Recreational & Family - Recommend comfort bike for short person?

I like the look of the Townie, but I have the feeling it's a bit big for me at 5'1". I also have the feeling that it is fantastically marketed and there are other options out there. So, what's a good comfort bike for someone in the less-than-5'2" sect?

Looks at Specialized Expedition (might be called a Globe sport..they go back and forth between the two names). I am 5 foot 3 inches and have a small frame with the seat pretty much all the way up. My friend was 4 foot 9 inches and she was able to ride it, with the seat all the way down, but it felt too big for her. So I think that it should be in your size range.

Thank you! There's a shop very near here that has them in stock; I'll have to check it out!

I saw this on Craigslist - I don't know where you are located - but if this Giant (http://hattiesburg.craigslist.org/bik/1932218292.html) is available is XS some other Giant bike models might be.

I'd recommend a Folding bike .. A Brompton is my favorite bike for about town use,
they are really adjustable nearly as practical a one size fits all bike.
Comfortable, fun to ride,
and you can stow it in the trunk of the car , or take it on a bus or train,
and leave the car at home ..

I second on the folder. I'm 5 ft. 1 1/2 inches and find the bike very compact and light. However, it's not exactly a comfort bike since you would be sitting slightly or a lot forward, depending on the distance between the seat post and the handlebars. It also depends on your personal reach preference too.

If you're near a dealer that sells folders, it's worth a test ride, at least to eliminate it from your choices.

New poster here, but I just purchased a Townie 7D with 24" wheels. I'm 5'1" on a good day and love this bike. Rides well and I fit much better than on the 7D with the 26" wheels. Only downside is that it only comes in Vanilla (cream with leather-look seat and handles), but it is great.

Good luck!

Jen.

I would look at the Giant bikes.

http://www.day6bicycles.com/faqs.html
They have frames for shorter people.
Very comfortable!

A mini velo would work... Big Shot makes one and BD is going come out with a few soon. It has a 48 cm frame and with 20" wheels it doesn't feel all that intimidating to a smaller rider.

Just adjust the stem and seatpost height and you should be good to go!

Looks at Specialized Expedition (might be called a Globe sport..they go back and forth between the two names). I am 5 foot 3 inches and have a small frame with the seat pretty much all the way up. My friend was 4 foot 9 inches and she was able to ride it, with the seat all the way down, but it felt too big for her. So I think that it should be in your size range.

I second this, I have a friend who is 5'3" and she rides a globe and it seems to fit her perfectly

I'm 5' 3" and find a small frame, full rigid (no suspension) mountain bike works really well for an all around ride. You can replace the knobby tires with some that have street treads or slicks and it will do well, as long as you don't want to win any races. Most MTBs that fit me are around 15" size, but 14" and even 13" frames are available from some manufacturers.