Which size commuting/hybrid/road frame for a woman of these measurements?
Of course we'll try some on at a nearby shop, but to narrow things down, which frame size do you suggest for a woman 5 ft 6 in. tall, with slightly shorter legs and longer torso (30 in. inseam), and would you suggest a man's frame given that men typically have proportionately shorter legs than most women? Really appreciate your suggestions. She'll be riding either a road bike with flat bars and slightly more upright posture than typical road, or a hybrid, both with 700c wheels. Here are her complete measurements from the Competitive Cyclist bike fit measurements:
Actual measurements:
Actual Inseam30 In
Trunk24.5 In
Forearm12 In
Arm23.25 In
Thigh21.75 In
Lower Leg19.875 In
Sternal Notch53 In
Total Height66 In
Competitive Cyclist Fit Suggestion For Road Bikes:
Fit Style
The Eddy Fit
Top Tube Length51.5 - 51.9 Cm
TOP TUBE LENGTH
This measurement is along the top tube, from the midpoint at the seat tube to the midpoint at the head tube. No single piece of frame geometry has a greater impact on comfort than your top tube. If you plan on paying attention to one measurement and one measurement only, make it this one. Keep in mind that we do not measure the actual top tube on bikes with compact frame geometry. Rather, we use an "Effective Top Tube" measurement - an imaginary line drawn parallel to the ground along the length of the top tube.
Seat Tube Range CC50.5 - 51 Cm
Seat Tube Range CT52.1 - 52.6 Cm
Stem Length9.1 - 9.7 Cm
BB Saddle Position67.1 - 69.1 Cm
Saddle Handlebar48.8 - 49.4 Cm
Saddle Setback3.7 - 4.1 Cm
Seatpost TypeNot Setback
Competitive Cyclist Fit Suggestions For Mountain Bikes:
Fit Style
The XC Fit
Standover Height Range28.6 - 29.2 Inches
Virtual Top Tube Length22.3 - 22.7 Inches
VIRTUAL TOP TUBE LENGTH
This is not a measurement of the actual top tube itself. Rather, this corresponds to the mountain bike industry standard of measuring an imaginary line drawn parallel to the ground along the length of the top tube from the midpoint at the seat tube to the midpoint at the head tube. This is also known as an "effective top tube." No single piece of frame geometry has a greater impact on comfort than your top tube. If you plan on paying attention to one measurement and one measurement only, make it this one.
Stem Length8.7 - 10.3 Cm
BB Saddle Position67.1 - 68.6 Cm
Saddle Handlebar49 - 50.6 Cm