Hybrid Bicycles - Hybrid Bike for 5'3" Male

I'm having quite a time trying to find a bike for myself. It's been a long time since I've ridden a bike with any regularity. I'm looking for something to go fast on pavement. Greenways, cruising downtown Nashville, and eventually group rides. I like the idea of a road bike, but not sure I want to lean that far over. Definately don't want anything too heavy or anything with big fat tires. My budget is around $150-$250. Willing to go a bit more.

There's lots of hybrids on the market, but most of them seem to be geared towards taller men. I'm 5'3", and even some size charts on the Internet don't even start with my height. Any suggestions for "off the shelf" models so I don't have to spend lots of money on a custom build?

Look for something with 26" tires, there should be a few skinny tired hybrids using them.

Look for something with 26" tires, there should be a few skinny tired hybrids using them.

Hey there Nashbike!

You have several options:

1)Your best option is to try to find a nice steel-framed hybrid, road, or mountain bike, off of craigslist. Then gradually upgrade your components in time.

2) You could also get an XS sized mountain bike from www.bikesdirect.com (http://www.bikesdirect.com) and swap out the tires for smoother and thinner ones.

3) Finally, you could go to:

www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/mountain/2012-frontier-mens-14351 (http://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/mountain/2012-frontier-mens-14351)

www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/bike-path/2012-voyageur-21-mens-14619 (http://www.schwinnbikes.com/bikes/bike-path/2012-voyageur-21-mens-14619)

These are both Signature Schwinns. They therefore, are a step above most others in their aluminum category, given equal componentry.

- Slim :)

Thoroughly recommend Felt.

http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/Single-Nav/Inside-Felt/Support/Bike-Sizing.aspx

QX range is the one to look at. It´s listed under "Mountain Sizing" but the QX are pure Hybrids :-)

I too am a 5'3" male and I ended with a 15" Trek 7100. I've only had it for 2 months and have 1300 miles on it. It is a very nice smooth riding bike but it cost me about $370 out the door.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/town/recreation/hybrid/7100/#

I'm 5'10" and ride a 17.5" Trek 7.3 FX, which just fits me, in the sense that I've got the seat post up as far as it can go (it can probably go 8 inches lower). I probably could have done with a 20" frame, but the 17.5" frame does work for me. Like the Trek 7100 posted about above, the FX series also comes in 15" frames, and I'd imagine that a 15" frame would accommodate someone quite a bit smaller than me. You'd need to find a second-hand one to stay in your budget, but I think you'd struggle to find a decent new bike within your budget.

You could try a local bike shop to see if a 15" frame fits first, and then start hunting around for a second hand machine.

250 - 300 should get you something, if you can find a 2011 model on offer... Maybe even a 2010. Takes some searching but that´s how I buy my bikes, normally with 30 - 50% off the retail.

Check out this bike, less than $300 shipped. I bought my road bike from this seller, much better than "Wallyworld" special!! And she has 15" models! http://www.ebay.com/itm/MENS-LADIES-ALUMINUM-COMFORT-CRUISER-BIKE-700C-SHIMANO-24-SPEED-/140647364442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bf3c775a

I feel guilty...I'm 6'5" and have been b**ching about the lack of range for us tall people...guess it goes both ways.

I keep on hearing "cycling is a small mans sport".

Maybe it should be "cycling is a man sized between 5'6" and 6'2" sport".

I'm a 5'2" female and I ride a 15" Jamis Coda (men's geometry). It's not SUPER light, but I can pick it up to bring inside/put it on the bus/etc, and runs 700c x 28 wheels. Purchased new it's out of the price range you mentioned (I paid around $500) but you might be able to find a used one/older model year.

Check out this bike, less than $300 shipped. I bought my road bike from this seller, much better than "Wallyworld" special!! And she has 15" models! http://www.ebay.com/itm/MENS-LADIES-ALUMINUM-COMFORT-CRUISER-BIKE-700C-SHIMANO-24-SPEED-/140647364442?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item20bf3c775a

Thanks for your thoughtful responses everyone! I decided to go with the Dawes Eclipse that tomn8r recommended. One for me, and a Pink ladies bike for my wife. My wife is 5'4" so these bikes seem to be perfect for our needs.

Thanks for your thoughtful responses everyone! I decided to go with the Dawes Eclipse that tomn8r recommended. One for me, and a Pink ladies bike for my wife. My wife is 5'4" so these bikes seem to be perfect for our needs.

Give us a report on your impressions after you get it. Seems like a lot of bike for very little money.