Did some test riding today!

[Jolt]

Bunch of baloney. I was quite fast on my Aegis Swift with 650c wheels and could keep up with most of the faster women in our club -- not the uber-fast racers, but I could average a solid 15-17 mph (and occasionally higher with pacelining etc.) when I was well-trained and riding that very speedy bike. Of course, it was a lightweight carbon bike. I am quite a bit slower now on my Trek Pilot (also full carbon) but am also 10 years older. But the Pilot has 700c wheels -- if they are faster than my old 650s, I haven't noticed!

On a touring type bike, I don't think it's going to make much difference; it's not likely to be a speed demon no matter what. Also, I am 5'2" and after checking the geometry, I know there's no way I could ride the 46cm LHT. YMMV, but the 42 cm would have to be the one for me -- and my Trek Pilot is a 47 cm.

Still, it doesn't hurt to check and try. I know a lot of gals my size ride larger-framed bikes, but they don't work for me. My old Terry Isis was a 17.5" frame (equivalent to 44.5 cm, if I remember correctly) and fit me perfectly.

Good luck and keep us posted!

Good to know about the wheel size not being a real issue (now, the "engine" on the other hand...THAT might be!). I do think the smaller wheels are more in proportion on such a small frame but not sure how much difference that really makes in handling etc. Just out of curiosity, what about the geometry wouldn't work for you on the 46cm? That has me a little nervous, but OTOH the person selling it is also 5' 2" (and if standover was your problem, that's not an issue at all for me). The shop I went into on Monday that sells Surlys seemed inclined to put me on a 46 and not a 42 (but didn't have either size in stock, for either the LHT or CC), but that wasn't based on any measurements, just on the woman seeing me. I got an email this evening with some pictures of the bike, it looks to be in good shape and the price she is willing to sell it for is very reasonable. But, we'll see if it fits and I like it...assuming I don't end up finding something great at the swap tomorrow morning instead.

[emily_in_nc]

Just out of curiosity, what about the geometry wouldn't work for you on the 46cm? That has me a little nervous, but OTOH the person selling it is also 5' 2" (and if standover was your problem, that's not an issue at all for me).

For me it was both the standover (I would have zero clearance over the top tube) and the effective top tube length. I have long femurs and always have to use a setback seatpost, thus increasing the ETT length. So I have always needed a ETT less than 20". But definitely, since standover is not a problem for you, you should try it. Your inseam is longer than mine, which should mean that you have a shorter torso, but that doesn't mean your arms are shorter -- and you might be more flexible in the hips and lower back than I am and be able to handle a more stretched out cockpit.

[Jolt]

Well, the bike swap this morning was a bust...nothing in my size that I was interested in. There was a nice Volpe but it was a 49cm and too big (darn!!). We'll see how things go with the Surly this evening.

[Sky King]

We'd probably put you on a 46 in Surly if you visited us in Boise , I think a 42 would be to small with your PBH. Suppleness of your tire is going to have way more affect on "speed" than the tire size. As already noted, a 26 or a 650B with a nice tire is going to roll just as well, if not better than a 700. A bike your size with a 700 would make for major toe overlap. - Have you read any of Georgina Terry's stuff regarding bike fit? She is a wealth of information, especially for shorter individuals
Good Luck, look forward to hearing what you came up with!