i'm 5'2" and looking for a bike

Hey guys,

I've been toying with the idea of getting a bike to start riding. I haven't ridden a bike since I was in elementary school, with the exception of renting a mountain bike last year once.

I would really like to start riding again, but that rental left me really frustrated. It was a 14" and felt way too big for me, but was the smallest size the shop had. I didn't like having to lean to one side almost a foot before being able to reach the ground and found a lot of pressure was put on my wrists while riding.

Is that something I am just going to have to learn to deal with, or are there actually bikes out there that would fit me better? I'm only 5'2" and about 115lbs.

Any advice you could give me would help. I've tried looking up guides online but they all speak bike terminology that is beyond someone who hasn't ridden since she was 12.

thanks in advance,
-suzy

when looking for a bike was:

Ride bikes, ride bikes, ride lots of bikes. And I think I got that advice here!

No doubt, there IS a bike for you. Rental shops really don[t stock bikes that are appropriate for everyone. Visit your local bike shops, and if anyone blows you off or treats you rudely, move on and spend your money elsewhere.

I'm 5'2 and I rode a 45 cm Trek 2100 WSD, till I wrecked that frame and now I ride a 48cm Cervelo One frame. So, there is variation from one frame maker to another. Keep trying out bikes and you'll find the one that you'll fall in love with.


Don't give up! Ride lots of bikes!

I'm not sure that rental bike was necessarily too big for you--maybe it was just because you hadn't ridden in a while that it felt awkward. The reason I say this is because I'm about your size and ride a 14" hybrid (the one in my avatar), and I remember it feeling a little weird at first since I hadn't ridden in quite a while either. Was it a women's bike, or was it a men's model (the proportions are different and that can affect how it fits you)? As for having to lean over before you could put your foot on the ground, that seems normal to me--you shouldn't be able to put your feet on the ground from the saddle if it's at the right height on most bikes.

Suzy, are there any other bike shops near you? Please please try again!

Suzy,

I ride a Terry bicycle. Terry is a company that makes bicycles for women that are petite. I am only 5 feet tall, I have the Terry Classic, and I LOVE it!!! :D

Here is their website. Click on "dealers" to find your local bike shop.

www.terrybicycles.com

They also have a place on their website for people to sell their used bikes.
Just click on the "Trade" button on their site.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, just PM me.

Lynette

I'm 5'1". That 14" bike sounded too big for you...if you felt uncomfortable in your leg extension to the ground.

Only a more experienced cyclist will want their bike fit with a slightly longer leg extension so they don't feel too "tight" in their body geometry on bike.

Don't be surprised if it takes you months to find a bike that fits you. But when it does fit you, it's a joy to ride.

Do also aim for a bike frame, light in weight. You will thank yourself when you tackle hills ..or mountains.

You will find first few rides hard...but just keep at it and love the ride every time. Freedom at its best!

I too am 5'2" and both the road bikes I ride are 49 cm. Both bikes fit me well. As others have suggested ride lots of different bikes and listen to what you body is telling you when you are test riding each bike.

Another 5'2" yet my bike is a 47cm. Different manufacturers, different bikes, more confusion for you ;)

....one person who is 5'2" may ride a bike with completely different geometry than another 5'2" person. It all depends on how long your legs are, now long your torso is, and how long your arms (reach) are/is.

Find a bike shop you trust (bigger does NOT mean better!) and go get fitted for a bike. A good shop will know what fits you and will work with you to find a bike that feels right.

Still, you DO need to ride lots of bikes before you know what "right" feels like.

Good luck and don't give up! -jane

Don't give up. Keep trying bikes. At any height the perfect fit is hard to find. I'm 5'1", my first road bike was 47 cm but I've ridden up to 50 cm, I now ride full custom, my commuter is uhm erm 17" I think, the mixte uhm ....who knows. :confused: but they all fit.

More info here.

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

same here 5'2 with a 29 inch inseam. My mountain bike is a 14 inch and suits me really well. But you might have longer legs? I agree with keep trying and don't settle. There is a bike for you I promise!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Brandi

I agree with keep trying and don't settle. There is a bike for you I promise!

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It's like dating, but without the bad movie or dinner. :p :cool:

Trek--LOL!

Zen--I thought you were taller than that. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Trek420

Don't give up. Keep trying bikes. At any height the perfect fit is hard to find. I'm 5'1", my first road bike was 47 cm but I've ridden up to 50 cm, I now ride full custom, my commuter is uhm erm 17" I think, the mixte uhm ....who knows. :confused: but they all fit.

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And I'm 5'8" and ride a 52 cm. Who knows? Ride lots.

yay for getting a new bike!

here is some additional info that may be helpful. I ride a Fuji finest and it love it. Part of my initial issue was that the stem was toooooo long. Here are my measurements:

My effective top tube is 52.5 and your stem is 80 mm (8 cm). That gives me a total reach of 60.5. You can always run that info by your LBS too.

seatpost value won't really matter for you. they are all within a few cm and you can adjust how high the seatpost sticks out. For example, with the Fuji Finest, you could also ride their size extra small, which has a 51cm top tube
with a 9.5 mm stem and get the same 60.5 reach.

you can do that with a lot of sizes as far as reach goes but you dont want a super short or super long stem b/c it affects handling. (and by super long or short i mean 60 (or less) or 120 (or more) )

this chart may also be useful :

http://www.fujibikes.com/2007/pdf/fit_guide.pdf


HTH!

~Bicyclulz:-)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by smileforsuzy

Hey guys,

I've been toying with the idea of getting a bike to start riding. I haven't ridden a bike since I was in elementary school, with the exception of renting a mountain bike last year once.

I would really like to start riding again, but that rental left me really frustrated. It was a 14" and felt way too big for me, but was the smallest size the shop had. I didn't like having to lean to one side almost a foot before being able to reach the ground and found a lot of pressure was put on my wrists while riding.

Is that something I am just going to have to learn to deal with, or are there actually bikes out there that would fit me better? I'm only 5'2" and about 115lbs.

Any advice you could give me would help. I've tried looking up guides online but they all speak bike terminology that is beyond someone who hasn't ridden since she was 12.

thanks in advance,
-suzy

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With a typical road bike you won't be able to put your feet on the ground while your bottom is still on the seat. If that's important to you, then you need to look for bikes with what's called "feet forward" geometry, typically found in a cruiser bike. They have the seat set lower, but further back.

I am 5'2 and have a 47 road bike and a 15 hybrid that I commute on. I commuted on the hybrid for years and rode with a group of friends who all had hybrids or mountain bikes with road tires - we are all fairly evenly matched in our ability to ride and would go out weekly for 10-15 mile rides. I then got a new job that is not 9-5 and I wanted join another group of friends (gym teachers with excess energy) who all had road bikes and rode further and faster - so I got the road bike. The point of this is - if you are going to be riding with friends who have road bikes - you will probably be struggling to keep up with them if you get a hybrid or comfort bike. On the other hand - getting the bike you are comfortable riding is probably still the best plan.