Need help on bike size!!!

[aicabsolut]

And hopefully she won't crash an all carbon bike because then it won't likely last her "a long long time" (which I think of as perhaps 20 years or more). Carbon can crack under crash stress, and is not easily repaired if it does.

Bah. Aluminum, steel, and ti frames can all fail in the right crash. Many crashed carbon bikes live to see another day. It all depends on the circumstances of the accident.

To the OP, have her sit on a lot of bikes. Try 52-56. Try different brands. You can get a good bike with Chorus for $3k. The important thing is the frame, as you know. Do a bunch of test riding and fitting and shopping, and then order something comparable or get a different brand of frame locally to build up.

The thing about the varied answers in this thread is true of all bike size questions on forums: Bike size may follow some rules of thumb based on factors like inseam, but everyone is different. There's inseam length. Relative femur to calf length. Flexibility and effective reach. How aggressive the person wants to be in terms of saddle to bar drop. How low the person can go and still look up down the road without hurting his/her neck. The type of riding, racing, and training to be done. So yeah, we don't really know what she needs any better than you, but have her try some "men's" frames and WSD frames. As many as you can get your hands on.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Bah. Aluminum, steel, and ti frames can all fail in the right crash. Many crashed carbon bikes live to see another day. It all depends on the circumstances of the accident.

Bah yourself.
Yes, of course ANY frame can become a total loss in 'the right crash'. And yes, everything depends on the circumstances of a crash. But the fact is that carbon frames are the least repairable after significant crashes that damage the frame, aluminum second least repairable. Steel is the most often successfully repairable after significant crash damage.

[aicabsolut]

Bah yourself.
Yes, of course ANY frame can become a total loss in 'the right crash'. And yes, everything depends on the circumstances of a crash. But the fact is that carbon frames are the least repairable after significant crashes that damage the frame, aluminum second least repairable. Steel is the most often successfully repairable after significant crash damage.

Tell that to Calfee.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Tell that to Calfee.

Thanks, but I have higher priority tasks in my life at the moment.

[aicabsolut]

Thanks, but I have higher priority tasks in my life at the moment.

Like checking your facts?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Like checking your facts?

OK quit busting my chops.

You should check your own facts.

[tulip]

Ladies...this is supposed to be fun. Chill out!

It's okay to disagree. Jeez.