I can't be THAT much of a freak? (long)

Hi everyone. I've been a long time lurker - but besides my intro this is my first official post. So apologies in advance that it has to be a rant...

But why why why is it so hard to find a bike that fits? I can't be THAT much of a freak? :confused:

I am 5'6" with a 84.5cm inseam (measured in socks) 60cm arms, and tiny little hands. I had a fit done and they recommended a bike with no more than a 50cm top tube. Do you know how hard it is to find a bike with that short of a top tube? We're talking about a steel framed bike with drop bars.

Not to mention that I've tried at least a dozen bikes - and I hate the feel of the models with a sloping top tube - which is the other thing all the bike shops want to put me on.

My current disaster is a Rawland size (Med-56) with a sloping 56cm top tube which I've spent literally $$$$'s of dollars on trying to make it fit. After getting a professional fit done It now looks absolutely ridiculas with a tiny short 40mm MTB downhill stem - picture handlebars touching the steerer tube, 38cm short reach shallow drops, zero setback seatpost - and it still isn't quite right. :mad:

So what to do - what to do?? Are my measurements really that freaky? Any recommendations in the less than $1200 range? Help??

Thanks!
SpinSpinSugar

Hi and welcome!

I don't think you're freaky at all.

I'm 5'7", 33.5" inseam (about same as you), 31" arm length (shoulder to wrist). I ride a 52 Specialized Allez Comp mens frame... the only "custom" thing on it so far is a compact crank, speedplay pedals and a Koobi seat.

Anyway... how does your bike FEEL? For now (since you've put so many $$ into her) don't worry how it looks. Is your body comfortable on the bike?

spazz

the fact is a lot of women have really long legs compared to their torsos and arms.
That's why WSD bikes exist. If someone puts you on a bike based on your leg length, you're going to be leaning too far over. Guess what, that's why i got a custom bike! Now there are many Women's bikes to chose from. I am not sure where you are living, but that will help as for suggestions.

WELCOME to TE

I'm 5'6" and my bike is a 49cm. Fits perfectly.

Try lots of different models in several different sizes. Go to shops that will take the time to work with you, not try to sell you what they have left on the floor. Get a professional fitting to tweak if needed. Best of luck to you.

I haven't heard of those bikes, but I found their website. Here's the page with the download to the frame specs:

http://www.rawlandcycles.com/store/i...intItemID=3731

Maybe one of the savvier bike fitters will take a look at the geometry for you, and give you some insight.

those rawland bikes have LONG top tubes!

I'm 5'8" with loooooong arms and long legs, and I ride a 52cm Surly Cross Check (horizontal top tube) with a riser stem and mustache bars. Less than $1200, including modifications. http://surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html (note the separate brake levers and bar end shifters)

The bar-end shifters coupled with brake-only levers are a godsend to those of us with smaller hands. Many bikes are now going to the bar-end and brake-only combo. (for example the Salsa Fargo, which has a sloping top-tube, and a gazillion others)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Biciclista

those rawland bikes have LONG top tubes!

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Yeah. I'm drooling over them.

My top tube's too short on my surly.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by SpinSpinSugar

Hi everyone. I've been a long time lurker - but besides my intro this is my first official post. So apologies in advance that it has to be a rant...

But why why why is it so hard to find a bike that fits? I can't be THAT much of a freak? :confused:

I am 5'6" with a 84.5cm inseam (measured in socks) 60cm arms, and tiny little hands. I had a fit done and they recommended a bike with no more than a 50cm top tube. Do you know how hard it is to find a bike with that short of a top tube? We're talking about a steel framed bike with drop bars.

Not to mention that I've tried at least a dozen bikes - and I hate the feel of the models with a sloping top tube - which is the other thing all the bike shops want to put me on.

My current disaster is a Rawland size (Med-56) with a sloping 56cm top tube which I've spent literally $$$$'s of dollars on trying to make it fit. After getting a professional fit done It now looks absolutely ridiculas with a tiny short 40mm MTB downhill stem - picture handlebars touching the steerer tube, 38cm short reach shallow drops, zero setback seatpost - and it still isn't quite right. :mad:

So what to do - what to do?? Are my measurements really that freaky? Any recommendations in the less than $1200 range? Help??

Thanks!
SpinSpinSugar

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Erm. I have a 42 or 46 cm surly pacer with a less than 500 cm top tube that I'd trade for that rawland's frame :)

http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html

YOu probably would do well on the 46 cm surly pacer that's got about a 500 mm top tube. The 50 cm has a 520 mm top tube which might still be fine on you. The rawlands you have has a 560 mm top tube - so that's 40 more & then another 40 that you have on the stem.

The surly has a steeper seat tube angle than the rawlands as well - so the seat'll be closer to the handlebars in general. The rawland's is fairly slack at 73 degrees.

but my suggestion would be for you to test ride some surlys and see how they fit.

