cyclocross frame size?

[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.

[tjf9]

I'm 5'2.5", 29" inseam (pants, not the way you'd measure for a bike) and I ride a 44cm Redline Conquest. I tried to keep the top tube about the same size as the road bike I ride now. It's working so far, but ask me again after I've actually raced the thing.

[Serottarider]

I'm 5'4", not sure what my inseam is, but I have a short torso and I ride a
44 Redline Conquest Team....it fits better than my road bike!

[bboston88]

I also looked at the Salsa Chilli con Crosso, seemed to have good measurements for me.

[wavedancer]

I recently got my Valkyrie that I had ordered back in April and love it! I am 5'1" with a 28" inseam and got the small frame size that gives me about an inch of standover with shoes. I love the 26-inch wheels and SRAM shifters. I have mostly had it out on the road and she climbs great! Took her off road once and she handled well, just had to get used to the 'cross gearing. I was able to get the FSA 165 cranks after a little research and contacting FSA myself to see if they were available (they are). I was fortunate to be able to test ride the prototype that was built for Kerry Litka before I ordered (she lives in New England), and that clinched the deal.

With your height you probably have more options, but for shorter women like myself, Terry's Valkyrie is a welcome option for getting a 'cross bike that actually fits! The price is now up around the custom frame price, so I would consider that, too. The frame size on the Valkyrie was just right for me and Georgena was willing to order the smaller cranks and swap out things like saddle and bar tape. She was also generous in giving me a discount for having my bike wrench BF build it up.

Here she is: