Did some test riding today!

I'm looking for a road bike that actually fits...it has become apparent that the "Craigslist special" I picked up this winter is too long in the reach for short me :-). Fortunately I have a slightly taller friend potentially interested in buying it. Today is a beautiful day so I went up to Portland and made the rounds of a few shops to test ride some bikes; one of said shops is hosting a bike swap Saturday that I am planning to go to. At the first shop I tried a 46cm Bianchi Volpe and a 49cm Masi CX Uno (I know, these are more cyclocross than "road" but I like the versatility); I really liked the Volpe but a new one is more than I want to pay right now (this shop sells used bikes too, but it's hit or miss). The Masi seemed to be the right size by all the off-the-cuff rules of thumb, but I felt much more stretched out on it which the woman at the shop said was because it has a much shorter headtube than the Volpe. The Masi also had horrendous toe overlap which the Volpe didn't seem to. Major bummer, because that bike was a closeout and would have been a great deal if it had been as good a fit as the Volpe. The second shop, where Saturday's swap will be, didn't have anything in my size that I was interested in to test ride. The third "shop" was actually an EMS store...not my first choice of place to buy a bike but they are the only ones around here that sell Jamis and I wanted to try out the Satellite Femme steel road bike. Unfortunately this particular EMS didn't have a Satellite but did have the aluminum-framed Ventura which I tried out and found to fit nicely; the guy said another store does have the Satellite in my size. The Ventura was a leftover from last year and being sold at a major discount, and it sounds like the Satellite (which is less expensive to start with) may be a similar deal. If so, and if I don't find something great at the swap, I may go to that EMS store and end up getting it if it is the same good fit. Do any other short women have suggestions for entry-level road/cyclocross bikes to look at? I'm 5' 2.5", 30" inseam. Would like to be able to run at least 28c tires given some of the crummy roads here.

I'm pretty much the same inseam as you with a short reach and I just bought a 46 cm Surly cross-check(I rode a 47 cm Trek roadie before that). If you love steel, you will love this bike. I love the advantage of steel and really didn't realize how much I missed it until I got back to it again. It's got 28s on it right now, I think, but it can go up to 35 cms. It's very light for steel and quite nice to ride. It's not as "fast" as my carbon and aluminium bike but I like to think its versatility outweighs all of that. And, yes, it still can get quite quick. I got a steal of a deal on mine but it's MSRP is about the same as the Volpe.

One thing I will say about the surly that differs is the shifters are bar-end rather than handlebar. So, that takes some getting used to but I found myself doing it on auto-pilot less than 3 days after buying my bike just this morning. What I do LOVE most about the specs of this bike, though, is the Salsa bars. They are so nice and small for my hands, have a "bump" for resting in the drops, and they are curved delicately to help with your hand positions. And they way they are set up, it's easier to get up and out of the saddle. I've been much more comfortable to do that on this bike than my old roadie.

And you can't beat the ability to ride in freezing rain and snow that I had this morning!

yay for a sweet new bike. Congrats.!

Hi Jolt, I see you are in Southern Maine. I'm up here in Lewiston and my LBS, Busytown Bikes sells Jamis bikes. I'm currently riding a 44cm Jamis Ventura Comp and I like it. (I just bought it last October and it's my first road bike so I'm still getting used to the feel of a road bike) I don't know how far "south" of Portland you are, but Frank at Busytown is great and it might be worth a road trip.

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Originally Posted by colorisnt

I'm pretty much the same inseam as you with a short reach and I just bought a 46 cm Surly cross-check(I rode a 47 cm Trek roadie before that). If you love steel, you will love this bike. I love the advantage of steel and really didn't realize how much I missed it until I got back to it again. It's got 28s on it right now, I think, but it can go up to 35 cms. It's very light for steel and quite nice to ride. It's not as "fast" as my carbon and aluminium bike but I like to think its versatility outweighs all of that. And, yes, it still can get quite quick. I got a steal of a deal on mine but it's MSRP is about the same as the Volpe.

One thing I will say about the surly that differs is the shifters are bar-end rather than handlebar. So, that takes some getting used to but I found myself doing it on auto-pilot less than 3 days after buying my bike just this morning. What I do LOVE most about the specs of this bike, though, is the Salsa bars. They are so nice and small for my hands, have a "bump" for resting in the drops, and they are curved delicately to help with your hand positions. And they way they are set up, it's easier to get up and out of the saddle. I've been much more comfortable to do that on this bike than my old roadie.

And you can't beat the ability to ride in freezing rain and snow that I had this morning!

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How tall are you? I do like the idea of the Cross Check but was looking at the top tube length and it sounds like it is awfully long even on the 42 cm, so I wasn't sure if it would work well for me. If we are about the same height I may have to reconsider that thought. The second shop I went to does sell them but didn't have any small ones available to test ride, or I definitely would have done so (they also sell the LHT, but again no small ones in stock, which I also would have tested).

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Originally Posted by Dragonfly5

Hi Jolt, I see you are in Southern Maine. I'm up here in Lewiston and my LBS, Busytown Bikes sells Jamis bikes. I'm currently riding a 44cm Jamis Ventura Comp and I like it. (I just bought it last October and it's my first road bike so I'm still getting used to the feel of a road bike) I don't know how far "south" of Portland you are, but Frank at Busytown is great and it might be worth a road trip.

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Thanks for the tip...may be worth checking out depending on how everything else goes...kind of a haul though b/c I am in Sanford. As far as the Portland shops, I was impressed with Back Bay Bicycle on Forest Ave. for stocking small sizes! It was also nice to see women working in both LBSs I went to (the other was Gorham Bike & Ski, also a good shop but I didn't hit it right for finding my size to test ride). BTW, I think it was the Ventura Comp that I test rode at EMS, but in a 48cm.

I'm about 5' tall and have a tiny reach. I fit the 46 perfectly. They didn't even need to swap out a stem or anything but YMMV. Prior to this, I had a 47 cm road bike and it honestly seemed to have a longer reach that now I realize was probably TOO long.

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Originally Posted by colorisnt

I'm about 5' tall and have a tiny reach. I fit the 46 perfectly. They didn't even need to swap out a stem or anything but YMMV. Prior to this, I had a 47 cm road bike and it honestly seemed to have a longer reach that now I realize was probably TOO long.

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Wow. I definitely should look at it then (if I can find a Surly dealer in the area that has the small sizes in stock)...maybe I can find a great deal too. How is the toe overlap situation on the 46cm? I've read some things about it being pretty significant on the small Cross Checks, but for all I know that may have been on the 42 which is likely too small for me anyway. Not a fan of having the wheel hit my foot while taking a right turn on red (this happened on my test ride of the Masi CX Uno), particularly on a bike that could end up having fenders put on at some point.

I haven't had any major problems with it based on the fact that I think i have pretty tiny feet. I could see how it COULD happen, though, since it happened to my boyfriend when he was riding it. But, he's a size 14 mens and 6'2''.

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Originally Posted by colorisnt

I haven't had any major problems with it based on the fact that I think i have pretty tiny feet. I could see how it COULD happen, though, since it happened to my boyfriend when he was riding it. But, he's a size 14 mens and 6'2''.

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I have pretty small feet too (size 6.5), will be interesting to see if it's an issue. In my research, I have come across a couple of other bikes that look like they'd be worth test riding. Anyone know anything about the Redline Metro Classic? I see that it comes in a 44cm size; the TT is 52 cm which sounds a little long but the bike appears to have a taller front end much like the Volpe so it may work reach-wise. I also saw the KHS CX100 but the standover is 29 11/12 inches on the XS size which wouldn't give me much clearance.

Wow, that metro sport is a classic looking bike! Cute bike!

Yes, it is a nice looking bike, but so far I have struck out on finding anyone who 1) carries Redline and 2) has that model around here. Will call a couple of places today that are a little further out but still within a distance I'd be willing to travel if by some stroke of luck they have one in my size.

Hey, for those of you who have Surly LHTs, do you find them a lot slower than a regular steel road bike? One has just shown up on Craigslist and I am wondering whether I should go look at it or if I would be happier sticking with a relaxed road/CX type bike as I have originally been focusing on. I'm looking for something that will be comfortable and efficient for rides up to 50 miles in a day and has clearance for somewhat wider tires than the typical 23-25s (with the option of fenders) but not be at a huge speed disadvantage in terms of keeping up with a group. I've been intrigued by the LHT but wonder if it would be too much of a tank (especially since I already have a heavy tank of a bike that I can carry a load on if needed but it's slow as all heck--a rigid MTB that I modified with trekking bars). Those who have ridden them, please advise. Thanks!

ETA: does anyone have any experience with the Jamis Bosanova? That looks like something else that might be good if it fits.

4'11 rider chimes in. I test rode the LHT and the snappier Pacer. Knot used to have a Crosscheck. The LHT is very stable. I would not say it's slow but my LBS said "The longer you ride it the more you'll like it". In other words, great for loaded touring. The fit was great. I would probably swap the brake levers for something that fit my tiny mousey paws but reliable, stable, workhorse. A very nice bike.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17451

On the Pacer I felt stretched out like on a rack. Long top tube in my size and even tried down a notch. Rode a few blocks and just said "nope".

Knott initially loved her Crosscheck. Zippy, fast and fun. At some point she bought a Soma Buena Vista frame and transfered everything over from Surly to Soma. So the exact same bike, just different frame. The difference in speed was immediate. So scientific proof: Soma frame may be faster. Now we're a 2 Buena Vista family and can attest; don't let the girly mixte thing fool you. This is a fast, light bike.

