Cyclocross bike for 5 foot 4 inch man?

[gadgetadam]

Hello ladies. I’m a man.
I normally don’t post on women’s forums but since I’m short (5 feet 4 inches) and I’m looking for a bike I thought I would ask help from women (who normally are shorter than men) about bikes for short people. I sized a 49cm road bike and the top bar was, well let’s just say I felt the bar and it was WAY too close for comfort. Close, actually if I didn’t have shoes on I think I would have been hurting. I’m looking for a cyclocross bike that has a small frame for short people. Below is a repost from another forum.

I currently own a http://www.k2bike.com/products/biked...ear=2006&ID=66 and I love it. It’s very comfortable to ride. Currently I try to ride 5-7 miles each day and 12-15 miles on the weekends. The problem is I want something that’s more efficient but will still allow me to ride on trails around town. Currently I mostly ride on sidewalks, streets that have at least a 3 foot wide shoulder (I don’t trust drivers), and established trails. I’m looking at getting a Cyclocross bike because I think it would be perfect for what I do. I’m 5 foot 4 at 187- pounds (the – is because I’m losing weight!) and I want to spend around $1,000 for a decent cyclocross bike that I will never compete with. I live in Austin Texas. I know Redline, Surly, and Jamis have small framed bikes. Does anyone else know of any other ones or have any suggestions. Thanks.

[Triskeliongirl]

Yes I do. Bianchi makes a series of cyclocross bikes that I believe go all the way down to 44 cm. For example, bianchilady on this board has a nice volpe. http://www.bianchiusa.com/06_volpe.html. Check them out.

[KnottedYet]

Surly's cyclocross is the Cross Check. The Cross Check is pretty spiffy.
http://www.surlybikes.com/crosscheck_comp.html

This is my Surly Cross Check, all set up to be a commuter.


I'm 5'8" and ride a 52 cm frame.

Edit: btw, the pricetag on my Surly was $930. That's not what I *paid* because I did some trading-in, but I'd say the bike is quite fine for that price. Plus the Surly is designed to be fiddled with so you can change parts all over the place. (you can even make it a fixie!)

[Trek420]

gadgetadam,

I was going to say Luna cycles, which is clearly marketed as a womans frame but hey, they are always custom so they'd build for anyone who wants the bike.

They may be a bit more than what you want to spend unless you find on the used market.

My niece rides a Specialized cross to work. Her commute is both on roads and off road unpaved trails lucky gal. She put slicks on the bike and completed every mile of the AIDS Lifecycle ride. Then just pop the knobbies on and back to work. Seems like a very versatile bike, it's light too.

If I was getting a cross I'd want the Surly (because I work in customer service and I just love the idea of my bike being Surly) or a Rivendell. The Surly would probably win because less expensive and my LBS builds them up.

BTW, we don't trust cars either and yet I still feel safer on the road simply because it's easier than dealing with intersections, driveways, uncertainty there.

Oh, 5'1", 47 +/-cm road bike (the +/- is it's custom so not a standard size).

[Triskeliongirl]

Since men have longer upper bodies and shorter lower bodies, I think a guy that is 5'4" will need a smaller frame size than a women of equiv height to clear the top tube. He did say a 49cm was too small, while most women that are 5'4" can clear the top tube with a 49cm seat tube, but find the top tube too long. So, I think he needs to find out who makes a 44 cm cyclocross frame. The bianchi volpe is the only one I am aware of, but there may be more. Another thing to look for are sloping top tubes that may have more clearance even in a larger size. Also, be sure to check geometry charts to see if the stand over height is caluclated as center to top vs. center to center. For example, this 49cm Fuji Comp is 49cm center to top, which will have more clearnance than a 49 cm that is center to center: http://www.fujibikes.com/2006/bikes.asp?id=137#. Welcome to our world!

[Blueberry]

I'll second the recommendation of the Cross Check. Mine was an ebay purchase, and was built up (not stock) exactly the way I would have wanted it.

I'm 5'4" and ride a 50 cm comfortably. I usually ride a larger frame size, but in my experience, cross checks are a little longer than my other bikes on the top tube.

Good luck!

CA

[KnottedYet]

Surly has a 42cm and a 46 cm Cross Check.

Kona's cyclocross frames have slanting top tubes, but the smallest is a 49cm. www.konaworld.com/bikes/2k7/JAKE/index.html

There is a Surly Cross Check and Long Haul Trucker owner's forum at www.surlyville.net Someone there might be able to tell you how they like the fit of the smaller frames from a functional standpoint.

[mimitabby]

That Bianchi Volpe is fine and the price is right!

[VeloVT]

I'd also suggest looking at the Bianchi Axis. Mine is 52 cm and a great fit for me (I'm 5'6", with a long torso). Here it is:



This year's model comes in a 44 and a 49; there's a geometry chart on the website here:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/07_axis.html

(Looks like the replaced the super-tiny triple on my model with a compact double; a good move imo).

It's a really fun bike, stiff & snappy, quick handling, comfy relaxed geometry, and at around 21 lbs including fat tires, not too much heavier than my roadbike.

One thing to be aware of with cross bikes -- the BB is often higher than with road bikes (someone more knowledgeable than I may be able to tell you why this is, but it's a result of slightly different rear-triangle angles), which can affect TT clearance, so depending on the particular model you may size down from your road bike size.

Make sure you pay as much attention to the TT length/reach as to the clearance, it's more important to overall fit.

[gadgetadam]

Thanks everyone. There were some great replies. I'll check them all out.
-GadgetAdam

[wonderwoman]

Just had to put a good word in for my 46cm Jamis Nova. I'm 5'3" and I love it. Mine has a 26" front wheel to reduce toe overlap, I guess, and the only drawback is having to carry 2 tubes and find narrow 26" tires. I feel like it can go anywhere. I think Jamis is still making the Nova in this size.

Liza, your Axis is drool-worthy !