i had less than 1" of clearance with my dolce... but i also had to shorten the stem way back... cuz we found out the bike was too long...
what i've been reading lately.. is to buy the SMALLEST that bike that fits... then add a longer stem if you need it... or at least.. that's what they claim the big guys do????
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07-19-2006, 01:15 PM #1
YIKES! i'm a durt gurl
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07-19-2006, 01:21 PM #2
I like bikes
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how did they shorten the stem? Do you mean the top tube?
Originally Posted by caligurl
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07-19-2006, 01:24 PM #3
YIKES! i'm a durt gurl
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no.... i mean the stem.... shortened it to this little bitty thing with a sharp upturn (you can't shorten the top tube of a premade bike! lol!!!)
even with my ruby... i got a size smaller (still good for leg extension... etc) but still had to shorten to a 90cm stem! part of that, though, was the additional length of the dura-ace hoods over the ultegra short reach!)
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07-19-2006, 01:30 PM #4
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Rereading my first post made me realize somehow I cut out the part where I said I was worried about getting a bike "too small". I do want to get the good deal on the 2005 salebike...but really want to make sure I'm getting the right fit. And it seems that by reading more threads a lot of women my height are getting things bigger than 43-44.
Also, the smaller (43") comes with the 650 wheels....
I have no idea why I don't want smaller wheels as a new road bike rider. It just somehow seems. Wrong.
In any case it just seems like there are so many opinions out there. In the end I'm not sure how much difference 3-4cm will make...going the smaller route anyway.
You know this is all stemming from me feeling short to begin with and wanting the biggest possible bike to avoid that "shortie" feeling I typically have
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07-19-2006, 01:42 PM #5
YIKES! i'm a durt gurl
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i'm 5'3" and my ruby is a 48... and, as i said... i still had to shorten the stem on her to a 90....
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07-19-2006, 01:45 PM #6
Team Paloma
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I'm 5'1.5" with a 28" inseam. My 47" WSD Trek fits perfectly.
Why wouldn't you like 650's, though? They seem more proportional on small bikes.***********
"...I'm like the cycling version of the guy in Flowers for Algernon." Mike Magnuson
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07-19-2006, 01:44 PM #7
just call me wilma
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I had a very similar fear to yours!
I'm 5'4" but I have quite short legs. My first bike was a 49cm men's model and it was way too big (but I didn't know any better). When it was time for a better fit, I was told by my LBS 'fit guy' that I needed a 44cm in the Specialized WSD I was admiring. I test rode a 51cm model and had plenty of standover clearance due to the compact frame, but the reach was too long. I kept thinking that a 47 would be better than a 44 because I have short legs but a long torso. I even brought this up when we were placing the order and he re-did the calculations. If I'd gotten the 47, he'd barely be able to make the reach right with the shortest stem available (I guess I have a long torso but short arms). With the 44, it was right as is. I agreed and ordered the 44 (I test rode another 44cm model in the store).
Now, well over 1000 miles later, I'm VERY glad I listened to him. We rode 75 miles this past Sunday and I felt NO pain. NONE. My bike really, truly fits me. Yes, I hate that I can't fit two water bottles on the frame and yes, I hate that the guys make fun of my tiny bike...but you better believe that I LOVE the fit. Love it! Moral of the story: don't be turned off by a small bike!
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07-19-2006, 01:45 PM #8
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it can make a LOT of difference in comfort! Originally Posted by GirlWonder
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07-19-2006, 01:48 PM #9
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Go ride it and see how it feels! That's the only way to really know. Either it will feel perfect, or something will be not quite right or lacking or outright bothersome.
Nanci***********
"...I'm like the cycling version of the guy in Flowers for Algernon." Mike Magnuson
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07-19-2006, 01:55 PM #10
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I will definitely try both the 43 and 47s on Saturday. Thus far I have yet to sit on a Trek at all...and I know it varies by model/make.
So, I guess I should start a new thread if I want recommendations on wide (but small) biking shoes?
I have pretty severe bunions that cause my shoes to need to be wide in the toe box (although everywhere else I'm narrow). I'm thinking I'll be a 37 or 38 in a biking shoe.
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