Road Bike Suggestions for Short Female?

[MyRightFoot]

I'm new to this (terrific) forum and to biking as well. In my 30's I rode 50 miles a week on my mountain bike but it's been 15 years since I've been on a bicycle. Now, with a running injury and an avid biking husband, it's time to get a bike. One of the biggest problems I have in finding a bike is my size. I'm 4'11" with an inseam of 69.5cm. Thru the help of the great info on this forum and a lot of feedback from my husband, I've narrowed down what I think I'm looking for (in no particular order):

- a road bike for riding mostly on pavement, possibly the occasional crushed limestone trail, for recreation -I don't foresee using it for commuting much or doing bike touring with panniers, etc.
- steel frame not aluminum
- would love for it to be made in USA, but that puts the price several thousand more than I have. So then manufactured in Taiwan is ok, definitely against manufactured in mainland China (I'm against slave labor and poor environmental policies in the making of my bike)
- 650 wheels (seems with my height, I shouldn't have the typical 700 that people a foot taller than me have)
- shifters and brakes that a small hand can reach (love the feel of Italian made Campagnolo but seems everything is Shimano or Sram unless it's custom.)
- preferred budget around $1500 or less

I've been contemplating a mixte - love the architectural lines of those frames, but wonder if a more typical road bike with a sloping top tube might be more suitable if I don't plan to use the bike to commute, run errands, etc. Seems most of the pics I see of mixtes are town bikes with baskets and cargo. I did the Competitive Cyclist Fit Calculator to get my basic measurements to compare against manufacturer specs which gets me really confused! I'd love to test ride bikes, but nobody carries my size in stock, it's all special order. For my size, they are mostly low end aluminum or mountain bikes. I've gone into a couple LBSs to check out bikes, but either they only have one bike in my size, or they try to convince me that whatever their smallest bike is on the floor is ok for me

Some bikes I'm contemplating are the Salsa Vaya and the Surly Long Haul Trucker.

If I had the money and the time, I'd get a bike like the Sweatpea Little Black Dress or A-Line, Gunnar Roadie or Sport, or something from a local artisan bike builder.

Can any of you provide some suggestions or advice for this newbie?

[goldfinch]

I am 4'11" and shopped last year for a road bike. Here is my thread: http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=44652

As far as a Mixte, it is hard to find something small enough that is in your price range. The Betty Foy is cool, but the cost is going to be about $2200. Their smallest is 47cm and probably would work. But, they are phasing out that size so if that is the way you want to go you need to do it while they still have that frame. (Can you tell that I have thought about getting this bike?) http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/f-foy.htm

The Soma Buena Vista mixte comes in a 42cm and I have thought about that bike too. It seems like you can get a pretty nice build for about $2000. http://www.renaissancebicycles.com/soma/soma-mixte/

I tried the long haul trucker. Not bad but it felt heavy to me and maybe a bit stretched out.

I have also thought about the Vaya, to use as a bike that will accept larger tires and work on ratty road surfaces that my Madone does not like. My fitter thought that the build for the smallest Vaya was kind of odd. For example, the handlebars are pretty big and wide for a small person. Maybe if you could have it built up to what you want it would work out. I would be interested in other's comments about the Vaya. That bike would fall within your budget if you could get it set up right.

Test rides are nearly impossible.

Another good option is Terry bikes but only aluminum is in your price range. Steel is pricey.

If you get away from steel, the Felt ZW series has a petite size that is very small, with 650 wheels. (Though I think they are dropping the 650 wheels on the 2013 model, IIRC). Or, it may be worth trying the Ruby (carbon) or Dolce (aluminum) even though it has 700 wheels, the 44cm is pretty small.

When I was shopping Trek had the Madone and the Lexa in the tiny 43cm size with 650 wheels. These are no longer available, unless a 2011 is sitting in a shop some place.

The Jamis Endura is an option too, carbon for less than $2000 and it will accept wider wheels than most. http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebik...urasportf.html

[indysteel]

It might be a long shot, but there was another TE member hoping to sell a steel Terry Susan B. Mixte in a xtra small size. Here's the thread. If you go to her profile, she has some pictures of it. It's a pretty bike.

[MyRightFoot]

Indysteel -thanks, it looks tempting, but I'm looking for more of a road bike.
I haven't ruled out a used bike though. The hard part is not being able to test ride them if they are located far away.

[indysteel]

I hate to tell you this, but the chances of you being able to find biked your size to test ride are slim. Few shops stock them that small. You might have to order and buy sight unseen.

There's another TEer selling an xs Bianchi Eros Donna. Steel road bike. It's the bike I have and love. You'll have to do a search. I'm on my iPhone at the moment or I'd look for you.

[MyRightFoot]

I agree -fat chance I'll be able to test ride a bike my size

I PMed the seller on that Bianchi earlier this week but still haven't heard back.

[MyRightFoot]

Thanks Goldfinch!
Great feedback and your thread was really helpful to read. It looks like you've looked into the same bikes I have.

I did see how many of the models are phasing out the smaller sizes

I'm thinking you are right about the LHT being heavy -many others are saying the same.

Great point about the Vaya's handlebar spread. Yes, perhaps a different set would help.

I think my height, my budget, and parameters of steel and not manufactured in mainland China are making things tough, but I'm stubborn!

[Trek420]

.... I've narrowed down what I think I'm looking for (in no particular order):

- a road bike for riding mostly on pavement, possibly the occasional crushed limestone trail, for recreation -I don't foresee using it for commuting much or doing bike touring with panniers, etc.
- steel frame not aluminum
- would love for it to be made in USA, but that puts the price several thousand more than I have. So then manufactured in Taiwan is ok, definitely against manufactured in mainland China (I'm against slave labor and poor environmental policies in the making of my bike)
- 650 wheels (seems with my height, I shouldn't have the typical 700 that people a foot taller than me have)
- shifters and brakes that a small hand can reach (love the feel of Italian made Campagnolo but seems everything is Shimano or Sram unless it's custom.)
- preferred budget around $1500 or less

That really is an LHT. I'm 4'11, rode one and loved it. If you wanted it lighter it could be built with lighter wheels.

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

[Catrin]

That really is an LHT. I'm 4'11, rode one and loved it. If you wanted it lighter it could be built with lighter wheels.

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

I concur, and the smaller sizes come with 26 inch wheels automatically, though I think now that option is available on the larger sizes. This is a heavy bike - but as Trek mentioned lighter wheels would make a significant difference in the weight of the bike. I had one of these and loved it, it is a very nice bike!

[Trek420]

I've read or learned, perhaps here on TE that only about 1/5th of the weight of the bike is the frame. So you could make this bike as light as you wish.

But it's a stable, steady, comfortable, affordable, versatile, upgrade worthy, rock steady bike.

[goldfinch]

I've read or learned, perhaps here on TE that only about 1/5th of the weight of the bike is the frame. So you could make this bike as light as you wish.

But it's a stable, steady, comfortable, affordable, versatile, upgrade worthy, rock steady bike.

Besides wheels, what else would one do to lighten up a LHT?

[Catrin]

Besides wheels, what else would one do to lighten up a LHT?

I really think that is the only way - unless you decided do something with the drive train itself. Of course there is a lot I don't know