New to this. I have been riding an old 26 inch wheel mens mountain bike which my brothers made for me over 15 years ago. The rear rim is now buckled, the brakes don't work and neither do the gears really.
So, I'm looking at getting a new/second hand bike that will go down a dirt track, but also be suitable for around town. I really just want something that runs well/works.
My question is the size. I'm female, 161cm, not large. I'm comfortable on the 26 inch tyres but wondering what the best frame size would be. I find I slide forwards on the seat. The measurement of the current frame size is 58cm from the seat post to the front fork. From the reading I've done though, it looks like I'll be on a kids bike.
Any recommendations?
Bikes for short people
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- A_P
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby A_P » Wed Jan 17, 2018 9:41 pm
Giant bike sizing for reference
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_ ... _chart.pdf
Most other manufacturers will be similar
https://www.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_ ... _chart.pdf
Most other manufacturers will be similar
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby Kronos » Wed Jan 17, 2018 9:51 pm
A lot of manufacturers don't really do frame sizes by the centimetre anymore. You will likely be on an S or XS. The only person that has to know its a "kids bike" is you.
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby Thoglette » Wed Jan 17, 2018 10:47 pm
Stick with 26" tyres. I'm too tired to explain so I'll pass you over to Velouria's blog post about frame and wheel sizes and the Rivendell ClementinePolynomial wrote:Any recommendations?
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"People are worthy of respect, ideas are not." Peter Ellerton, UQ
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby madmacca » Thu Jan 18, 2018 10:59 am
A new wheel, and a visit to the bike shop for some new cables and a tune-up may fix the current problems for a lot cheaper than replacing the entire bike.
For sure, it won't give you that New Bike Buzz, but a 2nd hand one won't be quite as buzzy either.
For sure, it won't give you that New Bike Buzz, but a 2nd hand one won't be quite as buzzy either.
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby uart » Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:46 pm
I agree, and that would also be my recommendation if the current bike was already a good fit for her. However at 161cm on a bike with a 58cm top tube and needing to "slide forward on the seat" all the time, I'd say that current frame is about 4cm or so too big.madmacca wrote:A new wheel, and a visit to the bike shop for some new cables and a tune-up may fix the current problems for a lot cheaper than replacing the entire bike.
Polynomial, you probably should look for a bike (mountain or hybrid) with a frame with about a 54cm top tube and similar or just a bit less for the effective seat tube length (say about 52 to 53 cm).
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby Thoglette » Tue Jan 23, 2018 12:19 pm
Have you actually listened to the song?davehirst wrote:Cue Randy Newman!
Or are you from one of those states in the US where they think irony has something to do with housework.
Mind you, last year he finally got what he asked for for Xmas all those years ago.
Stop handing them the stick! - Dave Moulton
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby Polynomial » Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:34 am
I think I've decided to go with this one:
https://ivanhoecycles.com.au/bicycle-bi ... treet/8892
Got a special on it at a local bike shop. Men's small.
Anyway opinions?
https://ivanhoecycles.com.au/bicycle-bi ... treet/8892
Got a special on it at a local bike shop. Men's small.
Anyway opinions?
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby A_P » Sun Jan 28, 2018 11:56 am
A simple uncomplicated street bike, good choice.
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Re: Bikes for short people
Postby uart » Sun Jan 28, 2018 12:41 pm
Polynomial wrote:So, I'm looking at getting a new/second hand bike that will go down a dirt track, but also be suitable for around town. I really just want something that runs well/works.
Yes, it looks good for what you require. Mens small looks about the right size for you. This site https://www.momentum-biking.com/us/inee ... t-mid-step shows sizing and geometry for that bike, and the effective top tube length is 55cm. So fairly similar to the 54cm I suggested above, and given the short stem it shouldn't be too longer reach. I'd say that bike looks ideal for type of riding you mention.Polynomial wrote:I think I've decided to go with this one:
https://ivanhoecycles.com.au/bicycle-bi ... treet/8892
Got a special on it at a local bike shop. Men's small.
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