Originally Posted by
ChowChow
A 17 inch women frame should fit her well. She should be able to ride it for a while, if she does grow some more. It is better to get a bike at a local bike shop. Due to the fact that they can fit you properly with a bike and find what bike suites your riding needs. Plus, usually they will get you a free bike tune up. A normal tune up cost about $50-$70 (depends on where you go). Some LBS employee are a bunch of @holes. If that the case then I will look elsewhere.
Boy, now I am leaning towards the 17"/Med frame. I would love to get the bike at our local bike shop, but I really question their knowledge and the price difference seems huge to me. I do realize though that the tuneup could pretty much make up the difference. The next closest Bike shop is 100 miles away. The cost in fuel to drive that distance and back to buy one from them is a factor as well. I just wish the local bike shop also had the bike I wanted assembled so we could fit it to her. Cost of living in the middle of nowhere I suppose.