Help me fit a 5'4" female

Good morning ya'll. I am a male rider, who has been asked by my fiance (also a rider) to get a used bike for a friend of hers who wants to start riding. I have little knowledge of bike frame sizes for females her size. I asked a few of the female racers who I ride with from time to time, and they recommended a 48cm top tube.

The girl is 5'4" with a 29.5" cycling inseam. Can any of you who are this size or have experience fitting this size give me a frame size to look for?

Thanks for any and all help!

29.5" cycling inseam meaning in bike shorts and shoes? Or just meaning it was measured using the spring-loaded thing?

I'm 5'4" and I have a 29" inseam measured in socks by my LBS. The person you are fitting must have pretty much the same torso length as me. If her arms are also my length (hard to say) then she probably needs aproximately a 48 cm frame depending on manufacturer.

I have ridden three bikes in my short career trying to find the right fit: I had a 49cm Fuji Roubaix that was ultimately too big. Then I had a 44cm Specialized Dolce Comp that fit well, but wasn't perfect and I didn't like the handling. Now I ride a 19" Terry Isis w/ a longer stem and it's about as perfect as I am going to get without going custom.

The person you are fitting probably won't need a WSD because her legs are shorter than most women her height (meaning that her torso is probably longer). If you can find a men's bike that is small enough (48cm or smaller), it would probably work pretty well for her.

we have a whole thread about it here:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12441

I hope this helps

Thanks for both responses. I read the post that you included and it was a little help, as there were a few references to a 48cm being about right.

FYI, her cycling inseam was measured with socks and feet 8" apart with the "Notebook test" applying some pressure with a 3 ring binder in the crotch and then measuring from the top of the binder to the floor. As far as flexibility and fitness, she is an ex gymnast and very fit/athletic (she is going to be a good cyclist, I can tell from spin classes she has been doing with my fiance and me).

As I have seen a few recommendations for a 48cm, my questions are this:

What top tube length do I need to focus on?

Would a square geometry frame (48 seat tube and 48 top tube) be the right way to go, or should I try and find something a bit shorter, like a 47cm or even 46cm?

Do I need to be looking for 650c wheels for a frame this small to have good handling?

Due to her budget, I am looking at $400 to maybe $500 range. I would like to go used to get her a little better group (105 if I am lucky), etc, since Sora at $400 - $500 is about impossible these days.

Again, this is a huge help for me, so thank you all for your input!

It DEPENDS! some women can fit the basic 49cm bike. I have one of those, but had to spend a fortune getting it to fit me. Based on MY measurements,
a PT told me this month that i need a 50.5cm top tube. But that's me.
Your friend might have longer or shorter arms.
The bikes mentioned in that other thread ; most of them don't have 650 tires. But a custom builder i spoke to thought that the best thing for me would be a bike he designed with the 650 tires.

it depends on the person, but generally speaking, women fit the cycling inseam of bigger bikes than their reach can afford.

Well, I am 5'4" with shorter legs and a longer torso.

I ride a 50CM Trek 1000 (2004 model). I also ride a 51CM Cervelo One (tri bike).

Sorry, but I am at work and can't get my measurements. Not sure if I helped... but maybe?

I'm fairly similar proportioned to your friend - 5ft 4 about 30" inseam: short legs/long torso. I have a 44cm sloping frame (I'm assuming this is a road bike) which equated to a 48cm normal, however I would find a 48cm top tube way too short for me. I have a 51cm top tube with a 90mm stem and I'm finding it a little cramped, however I'm quite flexible and like to stretch out over my roadie especially in the drops. I went with a sloping geometry frame mainly because it looks more like an MTB!

I have 700cc wheels and only get a little toe overlap if I have the raceblades on, I have 170mm cranks and size 39 feet. Longer cranks may have caused problems for me for overlap but I use 170s on all my bikes.

