Inexpensive mountain bikes

[goldfinch]

Nominally, one degree of change in the STA results in 1cm change in the effective top tube. The exact number depends upon the seat tube length, so for smaller bikes, the ETT change will be slightly less.

Your 76 degree 50.5cm Quick is equivalent to:

75 degrees 51.5cm
74 degrees 52.5cm
73 degrees 53.5cm

Thus, the Myka is the same length as your Quick, and the others actually a bit shorter except for the Kula which is a lot shorter.

Thanks, that is extremely helpful to me!

[Loraura]

I'd say stay away from the 24 inch wheels unless you are really good at front wheel lifts. The larger the wheel circumference, the higher obstacle you can "roll over" rather than have to lift the wheel and place it on top.

For illustration purposes, think of a kids bike tire perpendicular to a curb. See where the curb hits the tire? like halfway up! It's not going to roll over that. It's going to smack into it and stop.

Now think of a tractor tire perpendicular to that curb. The curb is WAY at the bottom, and the tire would roll over the curb like it's barely there.

[Irulan]

second stay away from kids bikes. There are plenty of small frame options out there for petite/tiny women. If your lbs doesn't understand this, find another one. They even make 29"ers for tiny frames.

[goldfinch]

I'd say stay away from the 24 inch wheels unless you are really good at front wheel lifts. The larger the wheel circumference, the higher obstacle you can "roll over" rather than have to lift the wheel and place it on top.

For illustration purposes, think of a kids bike tire perpendicular to a curb. See where the curb hits the tire? like halfway up! It's not going to roll over that. It's going to smack into it and stop.

Now think of a tractor tire perpendicular to that curb. The curb is WAY at the bottom, and the tire would roll over the curb like it's barely there.

I am taking this to heart. I also thought about a Terry but the mountain bikes in my size have 24 inch wheels.