BIKES THAT FIT WOMEN under 5'4"

[mimitabby]

I would like to open a thread for those of us who are still searching.
I have been told that a Dama Bianchi Elle


would fit me, or a Ruby


or a Gunnar. (this is the Gunnar sport)


I would really really love to get that Bianchi, but it doesn't take fenders, or if it does, they are jury rigged and tight. So please feel free to add to this thread, with photos and useful links so we can all find more cool bikes.

[mimitabby]

here's another one, a steel bike made by Bianchi.. Bianchi Eros Donna
what an awesome name. but what kind of fenders would fit it? (it's about $1600.00)





or the Waterford .. but they are sold as frames.

[KnottedYet]

Mimi- Flossie votes for the Gunnar or Waterford. Steel is real... And the Waterford cyclocross and road sport touring frames fit canti brakes and fenders just fine.

did Eric say anything about Rodriguez? All of those are custom, too. Or are you looking specifically for an off-the-shelf bike?

Mmmm, Waterford X frame or R/RST frame with all your components from your Bianchi and some nice Planet Bike fenders.... mmmmm.

[caligurl]

it's not JUST about height.. it's about proportions... i'm 5'3" with a shorter torso and longer legs.. thus i need WSD with their shorter top tubes and i ride a ruby pro....

[mimitabby]

Yes, Cali, you are absolutely right, but the average woman HAS shorter torso and longer legs, thus, the Ruby (yours) works, but some other smaller bikes (like my sweet Veloce) don't.
The PT guy told me that I should be comfortable enough on the hoods to leave my hands there 80% of the time. If you can't do that (I can't do that comfortably) then you need a shorter top tube.


Knot, I really am not ready (sigh) to spend on a custom bike. But you are right, the Waterford definitely has what it takes. I really want steel for my next bike.

I was steering Eric AWAY from Custom bikes at least for now, that's why he came up with the bikes that I started with on this thread; the Ruby and the Dolce and those Bianchi's. They do have the right toptube length, but there might still be other issues like toe jam
And that Ruby is NOT a cheap bike.

[caligurl]

they have 3 different ruby's (at least last year they had three!) ! pro, comp and.... uhm... can't remember the 3rd one! all are nice bikes!!!! i'm SO glad i got mine last year cuz they hodgepodged the components this year rather then making the pro ALL dura-ace like last year's model! i understand why they did it (to give the ruby s-works the mostly dura-ace)... but still... i'm glad i got all DA including DA wheels!

[SadieKate]

Toe Jam - read this.
http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/20...o-problem.html

I have toe overlap on every single bike except for one. I ride 48-53cm bikes (depending on the builder's labeling). In 20 years of riding, I never noticed it until I joined this forum. I am mystified as to what the problem is with it.

I wish I could find more formal data, but the average woman does not have longer legs and a shorter torso. It appears to be more of an arm length issue or just the way we flex.

http://womenspecific.com/cycling/35/...men-specific--
http://www.active.com/story.cfm?stor...=Cycling&num=0

[caligurl]

i have no toe overlap on my ruby... and it's a small bike (48).... specialized customized the fork to help alleviate the toe overlap problem!

[SadieKate]

Cali, did you read the article? I'm only pointing this out because 1) there can and are handling problems with some bikes due to the manufacturers trying to get rid of toe overlap and 2) the outcry against toe overlap is vastly overated.

My LBS won't recommend certain WSD bikes (I wish I could remember which) because the handling is screwed up simply in the attempt to get rid of toe overlap.

The Ruby may be fine, but one needs to think about this when choosing a bike. I'll take handling over toe overlap every time.

[caligurl]

the ruby handles flawlessly..... smooth and VERY responsive..... unlike some company's that just slap a WDS label onto their bikes..... specialized puts a LOT of work and reasearch into their WSD products....

i have the best of all worlds: a bike that fits (wsd), no toe overlap on a very small bike, and superb handling!

[mimitabby]

that's great, good to know. I am supposed to test ride one.

