Bike Sizing

[amber.decarlo]

My name is Amber DeCarlo. I am relatively new to road riding. I ride about 6-10 miles and day, but have never had a road specific bike. I have been wanting to start long distance road racing for a while but I am not sure what size bike I should get. I am only 5'2 and my inseam is about 24-25. I don't want to spend over 600, and I don't really care what year it was made. I'm not looking for the best bike out there, I just want something that fits me. Does anyone have any suggestions.

[Biciclista]

well the good news is your bike inseam measures all the way to the ground, so it actually a bigger number than what you mentioned. (or you have an extremely LONG torso)

welcome to TE, more people will respond..

[Jiffer]

Have someone at a bike shop size you and tell you what size you need. And I'm not talking about REI or any generic place like that. I have a friend who bought a bike that was WAY too big for her at REI. Lucky for her REI takes returns any time, no questions asked.

And when someone who knows what they're doing adjusts your seat, don't move it down so you can reach the ground while sitting in the saddle at a stop light. This same friend did this and it severely messed with her riding. You shouldn't be able to sit on the saddle with your leg on the ground.

[inspiredcyclist]

I am 5' 5" and my inseam is 26", so you may have measure correctly. I just purchased a Trek FX 15" frame bike. Unfortunately had a pretty bad mishap with it today, and it is back at the shop.

[amber.decarlo]

does the bike seem to fit you well?

[Melalvai]

My name is Amber DeCarlo. I am relatively new to road riding. I ride about 6-10 miles and day, but have never had a road specific bike. I have been wanting to start long distance road racing for a while but I am not sure what size bike I should get. I am only 5'2 and my inseam is about 24-25. I don't want to spend over 600, and I don't really care what year it was made. I'm not looking for the best bike out there, I just want something that fits me. Does anyone have any suggestions.

I have a friend about your height (maybe an inch shorter) who rides a 15". That would be 38 cm in road bike terms? You just have to get close and then you can adjust the seat and handlebars. She also rides a women specific design (Trek) and finds it very comfortable. But WSD doesn't fit all women, it depends on your own proportions. WSD brings the handlebar closer to the seat so you aren't stretched out as far, men have longer arms proportionally than women, but respect your individual anatomy if you have longer arms.

For your price range keep an eye out for a good used bike. I am probably going to get a used bike for my first road bike, because I can get twice the bike for the money. The hard part will be patience while I wait for one that fits me to show up in the used bike shop or on craigslist. Since I have to drive 90 miles for both of those, that will take a lot of patience and persistence.

As far as what kind of bike, the main thing is you don't want a department store bike (like walmart). If you come across a bike you think you like, research it--make sure it is a reputable brand. I'm planning to fix it up (and/or have the bike shop fix my attempts!), so I'm not going to worry about if it needs new components. Of course that'll add to the cost.

Good luck!