himespau 

So my wife knows how much I like to tinker around on my bike (not a true full wrench by any stretch of the imagination, but I do like to do the basics myself). Anyway, she has a Xmart schwinn ranger POS that she doesn't like to ride. Over the weekend, I was talking about how we could get a new bike for her and she said she'd rather have me build her one as she thought that'd be something I'd enjoy and it'd end with her having a bike.

My first thought was to scour craigslist looking for an older frame I can work with, but I have a couple of difficulties. The first is size. My wife is 6' or so, but if at all possible, I'd like to put her on a step-through or mixte frame so she can feel like it's a girl's bike (she has problems getting clothes that are long enough for her so I'd like her something she can have that she can feel is sort of girly). I'm in no rush as she probably wouldn't ride before spring anyway, but is there any chance I'm going to find a "women's" frame that large? I know VO has that mixte frame I could get in 58 cm, but I'd rather go off CL if possible as I don't know how much she's going to use it and that's a pretty pricey frame for something that might not be used.

Also about sizing. As I'm looking for step through or mixte, that probably means a more upright position (she's more of a look around type rider than a go for speed thing, so that's probably about right). Is there a website for sizing for that like there is at CC for other frames? Or do I just assume that 58 cm or 22" are about right and adjust the handlebars?

Not sure anything is going to come of this, but it sounds like a fun winter project for me and a way to get her out on the bike with me occasionally if I can figure it out (we'd also talked about tandems a while back, but I don't think that's in the cards at the moment although that might keep us together more as I could work out and she'd look around and pedal as much as she wanted).

himespau 

Sorry, if this isn't in the right place, I just figured you folks would know what's out there and if hunting around on CL would just be a big waste of my time.

roccobike

If you're set on a road bike, then mixte is your best bet. Most mixtes in the US were built for women and are smaller framed bikes. Findint one in her size will not be easy but worth a try.
If you're not set on a road bike, look for Raleigh 3 speed Sport models and their clones. I've seen Raleigh ladies Sport bikes with a rather large seat tube. If I remember correctly, I've seen a 19 or 20 inch seat tube. The bars on those are set for upright riding. IMHO the Sport models are readily available at reasonable prices (under $200). However, my first choice would be to go for the mixte.

One other comment, have you asked your wife? Maybe she wants to be like all the other girls today and ride a traditional frame road bike. At her height finding a nice traditional frame bike would be as easy as opening up the nearest large city CL listing.

himespau 

Yeah, she was disappointed when I said it might be hard to find one that would fit her and didn't really want what she called a "men's" bike. Since we do have some decent hills, something more than 3 speeds would be good, but the upright style of the 3-speed step through would probably be more to her liking. I'd like to be able to go fast, but I'll just have to do that on my own (pretty much that's the reason I put cross-style interrupter brake levers on my bike - I'm on the tops going a lot slower when riding with her). I don't know how upright measurements compare with road bike numbers.

sailorbenjamin

I don't know how upright measurements compare with road bike numbers.

I think they're about the same for seat tube. Virtual top tube length is probably a little shorter.

sailorbenjamin

Sometimes, with really tall girls, ape hangers and a banana seat help
https://newjersey.craigslist.org/bik/2024027033.html
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

himespau 

well, I guess I'll keep scanning cl and see what I can come up with. I'd love to do something up either vintage or vintage looking, but we'll see what's out there. And that CL add is awesome.

Henry III

I was in the same boat but on the other spectrum with the height issue. I found a earlier Bottecchia Mixte but it was a bit on the taller side. I dropped the stem and put more city bike style bars from an older Sears woman's bike in my collection. She loves it but won't really be able to ride it until this spring. Our little one is just six months old so she's still a bit too young and to cool to ride in the trailer right now. I was going to completely rebuild it but with some elbow grease and new parts it's better then I expected. Now it's a personal one of a kind present instead of just some store bought bike anyone else could go buy.