Hello,

I am going to purchase a road bike for my girlfriend. She is quite athletic, but has never really ridden a bike other than the occasional commute on a really heavy, half broken hybrid bike. She is totally on board with the idea of trying out the sport so there is no coercion on my part but I still want to set her up for success as best I can (within some reasonably tight budgetary constraints).

Because cost is an issue I am looking at a used road bike. Craigslist seems like a good source and I am pretty sure I can manage to get a decent 51cm bike with decent components on it for about $400. Alas, this means I am unlikely to get a frame that is more specifically tailored to a woman's body. She is 5'3" (5'4" if you ask her, so let's split the difference ) and has test ridden several bikes. 51cm seems to be the best fit from these very very short rides.

My questions are regarding the best way to fit the bike for her. I bike fairly regularly myself and I generally know what makes a "good fit" for someone like me, but I am curious if anyone has any unique advice to offer. Like many women, she has longer legs vs. torso compared to me. This has me a little worried that if she fits on a 51cm leg-wise, that she might be too stretched out with regard to the top tube. What should I be looking out for here? How could I tell if she is too stretched out? Since it is a road bike and she has no experience on one, she just shrugs her shoulders when I ask if she feels comfortable on the bike. And if she IS too stretched out, would going to a smaller frame be ok (i.e. the seat post tube would be much shorter and require a longer seat post itself)? I have also looked at the Terry website and they mention different width road bars. How does this change the fit? And is it something I should be considering? How about any other specific tweaks that would improve the comfort?

Any other advice that would make her first riding experiences enjoyable/successful? She's pretty awesome and I want make sure she has as much fun as possible.

Thanks in advance... I know this is a huge number of questions!

(and if anyone has any pointers to specific bikes for sale out there, I'd be happy to check them out too!)