I use 105 nine speed and had the lever shimmed as they were too far out from the bars for my hands although I think you can get short reach levers in 105 10 speed?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

As I have seen a few recommendations for a 48cm, my questions are this:

What top tube length do I need to focus on?

Would a square geometry frame (48 seat tube and 48 top tube) be the right way to go, or should I try and find something a bit shorter, like a 47cm or even 46cm?

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I don't think a 48cm seat tube/top tube combo exists. I'm 5' even with a around a 29" inseam - I ride a 44cm frame with 700c wheels and a 47cm with 650c wheels. Neither of my top tubes are as short as 48cm - a top tube that short is very very difficult to find without going to a bike like a Terry with asymetrical wheels 700c on the back and 24" on the front.

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

Do I need to be looking for 650c wheels for a frame this small to have good handling?

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I don't honestly notice any big difference in handling or cornering between my bikes. I have a cf Specialized Ruby pro with 700c wheels and a ti TiCycles Hyak with 650 wheels. Neither feels twitchy or sluggish to me. As well as being short I have very small feet so I have no toe overlap problems no matter which bike/wheels I'm riding, but if the person you are looking at bikes for has normal sized feet then it could be a problem with larger wheels.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

Due to her budget, I am looking at $400 to maybe $500 range. I would like to go used to get her a little better group (105 if I am lucky), etc, since Sora at $400 - $500 is about impossible these days.

Again, this is a huge help for me, so thank you all for your input!

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That's a pretty rough budget... small bikes can be kind of hard to come by used. Though if you are in the Seattle area I'm about to put a 44cm Fuji with 105 on the market in that price range.....

I'm 5'4 with a 29.5 cm inseam. I ride a 50 cm WSD Bianchi Eros Donna, with a sloping top tube. I was initially a little too stretched out on the bike, but it's gotten better as I've gotten more flexible from riding and yoga. That said, I still think I'd be a bit more comfortable with a shorter top tube.

Tattiefritter - do you ride a specialized? your description sounds like my Dolce!

If she's atheletic and flexible, she'll probably want a slightly longer TT like I did. On my Terry (which comes with a 50.2 TT), I had to move my saddle all the way forward for my short legs and then get a longer stem (110mm). It works perfectly because the 650c wheels allow for less fork rake and that, combined with the longer stem gives me awesome handling. My Specialized which had 700c wheels and a larger rake (so no toe overlap), had more sluggish handling. No big deal for longer touring rides, but when I wanted to keep up with the spirited lunch rides with the guys, it annoyed me. On the Terry, it's not an issue.

FYI: I have 650c wheels, a 48 cm frame and now an effective TT length of approximately 54 cm.

I am in Greenville, SC. Thanks for the offer though. The good news on the used market is that she doesnt really want to start riding outside until March or even DST, so I have some time. I tentatively plan to figure out what size she needs and then troll ebay until I find one local (Upstate SC, Charlotte, Atlanta area - dont want to waste shipping on such a small budget) or through my local club bulletin boards, etc.

Has any of you with her proportions had experience with a Men's Small frame size, like a Giant or something like that?

While you all have been posting here, I have been doing a bit of reading on the web and I feel pretty comfortable with a 48" seat tube (on a standard geometry), but I am still totally lost on cockpit length.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

While you all have been posting here, I have been doing a bit of reading on the web and I feel pretty comfortable with a 48" seat tube (on a standard geometry), but I am still totally lost on cockpit length.

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Unfortunately stand over is the probably the least important part of bike fit! I rode a 48cm standard straight top tube bike for years without knowing that it was really much too large for me. I could stand over it no problem! DON'T, DON'T focus on stand over as an indicator for bike fit. A few things to think about at the very least. When she sits on the bike her knee should be centered over the pedal when the crank arm is at 3oclock (on her right, 9oclock on her left) - saddle position and crank length will affect this and a plumb bob is a good way to check it (a homemade one is fine- put something heavy on a string). When she sits on the bike with her hands on the handlebars she should be able to have a comfortable bend in her elbows. Her upper body should not be stretched out with the elbows straight or locked.

this is a really nice bike fit web site with *pictures*
http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bikefit.html

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

Has any of you with her proportions had experience with a Men's Small frame size, like a Giant or something like that?

