Query for short (around 5 ft?) road riders

[jotjepoes]

Hi All

I'm new to this site, just joined a couple a few weeks ago. I just noticed some interesting discussions about second bikes and also issues arising from short riders. So here's my situation - I'm thinking of getting a second bike - a good road bike. I've got a pretty nice flat bar road bike (sublime 2) but I'm getting more serious about riding so would like to keep my flat bar for commuting but get a serious road bike for hill training and longer weekend rides.

I've put in a post here (in the bike section) and also in another cycling forum (mixed- for guys and gals). There's a guy there that insists that if you are short (ie around the 5 ft mark) you can only really get a good fit and real aerodynamic position without too much weight on your hands if you go for shorter cranks (at least 152) with 650 wheels and get a custom made bike. Any truth in this?

Ladies - what are your experiences out there? My flat bar has 700 wheels but shorter cranks (165) and I'm quite comfortable with it.

I'm not keen to go down the custom route because:
(a) I've had some bad experiences just with getting clothes tailor made that haven't turned out how I imagined, let alone spending a few thousand on a bike, especially when I don't know that much (have only been riding seriously for about 14 months).

(b) In terms of "bang for my buck" I'd prefer to spend the money on a lighter bike - probably carbon as I'm not aware of any really light WSD aluminium bikes.

I definitely need a WSD just because I've got small hands, so need WSD handlebars and short reach levers/brakes. So far I've sat on a Cannondale Synapse (on a trainer) and taken both a Subzero 3 and a Ruby Comp out for a very short test ride (my first rides with drop bars ever!).

If it helps here's some more info - I'm 5 ft, with an inseam of 26 inches and trunk of about 20.5 inches. Does this mean I have a short torso?

I'm a bit confused by all of this, so any input from anyone out there would be helpful.

Thanks
JO

[East Hill]

You might want to look into the Terry bicycles with the smaller front wheel.

I've got two bikes (a Nishiki Prestige and a Centurion Dave Scott Expert Ironman) which are both set up that way. But I've also got a 44cm Specialized Dolce Elite with 700c wheels front and back, and I'm not having any problems with getting aerodynamic, nor any problems with hand numbing.

East Hill

[DirtDiva]

You could look into Giant bikes as well. Their women's and men's road bikes have the same frames, but different components/finishing kit (saddles, bars, cranks, etc.). I'm on an XS, which fits me nicely at 5'3". They make an XXS too. They're also compact geometry (sloping top tube), which, as (let's be honest ) a compact person, I find more comfortable.

[Eden]

Another 5' even person here. I'm thinking you are more even than I am in the torso/leg ratio. I've have around a 29" inseam (measured crotch to floor bike style, not to the cuff like pants that is) so, I've got a short torso and even shorter arms. I have several bikes, two of them are roadies, one with 650 wheels the other with 700's, both have 165 cranks on them. If I look at the Spin Scan on the computrainer, contrary to a lot of popular wisdom, I am most most efficient on the 700 wheel bike, but that said it suits my particular body. For a short person I still have longer legs proportionally.

[stacie]

I rode a 650 wheel with 165 cranks for years. I recently had a bike built with 700 wheels and I'm using 170 cranks. I was very nervous about the changes but I couldn't be happier. I read a lot of info that said the longer cranks would slow my cadence or hurt my knees but I've had neither problem. I spin around mid 90's rpms and have over 1k miles on my new bike with no knee issues. I can get quite aero. Any bike being set up improperly could create too much weight in the bars. Find someone whom you trust who will listen to you and spend time with you to get the proper fit and bike for you. What works for me, may not work for you.
I kept my old bike because I was attached to it. It had always seemed perfect and I didn't think I could ever be so happy with a new bike. It's time to take it down and polish her up to sale. I haven't ridden her since the new bike. Never will.
I'm 5'1 with a 29.5 inseam.

[Triskeliongirl]

FYI, we had a great discussion of theis issue not that long ago, so check this out: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=12441