Big Pete

She tips the scales at 220lb but she rides like the wind and wants to go fast!

Wants a roadish styled bike "she said road racer but?" we have MTB and really enjoy them and we already has semi slicks on it but she is more comfortable in a road bike position.

Frame needs to be smaller she is 5'3.5"

adam_mac84

i see lots of small (48-52cm) bikes on ebay!!! if i were a foot shorter, i would be bid crazy. Do you have more specific questions or are you just merely stating?

i have seen some womens geometry bikes in the LBS's i dn't know how their geometry is much different, but maybe for an athena a smaller mens bike may be worth the task

velocycling

Join the club. My wife rides/races, too. We buy two of everything. It is expensive, but it is a good thing.

nkfrench 

Good for her! I am also an Athena with a nice road bike. For many years from 1970's on I rode a men's 10-speed (about a 58cm bike) as I have long arms, legs, big hands BUT the women's bike I have now fits MUCH better for my short torso. I am 5'6" and ride a 54cm Specialized Ruby Pro. I averaged over 10 miles a day this past year.

A couple of things to consider: the bike I have only has clearance for a 25mm tire. Heavier people may be more comfortable on bigger tires. And in women's bikes, you may find that inexpensive bikes do not come with a very aggressive frame geometry. I also use this bike to commute and ended up with a seatpost beam rack for panniers as the purer touring/commuter bikes were too upright for my tastes and this bike did not have eyelets to attach racks.

You can get some good deals at the end of each model year. I found a new 2006 bike at the end of the 2008 model year and got a great deal on it. Make sure if you buy from a store that it's one you like that gives great service. I have been very happy with my choices. Hope your wife enjoys her new bike!

Big Pete

the torso is not long and we are researching for the near future. I am not affraid to build this bike for her but wanted to make sure that a small male frame might work. Just looking for suggestions because I do not want to wast my money and or time. I think the slightly larger tires my giver her the speed she is looking for and a plusher ride so is a cyclecross bike somthing I should look at?

Mr. Beanz

I know this sounds funny but a couple or shop dudes (one of which I trust very much) told me that sizes lose something going form a woman specific to a standard traditional geometry. I thought it was bull but found it to be true. Wife was ridng a mens 51 Bianchi roadie. They told me she would be about a 47 in th WSD design. She tried several sizes and felt best on the 47 WSD.

If you match the 51 to the WSD, the handlebarsa re the same height from the ground, so is the saddle. But the toptube and reach on the WSD is shorter. Eventhough she was comfy on the 51, she loves the WSD now that she's gotten used to the slightly different geo. She loves the severe slope in the toptube, much more lady friendly.

She's 5'4...51 traditional (Bianchi) and 47 WSD (Trek)

EasyEd

My wife, reading over my shoulder, says "buy it for her if you know what's good for you".

Rhodabike

Perhaps a bike fitting at a good shop is in order? They could tell her what length top tube and stem she needs. Top tube length is usually more important than seat tube length for women. And even women with longish torsos will have shorter arms than their male counterparts, so a higher handlebar makes for a better fit.
Something like a Surly Pacer or a Masi Randonneur might fit the bill. You can put slightly wider tires on them if need be, they take fenders, but they're more road bike than touring bike.

CACycling

When shopping for a new road bike for my wife, she test rode a lot of bikes both men's and WSDs. She felt much more comfortable on the WSDs and eventually fell in love with a Fuji Finest 1.0 WSD. It was nearing 2 model years old so we got it at a bit over 1/2 price.

cohophysh

As others suggested, take her to the LBS and have her test ride several different bikes

Pamestique 

It goes without saying that you should take your wife's measurements before shopping. I can fit anything from a 51 to a 56 depending on frame model and geometry (I am 5'8"). The two major manufacturers (Trek and Specialized) make WSD bikes (Specialized sells a great WSD entry level performance bike - the Dolce. They are easy to find on Craig's list because people buy up to the next level). A women would want a WSD style bike if her legs are proportionally long compared to her torso. If your wife is shaped like me (fairly even between upper and lower body) she will be better on a regular bike.

Next thing to consider is positioning. Is the wife flexible and willing to ride agressively (i.e. bent fairly foward streching out towards the handlebars) or is she more comfortable upright? A friend of mine bought the bike her husband wanted her to get. She never ever got used to the agressive style of that bike. She eventually sold a $2500 bike (this was 8 years ago) for $1000 and ended up buying a sports bike which she still rides. Your wife may said "racer" but really mean "not mountain bike".

Alumnium works for her weight but see if you can find steel or Ti which is more "forgiving" and easier to ride longer distances. Easier on hands. Less road feel.

And just get out and start looking at bikes. At least settle in on a general size (probably between 48 - 51) and style then materials and components. And don't forget what is important to women as well... design and color. I hate to say it but that's always been a big deal when purchasing a bike.

And consider spending some money on better wheels and also 25's or 28's tires instead of 21's or 23's. Will make the bike roll smoother.

damnable

Let her choose the bike.
Just supply the plastic

Pamestique 

Best...advice...ever!!!!

DieselDan

'Cause of she ain't happy, you won't be happy.

umpire54

She likes to go fast...look for a Miyata 91' Triple cross. It is crazy fast and fun to ride. I love the 700 x 35 tire size...if I want to go offroad I can. Road bike version...my 86' Miyata 710. I found two smaller bikes easily. The Shimano Biospace drivetrain simply flys on the Triple cross and the Shimano/Sugino combo are just as amazing on the 710. Not brand new out of the store - but I can't pass up barely ridden bikes with cool styling that fly like these two bikes. Good luck with the bike hunt! If mama ain't happy no body is happy!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire5...7622871236122/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/umpire5...7622744130549/

Megan757

I second both of these! Check 2009 models if you're trying to save on cost... Also agree with going in and getting fitted at a shop. Then keep each other motivated and have fun!!

bautieri

This is a problem? I would be tickled pink if my wife wanted to go road biking with me. I would recommend the following. Take her to a shop, then go get lost. Let her make the decision on her own and make sure she knows not to base her decision on price. Let her buy what she wants and what she feels best on, you can pick up the tab later.

CACycling

I had to really push to get my wife to ride the bike she ended up with because of the price. She'd ridden all (and I do mean ALL) of the less expensive bikes and just wasn't really comfortable on any of them. She finally gave in and rode the Fuji Finest 1.0 and loved it but would not buy it becuse of the price. I picked it up for her the following weekend and her complaining about the cost ended after our first ride.

atcfoody

Oh, to have your problems! I keep hoping to take my wife by the LBS and have her say that. That way, I can get a new bike so I can "keep up with her".