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My first bike was a 49cm Fuji Roubaix (mens). It was an awesome starter bike (and a great deal for the money). It was a previous year's model (new) so for only $750, I got good components (105/Ultegra mix) and a nice frame with carbon fork & seat stays. Three things to watch out for on a small men's bike 1) wheels - mine had 700c and while it was ok for my first bike, it did have toe overlap (and I have small feet) and 2) handlebar width. Mine came with 44cm wide handlebars which was WAY too wide for me. I used to have all kinds of upper back/elbow pain on rides longer than 40 miles. Of course, this is easily changed. Lastly 3) break/shift levers - the reach can be too long for small hands (again, can be adjusted with shims for most current models).

for a cheap good fitting bike, there's the specialized Dolce

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

Has any of you with her proportions had experience with a Men's Small frame size, like a Giant or something like that?

While you all have been posting here, I have been doing a bit of reading on the web and I feel pretty comfortable with a 48" seat tube (on a standard geometry), but I am still totally lost on cockpit length.

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Im 5'4" have a 30 inseam and ride a 50 Trek 5000 (man bike)
I also have a 48 sloping C50. WSD does not work well for me.

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Originally Posted by GLC1968

Tattiefritter - do you ride a specialized? your description sounds like my Dolce!

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Its not a Spesh,though I did consider the Dolce. Its a "man's" frame made by Ribble Cycles which is a bike shop near me that make/import their own road bike frames. They fitted me for size on a jig in the shop and I specced everything myself (nothing too fancy -105) and they then built the bike. They did tell me I would probably spend some time fine tuning the fit particuarly as I come from an mtb background but I think I've got the corect size.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jamiewilson3

Has any of you with her proportions had experience with a Men's Small frame size, like a Giant or something like that?

While you all have been posting here, I have been doing a bit of reading on the web and I feel pretty comfortable with a 48" seat tube (on a standard geometry), but I am still totally lost on cockpit length.

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I am 5'4 with a 30" inseam. It's probably only 29.5 but I won't admit it. Anyway I had a WSD which did NOT fit. As mentioned before, she has short legs and should probably stay away from WSD. I ride a men's Giant TCR C1 (all carbon and ultegra/dura ace combo). I love it. BUT I am on the X-small, NOT the small. It fits great. Small would have been huge for me. I love the sloping top tube too. You can definitely pick up a used aluminum giant tcr with shimano 105 (or ocr if she is less aggressive in her stance) pretty cheap.
Good luck

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Originally Posted by doc

I am 5'4 with a 30" inseam. It's probably only 29.5 but I won't admit it. Anyway I had a WSD which did NOT fit. As mentioned before, she has short legs and should probably stay away from WSD. I ride a men's Giant TCR C1 (all carbon and ultegra/dura ace combo). I love it. BUT I am on the X-small, NOT the small. It fits great. Small would have been huge for me. I love the sloping top tube too. You can definitely pick up a used aluminum giant tcr with shimano 105 (or ocr if she is less aggressive in her stance) pretty cheap.
Good luck

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So, it goes to show you that everyone of our height fits a bike differently! I'm 5'4", about a 30" inseam (I think) and I ride a Giant TCR Small (not extra small). So to answer the question of what size should a 5'4" woman ride, it is different for each woman; you can take a ballpark figure of a 48 cm to 51 cm bike, but the woman in question should then go try bikes to see what works for her. It all depends on how much the person has ridden, what they want to do on the bike, how their body geometry is, i.e short waist or not so short waist, long arms, etc. So, go with the approximation, but have the woman go try bikes.

Thanks for all of the help you all. I really appreciate your input. I will probably try and get her to go to a shop some time soon and put her on some bikes to try out, focusing on Men's XS and S frames.