What size bike do i get?

[ambrosia]

I'm a new biker - female, 5'8", 115 lbs, 32" inseem. I am looking for a bike that is affordbale (under 1500) that i can use for club rides. I am looking for something that will work for my first triathelon, as well. I'm 31 years old ... any advice is really appreciated. I have been searching web sites for fit recommendations ... i may be a 54 cm bike but i really don't know. Can anyone help?

[farrellcollie]

I am fairly short - so I can't help with actual sizes -but I can say that I think you should ride several different bikes - even if you know your size. I tried specialized elite dolce, bianchi eros donna, trek pilot 2.1, a lemond, a cannondale, a raliegh - all within a couple of cms of each other. I rode a 44 cm bianchi imola that was too long of a reach for me - I ended up with a 47 cm scott wsd - contessa roadster - felt much better. Just going by measurement - the 44 should have worked - but, even with switching out the stem - it just was not as comfortable for me. So - I suggest actually trying a few differnent sizes and companies before deciding.

[salsabike]

Arm and torso length matter even more than inseam, since it's the reach from saddle to bars (i.e., the top tube length) that is most critical. Try to find someone who does professional bike fits. Here's an article you may find helpful:

http://www.myra-simon.com/bike/womens-fit.html

[mimitabby]

hey, great article, thanks Salsabike!

[Sheherazade]

I'm a fraction under 5'8" and also have a 32" inseam. I do have a few pounds on you at 160 I did not need a WSD frame. My bike is a 52cm Cannondale. A 54cm frame is too big for me; I wouldn't be able to stand over the frame flat-footed (which I can just do on the 52). I'd recommend you try them both and see what you are most comfortable with. Remember that the handlebar riser can be changed and saddle adjustments made in order to zero in on a more perfect fit.

There are a lot of fine bikes available in your price range. Cannondale, Lemond, Specialized, Trek, and Fuji are all brands you will not go wrong with. Ride a few different frames- carbon, steel, and aluminum- and see which you like the best. Mine is an aluminum R1000 which is a little more than you are looking to spend, but it was the most bike for the money I could find. I did a lot of shopping and comparing. I was very interested in a Lemond steel-framed bike, but the Cannondale had the better componentry for the money, so that's what I went with.

Whatever you buy, good luck with it and enjoy!

wendy

[KnottedYet]

I'm 5'8" with a 32" inseam and ride a 56cm frame. Frame sizes are like clothing sizes, they only give you a ballpark place to start, ya gotta try them on to see what really fits. (and different brands tend to run smaller or larger)