cyclocross frame size?

[Tokie]

Oh, I want one of those! I'm riding my entry level specialized Mt bike this year for 'cross - if I really love it, I'll be in touch Margo! tokie ( 5 foot 1.5 with a 28 inch inseam)

[Jaclyn]

In addition to Luna's custom cross bikes, Terry has been offering the Valkyrie in a cross configuration since the beginning of the year. I was one of the first to buy this bike which I believe is the only stock women specific design cross bike. The frames are built in Wisconsin by Waterford and I met Richard Schwinn, the builder, at the handmade bicycle show in Indianapolis this spring. (Waterford also builds custom x-bikes.)

I am 5'1/2" and bought an x-small. Standover height is 26.9", wheels are 26" and there is zero toe overlap. Handlebars are the Salsa Short & Shallow and it has a short stem. Equipped with SRAM Rival. I'd never use SRAM components before but I like the shifting and find it easier with my smaller hands.

You can probably fit a small which has 28.5 standover height. Georgena will ask for your measurements and help you determine size.

Tonight's the season's last Time Trial so I will be putting my Q'roo away and riding the Valkyrie more to prepare for cross season. So far I've been very happy with the bike. Just noticed that the price HAS increased since I bought mine at the start of the year.

Obviously if you go the custom route there will be many choices including Luna and Sweet Pea (both women builders). Here's a link to an article in CycloCross Magazine: http://cxmagazine.com/small-cyclocro...s-short-search

[bboston88]

It's hard for the short crossers! I got an old Jamis Nova 47 that is great but for a while before I tweaked it I was thinking it was too small. I'm keeping it now but my friend was helpful enough to put this together when I was investigating frames. I ride a 48 Ruby on the road. Hope this helps!!




For reference the numbers on your road bike:
Specialized Ruby 48 cm: Top tube length (TT) 50.6 cm, Head tube length (HT) 11.5 cm, seat angle (SA) 75.75, head angle (HA) 71.25, stand over (SO) 71.8 cm.

Specialized Tricross 49cm: TT 51.5, HT 11, SA 75.5, HA 70, SO 75

Kona Jake the Snake 47 cm: TT 52, HT 90, SA 74.7, HA 70.5, SO 74.1

VooDoo Limba 51 cm: TT 51, HT 10, SA 75, HA 71, SO 76
VooDoo Wazoo 51 cm: TT 51.5, HT 80, SA 75, HA 71, SO 75.2

Guerciotti Cross Force 47 cm: TT 50.5, SA 74.3, HA 71.3
48 cm: TT 51, SA 74.3, HA 72

For reference the shorter the top tube and the taller the head tube the more upright you can be. You can modify things a bit via stem length and angle. A longer TT makes you go to shorter stem and the opposite is true. You may be able to trade off a longer top tube with a taller head tube. One other thing that will make a difference with head tube length is what kind of headset it has, integrated head sets don't change the length while conventional ones will add height to it. The Specialized is integrated (although they use a big spacer on top of the head tube (look at your bike, between the stem and the head tube) as is the Guerciotti, while the Voodoo's and Kona use a conventional headset (typically add about 3 cm to the head tube length).

The only other little wrinkles are if it is a sloping frame or conventional frame and the bottom bracket height. Conventional frames will have shorter head tubes than sloping, but it can even things out. Bikes with higher bottom brackets might fit when you are in the seat but you may not be able to stand over the frame. Ridley, older Redlines and Cannondale have higher bottom brackets. A high bottom bracket is ~40 cm, normal is ~25-30.

What ever frame you look at, be sure to look at the geometry. Some manufacturers change there specs even if the model stays the same. If you are curious about a Guerciotti, I have a 48 cm Kangaroo (should be the same as Cross Force) that you can check out.

[Blueberry]

I'm pretty close to your measurements and ride a 50cm cross check.

CA

[uforgot]

I'm 5'4, 32" inseam, but short short arms and ride a 46 cross check. The 50 standover was okay, but the tt was too long. Be careful with your measurements on cross bikes. Look at them carefully. The bottom bracket is higher, so the size may be deceiving.

[Jaclyn]

We haven't asked about your budget ... another option are the cross bikes built by Rodriguez at http://www.rodcycle.com/ Although not women specific, they offer 15 different sizes which is much broader than most builders. The Rodriquez starts at $2699, the Terry at $2950, and the custom bikes more. The Surly, Soma and others will be less. If you are on a budget, shop for used bikes (there's a lot of juniors locally who outgrow their bikes).

I agree with Uforgot & bboston 88 about paying close attention to the measurements. And try to test ride. Last week I let a woman who rides a Q'Roo TT bike similar to mine ride my cross check bike for a comparison. She came back with a huge grin! The cross world is pretty friendly and wants to recruit new riders.

[Drtgirl]

I'm close to your size as well and I'm on a 48cm Redline Conquest Pro.