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Originally Posted by Trek420

4'11 rider chimes in. I test rode the LHT and the snappier Pacer. Knot used to have a Crosscheck. The LHT is very stable. I would not say it's slow but my LBS said "The longer you ride it the more you'll like it". In other words, great for loaded touring. The fit was great. I would probably swap the brake levers for something that fit my tiny mousey paws but reliable, stable, workhorse. A very nice bike.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17451

On the Pacer I felt stretched out like on a rack. Long top tube in my size and even tried down a notch. Rode a few blocks and just said "nope".

Knott initially loved her Crosscheck. Zippy, fast and fun. At some point she bought a Soma Buena Vista frame and transfered everything over from Surly to Soma. So the exact same bike, just different frame. The difference in speed was immediate. So scientific proof: Soma frame may be faster. Now we're a 2 Buena Vista family and can attest; don't let the girly mixte thing fool you. This is a fast, light bike.

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Well, I have emailed the seller for more info. She states in her ad that she is 5' 2" and the bike is a 46cm, so hopefully it will fit me too (though I have heard a lot of people that height ride the 42, so it's hard to say). I think I need to at least go check it out and see if it will work for my intended purposes. Given that I am not exactly a speed demon in any discipline (running, swimming, biking etc.) it very well may be fine. It also depends on what she is looking to get for a price...it's one of those "make an offer" type ads so I will have to be prepared to negotiate if I decide I want it.

ETA: This bike has 26" wheels which is likely a good thing proportion-wise but I have heard they are a lot slower than 700c, is this true or a bunch of baloney?

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Originally Posted by Jolt

ETA: This bike has 26" wheels which is likely a good thing proportion-wise but I have heard they are a lot slower than 700c, is this true or a bunch of baloney?

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Bunch of baloney. I was quite fast on my Aegis Swift with 650c wheels and could keep up with most of the faster women in our club -- not the uber-fast racers, but I could average a solid 15-17 mph (and occasionally higher with pacelining etc.) when I was well-trained and riding that very speedy bike. Of course, it was a lightweight carbon bike. I am quite a bit slower now on my Trek Pilot (also full carbon) but am also 10 years older. But the Pilot has 700c wheels -- if they are faster than my old 650s, I haven't noticed!

On a touring type bike, I don't think it's going to make much difference; it's not likely to be a speed demon no matter what. Also, I am 5'2" and after checking the geometry, I know there's no way I could ride the 46cm LHT. YMMV, but the 42 cm would have to be the one for me -- and my Trek Pilot is a 47 cm.

Still, it doesn't hurt to check and try. I know a lot of gals my size ride larger-framed bikes, but they don't work for me. My old Terry Isis was a 17.5" frame (equivalent to 44.5 cm, if I remember correctly) and fit me perfectly.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Originally Posted by emily_in_nc

Bunch of baloney. I was quite fast on my Aegis Swift with 650c wheels and could keep up with most of the faster women in our club -- not the uber-fast racers, but I could average a solid 15-17 mph (and occasionally higher with pacelining etc.) when I was well-trained and riding that very speedy bike. Of course, it was a lightweight carbon bike. I am quite a bit slower now on my Trek Pilot (also full carbon) but am also 10 years older. But the Pilot has 700c wheels -- if they are faster than my old 650s, I haven't noticed!

On a touring type bike, I don't think it's going to make much difference; it's not likely to be a speed demon no matter what. Also, I am 5'2" and after checking the geometry, I know there's no way I could ride the 46cm LHT. YMMV, but the 42 cm would have to be the one for me -- and my Trek Pilot is a 47 cm.

Still, it doesn't hurt to check and try. I know a lot of gals my size ride larger-framed bikes, but they don't work for me. My old Terry Isis was a 17.5" frame (equivalent to 44.5 cm, if I remember correctly) and fit me perfectly.

Good luck and keep us posted!

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Good to know about the wheel size not being a real issue (now, the "engine" on the other hand...THAT might be!). I do think the smaller wheels are more in proportion on such a small frame but not sure how much difference that really makes in handling etc. Just out of curiosity, what about the geometry wouldn't work for you on the 46cm? That has me a little nervous, but OTOH the person selling it is also 5' 2" (and if standover was your problem, that's not an issue at all for me). The shop I went into on Monday that sells Surlys seemed inclined to put me on a 46 and not a 42 (but didn't have either size in stock, for either the LHT or CC), but that wasn't based on any measurements, just on the woman seeing me. I got an email this evening with some pictures of the bike, it looks to be in good shape and the price she is willing to sell it for is very reasonable. But, we'll see if it fits and I like it...assuming I don't end up finding something great at the swap tomorrow morning instead.

