Need your opinions on a new bike!

[ASammy1]

I'm moving in a few months to an area that is a block from a multi-use path (yay!!!) which is dirt packed. My skinny tire Trek road bike isn't going to cut it on this path, so I need some ideas.

Here is what I would like: Relaxed road bike geometry with curved bars for multiple hand positions. I'm only 5'4", so I think most of the Surly's are out

GO!!!

[Becky]

I'm only 5'4" and, while I don't own a Surly or a Soma, I'm quite confident that their smaller sizes (46cm or so) would fit me. I'm basing this on their geometry charts and my current bikes' geometries.

I wouldn't rule out a Surly Crosscheck or a Soma Doublecross if I were in your shoes....one of those could be built up soooooooooo many different awesome ways. (Go look at Redrhodie's winter bike built on a Doublecross frame- I covet it in the worst way!)

My Scattante cross frame, built as a do-anything commuter tank, is a 46cm frame with an ETT of ~51.5. In fact, the reach is actually a touch short for my liking....

What sort of effective top tube length would you need to be comfy?

[KnottedYet]

Trek420 is 5 foot 0, and she rode a 42cm Surly Long Haul Trucker over dirt, gravel, grass, and asphalt. It fit her perfectly.

[Trek420]

Trek420 is 5 foot 0, and she rode a 42cm Surly Long Haul Trucker over dirt, gravel, grass, and asphalt. It fit her perfectly.

Loved that bike! And since you want lots of hand positions I'm sure you or your LBS could put 'stache bars on it like Knott has on her Surly Cross.

[KnottedYet]

Loved that bike! And since you want lots of hand positions I'm sure you or your LBS could put 'stache bars on it like Knott has on her Surly Cross.

There are actually fewer hand positions on a moustache bar than on the regular drop bar the LHT comes with.
http://surlybikes.com/bikes/long_haul_trucker_complete/

[Trek420]

Oooh and it's now available in blue

[warneral]

I dream of moving to be that close to one of our rails-to-trails in the area. Lucky you!

I was thinking I'd probably convert my backup road bike (trek 1000 wsd) to cross tires and try that out.

Have fun shopping. I'll be watching the thread for future reference.

[moderncyclista]

Um, I'm 5'3'' and I own a 46cm Surly Long Haul Trucker. Fits me like a glove. Nice comfortable ride. Purdy as can be. But whatevs. You shouldn't count that out if you've been thinking about it, is all I'm saying.

[indysteel]

I'm 5'4, with short legs and a long torso, and went with a Jamis Aurora in a 47 cm. I can't honestly say I've been able to ride it much yet though, so I can't attest to much of anything.
There are a number of good options though that others have already mentioned.

[Catrin]

I'm moving in a few months to an area that is a block from a multi-use path (yay!!!) which is dirt packed. My skinny tire Trek road bike isn't going to cut it on this path, so I need some ideas.

Here is what I would like: Relaxed road bike geometry with curved bars for multiple hand positions. I'm only 5'4", so I think most of the Surly's are out

GO!!!

I am 5'3 in my stocking feet and the 48cm LHT fits me fine, and it comes one size smaller so don't give up on Surly yet, they come in lots of sizes

[yetigooch]

I'm moving in a few months to an area that is a block from a multi-use path (yay!!!) which is dirt packed. My skinny tire Trek road bike isn't going to cut it on this path, so I need some ideas.

Here is what I would like: Relaxed road bike geometry with curved bars for multiple hand positions. I'm only 5'4", so I think most of the Surly's are out

GO!!!

Try looking are cross bikes....They are great multiuse bikes. Practically every company puts one of these out so you'll have plenty to choose from. Buying a new bike is always so much fun :0)