recommendations for frame size for my 5'2" wife...

[djb]

what part of Canada were you in?

as for temps, I had the poly pro top, thin fleece and a windshell on the other day on a 3C ride (bit cooler than usual) so we are in the last stages of riding over here, alas.

Always sad to begin riding less...November and Dec are the kinda "blah" months, more rain, colder. Riding in cold and dry is alright, but cold and wet...blah.
December is too early to have any lasting snow, so cross country skiing hasnt started yet (especially the last few years our winters have been milder than usual, not as much snow by far)

c'est la vie

[Triskeliongirl]

Another suggestion would be a used terry classic/madeline in 17.5". You can get these used for a good price. Try the buy/sell a used terry on the terry web site. They will have small front wheels, but a good solution for a short top tube without toe clip overlap. Get an older steel, 2001-2005 for 9 spd drive train. If you are carrying most of the luggage, a symetry/isis would also work.

[azfiddle]

I'm 5'1" and ride a 44 cm bike. it's not a touring bike specifically- an aluminum road bike. I'm short-waisted, with proportionally longer legs, if that helps.

[oz rider]

what part of Canada were you in?

Vancouver to Inuvik, via Vancouver Island.

We have to go looking for snow in winter, so our annual snow ride is a novelty. hehe. It surprises me that you have so few trackies over there, given the weather.

[featuretile]

I'm 5"3" and I ride a Specialized Ruby Compact 48cm. The handlebars are slightly higher than the seat so there is very little difference between it and my previous straight bar Specialized Vita. It was very easy to get used to.

I bought a used Bike Friday that was close to my size. It seemed fine at first for short distances, but after a 40 mile ride (with handlebars level with seat) my hands were numb and my privates hurt. Changing the saddle (to one like my road bike) fixed one problem, and getting an adjustable stem that raised up the handlebars fixed the other one. I am thinking that I must have short arms because when I lean over too much, there is too much weight on my wrists. I am not talking about a bolt upright position like on a cruiser, just a more gentle lean.

Your wife might want to try an adjustable stem on her new bike (it was only about $30) to see if that is why she is leery of dropped bars. When I want to get lower, I can use the drops, but when I am just cruising along the hoods are more comfortable. She could play around with the height and change it at a later date if she wants.

[djb]

First of all, I dont have this set up so that I get emails when there are responses, so I have to remember to check in.

Triskelion--thanks for that Terry mention, I have never heard of that company (and its in Vermont, not far from us in Montreal) but just looked at the website. Neat, even just for the basic bike sizing/geometry explanation videos.
Very good pointer for the used section and your model suggestions too, very much appreciated.

Az-tks for the size reference, I now have to make a chart with the metric/imperial equilavents to keep track...

Oz- Wow,neat trip. When we got married we drove across Canada (in car) and took the ferry from Prince Rupert down to Vancouver Island. I'm sure you had to be extra careful of bears, much more than out here in the east.
My grandparents were Brits, so I am familiar with Britspeak, but I'm afraid you lost me with "trackies"--do you mean people who ride in the winter?

Feature- you are a good 2 inches taller than my wife, but again, a good comparison, and my wifes present bike is a Vita. The adjustable stem idea is a good one. There are so many factors in what is a good set up for any given individual-ones flexibility, or even early in the riding season our backs and gut muscles arent as strong, and as we bike more, we will pedal a bit harder and consistently, taking weight off our hands a bit more too. The added weight of an adjustable stem could really be outweighed by the quick-changing aspect as you mentioned. And as you say, saddle choice and postion play a big part also.

again, thanks to all for the real world experiences.

[oz rider]

Sorry djb. Trackies is people who ride track, as in velodromes (usually indoor). We seem to have a very strong track tradition for a country with such beautiful weather, as the Comm Games showed. And I was surprised talking to the Canadians that they have few international standard velodromes. Melbourne has two; one is only available for special events but anyone can access the other one and local clubs race there every week. Plus half a dozen shallower outdoor ones.

[djb]

ahhh tracks....as I am not into racing at all, this didnt occur to me. You know the 1976 Olympics were held here, and there was a Velodrome (right beside the Olympic Stadium) but ages ago it was converted into a nature center, called the "Biodome" (is really neat, with a number of "climate zones" that one walks through with real and "set-like" environments with birds, animals, fish. A great place to visit with kids)
Kinda sad that an Olympic level facility was not used enough to warrant the change, but I dont honestly remember the details of when it was taking place.
I imagine the use was not warranting the upkeep etc.

cheers

[Catrin]

Indoor velodromes? Did I read this right? Interesting. We have a velodrome in my city but it is outside. It seems to see a lot of use. During the N.I.T.E Ride this summer, which starts at the velodrome, I saw my first race there before the ride started (well after dark). Interesting, but I was surprised at how steep the track was Fun to watch though!