Hi Ladies. Thank you for all the helpful responses. I had this typed up before the servers crashed so I'll post it and then follow up with more specific responses to your replies:

Hi. Thanks ladies for all the help. I'm located in Minneapolis MN. The Rawland has never felt right from day one. It always feels like the bars are too high, and too far forward. I have saddle rubbing issues, and can never stop squirming around or enjoy the scenery. I am still very new to our beloved activity and this is what the LBS recommended highly as far as steel touring/all arounder bike frames go.

Well, since March, Ive swapped out: -well actually paid a shop to do it - This is kinda embarrassing:o

the handlebars 4 times
the stem 4-5 times at least
got custom shortened 153mm crank arms w- 22/32/42 chainrings for my bad knees and then changed it 22/38/48 gearset - as of last week I switched back to the original 165mm cranks w -26/36/46 chainrings
3 different (expensive) seatposts wth different amounts of setback - ended up I needed a zero setback post
at least 8-9 saddles including 2 brooks
etc.. etc..

And it still does not feel good. I have an old 76 Raleigh Mixte that actually fits me perfectly.. I love it..so I do know what a bike that fits is supposed to feel like. But that one is an old bike with french parts, and for various reasons can't (reasonably) be upgraded with modern components.

So here I am at the end of the season, and am looking to NOT make this mistake again going into next spring! I am considering a Surly LHT, but am in-between sizes. The reach on the 50cm fits 99.9% perfectly, but the bars are a too low and it has no more head tube room to go up. The 52cm LHT feels too-big like I'm "floating around on it" but the shop tells me to "imagine it with a shorter stem."

Hmmmm I think imagining got me into this expensive mess in the first place. So I would really appreciate any recommendations as to which way to go... big or small?

Thanks,
SSP

Before you look any further, find a different bike shop. Something just feels wrong about a place that will 1) sell you a bike without fitting you properly 2) keep selling you bits & pieces to correct a mis-fitted bike

ANy other Minnisotan's out there with a great, reputable and customer-centric bike shop? MAybe someone who can refurbish her Raleigh...

If you really hate the bike - sell it to maybe re-coup some of your expense. Then start over with a new shop, beginning with fit and trying out a whole bunch of bikes.

my 2 cents...
spazz

I'd say you should probably err on the smaller side. You can get a higher angle stem or a longer fork or a fork extender or some handlebars which arch back upwards to make the smaller bike fit you.

if you go large, you may have the same issues that you already have.

Are there multiple bike shops around you? The one you're currently at doesn't seem very good at actually doing bike fit.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Catriona

Erm. I have a 42 or 46 cm surly pacer with a less than 500 cm top tube that I'd trade for that rawland's frame :)

http://www.surlybikes.com/pacer.html

YOu probably would do well on the 46 cm surly pacer that's got about a 500 mm top tube. The 50 cm has a 520 mm top tube which might still be fine on you. The rawlands you have has a 560 mm top tube - so that's 40 more & then another 40 that you have on the stem.

The surly has a steeper seat tube angle than the rawlands as well - so the seat'll be closer to the handlebars in general. The rawland's is fairly slack at 73 degrees.

but my suggestion would be for you to test ride some surlys and see how they fit.

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Well.. I think the Pacer is a bit too racy for me, but I'll find one and give it a try. Luckily most shops around here are Surly dealers.lol.. so it's not hard to find a good selection.

or I will sell the Rawland frame itself for $300 or so + shipping.. if anyone is interested.. But no it's definately not a keeper for me. I spent 3+ hours this afternoon going over the measurements between the Mixte and the Rawland getting them to match.. Finally got them exactly the same measurement wise, but still no love :(

I have a 75 mile ride coming up on Sunday and that will be it for the Rawland... it will be disassembled and a new Surly of some flavor will take it's place next spring. Oh.. if only the $$$$ were available for a Terry Valkyrie....drool

SSP,

Have you looked at Hiawatha Cyclery? 4205 E 54th St, Minneapolis, MN 55417

They carry Rivs and Surlys. I think I've heard good things about them.

Another idea is to just buy a frame. Maybe even custom and have the bits taken off your current bike and put on the new frame.

OMG.. you're in the same town as Curt Goodrich, who's a great builder so I hear..

http://www.curtgoodrich.com/about/history/

If you go custom go see Curt...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by roguedog

SSP,

Have you looked at Hiawatha Cyclery? 4205 E 54th St, Minneapolis, MN 55417

They carry Rivs and Surlys. I think I've heard good things about them.

Another idea is to just buy a frame. Maybe even custom and have the bits taken off your current bike and put on the new frame.

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LOL! That is where I bought the Rawland :p They are located only two blocks away from me, and I am in there several times a week for various other bits and pieces. Seriously though.. they are very good guys at HC.

It seems, however, that most of their customers are 5'8" + tall men who have owned bikes forever and know exactly what size everything they need and just order it without trying. They have very few frames built out on the floor for testing and all are sizes 54-60. Nothing for those more vertically challenged.

Jim at HC has a gorgeous Curt Goodrich custom bike...DROOL... DROOL..DROOL.... but a bit pricey for me. Well, I'm off to REI to pickup a new saddle for the ride on Sunday. I'll try out a few bikes there and see what works size-wise.. Who knows...maybe my new steed is waiting for me there? :eek::rolleyes:;)

SSP