shortie needs help finding bike!

[SheFly]

I agree with Liza on the steel vs. aluminum comments. I race 'cross A LOT, and do it on an aluminum frame (actually two of them ). You would have to have a VERY SERIOUS crash to break an aluminum frame, and with the amount of carrying involved, it is MUCH lighter than the steel alternative (I am actually thinking about moving to carbon...).

Like others, my first road bikes were aluminum, and I loved them (till I discovered carbon). That said, my winter commuter is my old aluminum cross bike, and I put A LOT of road miles on it very comfortably.

SheFly

[celerystalksme]

I agree with Liza on the steel vs. aluminum comments. I race 'cross A LOT, and do it on an aluminum frame (actually two of them ). You would have to have a VERY SERIOUS crash to break an aluminum frame, and with the amount of carrying involved, it is MUCH lighter than the steel alternative (I am actually thinking about moving to carbon...).

Like others, my first road bikes were aluminum, and I loved them (till I discovered carbon). That said, my winter commuter is my old aluminum cross bike, and I put A LOT of road miles on it very comfortably.

SheFly

well...i'm pretty sure the ONLY frames that'll fit me are Bianchi and MAYBE Pinarello. so i'll probably end up with aluminum or carbon. the pinarello looks sorta nice...so does the bianchi...

i'll have to see what i have to do in order to get my LBS's to order the smallest size without me buying it first...

[obie]

I don't have my inseam measurements on hand, but I'm only 5'1" (on a good day!) and I very comfortably race on a Surly Cross-Check. I have a long torso too, so presumably there's not much left in my inseam

Is there a local bike club around where maybe you could find a used cross bike to buy or test ride? That way you won't be making such an investment on equipment before you've gotten to try out the sport! (I mean, I'm sure you'll love cross because it's awesome, but there's a lot of great used bikes out there for cheap!)

[celerystalksme]

I don't have my inseam measurements on hand, but I'm only 5'1" (on a good day!) and I very comfortably race on a Surly Cross-Check. I have a long torso too, so presumably there's not much left in my inseam

Is there a local bike club around where maybe you could find a used cross bike to buy or test ride? That way you won't be making such an investment on equipment before you've gotten to try out the sport! (I mean, I'm sure you'll love cross because it's awesome, but there's a lot of great used bikes out there for cheap!)

i'm short...all the guys i know that cross have bikes way too big for me!

oh...and i'm all over craigslist and ebay looking for cheap used bikes. i've actually found a bunch! but all too big for me. so...i may be off shopping for a new pinarello or bianchi.

[Eden]

You might check out Redline just for kicks too - I have an inseam maybe a bit shorter than yours. I think mine is 28.5 - 29ish depending on how tight I want to hold the book . I can stand over a 44cm Redline - but being that I'm only 5 feet even, with that inseam, the reach is way to long.... Now I am not too sure how much I'd want to *race* said 44cm bike... the clearance is small enough that a misstep on a mount or dismount could be diasterous, and I'm not a man.

[celerystalksme]

You might check out Redline just for kicks too - I have an inseam maybe a bit shorter than yours. I think mine is 28.5 - 29ish depending on how tight I want to hold the book . I can stand over a 44cm Redline - but being that I'm only 5 feet even, with that inseam, the reach is way to long.... Now I am not too sure how much I'd want to *race* said 44cm bike... the clearance is small enough that a misstep on a mount or dismount could be diasterous, and I'm not a man.

i looked at the redline bikes...according to their site, the standover on the 44cm bike is 736mm (28.98 inches). i thought that might be cutting a bit close!

[bluebug32]

What about a Kona Jake or Jake the Snake?

I know the latter is a bit expensive (I built one up from the frame for around 1k, not including the wheels).

I'm 5'4" and have a pretty short inseem and it fits me just fine. I don't even have the smallest one Kona makes.

[LainiePants]

If you want to see if you enjoy racing cross before you spend lots o $$ (what's not to love!?), perhaps you could race on a mountain bike first (assuming you have one). Quite a few people do.

[SheFly]

i'm short...all the guys i know that cross have bikes way too big for me!

oh...and i'm all over craigslist and ebay looking for cheap used bikes. i've actually found a bunch! but all too big for me. so...i may be off shopping for a new pinarello or bianchi.

Um - what about local women riders who are short and may have used bikes (or even non local...)?

SheFly

p.s.
After all of your responses, it sounds to me like you want a Bianchi or Pinerello regardless of what we say