WTB: Small womens bike....

[barndoor]

....for my wife.

She is 5'2" with 27-1/4" inseam(I measured :))
She has a Giant Sedona "womens" bike now, but it's no good for the road.

I want to get her a real road bike....preferably 650c wheels, short reach brakes, sti type shifting, something light....so it will be enjoyable for her.....but I don't want to spend too much....just something entry level, in case she doesn't like it....maybe a 44-46cm framed bike?

I don't want to spend over 4 or 5 hundred bux...

Anybody?....Please pm me if you have something....or a lead...

Thanks in advance!

[eofelis]

Fuji makes some small women's road bikes with 650c wheels and they seem to be reasonably priced.

[dtrain]

Here's a 44cm/650c option at a popular Portland consignment/LBS. I'm sure they'd ship. They are great folks to work with:

http://sellwoodcycle.com/bicycles/full/27435.jpg
http://sellwoodcycle.com/consignment.htm#drop

(...but, wow, you'd have to rotate those bars right away!)

[buck65]

My GF just picked up her Specialized Vita yesterday. It's a WSD bike with the little touches that she likes (short reach on brakes, spring on the saddle, low standover height, easy shifters). She picked up the extra small since she's 5'1" with a 25" inseam. I like how it has 700cc wheels and is geared comfortably 48/38/28 with 8 cogs in the back. If your wife wants something "entry level" and cheap, check out the Vita.

[barndoor]

Thanks for the tips!

btw....the Cannondale is gone ('ya snooze, 'ya lose...., I guess):(

[barndoor]

We ended up buying a Mercier "Elle" model in 48cm....I had ordered a 44cm and it ended up too small. She rode it for the first time this evening....fits her perfectly!