket pro that was stolen, also a good option and also can be built to fit and handle well, but you pay a premium for portablity and mine never shifted as well as my full size s/s coupled steel isis.
What I don't like about the 24"/700c bikes is that I'd feel like I needed to carry 4 spare tubes. And a lot of shops don't carry 24" tires.
I also think toe-clip overlap is overrated as a problem. I'd rather have a 650c bike with a bit of toe-clip overlap just because it's logistically easier to deal with.
I'm 4'10 1/2, and I just purchased a Giant FCR2 Women's in size XXS. (It's a 2006 leftover--I think it was just waiting for me to walk into the shop!) This road bike has a flat handlebar; there's an OCR Women's model with drop handlebars in XXS as well. The bike store recommended the flat handlebars because of my small hands and previous discomfort even with compact brakes and handlebars. My riding position is very comfortable, as I can be as low as I would be with drop handlebars, but they pulled the brake levers and shifters in closer and for the first time on a road bike, everything is within easy reach. I had them cut off a bit of the handlebar width, too. I'm happy and I don't feel like I've compromised anything--I don't miss the drops. The wheels are 650c, which is appropriate for these proportions, and there's no toe-pedal overlap.
Serotta makes the Fierte (steel or ti/carbon) in a 47p with 650c wheels.
Aegis (carbon fiber) makes small frames on 650c wheels.