[Triskeliongirl]

I wouldn't rule out framesets. As someone mentioned, you can always move the parts from your veloce assuming they are in good shape. Now that someone is helping you define the geometry you need, maybe you could get a good deal like I did on ebay on a frame, and then just move over the parts. We've discussed fit for women endlessly, and you know where I stand on this so I won't repeat myself, but lets address the fender issue. Basically the bikes you are looking at are pure racing bikes, they won't take fenders and won't take even slightly wide tires. If you want a bike that is both light and takes fenders and wider tires (say 28-32 c) why not look at a light steel (i.e. reynolds 853 steel frame) with canti brakes. Veronica's legolos is an idea, as is what I did to my terry isis, but these were both custom designed. Smaller framebuilders tend to do this more than the big chains. Rodriguez does this, Waterford does this, Bilenky has a nice bike called the tourlite that does this (and you could get s/s couplers for travel). Yes, custom is expensive, but if you get the bike you want it will be the last bike you buy. Consider it a health expense. Given that Rodriguez is local for you I would look at them very seriously, but maybe someone locally (craigs list, etc) would have a used rodriguez they are trying to unload. I was very pleased with the custom work bilenky did for me. I think what you are looking for is what is called a sport bike or a light sport/tourer. A real touring bike will be too heavy, but a racing bike will not take real fenders. The new terry madeleine will do what you want, but it is aluminum which while light may not be as harsh or last as long as steel.

[Kathi]

Mimitabby,

Did your fitter indicate that you would be happier with a custom frame or did he think that you can get optimal fit on a stock frame? And, what do you want? A good fit or optimal fit?

Since you like steel you can get a custom steel frame from Serotta for $1800
http://www.serotta.com/pages/cda.html
If you like your components from your old bike you can move them over to the new frame, cost would be in the ball park of a stock frame.

The advantages of buying a custom frame over a stock frame are numerous.
You have a fit designed for you. I can't tell you what a joy it is to ride a bike that fits your body. Your body settles onto the bike so naturally. No adapting itself to the frame. Besides, everyone is different, I no longer believe that women have a shorter torso theory.

I had my custom Serotta built for 650c wheels. There is such a world of difference between it and my stock bikes in the handling. It does not have the short twitchy feeling that the stock bikes have. It corners faster and handles better on the downhills. I didn't notice these differences until I got the Serotta.

My custom frame is my 5th road bike. The first 2 were way too big and I sold them. The 3rd I spent some money trying to make it fit better but gave up and bought my Aegis. Like you, I spent money trying to get a good fit on the Aegis and wasn't happy. By contrast, my Serotta needs no changes because it was designed for me.

Think of it this way, what if something isn't quite right with the fit of your new stock frame, what will you do? A custom frame now means no more seeking the perfect fit.

As far as toe overlap goes, a custom builder will take that into consideration. Serotta told me that I would have slight overlap but I've not noticed it. And, if you want it built for fenders, I'm sure Serotta can do it!

[spokewench]

I've had 4 different 50cm bikes. I'm almost 5'4" but I probably don't have as short a reach as you do Mimi. However with regard to toe overlap - 3 of the 4 bikes do or did not have toe overlap. The Trek 1000, the Bridgestone RB1 and the Giant TCR do not have toe overlap. The Redline Cyclocross bike does have toe overlap (and I have small size 7 feet). The toe overlap problem has never been an issue. It reared its ugly head once when I was sitting at a stop light, not paying attention and I let the wheel fall over and then got my foot in there. No big deal, I just moved the wheel and got my foot out - I was LOL at myself sitting at the stop light - people probably thought I was crazy!

If you don't mind toe overlap, you might look at Redlines - they are steel. I'm not sure if they have places to put racks, but I bet they do or you could have them braised on probably.

[mimitabby]

Cali, did you read the article? I'm only pointing this out because 1) there can and are handling problems with some bikes due to the manufacturers trying to get rid of toe overlap and 2) the outcry against toe overlap is vastly overated.

My LBS won't recommend certain WSD bikes (I wish I could remember which) because the handling is screwed up simply in the attempt to get rid of toe overlap.

The Ruby may be fine, but one needs to think about this when choosing a bike. I'll take handling over toe overlap every time.

SadieKate,
there is toe overlap and then there is toe overlap. I have tried a fair number of bikes recently, and some are way worse than others for me. I have a fugi here and the toe overlap was very pronounced. Then today I tried out a Specialized Dolce, NO TOE OVERLAP at all!
So I agree, if there is some (like on my Bianchi), it's good to know it's there, but it is just no big deal.