Building a Bike for My Girlfriend - Advice Needed

[modernfuturist]

So the winter holidays are coming up, and I'm planning on building my girlfriend a single speed bike so she can go on rides with me.

I'm planning on building her a single speed because it would be cheaper and simpler to maintain, plus it would be used on shorter distances and rides around campus. Also I have a lot of bike parts lying around that I can just put onto her bike.

So here's the deal. I'm looking to keep this around $400 or less, maybe $500 at most. My girlfriend is 5'3 and has a standover height of about 28 1/4 inches.

The problem that I've had is finding a decent frame that I would be able to use and build up. Many of the used bikes on craigslist are pretty overpriced, and I fear that the mixte's are going to be pretty heavy as well. Also I'm wondering if I should use 700c, or 650c wheels? I've read that it's very hard for sub 50cm frames to have a low standover height, especially with 700c wheels. Does anyone have any experience with 650c wheels over 700c wheels? I'm afraid that it will cost more money to get a 650c single speed wheelset.

So far out of all the complete bikes and framesets I've looked at, the only ones that come in small enough sizes are:

- IRO Heidi (46cm, 650c wheelset, frameset only, $270)
- Giant Bowery (XS size, 700c wheelset, 28in standover height, MSRP $650, complete bike)
- Swobo Sanchez (46cm frameset or complete bike, 700c wheelset, 27.5 standover height, frameset $370, complete $650)

Another option is to go with this aluminum 45cm frame from ChucksBikes.com. About $100 for an aluminum frame and fork. I also plan on getting a Sugino 160mm crankset to minimalize pedal strike. The thing that has me worried about this is that the dropouts are sort of vertical and I would have to run a chain tensioner or find a magical gear to get the chainline right. Also I'm worried about how full aluminum would ride. Would it be too harsh for just riding around on the streets?

I've been combing craigslist forever as well but nothing else has shown up. Any other recommendations from you ladies?

[Velobambina]

Try the Terry website (google terry bicycles). There is a "buy/sell a used Terry" link there, and you probably will find a nice quality, small, used bike there.

[SadieKate]

Have you looked at a Milwaukee "Orange One" from Ben's Cycles? I'm 5' 3 3/8" and the 50cm frame could easily fit someone shorter.

It may be out of your price range but perhaps you can find a used one. The frame is made by Waterford for Ben's and rides like a beautiful classic steel bike. You can see that the frame would work well with a shorter reach bar, fewer spacers, lower saddle, etc. This photo is from the original build day -- someday I'll cut off the fork and it now has a much more attractive brown Selle Anatomica saddle.

[Biciclista]

Have you looked at a Milwaukee "Orange One" from Ben's Cycles? I'm 5' 3 3/8" and the 50cm frame could easily fit someone shorter.

It may be out of your price range but perhaps you can find a used one. The frame is made by Waterford for Ben's and rides like a beautiful classic steel bike.

oh, that's a beautiful bike!!

[modernfuturist]

That is a lovely bike... I was looking into a Milwaukee Cream City for myself, but it is a little out of my price range. What is the standover height on the 50cm?

Another member on bikeforums.net built up the aluminum frameset I was talking about for his girlfriend. This is how the bike turned out: