Road bike shopping for short person

[azfiddle]

What about Specialized? According to the Specialized website, the top tube on a 44 cm Ruby is 493 mm.

[goldfinch]

What about Specialized? According to the Specialized website, the top tube on a 44 cm Ruby is 493 mm.

True. I rounded up too much! My 2011 Trek is a 48cm top tube.

[Koronin]

That does suck. I'm glad you were able to get one that was still available.

[Dagney]

goldfinch,
I have no help for you as I am just starting out in serious bike riding after years land years of family rides etc. You have given me great points to ponder as I get ready to move to Arizona and begin a new with what I hope is going to be a great bike organization for women in my age range ...60ish. I will take all your info with me as I look for a new bike. Thanks

[Trek420]

It looks like all that is left with less than 50cm top tubes are the Felt and the Terry for non-custom options and those can be hard to track down to try.

Terry Symmetry available right now 50% off on Bonktown

http://www.bonktown.com/?sssdmh=dm10...5a4&mv_pc=r105

[goldfinch]

Terry Symmetry available right now 50% off on Bonktown

http://www.bonktown.com/?sssdmh=dm10...5a4&mv_pc=r105

Dang! Missed it.

[Trek420]

I know, it's Accelerade now

But you could win a Symmetry. Actually you'd win 2. One for your fave LBS, one for you.

http://www.terrybicycles.com/RIF

[CyborgQueen]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Jamis.

They have 44cm, AND in 700c wheels. I get some looks at my new frame (Jamis replaced my frame because I was having Fitting woes with the 48cm men). People kept telling me how tiny my bike is and asked if I have the 650 wheels, and they would be shocked to find out that it's 700c wheels.


Try Jamis?

[goldfinch]

I'm surprised no one mentioned Jamis.

They have 44cm, AND in 700c wheels. I get some looks at my new frame (Jamis replaced my frame because I was having Fitting woes with the 48cm men). People kept telling me how tiny my bike is and asked if I have the 650 wheels, and they would be shocked to find out that it's 700c wheels.


Try Jamis?

When I was shopping I looked at the Jamis Endura. The smallest had a top tube length of 49.5cm, just too big for me. (It is very close to the size of the 44cm Ruby which is 49.3 effective TT). Otherwise, a very nice bike and reasonable cost. I've noticed that the bikes with 700 wheels end up with too long a reach for me. But I am less that 4'11" and have a short torso and short arms.

[kajero]

Deleted

[nuliajuk]

Here's an off-the-wall suggestion:
http://www.somafab.com/archives/product/mini-velo
The top tube on the smallest size is 48.5. The frame angles are pretty slack, so it probably rides more like a mid-50s touring bike than a road bike.

[nuliajuk]

Soma has kind of dropped the ball on several of their frames. The San Marco and the Buena Vista mixte come designed for 26" or 650c wheels in the smaller sizes, but don't go down to really small sizes that very short adults could use.
Some manufacturers make high-end juvenile road bikes that might work for a really small adult as well. Don't know how easy it would be to find 24" road tires, but it's possible to get a Pinerello and an Argon 18. There may be others out there as well.
http://www.pinarello.com/eng/speedy_792.php
http://www.argon18bike.com/bicyles/j...xenon-650.html (This one has 650C wheels)
Kona makes a small version of the Jake 'cross bike.
http://www.konaworld.com/jake_24.cfm

[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.