Road bike shopping for short person

[goldfinch]

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.

Interesting that this bike fits, though I see that the 44cm Ruby is of similar size. Did you also try smaller Treks? Unfortunately, they make the 43 cm in only two models. Why the men's version? I have very narrow shoulders and need proportionately narrow handlebars. I even had those on my Quick cut down.

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

It looks like a fairly wide range in bike sizes and a number of you use bikes that will take 700 wheels. So, I won't foreclose trying more of them out.

[goldfinch]

Can anyone else speak to the issue of a compact double, which seems to be standard on the carbon fiber bikes I mentioned? As a relatively weak cyclist that spends at least 1/4 of the year in hilly areas, I want to make sure I have low enough gears. Even the Synapse I tried with the triple was not geared low enough for me. I test rode it in Duluth, Minnesota, a city built on a steep hill. I managed to go up hill two blocks before bailing. I then rode parallel to the hill, but that street goes up as well. I could do it in first gear for the mile or two I rode. Needless to say, it flew down the hills.

I've been riding since spring and this past month put 300 miles on my bike. The prior month 220 and the month before 150, so I am increasing my mileage steadily but I still have a long ways to go to get stronger.

[sarahkonamojo]

I would think with the requirements you have set out, a custom bike would be best for you. And $4k should be enough for a custom bike. You could pay more, of course. Keep test riding road bikes to find out what you do and don't like. It also a good way to find a shop that fits you, too.

[Zippinalong]

Can anyone else speak to the issue of a compact double, which seems to be standard on the carbon fiber bikes I mentioned? As a relatively weak cyclist that spends at least 1/4 of the year in hilly areas, I want to make sure I have low enough gears. Even the Synapse I tried with the triple was not geared low enough for me. I test rode it in Duluth, Minnesota, a city built on a steep hill. I managed to go up hill two blocks before bailing. I then rode parallel to the hill, but that street goes up as well. I could do it in first gear for the mile or two I rode. Needless to say, it flew down the hills.

I've been riding since spring and this past month put 300 miles on my bike. The prior month 220 and the month before 150, so I am increasing my mileage steadily but I still have a long ways to go to get stronger.

You can also look at the cassette which you can get in different teeth sets. But in the end as someone else pointed out, you'd probably be farther ahead having a bike built for you. That way you get it built the way you want. 4k is plenty of money for that.

[Catrin]

You can also look at the cassette which you can get in different teeth sets. But in the end as someone else pointed out, you'd probably be farther ahead having a bike built for you. That way you get it built the way you want. 4k is plenty of money for that.

I spent less than that on my full custom Gunnar, but of course some custom builders charge more than that. I don't know how the drive-train price point might change for a true road bike as my Gunnar is pretty much pure mountain outside of the custom road fork. One thing is sure, especially for us shorter women or those with physical limitations, custom is indeed the best way to get what fits us. Is it the only option? No...but if you are working with a fitter who knows his or her stuff and a reputable company like Waterford/Gunnar or others it is a way to assure it fits.

Of course the proof is in the pudding, and sometimes a custom bike doesn't mesh, but I would hope that is a rare occurrence. I've had a good experience going custom, and should any of my current bikes explode I would consider doing it again.

[Koronin]

Interesting that this bike fits, though I see that the 44cm Ruby is of similar size. Did you also try smaller Treks? Unfortunately, they make the 43 cm in only two models. Why the men's version? I have very narrow shoulders and need proportionately narrow handlebars. I even had those on my Quick cut down.




It looks like a fairly wide range in bike sizes and a number of you use bikes that will take 700 wheels. So, I won't foreclose trying more of them out.

The bike I bought was a used bike and they didn't have anything smaller. I tried it, just enough clearance for standover height and with some minor adjustments (had to buy a conversion thing for the handlebars and a new saddle) got it to fit great. I have short legs with a longer torso and arms. The reason for the men's version are two fold, one I much prefer the colors of the men's bikes and pretty much hate the colors of most of the WSD bikes. The other thing is the top tube on the men's bikes are just enough longer that it feels better. I have not tried the smaller bikes and have no interest in trying them either. The 47cm bikes come with 700cm wheels the 43s are 650s. My current bike is 650 wheels. My next one is going to have 700 wheels. Also my wanting the men's version is why I will not be buying the bike locally and will most likely be driving either 2 hrs or 5 hrs to get my new bike. (I know the LBS back in Charlotte will work with me, the one in Raleigh we think will, but haven't really dealt with them. Oh that's the one downtown, the other one I have no interest in ever going to again.)
My current bike with some minor adjustments made there felt great as soon as I tried it. Then we did the other adjustments later to get it even better. It has men's handlebars which are just fine with me. When I tried the Lexa, I felt a bit scrunched up on the bike, not stretched out enough as far as top tube length goes and the handlebars were too narrow and small.

[goldfinch]

The bike I bought was a used bike and they didn't have anything smaller. I tried it, just enough clearance for standover height and with some minor adjustments (had to buy a conversion thing for the handlebars and a new saddle) got it to fit great. I have short legs with a longer torso and arms. The reason for the men's version are two fold, one I much prefer the colors of the men's bikes and pretty much hate the colors of most of the WSD bikes. The other thing is the top tube on the men's bikes are just enough longer that it feels better. I have not tried the smaller bikes and have no interest in trying them either. The 47cm bikes come with 700cm wheels the 43s are 650s. My current bike is 650 wheels. My next one is going to have 700 wheels. Also my wanting the men's version is why I will not be buying the bike locally and will most likely be driving either 2 hrs or 5 hrs to get my new bike. (I know the LBS back in Charlotte will work with me, the one in Raleigh we think will, but haven't really dealt with them. Oh that's the one downtown, the other one I have no interest in ever going to again.)
My current bike with some minor adjustments made there felt great as soon as I tried it. Then we did the other adjustments later to get it even better. It has men's handlebars which are just fine with me. When I tried the Lexa, I felt a bit scrunched up on the bike, not stretched out enough as far as top tube length goes and the handlebars were too narrow and small.

We must be built quite differently even though you are only a little taller than I am. I need the shorter reach. But I know my arms are very short. Even on petite clothes I end up shortening my sleeves. I also have very narrow shoulders and am uncomfortable on wide handlebars.

Given individual differences it is amazing anyone gets comfortable on a bike. No wonder we end up with fitters to tweak everything.

[Koronin]

You're right, it does sounds we're built very differently. I definitely have wider shoulders as I have issues finding women's clothing that fits properly. I do have a favorite brand (Columbia) which the large and X large shirts fit well, but now I live where I can't find that brand of clothing so I just shop in the men's dept. Actually all my coats and jackets are men's because it's impossible to find a women's coat that fits right. If I find one with the right length for the arms the shoulders are way too tight, find one that fits the shoulders and the arms are way too long. And actually the same goes for the cycling jerseys, I found one women's jersey that fit, but my other ones are all men's. Heck most of the women's xlarge jerseys are too small in the shoulders, so I end up looking at the men's and usually end up with men's medium jerseys. Of course that is one reason I do not like our LBS they seem to think that if you're female you have to have women's accessories, clothing, bikes ect.

Come to think of it, it sounds like you're built more like my one sister is, very petite. She'd need a WSD bike (very narrow shoulders, short arms, torso, and legs). My other sister is a bit taller than I am (5'4"), has longer legs, long arms, longer torso. She and I also both have wider shoulders.

[CyborgQueen]

woe is me...we're in the same shoes. :-) From what it seems like, you're much better off looking at custom bikes.

Don't be afraid of the compact. You can get 11-28t on your cassette, with 50/34 chain rings (front), and you'll do fine. Unless if you're on steep hills all the time like I am, these should work for you. IF you feel like you want more easier gearing AND a small bike, I would take a look at Specialized Dolce Comp Triple. I saw it in the shop the last couple days, and the Top tube is really low...feels like I have about 4 to 5 inch clearance compared to 1/2 inch clearance on my current bike (I'm 4' 11 and 3/4. The 3/4 counts!!!). It's not full carbon though.



As for the roughness on the road...while you're bike shopping, I would recommend that you find better tires (if you don't want to spend money on tires that's fine), but I would highly recommend that you lower your PSI. It won't feel so rough.

When I pump up my tires, I used to go 135-140 psi (max is 145 on my tires), and it was always ROUGH. Then I got new tires, (125 max), and I would pump up my tires to 120-125..still very rough. I thought it was just me being sensitive to vibrations (I'm deaf, so anything that's tactile is 3x or more sensitive than a hearing person).

However, after talking to a cyclist friend, she told me to lower the PSI...I lowered it to 100 to the front, and 110 in the back....no more road roughness/bumpiness/vibration. It felt smooth. So try that! :-)

[Crankin]

Kathi, it is not called a Size Cycle. I am not sure what the actual name of the machine is, but it's definitely a Guru invention. It might be the same type of thing as the Serotta system, but it has not been around very long. You have to have a specific relationship with Guru to have one and of course, have their training. The woman who did my fit is an aerospace engineer (!) who is working part time at the LBS. Of course, the LBS owner was there, too and did part of it. Here is a link: http://www.gurubikes.com/enCA/dfu/

My younger son had a Serotta when he was racing. It's not custom, but it's very pretty. It hung in the shed for a few years and we cleaned it up and gave it to our other son, who thankfully, is strong enough to ride a bike with racer's gearing. It's a classic bike now, and he always gets comments on it.

[Crankin]

You know, I don't think we have any old pictures, but maybe I can ask the DS who has it now to snap one.