HELP for a friend

[pegandthepups]

I'm hoping that one of you out there can help me give my friend some advice. She has decided she needs a new bike, which is true as the one she has is TOO big for her. She's only 4'9". She went to a fancy bike shop near her home and they ordered a 16 inch Bianchi Boardwalk for her, saying that they could "fit" it to her when it comes. This is costing her what is a LOT of money for her income. Call me paranoid, but doesn't that sound like too big a bike?? My bike, and I'm 5'9", is only an 18 inch. Granted, I realize that bike types make a difference, but that just sounds too big for her. She never rides the bike she has because it hurts. What do you all think? I'm thinking she'd be better off spending the money on a Terry bike or something like that, smaller for sure. I know they have them really small for little women, designed specifically for women. I'm pretty much a newbie at all this too, but a little farther along than she is. So maybe I'm just full of hot air.

[bike4ever]

I agree it sounds too big; however, without physically measuring her that size might work for her. I'm 5'4" and ride a 16". If possible, have her look at Giant. They have a new line of WSD products, and the FCR comes in sizes that will fit 4'5".

[madisongrrl]

Bike size can vary from manufacturer. I ride a 15.5 inch Trek Fuel EX 9 and the 16" Bianchi Boardwalk is actually smaller than my trek (standover, top tube etc.). Did they put your friend on their size cycle and take measurements before they ordered that bike? How did they ascertain that she could fit on this bianchi? As you said, this bike is a lot of money for your friend, but in the spectrum of bikes sold at bike shops, it is on the less expensive side. I would suspect that the LBS might not have taken the time to do the job right or maybe the don't have experienced enough personal to do the job right (which is usually the case).


Here is the geometry....
http://www.bianchiusa.com/601.html

If your worried that the bike shop is try to screw your friend over, do this little test. Have your friend measure her inseam with shoes on (that is, the shoes she will be wearing when riding her new bianchi). If her inseam is less than 29", then I would be a bit worried that the LBS is trying to fit her onto a bike instead of finding the correct fitting bike for her. Then, she might want to get a second opinion.

[Pedal Wench]

Make sure the Boardwalk is also the right bike for her too. It's really a commuter/hybrid, not a road bike (knobby tires, flat bars, etc.)
The Bianchi Eros Donna might be a better fit (wsd)