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Originally Posted by Jolt

Just out of curiosity, what about the geometry wouldn't work for you on the 46cm? That has me a little nervous, but OTOH the person selling it is also 5' 2" (and if standover was your problem, that's not an issue at all for me).

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For me it was both the standover (I would have zero clearance over the top tube) and the effective top tube length. I have long femurs and always have to use a setback seatpost, thus increasing the ETT length. So I have always needed a ETT less than 20". But definitely, since standover is not a problem for you, you should try it. Your inseam is longer than mine, which should mean that you have a shorter torso, but that doesn't mean your arms are shorter -- and you might be more flexible in the hips and lower back than I am and be able to handle a more stretched out cockpit.

Well, the bike swap this morning was a bust...nothing in my size that I was interested in. There was a nice Volpe but it was a 49cm and too big (darn!!). We'll see how things go with the Surly this evening.

We'd probably put you on a 46 in Surly if you visited us in Boise :), I think a 42 would be to small with your PBH. Suppleness of your tire is going to have way more affect on "speed" than the tire size. As already noted, a 26 or a 650B with a nice tire is going to roll just as well, if not better than a 700. A bike your size with a 700 would make for major toe overlap. - Have you read any of Georgina Terry's stuff regarding bike fit? She is a wealth of information, especially for shorter individuals
Good Luck, look forward to hearing what you came up with!

Well, I went and saw/rode the bike, it fit and the price was right so I pulled the trigger :cool:. The only bummer is that because I wrote a check instead of bringing cash (should have known better, it's not like this was the first time I've done something on Craigslist) we ended up agreeing to wait for the check to clear and then she will deliver the bike to me later in the week when she has a free evening. I had offered to come pick it up once the check cleared but she will bring it here so I don't have to make another trip. Kind of disappointed that I didn't get to bring it home tonight, but it will be here soon enough. Then the fun will begin!

ETA: Sky King, I think you're right that the 42 would have been too small...the saddle would probably have ended up way above handlebar height which would be really awkward on that kind of bike!

Alright, Jolt! Very happy that it fit and looks like it will work out just fine for you. Only sorry you didn't get to bring it home. Craigslist is pretty much a cash-only enterprise, in my experience. I've sold two touring kayaks and several bikes that way (and bought a couple cruiser bikes as well), and it was always a cash situation. Hope your seller is an honest person and follows through as promised on the deal...

Yeah, I goofed by not bringing cash, and I can hardly believe I am being trusting enough to make the arrangement we did. She seems like a nice, regular honest person though, and it's great that she offered to deliver it so I don't have to make the drive down there again (about an hour each way).

Congrats, Jolt.
Too bad you don't still live close enough so we could ride!

Yeah, will work on finding some people this spring/summer to ride with. It's too bad our AMC chapter doesn't have the weekly show and go rides. Tomorrow I will be heading up to the Portland area in the afternoon/early evening and will probably swing by one of the bike shops (Back Bay, since they were the most helpful when I was test riding) to pick up a better lock and some new bar tape (the tape that's on the bike is a little torn, and anyway it's black tape on a black bike so I think it should be replaced with something more colorful) and ask about their shop rides. The other shops have rides too, but a lot of them seem geared more toward major hammerfests while this one looks more likely to have something I can do (and enjoy).

Congrats! Can't wait to see pics.

It seems like a "Surlys for everyone!" kinda month around here but I love it!

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Originally Posted by colorisnt

It seems like a "Surlys for everyone!" kinda month around here but I love it!

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It sure does! Seems like a lot of us have gotten really good deals too.

Yes. Just proof that if you wait long enough, you will find something. My dream was 2+ years in the making on that Surly. I wasn't anticipating it but when you save that much on a bike, the timing is right. I'm so happy with mine. My BF may end up with one now, too!

Have you looked into Giant? I have a Giant Avail Advanced SL 1 in an XS an it's perfect. I'm 5' exactly.

Kristin, you are talking about a totally different kind of bike.

I was not suggesting she look at the actual bike I have, only suggesting a different brand. Giant makes all types of bikes and come in an XS size.

It's here! :D I didn't get to ride today (not enough daylight) but will try to get out after work tomorrow assuming the weather is decent.

Yay! Congrats!

Well, managed to get out for a really short ride after work...only 20 minutes as I had someplace to be at 6. The bike is great--a very nice ride even on the rough areas of pavement and I had no trouble getting the hang of the bar-end shifters--but the stock saddle has got to go! I will try that Selle Anatomica that was so bad on the poorly-fitting bike and see if it is comfortable on this one...I have a feeling it may work but will have to see. Otherwise I may be asking some of you for saddle recommendations. Hopefully I can get out for a longer ride soon!