Hi

I'm 5'1", about your Mom's hight. Terry could be a good choice, I would test ride many bikes first. I ride a "guys" bike, a TREK420 (hence the name) but over time I've given it shorter crank arms and women specific handelbars. A vast improvement.

Steel is our ride of choice in our home, 2 steel road bikes and we love them both. The aluminum frame sits on the Cycleops and is rarely ridden. I agree unless your Mom plans to ride Olympic Track pursuit you can't go wrong with a good steel frame!

DR