Fast, comfy ride for a 5'0 woman?

[Cataboo]

We will have to check out the Ultegra short reach shifters as well as Campy Ergos if she doesn't like the bar-ends.

ms pepperpot - A 42cm LHT is exactly what I was planning on building her at the beginning of this process. It is likely still what I will build if after riding the Terry for a while she still thinks a touring frame would suit her better (unless I suddenly become rich and can afford a new Terry Madeleine or Rivendell Atlantis!) However, I came to the conclusion that building up a brand new LHT was a whole lot of money to spend when I wasn't 100% certain that was the bike for her. This way she can try a good bike and yet we should be able to sell it for what we paid without too much trouble if she wants the LHT.

catriona - Thanks for sitting on your hands this time around. If we do decide to go to a touring bike in the future, I will let you know before putting it up for sale anywhere.

No worries, I picked up a carbon fiber frame off craigslist on friday. So I'm currently building it up with pieces from one of my road bikes and will convert the road bike to a flat bar commuter.

I think that should satisfy my bike lust for this month.

The only real goal left is a titanium road frame if I ever see one that I can afford.

I see some nice mixtes on craigslist that I'd love to convert to a single speed - but I can't really justify it

[Over50Newbie]

I'm a little late reading this thread, but just to let you know...

I am a 5'0" woman and I own a 2006 16 inch Terry Classic (the one with the smaller wheel in the front) and I absolutely LOVE it.

I test road 6 bikes before I bought this one, and I couldn't find one that fit as well as this one.

I am short everywhere (my legs, arms, hands, standover height etc) and the Terry is the only one that was comfortable.

Lynette

[Triskeliongirl]

CONGRATULATIONS ON WINNING THE AUCTION. I think she'll really enjoy the bike. Usually the nitto technomic stems work great, and I have extras in 8cm and 10 cm if you need give a shout. Just so you know, terry's are always spec'd with short reach levers.

You should also know that there isn't a HUGE difference in the geometry of the symetry/isis vs madeleine/classic (in terms of measurements, handling, comfort).

The biggest difference is in that the madeleiene/classic series have wider seat stays and fork, so can better accomodate wider tires and fenders, and both front and rear racks. Symetry/isis will accomodate a rear rack, and at least on the larger frames (17.5/19) i have squeezed 28mm tires by deflating first (depends where the bridge lies). 26mm are no problem at all (like the panaracer pasella is a good general use tire that comes in 24" although I like the 23 mm high pressure schwalbe stelvio for go fast riding).

[Cataboo]

broken cynic, how did all those bikes work out?