Road bike shopping for short person

[Trek420]

First off I'm thinking steel for the ride. I'm 5' nuthin, arthritis all over, torn ACL, meniscus tendon (both knees) and a fractured spine When my namesake Trek was stolen I did not feel I had many choices but I tried bikes.

Antonio Mondonico was making the rounds of the USA (his last time, he's now retired) offering a custom fit bike without having to go to Milan to meet him. I met him and decided to buy. He measured me for the bike and said in Italian something like "it'll probably have a sloping top tube, is that ok?" I think what he really said, just his son was too polite to translate was "I can't believe that I, Antonio the builder of bikes which have placed in the top 3 of the Grand Tours am building a custom bike for this short chubby middle age club cyclist!"

But he went off, sipped coffee, listened to Verde opera, welded, some antipasto, another weld .... months later my bike was there.

Then painted, then built up by Chris at Robinson Wheelworks. Not only did the builder do such a good job but my LBS had fit me for my old bike so he knew what to do. I am a bit more upright than a pure race style. I got a bike that's light, fast and with all day comfort right from the start.

They say when training for the AIDS rides that you should not change ANYTHING a month or two before the 545 mile ride. A few weeks before the ride I got my bike. It fit and rode perfectly.

If your shop has done a good job of fit and can work with a custom builder or can customize another bike for you, go that route.

[Koronin]

Just to let you know the 44cm Specialized is the equivalent of the Trek 47cm.

I'm 5'0" and currently ride a 47cm Trek 2000 men's bike. I've also looked at different bikes and from what I've seen many companies do not make small enough bikes for shorter people in general. When I do get a new bike I'm planning on getting a Trek Madone in whichever version comes in a men's 47cm.

[azfiddle]

I am 5'1" and purchased a 44 cm Ruby this spring. I also tested a Trek Madone 47 cm. It was too long a reach for me and I did not like the ride as well.

My previous road bike was a Fuji Finest 44 cm, but it was proportioned differently. I didn't think of it as being a bad fit and rode it almost 6000 miles in a little more than 18 months. After getting used to the Ruby, I got back on the Fuji for just a ride around the block and it felt too big as well.

I didn't want to go with a frame with 650 wheels, just for keeping tire supplies simpler for DH and I, as we're very disorganized at our house.

Good luck on finding the right bike Goldfinch. (By the way, I studied Lesser Goldfinch songs for my master's degree

[Tiffany_S]

I am 5'1" and purchased a 44 cm Ruby this spring. I also tested a Trek Madone 47 cm. It was too long a reach for me and I did not like the ride as well.

My previous road bike was a Fuji Finest 44 cm, but it was proportioned differently. I didn't think of it as being a bad fit and rode it almost 6000 miles in a little more than 18 months. After getting used to the Ruby, I got back on the Fuji for just a ride around the block and it felt too big as well.

I didn't want to go with a frame with 650 wheels, just for keeping tire supplies simpler for DH and I, as we're very disorganized at our house.

Good luck on finding the right bike Goldfinch. (By the way, I studied Lesser Goldfinch songs for my master's degree

I second this! I started out on a Fuji and went to a Ruby as well. I'm 5' with short arms.

[nscrbug]

Just to let you know the 44cm Specialized is the equivalent of the Trek 47cm.

I'm 5'0" and currently ride a 47cm Trek 2000 men's bike. I've also looked at different bikes and from what I've seen many companies do not make small enough bikes for shorter people in general. When I do get a new bike I'm planning on getting a Trek Madone in whichever version comes in a men's 47cm.

Oooh...this is interesting! I ride a 51cm Cannondale Synapse. I recently went bike shopping and at a Trek dealer they sized me up for a 54cm, but I told them I already own a 54cm 2100 WSD and it feels too large. They gave me a 54 Madone to test ride and once again, I felt too stretched out. So then I tried a 52cm Madone, and it felt much better. So what size Specialized bike would equate to a 52cm Trek or 51cm Cannondale? It would be nice if there was some kind of chart available that compares the different sizing of bike brands.

Linda

[Becky]

It would be nice if there was some kind of chart available that compares the different sizing of bike brands.

There's no simple comparison between brands or even models within a brand, because of different lengths and angles. The geometry charts of the bikes that you're considering will give you insight into the size comparison.

A bike size is no more standardized than a clothing size. It all boils down to how the manufacturer measured the bike and which number they stuck on the size tag. It's a good starting point, but nothing to hang your hat on.

[Zippinalong]

goldfinch I'm 5'2.

[kcmpls]

If you are coming to Minneapolis, check out The Hub on Minnehaha. I've heard a couple times that it is a good place for shorter women to get bikes because they actually employ a short woman there. Also, check out Minneapolis Bike Love, the forum should give you some other ideas of which shops have smaller bikes so you can test ride a few. http://www.mplsbikelove.com/forum/

[goldfinch]

What is a guru and a guru fitting?
EDIT: Nevermind. Google is my friend.

kcmpls, thanks for the tips on the local shop and forum.

Everyone is so helpful! I will poke around on the custom side a lot more and check out all of your links.

[WindingRoad]

For your budget, go custom: Serotta would be a great option.

[Kathi]

For your budget, go custom: Serotta would be a great option.

+1. I love my Serotta.

Goldfinch, I keep thinking about you comment about short arms. I, too, have short arms and found that it is very important that you're fitter recognize this. Head tube length will be very important to you. I don't think there is a stock frame that would have met my needs, thus the custom Serotta.

When I bought the Aegis is was to be my dream bike but it didn't fit. At the time I trusted this LBS, the "fitter" was well known in the area and trusted as the best bike fitter, but he was used to working with men and average sized women, not small ones like me and he eyeballed bike fit. My major problem was my handlebars were 4 cm too low, he missed the short arm issue. The bike shop had cut the steerer tube on the fork so I had to buy a new fork. With a new fork and lots of spacers I had better fit but the bike doesn't handle well. My custom Serotta has a much longer head tube, therefore, I have better fit and much better handling. When I return from my bike ride I will post pictures of the before and after changes on the Aegis and the custom Serotta.

My advice to you is find a very good bike fitter who understands your needs and one you can trust. Don't worry about size, brand or frame materials at this point, the right frame will surface once you learn what your needs are. This will only come about with a very good bike fitting by a knowledgeable bike fitter.

[kajero]

Goldfinch
I have a Specialized Ruby 44cm. When you come down in September if you want to take it for a long test ride let me know. You are certainly welcome to do so.

[Owlie]

Fuji makes the Ace, which has a 24" or 650c wheel option. The 650c option only goes up to Tiagra components, however.

[goldfinch]

Goldfinch
I have a Specialized Ruby 44cm. When you come down in September if you want to take it for a long test ride let me know. You are certainly welcome to do so.

Thanks. This thread is pretty old, I ended up getting a Trek Madone in the 43cm size a couple of years ago. Love the bike. Unfortunately, they don't make this very small size anymore.

I was up north for a while, now traveling, and won't be back in Minneapolis until the end of October or early November. Hope there isn't snow on the ground.

My experience in looking for smaller bikes was that the junior sizes all had low end components.

For those looking for a small fairly budget friendly bike the Terry Symmetry remains an option.

[ElizabethWaland]

It's definitely one of my problems, I'm quite short, 5'0" so my bike is kind of high for me, it was a gift so I continue to use it. I think I should buy a new one which really fits. Thanks for the ideas!