Need a bike for a short girl

[futuredivot 0]

My 5'4 wife wants a bicycle. Most that we see out that don't have tassels and baskets just don't adjust low enough for her. I don't know jack about bikes-any of ya'll know of a brand/model that fits?

Oh, and this isn't a life long passion so some state of the art high dollar custom kevlar job is overkill and way more than I'll spend.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[micduran 0]

I'm 5'5" and bought a Giant. $200ish bucks. Check your local bike store. Some will try to up sell you, but you can stick to your budget.

Be patient with the faults of others; they have to be patient with yours.

[madhatter 0]

Ask for a specific frame size. 21 - 22" should be OK.

A VERY MERRY UNBIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!
D.S # 125

[Shotgun 1]

I've been looking for a bike lately too (I'm 5'3"). I don't know much about bikes, but I tried out a Specialized mountain bike at a local shop and liked it. They only had the men's model in the store though, so I'm thinking of having them order a women's model for me. I don't know how much you want to spend, but these start around $400:
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCBkModel.jsp?sid=09D4WMTB&eid=215

I can't remember what size I tried, but it seemed to fit just right. A dealer could probably help you with that.

I'm not wanting to spend much myself, but I don't want to buy something so crappy that I'll never want to ride it.

[jcd11235 0]

Visit your local bike shop. 5'4" is not a particularly unusual size for a cyclist. You should have no problem finding a reasonably priced bike, appropriately sized, in a reputable bike shop.

Personally, I would recommend avoiding department store bikes. The quality tends to be lower than what is found in a bike shop. The quality of service, before and after the sale, tends to be better with a bike shop.

Math tutoring available. Only $6! per hour! First lesson: Factorials!

[futuredivot 0]

Thanks-I figured that you would have an idea of what I needed since you've met.......oh, that's right-ya'll have/will not meet her

Bad influences that you are

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[billvon 3,120]

Some bikes made for women use smaller wheels (24" instead of 26" for MTB's) but you probably don't need to go that far. Any competent bike shop can find a good fit. You may or may not want a "women's frame" without the top tube; 99% of bikes nowadays use top tubes.

Electra has a line of bikes (Townies) which are billed as "comfort bikes." They have a long wheelbase so the seat can sit lower, and you can more easily put your feet on the ground when you stop. They are definitely not racing bikes but are very comfortable for cruising around, and they are available with 24" wheels if you want a really small bike.

http://www.electrabike.com/home.php

[Remster 30]

What kind of bike? Commuter, cruiser, roadie, mountain... What does she want to do with it?

That being said, 5'4 isnt that small. One thing that, on road bike anyway, manufacturer do for women are specific saddles for women, and narrower handle bars. Getting more technical, some also do short reach levers (for brakes and speed) for smaller hands.

EDIT: and tell us your budget, that will help a lot too.

(PS: its carbon, not kevlar )

Remster

[futuredivot 0]

I'd like to find a hybrid-80% will be paved bike paths and the like but if we spot a gravel road that looks interesting I'd like for the bike not to give up the ghost at the first rut.

I really don't want to go much over $300. In all honesty, Wal-Mart probably has something that is perfectly functional but I don't shop there if at all possible

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[ryoder 1,590]

Quote

I'd like to find a hybrid-80% will be paved bike paths and the like but if we spot a gravel road that looks interesting I'd like for the bike not to give up the ghost at the first rut.

I really don't want to go much over $300. In all honesty, Wal-Mart probably has something that is perfectly functional but I don't shop there if at all possible

Here is Competitive Cyclist's Fit Calculator:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?PAGE=FIT_CALCULATOR_INTRO

That should give you an idea of what fits.

In the price range you are looking at, you can get:
a) A new piece of junk.
b) A very good used bike from places like CraigsList.

Used bikes are a buyers market;
There are bazillions of them out in excellent condition selling for a small fraction of their new price.
I picked up a used custom-built titanium road bike a year ago for ~25% of what it cost new.

Now if you insist on buying new, here is an option:

http://www.bikesdirect.com/

Rock bottom prices for what you get; Reviews are mixed.
In general, the people who know how do do their own work seem happy with them.
People who expect any sort of service, seem to be the unhappy ones.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[skydiver30960 0]

+1 to Billvon's statement about going with a "men's" frame. It just doesn't matter anymore now that women aren't riding bikes in skirts, and the women's frame is much more flexible: any energy wasted in the frame flexing is energy that didn't get to the pedals.

-1 to Ryoder's online shopping suggestion (nothing personal dude). It's all about what he mentions at the end of the post: if you know a bunch about bikes you might do well at that site, but if you don't (and it sounds like you don't) you are going to want to foster a relationship with a local shop that will help you with upkeep and help you along if she does turn out to enjoy cycling and get more into it.

Elvisio "former bike junkie" Rodriguez

[futuredivot 0]

Quote

enjoy cycling and get more into it

Nah, she won't bike much-it's not that far to the kitchen

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[gonzalesna 1]

how about one of these?

http://www.leapfrog-entertainment.com/Artists/Big/JustinCase/SmallBike.jpg

I think Gia has one of these too.

Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie.

[Remster 30]

Quote

you are going to want to foster a relationship with a local shop

That price range will be the very bottom of what local bike shops will have. It might be tough finding a large variety tho.

Remster

[billvon 3,120]

>I'd like to find a hybrid-80% will be paved bike paths and the like but if
>we spot a gravel road that looks interesting I'd like for the bike not to
>give up the ghost at the first rut.

For paved off-road, tire choice will be the #1 thing that makes the bike rideable. You probably want at least a 2" tire. They are more available on 26" wheels (i.e. MTB wheels) than on road wheels (700c or 29".)

>I really don't want to go much over $300.

For that you can get a basic used bike with reasonable components or a pretty crappy new bike. I'd go for a used non-suspension MTB if that's your budget. Some bike stores carry used bikes, and Craigslist (and services like that) can identify used bikes in your area.

If you go the used bike route, be SURE to test ride it first! That's the only way you'll be able to see if it fits well without the services of a bike store.

[futuredivot 0]

Quote

It might be tough finding a large variety tho.

Should be good enough-just want one to take on vacation with us and for her to ride once every couple of weeks or so. Now that she's approaching middle age-she'll have to work a little harder to maintain the standards I've set for her.

You are only as strong as the prey you devour

[mnealtx 0]

Mike
I love you, Shannon and Jim.
POPS 9708 , SCR 14706

[wmw999 2,589]

Quote

Now that she's approaching middle age-she'll have to work a little harder to maintain the standards I've set for her.

Please refer back to your other thread: "Am I an ass?"

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[Shotgun 1]

That's cute. I probably need one with training wheels too.

[ryoder 1,590]

Quote

That really needs to go into the "Winter Bike Project" thread.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[turtlespeed 226]

This should do

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun