BIKES THAT FIT WOMEN under 5'4"

[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.