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]

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!

[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.

[indysteel]

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.

I hope she responds. It's not my favorite color for that bike, but the frame itself is nice. The bike rides really well. I've updated mine over time, but there's nothing wrong with the stock parts.

[MyRightFoot]

Actually it's the color that's making me look elsewhere. I'm just getting a bit antsy since getting my running injury -I have a need for another cardio outdoor workout.

[Sylvia]

If you don't mind used, you might try craigslist and see if there are any bikes on your list that are in your area. Maybe even a used Terry. At least if its in your area you could probably give it a test ride. I have a Terry mixte that I bought used and I'm really enjoying it.

[pinsonp2]

Here's the Detroit CL listing for that Bianchi http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/bik/3142926639.html.

P2

[MyRightFoot]

Thanks Sylvia -yes, I've been scoping out CL -also Terry has a nice section on their site for used bikes, but I haven't seen anything that's right for me yet.

Pinonp2 -thanks -I think I'm nixing that Bianchi. It can't accept very wide tires and I'd like the flexibility.

I'm stopping in my LBS tonight -they don't have the Vaya in my size (of course) but we're going to see what can be swapped out and such. I'm going to try different components to see how my hands fit them, the handlebar widths, etc.

Getting a bike to fit is as difficult as finding a bra!

[Sylvia]

I can think of one other option that hasn't been mentioned. That would be a Bike Friday. The bikes are steel and made in the US. However, because they are built to be packed in a suitcase for traveling, they have 20" wheels. The smaller wheel size can help allow the bikes to fit a larger range of sizes. Numerous people on this forum have a Bike Friday including myself. They are great bikes. They also make some of them with a cassette that goes down to a 9t cog which allows for higher gears more comparable to bikes with full size wheels. You might check if there are any dealers in your area or if some pop up on craigslist.

[Sky King]

Have you considered custom. I know, but a good bike can be a forever bike. Yipsan would be a perfect choice, he understands those of on the shorter side http://www.yipsanbicycles.com/

[indysteel]

I saw some Yipsan bikes in person a few years ago and met him and his wife. Nice people; beautiful bikes.